Lessons To Be Learned From Older Saints - part 1

Please turn to Titus 2, Titus chapter 2 today. So over the past few weeks, we have adequately covered the importance of the character of older saints in the church.

! In short, we've looked at both older men and older women as a combined list of character traits that are to be possessed. We see older saints should be sensible and dignified, not slanderers.

You recall that terminology last week where it's basically Satan speak. You're not being like Satan in your words. Not slaves to substance, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and perseverance.

So basically, an older saint in the church should exemplify these characteristics because they are themselves an example to other believers, both those who are maybe same age and immature, or those who are younger and coming up in the faith, to have an example to see.

It's of most importance that we're careful with the character we have and that we set the example for younger believers because that's what church is about. That's what coming together as the saints is about.

It's not about just coming and sitting in pews and singing songs and throwing money in the offering plate and enjoying potlucks after service and enduring and hopefully staying awake during the sermon.

That's not what it's about. That's a part of the process. Hopefully, you're doing more than just staying awake during the sermon, Ed. I hope you're getting something out of it. That's my goal each week is to bring something of substance for you.

As long as the Word of God is preached, it will have that. But it's not just this. It's not just that. But it's also the discipleship aspect of older and younger believers growing together, older believers pouring into the lives of younger ones.

I think I've mentioned it before, but if I haven't, shame on me. I am so thankful for the older saints in the church when I got saved and I started regularly attending West Endicott Baptist Church in New York.

I am so thankful for the older saints that poured into me and took an interest in my life. And I could say here, Mark Avery is one that I remember very dearly.

He's my best friend's grandfather. And I mean, he, older gentlemen, he's with the Lord now. And he was a worker.

I mean, he worked hard all the time. And he was always serving other people. And he was always looking for opportunities to serve. And he's actually the guy that introduced me to the phrase.

Sometimes I'll say it as I'm departing the presence of someone else. I'll say here, there, in the air. Right? And he's the one who introduced me to that phrase. And he gave me some explanation. Because I was a new believer.

I was like, I don't know what you're talking about, man. And so he gave some explanation to that. So I'm very, very thankful for him. And there are other believers.

Dan Gill, who was instrumental in discipling me through high school. And I still have a very close relationship with. I was actually blessed to have supper with him and his wife a couple months ago.

When I was in New York for my grandmother's funeral. And so that's a relationship that continues on. And as I have been encouraged through my relationship with him in high school.

We now have a mutual encouragement. Because he sees what God has been doing in our lives. And is blessed by that. Another one is Tim McNorton. Tim and Lynn.

Same concept. He was a discipler of mine during high school. And he was a youth leader. And I was able to have lunch with them a couple weeks ago.

As I was driving through Endicott. I put it out on Facebook desperately. I said, hey, I saw the timing of things. I'm going to be in Endicott for lunch. And I'm going to be at Lupo's Speedy and Rib Pit.

Anyone want to join me? And they pulled in. I didn't expect it. Didn't see any responses on Facebook. And then they pulled in. And we had like a two-hour lunch. Put me way behind on my schedule.

But it was such a blessing. So I say all that to say that relationships that are started in the church. And built in the church. Especially my younger audience up here in the front.

And way in the back. And here in the middle. Just encouraging you. Don't look at old people as dinosaurs and ignore them.

And don't think that their views and thoughts are outdated or anything like that. Because in the church we really grow in appreciation of that. And we can learn from them quite a bit.

So I could go on all day about my own experiences. And I don't want to do that to you. Because it's not about me. It's about us. And it's about the word of God. And God makes much of the examples that we set.

And the consequences that are clear for us in scripture. I was thinking of Matthew 5 and verse 16. Where Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount says.

In the same way let your light shine before others. So that they may see your good works. And give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Our actions are to be such that God is glorified through what we do.

That people don't look at us and say. Wow what a great guy that Eric Boggs is. It's not about Eric. Either one of them. But it's about giving glory to God.

