WEBVTT

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 Yes, so the very first book of the Bible we're reading from.

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 And we're starting off in chapter 1 at verse 26.

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 So we're going to read a couple of verses from chapter 1,

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 and then we're going to go into chapter 2.

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 So chapter 1, verse 26.

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 Then God said,

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 Let us make man in our image after our likeness,

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 and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea

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 and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock

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 and over all the earth and over every creeping thing

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 that creeps on the earth.

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 So God created man in his own image.

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 In the image of God, he created him.

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 Male and female, he created them.

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 And God blessed them.

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 And God said to them,

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 Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it

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 and have dominion over the fish of the sea

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 and over the birds of the heavens

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 and over every living thing that moves on the earth.

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 Now we are going to go to chapter 2, verse 15.

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 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden

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 to work it and keep it.

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 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying,

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 You may surely eat of every tree of the garden,

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 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,

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 you shall not eat.

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 For in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die.

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 Then the Lord God said,

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 It is not good that the man should be alone.

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 I will make him a helper fit for him.

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 Now, out of the ground,

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 the Lord God had formed every beast of the field

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 and every bird of the heavens

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 and brought them to the man to see what he would call them.

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 And whatever the man called them,

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 called every living creature,

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 that was its name.

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 The man gave names to all livestock

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 and to the birds of the heavens

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 and to every beast of the field.

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 But for Adam,

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 there was not found a helper fit for him.

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 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep

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 to fall upon the man

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 and while he slept,

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 took one of his ribs

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 and closed up its place with flesh.

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 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man,

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 he made into a woman

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 and brought her to the man.

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 Then the man said,

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 Ah, this at last is bone of my bones

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 and flesh of my flesh.

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 She shall be called woman

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 because she was taken out of man.

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 Therefore,

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 a man shall leave his father

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 and his mother

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 and hold fast to his wife

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 and they shall become one flesh.

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 And the man and his wife

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 were both naked

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 and were not ashamed.

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 Now,

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 the serpent was more crafty

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 than any other beast of the field

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 that the Lord God had made.

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 He said to the woman,

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 Did God actually say

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 you shall not eat of any tree

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 in the garden?

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 And the woman said to the serpent,

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 We may eat of the fruit

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 of the trees in the garden.

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 But God said,

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 You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree

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 that is in the midst of the garden.

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 Neither shall you touch it

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 lest you die.

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 But the serpent said to the woman,

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 You will not surely die

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 for God knows that when you eat of it,

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 your eyes will be opened

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 and you will be like God,

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 knowing good and evil.

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 So when the woman saw

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 that the tree was good for food

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 and that it was a delight to the eyes

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 and that the tree was to be desired

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 to make one wise,

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 she took of its fruit and ate.

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 And she also gave some to her husband

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 who was with her

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 and he ate.

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 Then the eyes of both were opened

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 and they knew that they were naked

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 and they sewed fig leaves together

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 and made themselves loincloths.

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 This is God's word.

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 Well, good morning, everyone.

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 Will you pray with me

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 as we come to God's word?

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 Father, I pray that you might

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 remove distractions in our minds

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 and around us

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 and I just pray that you would give us humility

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 as we come to your word.

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 Lord, give us understanding

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 and the faith to believe

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 what you say is good and precious.

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 In Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Well, after this series on men and women,

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 we're going to be into Matthew's gospel

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 for quite a while.

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 And to be honest with you,

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 I'd much rather be preaching

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 through Matthew's gospel.

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 So why do this series on men and women?

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 I think there's three main reasons.

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 Our cultural times that we're living in,

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 in our society,

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 it's on this topic that I think we're feeling

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 the most pressure to be embarrassed

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 and ashamed of Jesus

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 and the gospel and God's word.

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 If we don't talk about it,

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 society is going to disciple us in this area.

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 That's the first reason.

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 The second reason we're doing this series is

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 don't you think that relationships

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 and gender and marriages and family,

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 they're a huge part of life,

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 life of walking with God.

