055: Josh Hodge - The Pillar and Ground of the Truth

Automatically transcribed. Accuracy is good but not perfect, and words are sometimes wrong. Trust the audio over the text.

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   Welcome to the good Christian talks podcast. I’m Levi and I’m Chris. Thank you so much for joining us this week on this podcast. We select one taco week to help each one of us get the Bible in our daily news feed. We post at the start of each week for you to listen.

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   With a short intro before hand to kind of set the stage for the talk. You’re about to hear and now let’s hear more about this week’s talk.

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   I want to start this week’s intro just by apologizing to everyone for the talk being a little late this week. It’s been a particularly trying week with the fires that are in the area of my house has been going through some some power outages, which is made getting some time to record the intro to be challenging. It’s been a good reminder of God providing and putting things in place to to remind you that despite all the modern conveniences we have going on around us that so much is in his control.

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   And I feel like the end of this week has been something that’s been a good reminder for for me for that. So thank you for everyone for your patience. And hope you enjoyed the talk of this week. The class were listening to is one that was given at the Ontario for internal Gathering just as past year and is the second class from that weekend that was given by a brother Josh Hodges. I don’t actually know what Ecclesia Josh’s from other than I can tell he’s from Canada and you’ll be able to tell really quick when you hear him.

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   Giving his talk the subject for the Fraternal was looking at First Timothy and one of the things that was unique about this one as every class was taught by a different speaker. So it kind of gives a different flavor for each talk and for the second class that is titled the pillar and ground of the truth brother. Josh is looking at the second and third chapters of First Timothy and just kind of discussing the some of the key points that are outlined in those two chapters and what I really appreciated, from Brother Josh with his talk is that he takes a topic about men and women’s roles and the roles of husbands and wives and takes a very matter of fact look at it from the perspective of just what the scriptures say and how we can apply that to our lives and does it in a way that I feel was a really good way of approaching especially in the kind of the climate of today’s society, which I found to be a really good way to consider these passages and kind of puts it in perspective of how these first principles along with so many of the other first principles that we believe are the basis of the foundation of our faith and how we approach the truth and how we understand it a really really good class. The whole series was really neat being able to have a different speaker each time.

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   There were different things about each speaker that you would like as you would listen to the class. But all of the brothers did a really good job of keeping a consistent theme of the passage in the book. First Timothy and applying that as it went all the way to the end. So again, sorry for being a little bit late. This will probably end up being a double in this week just to kind of catch up but really excited to share this class by brother Josh Hodges titled the pillar and the ground of the truth.

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   Well my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ It was the sons of Korah that said my soul longeth. Yeah even fainted for the courts of Yahweh. This was a faithful family who desired more than anything else to be in those courts to be part of the house of God.

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   So much so that Psalm 84 says they are envious over small bird. Over a sparrow that made its nest in the house of God. Now this longing wasn’t merely for the building itself, but for the fellowship with the brethren. For the protection from the world for the Comforts of the truth for the love of God and for the glorification of the deity.

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   And really this is our theme together this weekend, isn’t it? The theme of the house of God and is found in the chapters before us if you look at First Timothy in chapter 3 reading from verse 14 There it says these things write I unto thee hoping to come unto these shortly what things were these these were the things he had previously written in chapter 1 2 and 3 he says, but if I tearing long these things have been given to you that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave or to conduct thyself in the house of God.

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    But what is the house of God? We actually have a definition because it goes on to say verse 15, which is the Ecclesia the called out ones the assembly the congregation. It’s the people that God dwells in that forms the house of God. The Ecclesia of the Living God it says the pillar and ground of the truth. Now did you notice that it said Living God it didn’t have to but the point is that God dwells in living people. He’s alive and he’s active in our midst. And he’s working with people.

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    That have taken on his Spirit thinking. And if that’s the god that we worship then we ought to take on that same spirit and be alive be Vibrance in our occlusions.

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    And the pillar and ground of the truth. This is where God’s truth flourishes in our midst in the Ecclesia in the called out ones. Now as we consider the house of God throughout scripture to occurs in a number of places, but perhaps none better than a fission is chapter 2 and chapter 3 and there we learned that Jesus Christ is the chief Corner Stone upon which the house is built.