It's about the work that we do that points people to him. 1 Timothy 4.12. When Paul writing to young Timothy says. Let no one despise you for your youth.

But set the believers an example. In speech. In conduct. In love. In faith. In purity. You as younger believers. Can set the example for older believers.

I can go on all day about examples of this as well. But I remember when. I'm sorry. This thing is driving me nuts. We need a bigger stage.

When I left here in 2014. To go pastor up at Hilltop in Cornish. There was a teen in the youth group. Who wrote me a letter.

And in that letter. It was. And I'm getting emotional thinking about it. On such a day. I shouldn't do this to myself. But in that letter. It was so encouraging. Like she was like. No. No.

I love you. I'm so thankful for. For your example. And your lessons. And I know you're going to be a great pastor. And I'm glad she knew that. Because I had no idea. And I'm still questioning that myself.

But. But. That was just so encouraging to me. A younger believer encouraging me. And you know. It just shows that. You know. You. Your words of encouragement.

Your actions. Can build up. Even people who are older. And more mature in the faith. And have been around the block. More than you. You never know. What your words are going to do. To encourage others.

So young and old alike. I encourage you to. To build each other up. And to set the example. I've had the occasion. Once or twice. Where I. Have observed the behavior.

Godly. God honoring behavior. Of a younger individual. And I'm like. Man. I really messed up. And it's humbled me. So. And that's what Paul. Was getting at with Timothy.

Second Timothy 4.10. Paul talks about Demas. And who he had. Commended before. In Colossians. Mentions him as a fellow worker.

Of the gospel. And here in Second Timothy 4. He says. Demas. In love with this present world. Has deserted me. And gone to Thessalonica. Yeah. So. You know. Talking about good and bad examples.

All throughout scripture. And the. The consequences of them. You know. Good. Good example. Good behavior. Good consequences. Bad example. Demas. Bad consequences.

He deserted Paul. You know. So his. His selfish actions. Directly impacted other people. Third John 9. Same thing.

I've written something to the church. But Diotrephes. Who likes to put himself first. Does not acknowledge our authority. So you had a guy in the church. Who just wanted to be the it thing. And refused to read these letters.

Or to bring the authority of the apostles to the church. And so it brings me. You know. Brings me back to the realization. That both good and bad. Our example.

Will have an effect. On other people. And Paul here in Titus. Is saying. Hey. The older men. Older women. This is the example. You need to be. Because it's going to directly impact.

Others. And I think of 1 Corinthians 15. 33. Do not be deceived. Bad company. Ruins. Good. Morals. Often.

We have. An idea. In this mindset. In our minds. Of. Oh well. You know. That person. You know. My. The good character. In godliness. And godly living.

And all that. Will rub off. On somebody else. It doesn't work. That way. In fact. I don't really see that. So much. Addressed. In scripture. I can think of one example.

Where Paul talks about it. In. I think it's 1 Corinthians 7. But. Like. Bad company. Ruins. Good morals. You got to be careful. Of who you're around.

And who's influencing who. In a relationship. Friendship. Or otherwise. Charles Kingsley. Is a. Was a priest. Of the church. Of England. Around 1850. And he just made the simple statement.

Nothing is so infectious. As example. Nothing is so infectious. As example. As. People are living their lives.

And how that can influence others. You've. You've heard. You know. Smile at people. Because. They may smile back. You know. And you know. You can be an encouragement to them. And so.

That just shows that our character. And our. Our. Our lives. Our words. Our actions. And everything. Is so influential. In everything we do. But particularly. In the church.

As Paul is getting at here. In Titus. As he dealt with the character. Of the leadership. In chapter one. He's dealing with the character. Of the particular. Believers. In chapter two.

And so. Following on the heels. Of Paul's. Exhortation. Of older saints. Living as an example. To be emulated. Did he dives into. The what must be passed on.

To the next generation. Of saints. And today. We're going to focus on. On the section. Geared toward. Younger. Women. And this is a hot topic.