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 There's so much hurt in this area.

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 Some are feeling hopeless in this area.

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 We really need God's peace and his guidance.

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 The third reason we're doing this series is

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 as elders we committed,

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 I don't know if you remember this,

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 some of you will be like elders,

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 you're taking forever as usual.

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 We committed to talking about female deacons

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 as a church family

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 and we want this series to kind of get

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 some framework to even begin

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 to have that conversation.

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 So that's coming later in the year.

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 So they're the three main reasons

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 and I hope you would agree that

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 they're important.

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 To get us into this morning,

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 I've got a quote from a Christian.

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 I'm not going to tell you who it is,

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 it doesn't really matter.

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 Advocates for patriarchal hierarchicalism,

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 hopefully I got that right,

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 will one day be viewed as derisively

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 as we now view Christian defenders of slavery

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 in the 19th century.

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 It's a heavy,

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 it's a big,

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 you feel the weight of it,

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 don't you?

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 Advocates for patriarchal hierarchicalism

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 will one day be viewed as derisively

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 as we now view Christian defenders of slavery

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 in the 19th century.

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 There is a lot of angst,

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 there's a lot of defensiveness

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 in this gender debate,

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 even among Christians.

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 It's as if our identity,

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 our personal worth,

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 our purpose is at stake

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 and you might be thinking,

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 it is,

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 it is at stake.

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 I don't think we can experience life

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 outside of our maleness and femaleness,

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 but don't we have such more precious identities,

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 sources of identities than our gender?

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 Child of God.

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 Is that precious to you?

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 It is to be united to Christ,

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 loved by God in Christ,

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 as Mun opened this morning with.

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 you're an heir,

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 if you believe in Jesus,

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 you're an heir

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 of the eternal new creation.

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 Can we speak to one another

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 on this topic as if those identities are true?

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 Can we see each other

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 in the delight that God has in us?

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 There's so much angst in this.

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 I don't think there needs to be.

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 There's important things at stake,

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 don't get me wrong,

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 but let's treasure these things

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 and treasure these truths in one another too.

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 Well,

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 we're going to go into Genesis.

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 Genesis,

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 in the intensity of the debate,

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 I think it's really helpful.

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 Let's just go to the beginning.

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 Let's touch our toes down to something solid

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 before we go into other passages.

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 We also need Genesis to ask a question.

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 Do we see any asymmetrical relationship

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 between men and women in paradise?

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 Or is male authority in the curse?

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 We've got to answer that.

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 And the third thing I think we're going to see

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 is there is a much, much deeper problem

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 in every human heart.

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 And we're going to come to that.

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 So,

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 we're going to cover a lot of ground.

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 If you don't have your seatbelts on,

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 now would be a good time.

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 And have your Bible open.

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 Make sure,

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 make sure what I'm saying is there.

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 So,

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 image of God,

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 chapter 1,

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 verse 27.

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 So,

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 God created man in his own image.

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 In the image of God,

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 he created him.

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 Male and female,

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 he created them.

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 Even unbelievers admit

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 our Judeo-Christian society ethics

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 is built on this doctrine.

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 The inherent worth of every human being,

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 men and women.

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 Only ancient kings were thought to be

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 in the image of the gods.

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 This is radical.

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 This was transformative back then.

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 It's still radical today.

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 It's,

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 we have the highest value possible.

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 Boys and girls,

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 men and women,

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 highest value possible.

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 We are created with a capacity to know God.

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 The fact that God creates two genders,

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 I think it strongly suggests that there's something about

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 maleness and femaleness that draws,

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 that reflects something unique about God.

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 It's more than just individual though.

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 It's in friendship.

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 It's in family.

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 It's in marriage.

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 It's in church.

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 Together that we image God in our relationships.

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 But this is profound.

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 Image of God.

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 If we grasp this.

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 Ray Altman says,

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 God seems almost to jeopardize his unique glory by sharing his image

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 and the rule with a mere creature.