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    We learned that the apostles and the prophets lay the foundation for us through the scriptures which we read. And Ephesians 2 and 3 talks about this building of people and it talks about how it’s alive. It talks about it being fitly framed how it groweth. That’s a term which teaches us. It’s a live at groweth unto a holy Temple. It’s builded together again in Ephesians 3, it’s rooted and grounded more language of a building that’s alive the breath and the length the depth and the height. Ephesians speaks of the same building and you know in those two chapters it says that that building exists. for a habitation of God It says in chapter 3 that Christ May dwell in our hearts.

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    That’s a wonderful thing to think about that. God is here in our midst. We create that building for God based on his truth. And his ways because it’s the pillar and ground of the truth. But for a house to function smoothly. Perhaps to be alive and vibrant and wholesome and healthy. It has to be upon the sound principles of God. There’s a lovely passage in Proverbs 24 verse 3. It says through wisdom.

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    Is in-house builded? By understanding it is established. And so we’re going to talk about three principles this afternoon three principles and three aspects of God’s wisdom of his understanding and those are found in Chapter 2 and 3. The first one is chapter 2 verse 1 to 7. It’s all about prayer. We have chapter 2 and verse 8 to 15.

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    It’s about roles of men and women who work in the house of God. And finally, we have chapter 3 and verse 1 to 14, which is all about leadership the Bishops and the deacons and those that serve within the Ecclesia.

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    And here’s three aspects of God’s wisdom that are a part of a collegial life the gods direction for us how we ought to behave ourselves in the house of God. And it’s the wisdom of Yahweh. And through wisdom the house of God, which is the Ecclesia of the Living God the pillar and ground of the truth is built and by understanding that it is established. So let us begin then chapter 2 verse 1 to 7. It says there in verse 1 I exhort therefore that first of all.

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    Supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men. Our communication with God our prayers to God is fundamental. Acts 2 and verse 42 talking about the Believers who had just been baptized in the Jerusalem the khaleja they continued steadfastly in the apostles Doctrine and fellowship breaking of bread and in prayers.

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    It was an important part of the Ecclesia. No, it says that prayers be made for all men. It’s the Greek word anthrop us. It’s referring to mankind. Two humans both men and women are included in this term, but I suggest you that God isn’t asking us to arbitrarily and universally pray for every person that resides on Earth.

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    But to pray for those in our scope of reference without partiality. Remembering that he is God and he has no pleasure in the death of the wicked whether it’s a Jew or Gentile whether it’s a bond or free a male or female or in this context a king or subject. You see, sometimes we can Prejudice certain people in our own minds and here in 1st Timothy to what might that have been but the Kings because it says in verse to pray for all men.

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    And it specifically points out for kings and all that are in authority. God is asking us to consider those who we know and we might cast down in our minds thinking they’re not worthy to be prayed for the God says pray for them, too. Four Kings Kings are people we would know pretty well people in Authority.

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    Timothy would have it. We know the leaders of our country. They are in the news. And they make decisions that affect our lives and God says pray for them. Do you know who the emperor was at the time that this was written whether the early date or the latter date has brother Daryl has suggested. is Nero not an easy person to pray for and if you take the latter date when this book was written. Two-thirds of Rome had just been burnt to the ground and there were rumors that were going around saying that it was Nero who started the fire and so Nero wanted to divert the attention to others.

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    And so who did he divert it to but this new group called the Christians. And the Christians were gathered and they were slaughtered. The Christians were the people that were torn apart by dogs. The Christians were burnt alive as human torches. And Paul says to Timothy pray for him. Peter says honor all men honor the king. And Paul says pray for all men pray for Kings. Certain things in the truth are difficult. They go against what we might naturally want to do. You know, we live in an age where God is blasphemed. in the universities God is eliminated from the schools. God is challenged in the very structure of society. He’s mocked in the workplace.

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    And in many cases, it’s the rulers of the land that guide and make these decisions that influence all of this to happen. And the last thing we want to do is pray for them. but even Christ says Pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. Now we do this for two reasons.