This is one. That ought to be honest with you. I had no interest. In jumping on it. But because I'm. I want to be faithful. To the word of God. And. And what it says. And bring that to you.

I have to deal with the hard things. Right. John MacArthur. Makes a statement about this. No biblical standard. Is more viciously attacked today. Than the God ordained role. Of women in society.

We. When we read scripture. Through western eyes. And we interpret it. Through our western minds. And thought process. And what we think of fairness. And so on and so forth. That can lead to disdain.

For God's standard. When we read the word of God. Through our rights. And our liberties. And all this stuff. And all freedoms.

That we feel we should have. And should be there. When we come to the word of God. And it conflicts with. The majority of the whole. Or society. Or what. Is the norms and mores.

Of what we've come to know. And expect. It can cause us to. Maybe cringe a little bit. You know. Maybe. I'm not really liking this.

I mean. And as I've already touched on before. In America. We. We laud the strong. Independent woman. We elevate a woman's education. And career.

Over family. We celebrate the successful business woman. And consider the homemaker. In an inferior light. Whether that's intentional or not. So we've kind of.

In a way. As a society. And a culture. And through our. Our actions. And our demonstrations. And our. You know. Advocating for this.

That. And the other. Have kind of built up. What we feel is the. Ideal woman. And what it should look like. In society. And oftentimes. That is contrary.

To what. Scripture gives us. As the. As God's expectations. For women. In the name of women's rights. The word of God. Is dishonored. As being. Sexist.

Chauvinistic. And unfairly. Limiting. And there's so much. Hatred. For the value. Of a woman. Individually. That. We're seeking.

To blur the lines. Through transgender. Ideology. This is something. My wife has brought up. Several times. In conversation. As we. As we talk about. The. LGBTQ agenda.

Especially the. One. The tea. No. She just. She just. Mentioned about. How. How much. That's against. Women. Like. We. We. For so many years.

The last. Fifty. Hundred years. Or so. Have wanted to. You know. To give rights. And freedoms. To women. That now. This. This. Agenda. The alphabet soup. Comes through. And it's now.

Erasing all that. And. You know. And more and more. People. And. Increasingly. Are not able. To even answer. The question. Of what is a woman. And more and more men.

Are claiming. To be women. And are infiltrating. Women's sports. And bathrooms. And their privacy. It's a. And you. You know. This is a very.

Real fight. In our country. Today. Yet. As is always the case. The truth. And standard. Of our creator.

Stands unshaken. By the compromise. Of the world. The pages. Of the bible. Contain the purpose. And intention. Of God's creation. And his expectations. Are clear. And they are for his glory.

So let's read. Titus 2. Verses 2 through 10. And we'll pick apart. Verses 4 through 5. Particularly. Titus 2. Verse 2. Older men are to be sober minded.

Dignified. Self-controlled. Sound in faith. And love. And in steadfastness. Older women likewise. Are to be reverent. In behavior. Not slanderers. Or slaves. To much wine.

They are to teach. What is good. And so train. The young women. To love their husbands. And children. To be self-controlled. Pure. Working at home.

Kind. And submissive. To their own husbands. That the word of God. May not be reviled. Likewise. Urge the younger men. To be self-controlled. Show yourself.

In all respects. To be a model. Of good works. And in your teaching. Show integrity. Dignity. And sound speech. That cannot be condemned. So that an opponent. May be put to shame. Having nothing evil.

To say about us. Bond servants. Are to be submissive. To their own masters. And everything. There to be well-pleasing. Not argumentative. Not pilfering. But showing all good faith. So that in everything.

They may adorn the doctrine of God. Our Savior. This section. Verses 4 and 5. Is clearly addressed to young women. Who are married with children.

Yet. As I have mentioned multiple times. It is applicable. Universally. It is particular to young women with children.

But the concepts and the characters. As is often the case in scripture. The principles apply universally. But. We will continue on.

