The Gifts of the Spirit 1

October 1, 2006
Sermon #645

The Gifts of the Spirit 1

1 Corinthians 12:1 - 11 (NKJV) 1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2You know that£ you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by £the same Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Introduction:

Paul uses chapter 12 – 14 of the Letter to the Corinthians to answer questions about the "Gifts of the Spirit" so there is no way that I can cover the subject in one message. This subject is so broad that we will have to spend a number of Sundays discovering the depth of Paul thought. The first thing we need to look at is:

Are the gifts for today?

Why there is a question

1 Corinthians 13:8 - 13 (NKJV) 8Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Dispensation theology states that the gifts disappeared with the age of the Apostles.

The fist question we ask is when did apostles disappear? – There were many recorded Apostles other than the 12 – including Paul!

Next when did the gifts disappear? All though Christian history we read of individuals who had one or more of the gifts!

Then why did the Apostle Paul spend so much time writing how the gifts were to be used if they were to stop when he finished writing?

When will they disappear?

1 Corinthians 13:12 (NKJV) 12For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

The answer is: "When I see Him face to face" I will not need the gifts!
When and where did they get the gifts?

ILL; Those who say they got them when they were Gentiles (unconverted) from dumb Idols. NO! Dumb Idols cannot speak – in tongues or any other language – that’s Paul’s point!

At Pentecost!

Acts 2:1 - 4 (NKJV) 1When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all £with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

At the home of Cornelius!

Acts 10:44 - 46 (NKJV) 44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
ILL: I want you to understand that "speaking in unknown tongues" is the only gift recorded solely in the New Testament – every other miracle, supernatural gift is recorded in the Old Testament including raising people from the dead!

What are the gifts?

Hebrews 2:4 (NKJV) 4God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
1 Corinthians 12:4 - 7 (NKJV) 4There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

They are for all

Manifestation means a showing forth

The Holy Spirit is the giver the Christian is the delivery person
There are nine gifts!

Revelation gifts – the eyes of God

A word of wisdom
A word of knowledge
Discerning of spirits

Power Gifts – the hands of God

Special faith
Gifts of healing
The working of miracles

Vocal/Inspirations gifts – the mouth of God

The gift of prophecy
The gift of tongues
The gift of Interpretation of tongues

The Revelation Gifts are the vehicles God uses to supernaturally reveal to His Church and His people things they could not know in a natural way.

The Power Gifts are the vehicles God uses to channel His supernatural power through His Church to destroy the works of the devil.

The Vocal Gifts are the vehicles God uses to supernaturally build up, strengthen, and encourage His Church.

VI. The Nine Gifts

The Word of Wisdom

Has nothing to do with being wise or natural wisdom
Has nothing to do with academic ability
Is a supernatural gift that pertains to situations in the future
Through this gift God lets you know how to deal with a situation as it arises in the future.

A Word of Knowledge

A knowledge that surpasses the senses of man
It does not come through study
It is not an intellectual ability
Relates to the present or past not to the future
Discerning of Spirits
Not a gift of suspicion
Not a gift of discernment
Not fault finding or judging
Not discerning of character
Is the supernatural ability to discern angels, demons, or condition of human spirit

Gift of Faith

Not natural human faith
Not the measure of faith
Not faith obtained from the Word
Not saving faith
Is an unlimited faith in a specific situation

The gift of healings

Not receiving healing through the Word
Not receiving healing through the communion
Not receiving healing through medicine
It is not healing through faith healers
It is the supernatural impartation of God’s Divine healing power through you to heal

The working of Miracles

Is the suspension of natural law

Feeding the 5000
Dividing the Red Sea
Multiplying the widow’s oil

The Gift of Prophecy

Is not the preaching of the gospel
Is not guidance
Is not telling the future
Is not a message of confusion, criticism, or condemnation
Is confirmation to your spirit
Must be in agreement with God’s Word!

The gift of tongues

Has nothing to do with the intellect of man
Is not a learned language
Is not the prayer language
It is a supernatural utterance proclaiming in a public meeting a message from God in a language unknown and not understood followed by an interpretation.

The Gift of interpretation of tongues

Is not a translation
The gift of tongues with the interpretation equal prophecy

Conclusion:

Our part:

Desire the gifts. 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NKJV) 1Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

Exercise faith:

Romans 12:6 - 8 (NKJV) 6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Don’t neglect the gifts you have:

1 Timothy 4:14 (NKJV) 14Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

Paul and the Lord's Supper

September 24, 2006
Sermon # 644

Paul and the Lords Supper

1 Corinthians 11:17 - 34 (NKJV) 17Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lords Supper. 21For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. 23For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.� 25In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.� 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lords death till He comes. 27Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and £blood of the Lord. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For he who eats and drinks £in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lords body. 30For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 33Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

I. Preparation for the Lord's Supper

A. Unity not division

Amos 3:3 (NKJV) 3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?