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    You see in verse 2. It says that we may be the quiet and Peaceable life know the word quiet is talking about an Inward and outward piece is a contrast to outward tumult.

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    Where is the word Peaceable you can think of it as the opposite of inward strife? And we asked for this quiet and Peaceable life. Not just that we avoid hindrance. But that we might live it in godliness and honesty the word godliness is you see Bia. It’s most often used in this epistle.

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    You see be a godliness God likeness reverence to our God. and honesty living a life of Integrity of Purity in our manner of Life recognizing our position before God. This is the type of life. We desire to live.

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    So let us join together this this weekend and Beyond to pray for our leaders that we might continue to Worship in the manner that we do so now. Verse 3 says this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our savior. And really this is the transition verse two the second reason why we pray because did you notice what it said about God? It’s God our savior.

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    We normally think of the Lord Jesus Christ, don’t we as Our Savior But ultimately, it’s God God is our savior. And when we think about it, God has chosen us. We are his elect and we’re thankful for that and he’s doesn’t show partiality when he has chosen us. And so we ought not to show partiality whom we pray for those that might enter our life that need our prayers.

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    God wants all men. It says verse 4. And that word all men is the same word all men of verse 1 those that are to be prayed for so God wants all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

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    And kings and leaders to wasn’t it Paul that almost converted, Agrippa. Is he because mankind is separated from God without truth. They’re alienated from the promises. They need to come to the truth. They need repentance. And this idea of the truth is so important to our community isn’t it to God’s house Paul uses it there in verse 4, but it’s also found verse 7 Paul preaches and he says I speak the truth in Christ and lie, not and he’s a teacher of the Gentiles.

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    In faith and Truth, which is the word Verity. And isn’t it the house of God the Ecclesia of the Living God the pillar and ground of the truth. Is where the truth resides where it’s elevated and promoted.

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    And there’s no greater witness. No greater evidence that God wants all men to be saved. Then what it says in verse 6 who Christ who gave himself a ransom for all?

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    Because it was the Lord Jesus Christ. That would bring man to God we skip verse 5 because notice what it says there there is one God and one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus. Who asked the question? Why does it say one God one mediator. Have you thought about that before?

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    One God and one mediator. It’s important, isn’t it? It’s part of the first commandment hear o Israel the Lord. Our God is one Lord. And it’s because man is separated from God.

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    But God is a unity in his thinking in his character in his spirit. I want you to turn with me to Galatians Galatians chapter 3 because this concept of the mediator and this concept of one God of hers again, and it helps explain what this means. Now the context of Galatians 3. We already looked at in class 1 the law highlighted man sinned it highlighted that man was separate from God because of his sins. And also talks about how the law would be done away with when Christ The Promised seed came.

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    These are two covenants the New Covenant and the old Covenant. But the New Covenant was the Covenant that removed sins that the old Covenant highlighted, but they are both brought about by a mediator. And see what it says in verse 20 now a mediator is not a mediator of one. But God is one. What does that mean?

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    Mediator is not a mediator of one but God is one. And you don’t have a mediator. You don’t have someone who brings a covenant if there’s no need for it, but there was a need because there were two there was man and there was God God is one he is a unity and he wants man to be brought to him to be United and character and purpose and understanding and that’s why the Lord Jesus Christ came to remove sin. through the face of individuals and through taking on his name and that is why we have verse 28 have a look at verse 28 because when we take on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in the waters of baptism it says there is neither Jew nor Greek Bond or free male or female. Ye are all one in Christ Jesus

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    And what a wonderful thing that is and so we ought to pray that. All men are saved and come to a knowledge of the truth that they might be one with God for he is one.

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    And so a main point from this section on prayer, it’s fundamental to communicate with our Father in heaven without distinction without partiality. In the house of God God’s house should be a House of Prayer. And a key lesson that comes from this we must pray for the leaders of our land that we can live a quiet and Peaceable life in all godliness and honesty we must recognize that we are afforded harmony with our God through Christ. And this same Harmony we should desire that others have as well. This is the wisdom of Yahweh.