And this would apply to the proper upbringing of all women. As the institutions of marriage and family. Are the primary foundation of a healthy society. And so. You know.

We talk about the role of women and men in marriage. You can go into Ephesians 5. And break that out. I mean. God has given us instructions. As far as marriage. As far as our roles specifically.

And what that looks like. And why. And ultimately. It all comes to glorify his name. When you think about the institutions of marriage and family. Are constantly under attack.

In our country. And tragically. Many unthinking and poorly taught Christians. Are being seduced by the world. Into believing the biblical roles of men.

Of women. The role of the family. That it's all outdated. It's archaic. And it's oppressive. Don't believe me? Talk to a non-believer about it.

They'll let you know. Especially one who has a mind to think for themselves. What they think about the word of God in these cases. The reality is that God has a magnificent and wonderful design.

Design for us in these areas. In marriage. In family. In our roles particularly. And today as we're going to deal with for women. It's a design that will fulfill their created purpose.

It will emphasize their uniqueness. It will make them a blessing to the world. It will bring fulfillment and glory to God. So what is it that's broken down here. Verses 4 and 5 for us.

What is it that the older women. Through their character and their example. Are expected to pass on. To the next generation. Well first. Love your husband. It's not a romantic love.

It's a committed love. That godly wives choose for their husbands. I was thinking about this. I didn't know if I wanted to bring up any examples or what not.

But. I can't help myself. I won't mention any particularly. Because I'm not thinking that deep about it. But I've often seen. In TV shows. In sitcoms.

Even in movies. You often. A lot of times. We see the role of the husband. And the man in a relationship. As being. An imbecile. And is degraded.

And ultimately it is to. And you'll see. Even. He's being mistreated by his wife. Or mocked. Or ridiculed by his wife.

And we do it like. And we see this. You know. They're in these shows. And so I should give comedic relief. And what not. But. Subconsciously. What's happening is. We are. We're peddling out there.

This idea that. Women don't need to love their husbands. And be respectful towards them. That it's even. Maybe even expected. That you wouldn't be. But.

God says. You can love your husbands. Right. And it's a determined love. That's not based on a husband's worthiness. But on God's command.

And it's carried out by a wife's affectionate. And obedient heart. So. The love that you show. Now. For your spouse.

Is a direct reflection. Of where your heart is at. In obedience to God. And his word. Because even.

Unlovable. Uncaring. Unfaithful. And ungrateful. Spouses. Are to be loved. And you don't believe me. John 13.

34. Jesus talking to his disciples. Says a new commandment I give you. That you love one another. Just as I have loved you. You also are to love one another. And I've mentioned this already.

In previous weeks. In which way. In what fashion. Has Jesus loved us? Well I'm not going to go on a whole diatribe. I could easily do that.

But I'm just going to reference another verse. Romans 5.8. But God shows his love for us. In that while we were still sinners. Christ died for us.

So God's love for us. Expressed through his son. Comes to us at the time when we are unlovable. Uncaring.

Certainly unfaithful to God. We're ungrateful to God. When we are the vilest of creatures. Yet God still demonstrates his love for us.

Through his son who died on our behalf. And so as Jesus says. That we are to love one another. Just as he has loved us.

And we carry that principle now. Into the marriage relationship. That means our love for our spouse. Is not contingent on.

Their behavior. It is not contingent on. Their worthiness. Of our love. But it's about our sacrifice.

If a wife does not truly love her husband. She must in obedience to the Lord. Train herself to love him. If a husband does not love his wife.

He must. In obedience to the Lord. Train himself to love her. Because Ephesians 5. Tells him to love her. As Christ has loved the church. Which.

By the way. I mean. I'm not going to get into that now. We can have a side conversation. Related to Ephesians 5. Because I am just like. Overwhelmed by that passage. Because people want to look.

People spend so much time. Right. Western eyes. Wives submit. Wives submit. Wives submit. By the way. Last point of the sermon. Or second to last point of the sermon today. Going to take like two seconds.