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 Someone in our Bible study,

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 they fear that they're saying blasphemy because he shares his glory with us.

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 And then verse 28,

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 and God blessed them and said to them,

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 be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion.

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 Bring all the world under your control.

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 Not,

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 not for your purposes,

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 my purposes,

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 but the soul satisfying purpose to image God's character,

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 ruling the world under him.

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 His character is meant to fill everything as we rule the world under him.

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 If you see gender roles for women in the home and men at work,

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 I want you to consider this verse.

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 God says to them,

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 have dominion.

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 It's not just to Adam.

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 Both are given the mandate to subdue and have dominion.

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 It's inherent in being an image bearer.

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 It's royalty language to rule.

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 There's my first nugget to consider.

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 I want to pause and note my worth and your worth as a person is found right here.

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 And at the cross,

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 of course.

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 I spend so much of my time thinking it's my capabilities,

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 my,

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 my title as pastor,

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 my performance as preacher,

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 my success or failure in,

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 in lots of different things.

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 I spend,

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 are you like me?

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 I spend so long thinking that adds or subtracts from my worth.

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 But if only we would have peace in this truth,

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 that our worth is here.

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 And our calling and as a died for image bearer.

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 So here's the first conclusion we can draw from Genesis.

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 Both men and women have the highest value and purpose possible.

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 Called to represent God's character.

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 Ruling the world under him.

00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:36.980
 Do we learn anything here about biological sex and gender?

00:15:38.680 --> 00:15:42.420
 Doctors have to deal with your body according to sex.

00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:46.080
 There's differences in our biological sex.

00:15:46.920 --> 00:15:51.240
 Gender is how we express our sex.

00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:54.660
 In the clothing I've chosen today,

00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:59.740
 I think I've consciously tried to be masculine.

00:16:00.600 --> 00:16:02.980
 Every culture has social expectations.

00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:05.219
 Like men are to cook at the barbecue.

00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:07.279
 Like that's the men's domain.

00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:09.519
 Okay.

00:16:09.719 --> 00:16:09.980
 Like,

00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:12.199
 is there really anything different about a barbecue?

00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:13.799
 Is it really that dangerous?

00:16:15.439 --> 00:16:16.699
 And psychologically,

00:16:17.279 --> 00:16:17.480
 gender,

00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.039
 like we,

00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:19.759
 it's how you think of yourself.

00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.519
 So that's gender.

00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:23.740
 Here,

00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:25.519
 here we find a principle.

00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:26.580
 Same,

00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:28.159
 but different.

00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:32.080
 We see this throughout these chapters.

00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.960
 In chapter one,

00:16:35.560 --> 00:16:36.000
 God,

00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:37.879
 when God creates everything,

00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:39.919
 he differentiates.

00:16:40.039 --> 00:16:41.340
 He separates the waters.

00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:43.000
 He separates the land and ocean.

00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:47.860
 That distinguishing is what makes life flourish.

00:16:49.680 --> 00:16:53.600
 When we blur the distinctions God makes,

00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:57.259
 that doesn't lead to thriving.

00:16:58.759 --> 00:16:58.980
 Now,

00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:01.299
 not just about sex and gender.

00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.200
 Every human,

00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:06.019
 every one of us push back on God at so many different points.

00:17:06.120 --> 00:17:09.380
 We just don't believe the places he puts things.

00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:12.680
 So Rob Smith has done,

00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:15.319
 he's at SMBC.

00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.700
 We sing some of his songs.

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.160
 He's,

00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:18.120
 he's written a book on this.

00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:18.660
 He's done a,

00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:21.420
 he's done the research and I'm just going to rely on him.

00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:22.700
 Uh,

00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.380
 in the Hebrew,

00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:25.259
 you've got two,

00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:26.340
 uh,

00:17:26.340 --> 00:17:27.600
 sexed forms,

00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:29.560
 Zachar and Necabah.