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    And it’s through wisdom that the house of God. The Ecclesia of the Living God the pillar and the ground of the truth is built and by understanding that it is established. Well now move on to the next section the next aspect of God’s wisdom how we are to conduct ourselves in the house of God. And it starts in verse 8 and speaks of roles. So we looked at prayer but who is to pray? Verse 8 says I will therefore that men pray everywhere and is important to mention brothers and sisters that word men is different than the word men of verse 1 and verse 4. It’s a word which means man as distinct from woman. males and where are they to pray?

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    It says I will therefore that men pray everywhere and the context is the house of God. It’s something that the public prayer where Believers are gathered together much like we are now to form the Ecclesia of living God.

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    It’s not referring to the private prayer. No men are to pray everywhere and there’s two aspects to how they are to pray. It says lifting up. Holy hands without wrath and doubting.

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    Prayers were to be genuine but notice that it was put in the negative almost as if it may have been happening at that time and surely it would have it would have been difficult to pray for Nero without wrath to pray for the leaders that were persecuting your brethren that were killing them. and without doubting our prayers have to be given knowing that God will answer them according to how he knows his best according to his.

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    Divine will but that was without wrath and doubting that’s talking about the inner man. Brother offered Nichols says an attitude of body implies an attitude of mind and so will notice that they were to do so lifting up. Holy hands. It seems to be an illusion back to the Old Testament where they lifted up their hands a sign of spiritual thinking and there’s many prayer positions in scripture hands uplifted standing and respect sitting meditation. Teta Vliet kneeling and humility looking up and one we’re probably most familiar with is bowing our heads. But it was this outward man.

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    That was a reflection of the inward man. And our prayers have to be without wrath and in faith. And so as we pray for a dispute to be solved as we pray for the leaders of our country who would mock our God. As we pray for maybe the young people that are struggling as we pray for the Brotherhood to remain pure and Doctrine and practice as we pray for the unity of the Brotherhood as we pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. Let us do so with that genuine spirit and with the eye of faith.

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    And it tells us Brothers of the massive responsibility. We have to set our lives straight to focus our minds above to voice in our prayers that which is edifying for all to direct our words to God and reverence to express our faithful thoughts appropriately according to the specific occasion at hand and as best as possible to not wander into the lethargic cliches and Stations that are unfit for the prayer attend. Because as we pray know this the word holy there in verse 8. Occurs seven other times one of them is very similar to this context, but three of them describe Our God and three of them describe the Lord Jesus Christ. And so as we pray we are to be as God and as the Lord Jesus Christ, what a huge responsibility that is. Now verse 10 verse 9 says in like manner. Also, the following verses are direct comparisons a flow of thoughts necessary to be read together complementary principles and we’d suggest to you that the phrase an attitude of body implies an attitude of mind is applicable here as well. There is the outward man, which is to be a reflection of the inward man or the inward woman as we will find easy verse 9 says in like manner also that women Adorn themselves and it’s going to give a list of how they are to Adorn themselves, but verse 10 says but which becometh women professing godliness? That is the inward man right there. What they profess professing is a strong word. It means to promise most of the time it’s used of God’s promise to us.

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    And the woman was to promise godliness. She was to have this conviction. Godliness is the word Theo see Bia is very similar to the word godliness in verse 2 of a life that we all try to live. with reverence and respect And so what the woman was to wear was only a reflection of the inward man. So what was the woman supposed to wear? What is she supposed to Adorn herself with? Specifically meeting with others coming to the house of God. Well, it says with modest apparel the word modest apparel means well-arranged seemly modest. This is all about the standard of God. conforming to his standard and so propriety before God is to be adopted and what is Warren?

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    And then it says with shamefacedness now, this is a unique word and just occurs one other time. And if you look it up, it means a sense of shame or honor modesty bashfulness reverence Hebrews. 12:28 is the only other currents and it means to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear and it’s the word reverence.

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    Is the same Greek word and when you take that into consideration, it seems to be all about the position the recognition of God in our position before him. It’s an attitude of knowing where God is and where we stand. And so there is to be a position before God that is to be adopted one of humility. And then there’s sobriety.

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    The soundness of mind that means self control the related word is an adjective in it. It means to be saying in one sense is curving one’s desires and impulses. This is about being wise in how we Adorn ourselves not going with our natural desires and our tendencies. And so Prudence before God is to be adopted.