But anyway. Wives submit. Like that's what the thing. That they want to circle. And focus on. And like. Harp on. And jump on. Oh this is oppressive. And horrible. And enslavement. And all that. Like. You have no idea.

Like. She's being told. To follow the leadership. Of her husband. And the husband. Is being told. To love her. As Jesus loved us. As Jesus loves the church. And I'm like.

That's quite a task. To have this. Unconditional. Self-sacrificing love. For somebody. Without question. And I mean. It goes both ways.

Right. I mean. When it ultimately. Comes down to it. You bring scripture. All together. To bear on these. Subjects. It's equal. On both sides. We're to be loving. One another. As Jesus has loved. The church.

And we. We get too caught up. In terms. And we're like. Oh. This is horrible. And oppressive. And all that. And like. We really just. We can't let the world. Dictate to us.

What good theology is. And. When we understand. Good theology. In light of the fact. That the glory of God. Is to be. Is to happen. All the time. That helps. So.

Forgive me. Back on track. So. Training yourself. To love. Involves. Doing loving things. For the other person. Whether you feel like. Doing them or not.

There's a movie out there. Called Fireproof. It's been out there. For quite a while. Excellent movie. And it. It actually deals. With this. Particular issue. It's the.

It's the issue. Of loving. Your spouse. Whether you feel like it. Or not. Acts of love. And compassion. And care. We need to do it. In the movie.

It's called. The Love Dare. You may have seen that book. Out in Christian bookstores. Or on CB. Christian book distributors. Website. Or in their catalog. Or whatnot. It's been around for a while. But it's not very.

That very. Principle. It involves putting. The interest. In welfare. Welfare of others. Above your own. It involves. Sacrificial giving. Of yourself.

To others. For their sake. Not for the sake. Of appreciation. Or returned love. And we're talking about that. A little bit today. In the realm of giving. You don't give. You know.

You don't give to people. For the purpose of recognition. You don't love. Other people. In order to receive. That love back. Because that's. That's what Gentiles do.

So Jesus tells us. In the Sermon on the Mount. Gentiles do that. They love. In order to be loved back. But. God's standard. Is that. We love. Whether we're loved back.

Or not. Because Christ is loved. Whether he is loved back. Or not. And oftentimes. Is not. All right. Love your husbands.

There's a lot there. Could have gone on more. But now I want to move on. To love your children. Children. To be loved. To love. Like that of a spouse. Right. It should be selfless.

And sacrificial. Loving your children. Is not. An option. It is an expectation. I want to make. I'm going to make that statement.

Clear again. Loving your children. Is not an option. It is an expectation. That is not the case.

Always. In our society. For sure. They make it an option. To love your children. In fact. Because. Of what happened. During the election.

The rights. Have. That are now being taken away. Where women have the option. Of loving their children. Or not. And keeping them. Or not. Is being taken away.

And it's going to end. All civilization. The fact is. God. Expects us. To love our children. God expects us. To protect our children.

And to care for our children. And it's men. And women. Both. Equally. Like. I don't know. Like. I try not to get in debates.

On Facebook. Don't do it. I'm just going to say. There's a lot of inconsistency. And absolute. Illogical. Is that the word? Illogical? You get it.

It doesn't make sense. People's arguments. And debating. And just. Ugh. Fact is this. Love your children. You don't have a choice. You must do it.

And the most important responsibility. Of love. For believing parents. Is to leave their children. In a saving knowledge. To a saving knowledge. Of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 6. 4 says. But bring them up. In the discipline.

And instruction. Of the Lord. Bring up your children. In the discipline. And instruction. Of the Lord. And it is not. The parents. Fault. Or responsibility. For their children.

To believe. I want to make that very clear. It is not your responsibility. Parents. For your children's. Belief. But it is your responsibility. If they have not heard.

The gospel. And have been given the chance. And opportunity. To believe. So we understand. That individually. We have a choice. I might be stepping on some theological toes.