ILL: Division

1 Corinthians 1:10 - 13 (NKJV) 10Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. 12Now I say this, that each of you says, I am of Paul,� or I am of Apollos? or I am of Cephas? or “I am of Christ? 13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

B. Paul recognizes that their will be divisions and why

19For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.
Matthew 18:7 (NKJV) 7Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
James 1:12 (NKJV) 12Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

C. Unholy attitudes while taking communion

1 Corinthians 11:20 - 22 (NKJV) 20Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lords Supper. 21For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

ILL: Social Class – The top of the bread goes to the upper crust?

II. The Purpose of the Lords Supper

A. Received from the Lord – 1st recorded

ILL: The Passover meal began with the hosts pronouncing a blessing over the first cup of red wine and passing it to the others present. Four cups of wine were passed around during the meal. After the first cup was drunk bitter herbs dipped in a fruit sauce were eaten and a message was given on the meaning of Passover. Then the first part of a hymn, the Hallel (which means praise? and is related to hallelujah, praise ye the Lord?), was sung. The Hallel is comprised of Psalms 113-118, and the first part sung was usually 113 or 113 and 114. After the second cup was passed, the host would break and pass around the unleavened bread. Then the meal proper, which consisted of the roasted sacrificial lamb, was eaten. The third cup, after prayer, was then passed and the rest of the Hallel was sung. The fourth cup, which celebrated the coming kingdom, was drunk immediately before leaving.

Psalms 113:1 - 9 (NKJV) 1 Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord! 2 Blessed be the name of the Lord From this time forth and forevermore! 3 From the rising of the sun to its going down The Lords name is to be praised. 4 The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high, 6 Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth? 7 He raises the poor out of the dust, And lifts the needy out of the ash heap, 8 That He may seat him with princes” With the princes of His people. 9 He grants the barren woman a home, Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!

Psalms 114:1 - 8 (NKJV) 1 When Israel went out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language, 2 Judah became His sanctuary, And Israel His dominion. 3 The sea saw it and fled; Jordan turned back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, The little hills like lambs. 5 What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? 6 O mountains, that you skipped like rams? O little hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob, 8 Who turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters.

III. The Preparation for the Lords Supper

1 Corinthians 11:27 - 34 (NKJV) 27Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and £blood of the Lord. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For he who eats and drinks £in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lords body. 30For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 33Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

A. Examine yourself do you have ought or division in the Body of Christ?

B. Judge yourself Ask forgiveness

C. The Lords chastisement is for your good

Conclusion: Let us break bread together!

September 17, 2006
Sermon #643

In Chain of Command

1 Corinthians 11:1 - 16 (NKJV) ¹Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. ²Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. ³But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. ⁴Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. ⁵But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. ⁶For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. ⁷For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. ⁸For man is not from woman, but woman from man. ⁹Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. ¹⁰For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. ¹¹Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. ¹²For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God. ¹³Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? ¹⁴Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? ¹⁵But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given ^£to her for a covering. ¹⁶But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.

Introduction:

I want it understood that I am ministering through a study of a book of the Bible – so I have not picked this subject because of any personal interest. I also want it understood that I am trying to interpret and explain the words of the Apostle Paul and I try as much as possible to be true to the text and not insert my philosophy into the message. This is one of those subjects that gets the minister into trouble – well actually any thing I say will offend someone!

I. The head of Christ is God!

A. This is not inferior – before, during or after the incarnation

John 10:25 - 30 (NKJV) ²⁵Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. ²⁶But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, ^£as I said to you. ²⁷My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. ²⁸And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. ²⁹My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. ³⁰I and My Father are one.â€�

John 14:8 - 11 (NKJV) ⁸Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.â€� ⁹Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. ¹¹Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

Jesus is Submitted to the Father

John 4:34 (NKJV) ³⁴Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.

John 5:30 (NKJV) ³⁰I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

John 6:38 - 40 (NKJV) ³⁸For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. ³⁹This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. ⁴⁰And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.â€�

Christ is the head of every man

1 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV) ³But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

A. Christ is the head of every Christian Man

Ephesians 1:15 - 23 (NKJV) ¹⁵Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: ¹⁷that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ¹⁸the eyes of your ^£understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ²⁰which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. ²²And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, ²³which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 4:11 - 16 (NKJV) ¹¹And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹²for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, ¹⁵but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— ¹⁶from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Colossians 1:15 - 18 (NKJV) ¹⁵He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. ¹⁸And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

B. Christ is the head of all non Christian men

Matthew 28:18 - 20 (NKJV) ¹⁸And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹Go ^£therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.â€� ^£Amen.

Philippians 2:5 - 11 (NKJV) ⁵Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ⁹Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Man is the head of woman

ILL: Well I almost made it – now the trouble! The principle of subordination and authority applies to all men and all women not to just husband and wives.

A. Man is the image and glory of God

1 Corinthians 11:7 - 10 (NKJV) ⁷For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. ⁸For man is not from woman, but woman from man. ⁹Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. ¹⁰For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

Genesis 1:26 - 28 (NKJV) ²⁶Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over ^£all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.â€� ²⁷So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. ²⁸Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.â€�

ILL: Where was woman? She was inside, part of the man!