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    And how we Adorn ourselves and finally it says not with broided hair or gold or pearls or costly array that’s all about the riches and the opulence of the world and the rich are the the trendsetters aren’t they the force behind the movements that are empty self-absorbed Fashions consumed by one’s own image rather than the image. of the Elohim it’s all about the progression of the world. How they like to progress and display themselves. And Paul says to Timothy that is to be avoided progression of the world is to be avoided.

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    But it’s not enough to profess godliness by our intentions nor is it enough to dress in godliness by his standards, but we must also Express godliness by our works all are required according to the scriptures because have a look at verse 10. The woman were to Adorn themselves based on that inner conviction of verse 10, but it ends with with good works.

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    All are required. in the eyes of God And then we move on to verse 11. It says let the woman learn in Silence with all subjection, but I suffer not a woman to teach nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in Silence the word silence is in found in Acts 22 and verse 2.

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    Referring to a quiet and attentive audience listening to a presenter and contrary to some beliefs today men and women are different. They’re different physically, they’re different emotionally and they are given different roles. I’m reading a book right now via brother is lip Collier. He wrote a biography on Robert Roberts and he tells a story Robert Roberts had travelled over to America 1888 specifically Buffalo actually and he wanted to make contact with the man.

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    He had made contact with a few years ago. It doesn’t say if it was a brother or not, but regardless he decides to travel to what he thought was this this man’s house. And it was pouring with rain that day and he knocked no answer Zoey knocked more vigorously and still no answer and happy to wait it out because it was pouring with rain outside.

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    He sat Under The Verandah until well. He thought he heard some chopping of wood and some some Footsteps in the house. So we got got up and knocked with such force. That brother is lip says Even a partially deaf man could hear this knock and apparently this man was partially deaf, but still no answer.

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    So what did Robert Stewie he decides to go around the back of the house climbs under some barricade and as brother is lip says a horse. I’d him suspiciously. No, I found a door that was unlatched and he enters through the door and I quote going forward. He found himself in a narrow room with garments and domestic utensils and what he described as orderly disorder.

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    Now most men will understand this apparently contradictory phrase. Nothing is stored away in such a manner to satisfy a woman sense of order, but everything is ready at hand much more ready than if it would be if a woman were to tidy up says brother is low. And what is brother is lips point at this time while except to say that men are different than women women in this regards. Although it’s a fairly simplistic story and perhaps not entirely true in the day and age with which we live. I know many Brethren who are quite tidy. But nevertheless brother is a point was men and women are different and just to finish the story brother. Robert still haven’t found the man yet. So he searched room by room until he came across to this very dimly lit room.

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    You can’t really see but it seemed to be the kitchen and there was a sofa against the wall. And so groping around he seems to think that there’s a man on the sofa and so he feels around until he finally found what was a man’s nose. And this man suddenly startled wakes up and the story ends that this man profusely apologize for not being ready for this surprise visit of brother Roberts. And I suppose today that would be quite a bit different. We had think that brother Roberts would have to apologize. Well, there we go a story by Brother on brother Roberts one of our Pioneer Brethren, but when we come together in the Ecclesia of God, the principles behind roles are important the world might mock us for them.

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    But they’re Divine they deal with that which is spiritual Heavenly and holy. And Paul gives two very important reasons. And the first reason happened before sin. You see what it says verse 13 for Adam was first formed then Eve and it’s remarkable. Isn’t it? The reason given was before sin even entered the world and so the principle is timeless.

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    It’s indisputable. It’s not about culture. It was Adam who received and was made responsible for The Obedience of God’s commands at the first and no doubt would have to pass them on. So the first reason was before sin and the second reason was for sin have a look at verse 14 and Adam was not deceived he knew very much what he was doing when he protective the fruit but the woman being deceived was in the transgression brother Alfred Nichols says the emotional balance of her nature which enabled her to exercise that sweet and beneficent influence also allowed her to beguiled and when we consider the principles here, we recognize that man is to uphold what he failed to do to lead to teach and to direct and the woman is to uphold but she failed to do to act in subjection to the man and if man and woman can uphold these commands of God, it will create a beautiful and harmonious relationship within the Ecclesia and within marital life.