I don't care. Individually. We have a choice. To believe or not believe. We choose to. Put our faith and trust. In Jesus Christ. As our savior. Our messiah.

Or we don't. That is individually. Our choice. But for. For parents. In your. In bringing up your children. You have the responsibility.

To put the gospel. Before them. Regularly. Just like with everything else. In the Christian life. It is to be lived out. As to be emulated.

By the next generation. You should be living out your faith. And talking about Jesus. It should be. It should be a topic of conversation. In the home. It should be.

Like. We shouldn't talk only about Jesus and God. On Sundays. Because we are going to church. But it should be every day. Because he is part of our lives. Every day. And he wants all of our life.

And so we emulate that. We show that. We show our children. How important. Our faith really is to us. And they can sniff out.

A hypocrite. The best of them. Are you truly living out your faith? Or do you just say it. But don't live it?

Love your children. And bring. And. Bring them. To Jesus. And show them who he is. And what he has done. Next thing. Be self-controlled.

This is the same quality. That should characterize elders. And older men. And ultimately all believers. In chapter 2 verse 12. It's common sense. And good judgment.

And that should improve with age. But that should be evident. Eventually in our lives. That we are self-controlled. That we don't just live impulsively.

What's another one? Be pure. That's moral sexual purity. And marital faithfulness. It's not just the action. But even the thought. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 5. 27 and 28. You've heard that it was said. You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that everyone. Who looks at a woman. With lustful intent. Has already committed adultery. With her in his heart. And that's not just for men.

It's not like women you get off. This is a. It's a. It's a principle that applies to all. When you look lustfully. At another individual. You've now committed adultery. Or fornication. In your heart.

You may not have carried out the action. But you've morally. Failed. In that regard. So you need to be careful. You need to be careful. Of what goes in your mind.

Because it will surely show. Through your actions. You need to be careful. Of what you're putting before your eyes. What you're putting in your mind. Through words that you're reading. Now oftentimes.

Most of the time. We think of pornography. In the form of pictures. And visual. And that is true. By and large. But there is also. What do I call it?

I can't remember now. But written. Like in words. Like. There are books out there. That women like to read. Romance novels. Or.

In recent days. Even beyond romance novels. The big one. When I was working at Target. The big one that came out. Was the Fifty Shades of Grey. And it was just. Absolute disgusting.

Filth. It's. It's. It's pornography. In word form. But that. It was a huge hit. Block. Hollywood. Blockbuster. All that stuff.

But. It's. It's. Garbage. And crap. Going into the mind. And we can't have that. You can't put that in your mind. And not expect it to.

Affect your life. You must seek to be pure. And keep yourself. And refrain from these. Influences. In your life. Then there's this.

Be working at home. There's soup out here. I'm just letting you know. Y'all don't have to rush out. To get home. To get the roast out of the oven. Or anything. So. Because.

This one. I've got to spend a little time on. Because this is the hot one. Right. It's the. Be working at home. The idea of being a.

A homemaker. The concept of a woman. Being a homemaker. In our society. Is tantamount to slavery. It's an expression.

Of a male. Chauvinistic society. Who demands. The women. Stay in their place. And do as they're told. I think I summarized. Pretty good. What the. What the idea is there. It's archaic.

And it must be changed. Must be rejected. At all costs. But that completely. Misses the point. Right. As unbelievers. Who tried to understand scripture.

They're not. They're not enlightened. By the Holy Spirit's. Present in their life. They're not made. They can't understand. Spiritually. The word of God. Is spiritually discerned. They don't have the spirit.

To discern it. The point is not. That a woman's place. Is in the home. I want to say that again. It is not. That a woman's place. Is in.

The home. But that her. Responsibility. Is for. The home. So it's not that women. Have to stay at home.

Slave over the. Slave over the stove. And cleaning. And this that. You know the. You know whatever. Imagery that is put out there. As far as this goes. But it's that.