B. Woman is the image and glory of man

Genesis 2:21 - 23 (NKJV) ²¹And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. ²²Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. ²³And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.â€�

ILL: Someone has said that God man woman second to correct the mess he had made in making man! It is impossible to take what Paul wrote as being supportive of contemporary feminism. But Paul makes no distinction between man and women as to their personal worth, intellect or spiritually. Paul is not saying that God made a distinction because of superiority but for order.

C. Family order

Ephesians 5:22 - 33 (NKJV) ²²Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. ²⁴Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. ²⁵Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ²⁶that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. ²⁸So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. ³⁰For we are members of His body,^£ of His flesh and of His bones. ³¹â€œFor this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.â€�^{£ 32}This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. ³³Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

ILL: God judged when the order was changed

Isaiah 3:11 - 13 (NKJV) ¹¹ Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, For the reward of his hands shall be given him. ¹² As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths.â€� ¹³ The Lord stands up to plead, And stands to judge the people.

Symbol of the principle (Paul uses local custom)

1 Corinthians 11:4 - 7 (NKJV) ⁴Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. ⁵But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. ⁶For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. ⁷For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.

A. Moses did not veil his face from God but from men

Exodus 34:29 - 35 (NKJV) ²⁹Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. ³⁰So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. ³¹Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them. ³²Afterward all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them as commandments all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. ³³And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. ³⁴But whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with Him, he would take the veil off until he came out; and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel whatever he had been commanded. ³⁵And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.

B. The veil over a woman’s face indicated her submission

ILL: So long as she was in submission she could pray or prophesy publicly – this does not mean a woman has to cover her head but that she is covered by the male leader!

. 1 Corinthians 11:5 - 7 (NKJV) ⁵But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. ⁶For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. ⁷For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.

ILL: What’s this about shaved hair?

Isaiah 3:16 - 17 (NKJV) ¹⁶Moreover the Lord says: “Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, And walk with outstretched necks And wanton eyes, Walking and mincing as they go, Making a jingling with their feet, ¹⁷ Therefore the Lord will strike with a scab The crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, And the Lord will uncover their secret parts.â€�

Numbers 5:16 - 22 (NKJV) ¹⁶‘And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the Lord. ¹⁷The priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel, and take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water. ¹⁸Then the priest shall stand the woman before the Lord, uncover the woman’s head, and put the offering for remembering in her hands, which is the grain offering of jealousy. And the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that brings a curse. ¹⁹And the priest shall put her under oath, and say to the woman, “If no man has lain with you, and if you have not gone astray to uncleanness while under your husband’s authority, be free from this bitter water that brings a curse. ²⁰But if you have gone astray while under your husband’s authority, and if you have defiled yourself and some man other than your husband has lain with youâ€�— ²¹then the priest shall put the woman under the oath of the curse, and he shall say to the woman—“the Lord make you a curse and an oath among your people, when the Lord makes your thigh rot and your belly swell; ²²and may this water that causes the curse go into your stomach, and make your belly swell and your thigh rot.â€� ‘Then the woman shall say, “Amen, so be it.â€�

ILL: The woman with shaved hair was marked as a prostitute and a prostitute has no male covering!

IV. Because of the Angels.

1 Corinthians 11:10 (NKJV) ¹⁰For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

A. Heavenly Angels

ILL: They saw the created order and are submitted to it – angels fell because they would not submit!

Job 38:3 - 13 (NKJV) ³ Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. ⁴ “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. ⁵ Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? ⁶ To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, ⁷ When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy? ⁸ “Or who shut in the sea with doors, When it burst forth and issued from the womb; ⁹ When I made the clouds its garment, And thick darkness its swaddling band; ¹⁰ When I fixed My limit for it, And set bars and doors; ¹¹ When I said, ‘This far you may come, but no farther, And here your proud waves must stop!’ ¹² “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, And caused the dawn to know its place, ¹³ That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, And the wicked be shaken out of it?

Hebrews 1:13 - 14 (NKJV) ¹³But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstoolâ€�?^{£ 14}Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

B. Earthly Angels

ILLL; Rev: 2: The seven letters were written to the seven pastors. Paul did not allow a woman to have final authority in a church – get angry at me if you will but there is not one “Elderest� in the Bible – women prophesied

Acts 21:9 - 11 (NKJV) ⁹Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. ¹⁰And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’â€�

ILL: Note the daughters “prophesied� but Agabus held the office of “Prophet!�

1 Timothy 2:8 - 15 (NKJV) ⁸I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; ⁹in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, ¹⁰but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. ¹¹Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. ¹²And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. ¹³For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. ¹⁵Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

ILL: The problem is not woman prophesying, or praying but having authority over men.

ILL: Apollos was instructed privately – Priscilla did not dare teach him publicly!

Acts 18:24 - 26 (NKJV) ²⁴Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. ²⁵This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Conclusion:

Once more I want to stress that God’s Chain of Command has nothing to do with value, or superiority. God the Father is not superior to Christ the Lord both are God, both are the same in all attributes. Angels are not inferior to the Christian man but are servants of the Church. Men are not superior to women, women may have better intelligence, greater spirituality, and greater gifts. But God’s order of authority is:

• Father
• Son
• Holy Spirit
• Angels
• Men
• Women
• And every thing else under the above!