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    And while these two principles have very practical implications for how our cleavages are operated in our lives run. It’s all a reflection of something greater isn’t it? Which is another reason why we should maintain these Divine principles and values. You see it says in 2nd Corinthians 11 verse 2. Paul says, I am jealous over you with a Godly jealousy. I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you a chaste virgin to Christ.

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    He says to the Ecclesia the group of Believers. You are a chaste virgin to your husband Christ. But it’s all drawing on the same story in Genesis because it says but I fear lest by any means as the serpent beguiled Eve. Through his subtlety. So your minds should be corrupted from the Simplicity that is in Christ.

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    And he was warning them of another gospel. That could be preached another Christ. It says another spirit. And it’s the Ecclesia that is to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ, isn’t it?

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    Now we move on in verse 15 because it says notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith and love and Holiness with sobriety Have you thought about that verse before what what it means to be saved in childbearing. Now, there are several interpretations of this particular verse and that particular phrase. And the first one is she will be saved by having children, but this would imply that having children itself is a meritorious Act.

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    There’s Merit in act itself. But it also puts a condition on some like the unmarried or the childless wife. And puts them at a disadvantage. And more importantly it goes against other scriptural teachings, like first first Corinthians 7 where Paul actually discourages marriage to some degree in that context. The other theory is she will be saved by means of the childbirth.

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    That is to say. The birth of Christ who is described in Genesis 3:15 as the seed of the woman but notice verse 15. It says she shall be saved. It’s the future tense. Andy was around in Genesis 3 and Christ had come died resurrected and ascended to his father long before this was written and contextually would be odd to single out a woman as a beneficiary of Christ any more than a man man and a woman are both equal beneficiaries of the Salvation from Christ and it doesn’t make calls Point any stronger because it doesn’t have any implications for the women in contrast to many. And with perhaps the exception of Mary and certainly that isn’t the point.

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    Well, there’s a third reason she will come safely through childbirth. It suggests that’s not a good understanding either because the word safely in the context here is time about salvation verse for has it who will have all men to be saved. It’s the same word, but there’s time about salvation. Besides the fact that there are women who do not meet the criteria verse 15 faith and love and Holiness and sobriety who do come through childbearing safely. And there are some women who no doubt. Adhere these principles and don’t come safely through. So the last option which will suggest to you brothers and sisters is that she will be saved by the way of her childbearing that is not by the way of public ecclesial work or usurping a man’s place, but by dedicating her life to the nurture of the young Now while childbearing is in reference to giving birth itself to give birth to a child really means to become a mother as well and to inherit all those responsibilities associated with it and having a child allows her to uphold that faith and love and Holiness and sobriety. and if it’s the previous context with Eve because he you’re the woman was deceived and usurp the leadership position which led to the sin.

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    And thus death. But when given a child or the responsibility of helping to raise young she’s given a responsibility a commitment a connection with a child that is so powerful and full of energy. It puts the woman in a position to adhere those principles and there’s no more important work than raising a Godly seed is there.

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    Because what can happen is first Timothy 5 that Paul actually encourages the younger widows to get married and to Bear children less. They become it says idle toddlers And busybodies speaking things, which they ought not and children would help mitigate that problem.

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    I suppose some would say that sister. Hen and I haven’t hearkened to Genesis 1 be fruitful and multiply yet. But I do happen to work at a place with lots of children CHC across delphine’s school and many a time. I count them as my own but what you see there as well is sisters and mothers who dedicate their lives and live out this verse and verse 15, and it’s inspiring thing. but it also fits Genesis 3, which is The context as well because if we refer to Genesis 3 brothers and sisters, it says in verse 16 unto the woman I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception in sorrow Thou shalt bring forth children and thy desire shall be to thy husband and he shall rule over thee and there we have all the responsibilities of the woman and the roles in the Ecclesia. There we see that if the man is to rule over her than he is to be the leader in the teacher and she is to submit to that. But she also has a responsibility of bringing forth the children, but more than that. We notice in the next verse to Adam. It was said cursed is the ground for thy sake in sorrow shalt thou eat of it and all the days of thy life. Why would God put those two things like that? Unless there was a responsibility for the man to provide for the family and a responsibility for the woman to raise the family.