Their responsibility. Is for the home. Because God. Has given it to them. Now. You can be in the home. I have a secret for you.

My wife is in the home. And let me tell you what. She works harder than I do. The work she does. With our children.

And school. And other things. And all the work. That I don't do around the house. The laundry is still. Building up. I'm going to get to that. I promise. But.

But the point is like. She chose. We decided. That it wasn't me. You know. Putting it on her. You're going to stay in the home. When we're married. But it was what we decided. Together. When we had children.

Some couples do that. And you know what? That's okay. That's all right. We didn't decide it. Because we thought. The Bible said. That a woman is to be in the home. We decided. Because. That's what we wanted.

You know what happened? You know. You know. What else has happened? There. There are couples. Who have children. Who both. Work out of the home. Can you believe that?

That is unheard of. Ungodly. Right? No. It's not that at all. They made a decision as a couple. For that to be the case. Now.

I don't know how they work out the. Responsibilities in the home. But God has given to the woman. The responsibility for the home. And. You work it out together as a couple.

And guess what? There's couples who make it through that. Because it's not wrong. And it's not unbiblical. And it's not going to be condemned by God. So.

I'm just. I'm just trying to say. Like. We need to. We need. We need to focus on. Making clear. What the word of God is saying. And not allowing people to dictate.

What they think they see it saying. Got to clear it up for them. 1st Timothy 5.14. Would further clarify this verse.

1st Timothy 5.14. Where. Paul writes. I would have younger widows. Marry. Bear children. Manage. Their households. And give the adversary. No occasion for slander. There it is.

Manage their households. It's a responsibility given to them. Not. Stay in the house. Be in the house. Wear the chain in the house. Anything like that. Ball and chain. Sorry you can't go anywhere. It's not that.

But it's the responsibility. That God has given. To her. And it's important to keep in mind. That the home. And this was a. I believe God has given me this. Insight.

Not like a special revelation insight. But like a. Hey I never thought of that before insight. You know those type of moments. That happens to me all the time. Every day. And I'm thankful for this. Think about this.

The home. Is the primary place for hospitality. And hospitality. Is an important ministry to others. First Peter four.

Eight and nine. Says above all. Keep loving one another earnestly. Seek love. I'm sorry. Since love. Covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another. Without grumbling.

We're to be hospitable to one another. In showing love. Hebrews 13 two. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers. For thereby some have entertained angels. Unawares.

Yet. The culture. That this. Is written to. Specifically. Initially. Was a culture. And still is a culture.

That values. Hospitality. Like. Being able to just drop in. And. Expect. And the cultural expectation. Is when somebody drops in.

And visits. It's not just for a. You know. Hi. We're the Jehovah's Witnesses. We want to chat. And stand there on the porch. Talk for five minutes. And go. But no. The hospitality is.

Hey. Come on in. Can I give you. Can I get you something. To drink. Hey. Can I bake some bread for you. Or. You know. Like. All that stuff. Like. It's actual. Like. Just. It was hours. It is hours long.

That type of hospitality. Is what this culture is based on. And in America. We had a similar type of hospitality. For many years. Until. The.

The impact. And influence. Of. Christianity. And cultural Christianity. As we refer to it. Has waned. And now that's no longer the case. As much. But.

Hospitality. Is such an important ministry. To. For both believers. And unbelievers. And God. Is given the woman. The responsibility. For the home. Which is where the hospitality.

Takes place. And as an example. I was thinking of this. Genesis. 17 or 18. Right. You got the three. That visit Abraham. Right. It's the Lord. And two angels.

We know that. All right. And they visit Abraham. What does Abraham do? Anybody? What's he do? He invites them in. And. What? Yeah.

Sorry. Say what? Feeds them. Who? Who feeds them? What? Sarah. Right? He goes.

He. As the. As the. The patriarch. Head of the home. Come on in. My brothers. Come rest. Put your feet up. He. Books it to Sarah. Hey.