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    You see because those two words sorrow are the same word. One relates to the woman bringing forth children and raising children and one refers to the man providing for the family. The point isn’t just that they raise children though. Is it because it’s supposed to be in faith and love and Holiness with sobriety.

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    And you know what special that phrase faith in love. We find it in the previous chapter verse 14 the Lord Jesus Christ had faith and love and why did he have faith in love verse 14 The Satan love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

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    That Christ Jesus chapter 1 verse 15 came into the world to save sinners. Isn’t that amazing Christ adopted faith and love and he saves Sinners and the woman is being asked to adopt faith and love and save her children to save The Young and the Ecclesia. But what it really is is a reflection of her groom of the Lord Jesus Christ of the man of her husband. Unless in raising children and saving them she is the opportunity to Mir the Lord Jesus Christ. And so a key main point in this section regarding Brothers rules specifically, we have another slide about sisters roles. It says it is the brothers responsibility to pray publicly and to teach in the house of God. And a key lesson specifically for brothers. They must take on this responsibility enthusiastically and unconditionally adopt into their lives whether in the Ecclesia or in the homes and four sisters regarding Brothers rules sisters are to submit and learn in silence adopting humility and spirit in dress and in Works, they are to empower within the hearts of other sisters this submissive spirit and Garner.

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    In the hearts of men the will to lead as members in the house of God. Anna main point regarding sisters roles It is the primary responsibility of sisters to raise children in the Lord as a member in the house of God and this responsibility must be embraced wholeheartedly in the raising of one’s own children or by influencing and educating the young who reside in the house of God.

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    The power of example should never be dismissed as one of the greatest teaching tools. And the lesson for brothers about sisters roles Brothers must champion and be a guardian for wives and mothers to dedicate their lives to child rearing a work unparalleled in the house of God.

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    And this last chapter brothers and sisters were going to just touch on a few brief points. But it’s regarding the leadership. The last aspect of God’s wisdom.

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    For this is the wisdom of Yahweh and is through wisdom that the house of God the Ecclesia of living God the pillar and ground of the truth is built and by understanding that it is established. So notice verse 1 it talks about the Bishops. If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. And in verse 8 likewise must the deacons be grave. So we have Bishops and deacons discussed here. And I’d suggest to you.

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    They’re two distinct identifiable groups within the Ecclesia. In fact Paul says in verse 1 of Philippians 1 he introduces himself and then says to those at Philippi with the Bishops and deacons two distinct groups there. And if we consider the word Bishop from verse to a bishop, then must be blameless and we look at how it’s used in the New Testament and we look at what a bishop does in other words the verb.

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    We can learn a lot. Because God is actually described as a bishop or doing the work of a bishop. For he hath visited it says and redeemed his people and the word visit. There is the verb form of Bishop. And we learned that Bishops are to be redeemers of their Brethren from Death Moses did the work of a bishop and we learn that Bishops are to be delivers of their Brethren from sin.

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    The Ephesian Elders were Bishops and we learn that Bishops are to nourish their Brethren by the word to be Defenders of the doctrine disciples generically. We learned that they are to be visitors of their Brethren who are sick.

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    And finally Christ we learn that Bishops are to be guardians of their Brethren’s lives. What have wonderful responsibilities that Bishops have? Now when you look at deacons and deacons is a very generic word, but it does seem to be used here as a specific group Deacon. If you were to look it up, it means servant one who executes the commands of another. So Bishops or deacons were probably The Bishop’s assistance.

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    And while Bishops are servants. And Bishops could be deacons as well deacons aren’t necessarily Bishops. So I’ll give you an example of how this word is used John 12:26 If any man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall also my servant be my Deacon be is used of every follower of Christ in that manner.

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    So we must be talking about something different here in 1st Timothy 3 and we have a similar list for deacons. We’re not going to go through it other than highlight. The keywords deacons are too Preachers to strengthen and comfort the Brethren to distribute the funds to care for the widows to minister the word and to give life.