Real quick. Need some dough. Need some bread. Bring some drink. And she's right on it. Now that's. Was the expectation there. And that's how that. That ran.

But the point is. She had responsibility. For the home. For the hospitality aspect of it. Now I'm not saying. Like. You know. You have to. You know.

Run in. Like men. And women. Have to be the cooks. And what not. And you know. All that stuff. I'm just saying. The point is. That she had the responsibility. Because of hospitality.

And that's why God is giving it to her. And when a woman takes serious. The responsibility given to her from the Lord. It's noticed. Proverbs 31.

Verses 11 and 12. And verse 23. The heart of her husband trusts in her. And he will have no lack of gain. She does him good. And not harm all the days of her life. Her husband is known in the gates.

And he sits among the elders of the land. Her responsibility. And her faithfulness to it. For the glory of God. Also has a positive impact.

In her relationship with her husband. And he is known in the gates. As he sits among the elders. They know him. Not because he's something awesome and special. They know him because of her.

And the way she conducts herself. And the way that she has brought honor to his home. So this idea. You know. Be working at home.

And being a homemaker. And the keeper of the house. Is not a bad thing. It is a great thing. When you understand it. In light of who God is. And why he has given it.

She is to be kind. That's straightforward. Gentle. Considerate. Amiable. Sympathetic. To be kind by the way. Is to be like God. Luke 6.35. But love your enemies.

And do good. And lend. Expecting nothing in return. And your reward will be great. And you will be sons of the most high. For he is kind. To the ungrateful and the evil. When you show kindness.

And compassion. And care. And sympathy. You're being like God. Then she is to be submissive. To her own husband. And that just reemphasizes.

Male headship in the home. Which is from Genesis. 3. Verse 16. When God says to the woman. He said. I will surely multiply your pain. And childbearing. In pain.

You shall bring forth children. Your desire. Shall be contrary. To your husband. But he shall rule over you. That male headship.

In the home. That is a God. Ordained thing. From the very beginning. Here is a question for you. Who is given the responsibility.

For sin. First sin. The first sin. Sorry. Who is given the responsibility. For the first sin. Adam. Right.

Why Adam. What? He is the head. Right. He is the head of the home. Right. He is the. Ultimately the federal head of all humanity.

In that regard. But yeah. Because. He was expected to lead. Who. Who ate of the fruit first? Oh man. Eve. Eve ate first.

But Adam gets the blame. What's going on here? It's because God put the man. At the head. And.

And it continues throughout. In scripture. You see that play out. Ephesians 5. 22 and 24. Wives submit to your own husbands. As to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife. Even as Christ is the head of the church.

His body. And as himself. Its savior. Now as the church submits to Christ. So also wives should submit. In everything to their husbands. Hard words. In our society.

Absolutely. Misconstrued and misunderstood words. 100%. With unbelievers. Most definitely. But such a. Such a. Such a wonderful. Beautiful picture.

The marriage relationship. When. When carried out. As God had intended it. Beautiful picture. Of Christ in the church. Gives glory to God. And why all this?

Why. Why. Why these. Why do older women. Or you know. Older saints. Older women. Need to teach these things. And train the young women in this. The end of verse six.

Or verse five. That the word of God. May not be reviled. Our conduct as believers. Ought to always bring glory to God. And not bring shame to him. Or his word.

It's so that the word of God. May not be reviled. Father. I thank you for your word. Lord. It's not easy. It's hard sometimes. What the intent is.

And the definition. And truth is. Behind it. But Lord. I thank you that you've made it clear. And that you clarify it. Through other scripture. Lord. I just pray that we would contemplate these things.

And think on these things. And Lord. I just pray that. Even one or two items. Could be taken from this sermon. And thought about today. Lord. I thank you that. Everyone stayed awake.

And Lord. I thank you for. Just this church body. And the fellowship we can have. And we can build each other up. That older saints can instruct younger saints.

And help them as they seek to walk with you. In Jesus name. Amen. Thank you.