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    But it’s important to note that as overseers, which is what a bishop is. Overseer of preside over the Ecclesia and a deacon there were qualifications that had to be met. And that’s what the whole chapter is about the qualifications for a bishop and a deacon some are put in the positive. Look at verse 2. They must be blameless the husband of one wife Vigilant sober.

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    Those are the things they are to do some are putting the negative verse 3 not given to Wine. No Striker not greedy some our individual responsibilities verse 3 patient brawler not Covetous specific to the individual, but then some Have a family responsibilities. You see verse for one that ruleth. Well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity or verse 11 for the deacons even so must their wives be grave.

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    But what does that word rule mean verse 4 because verse 5 says for if a man know not how to rule his own house how shall he take care of the Ecclesia of God It’s associated with the elders in chapter 5 that rule well in labor and labor in word and Doctrine but it’s also this word up here on the screen first Thessalonians 5 and verse 12 See it says and we beseech you Brethren know them. Which labor?

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    That’s a word which means to be tired and exhausted with wearisome effort among you and are over you that’s our word rule in the Lord and admonish you and there is a response which is to be had by the membership. They are to esteem them very highly in love for their work sake and be at peace among yourselves.

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    There was a responsibility to know to care and to listen to the Bishops to the elders to the overseers in the Ecclesia. Do you know what else it’s associated with? Look at verse 5 again? For if a man know not how to rule his own house how shall he take care of the Ecclesia of God see that transition? The word take care is only used in one other context. It’s Luke 10 verse 34 and 35 the Good Samaritan. Who had compassion and took care of the certain man who needed his help?

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    And that’s really the point of being a bishop in an overseer isn’t it to look for the needs and Welfare of the Ecclesia? and so main point in this section of leadership the responsibility to both do and not to do what God has outlined must first be promoted and exemplified in our personal lives in our familial lies before taking on leadership and service roles in the house of God.

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    It is a good work to be a bishop in Deacon and with it comes a great responsibility to admonish to guard to care for it to love and to bring life to both those in the house of God and the principles which constitute the house of God.

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    And the membership must recognize the eldership a steaming them very highly with love submitting to those who tirelessly work amongst us all. And this is the wisdom of Yahweh. and it’s through wisdom that the house of God, which is the Ecclesia of living God the pillar and ground of the truth is built and by understanding it is established and Paul ends this section in verse 16 with a crescendo of thought which answers why there is a house What the helps of God is and what is its basis? Because it says verse 16 without controversy without a doubt great is the mystery of godliness. God likeness reverence and respect. Paul says do you want to know why we live our lives and godliness in the house of God that mystery has been revealed. And it’s the mystery there in verse 16. God was manifest In the Flesh the Lord Jesus Christ came as a man.

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    But he didn’t just come as a man because he was justified in the spirit. He adopted the thinking of God. And then it says he was seen of angels because the grave could not hold a righteous man. And so he was resurrected there witnessed by the angels and the Angelic beings to come in the future. And upon the basis of the power of the Resurrection. He was preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world and received up into glory and one day if we can be like Christ. manifest the spirit of Christ be resurrected as a new man in godliness with our thinking and behavior in the house of God, then we will appear with him in glory as the multitudinous Christ.

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    So as brothers. as sisters as christadelphians brethren in Christ who make up that body of Believers, which formed the house of God. Let us take heed to the wisdom of God the wisdom of prayer the wisdom of rolls the wisdom of what it means to be leaders and followers of her God because he is outlined precisely how we ought to behave ourselves in his house. And how we might be like him for this is the mystery of godliness.

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    And this conduct is based on the wisdom of Yahweh. And it’s through wisdom that the house of God, which is the Ecclesia of the Living God the pillar and ground of the truth is built and by understanding that it is established. It may the house of God be a place where we desire fervently to be so that we can say as the sons of Korah my soul longeth.

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    Yeah even fainted for the courts of Yahweh. Thank you for listening to the good Christian talks podcast, Please Subscribe for new episodes and leave a review and apple podcast or whatever service you are listening from to help people find the show when they search for it. If you enjoyed this talk share it on social media.

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