00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:36.019
 And the gendered expressions of those two is ish and isha,

00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.259
 Adam and Eve.

00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:42.599
 You hear in Adam and Eve,

00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.680
 ish and isha.

00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:44.759
 There's the same.

00:17:45.619 --> 00:17:47.740
 And yet there is difference.

00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:49.000
 There's a beautiful difference.

00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:53.019
 As we saw last week,

00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:56.319
 Genesis quotes here and reaffirms the truth.

00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:57.319
 Uh,

00:17:57.319 --> 00:18:00.279
 that the man is male.

00:18:00.399 --> 00:18:01.419
 The woman is female.

00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.200
 Now,

00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:05.519
 can I,

00:18:05.879 --> 00:18:09.480
 I feel like I'm totally rushing this point.

00:18:09.639 --> 00:18:09.799
 Okay.

00:18:09.919 --> 00:18:10.119
 But

00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:14.679
 those who wrestle with gender dysphoria,

00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:16.099
 it is a real,

00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:17.359
 real pain.

00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:19.879
 Uh,

00:18:19.879 --> 00:18:20.720
 Andrew Bunt,

00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.740
 he's a Christian who,

00:18:22.879 --> 00:18:24.919
 who struggles with gender dysphoria.

00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.320
 And,

00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:28.820
 and he says God's word gives him hope.

00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:34.700
 It gives understanding that the world is broken.

00:18:35.620 --> 00:18:37.240
 Things are not as they should be.

00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.920
 And there's pain everywhere.

00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:42.120
 And gender dysphoria is one of those things.

00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.539
 But he also says,

00:18:43.820 --> 00:18:44.620
 look to Jesus.

00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:48.460
 The transformation you're wanting is in him.

00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.900
 The longing you have,

00:18:51.820 --> 00:18:53.779
 God promises to end all pain.

00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:57.500
 That's the day when he's going to put things right,

00:18:57.619 --> 00:19:00.180
 including that internal pain.

00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.779
 So that's his advice.

00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.299
 So he,

00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:06.759
 that,

00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:09.319
 here's the second conclusion we can draw from Genesis.

00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:10.740
 Uh,

00:19:11.379 --> 00:19:11.859
 gender,

00:19:12.160 --> 00:19:16.099
 manhood and womanhood is the expression of biological sex,

00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:18.319
 male and female.

00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:20.319
 Okay.

00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:22.659
 Okay.

00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.319
 Another big question for us.

00:19:24.439 --> 00:19:26.019
 Is there a,

00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.039
 a,

00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:31.519
 a symmetrical picture of man and woman relating in paradise?

00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:34.519
 Before sin.

00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.200
 Uh,

00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:38.639
 many don't think so.

00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.379
 Many Christians,

00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:42.039
 many very smart Christians,

00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:44.079
 lots of arguments around a lot of,

00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:45.259
 and by arguments,

00:19:45.379 --> 00:19:46.699
 I'm a neutral term,

00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:50.079
 lots of reasons they give that they don't see,

00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:51.079
 uh,

00:19:51.639 --> 00:19:53.259
 that there is anything in chapter two.

00:19:54.899 --> 00:19:55.899
 I've got to be brief,

00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:57.159
 but the new Testament.

00:19:59.079 --> 00:20:02.519
 Builds on the fact that there is like we saw last week,

00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:03.519
 Matthew 19,

00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:06.579
 Jesus quotes himself and the apostle Paul and one Corinthians 11,

00:20:07.159 --> 00:20:08.079
 one Timothy two,

00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:15.879
 Ephesians five builds on the fact that there is something in chapter two.

00:20:17.639 --> 00:20:18.159
 Paul,

00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:18.599
 remember,

00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.819
 goes a step further.

00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:23.240
 It is the pattern for our hope.

00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:27.699
 The two shall become one flesh.

00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.500
 And he says,

00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:33.599
 I'm saying that's about Jesus and the church.

00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:36.899
 That pattern at creation.

00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:42.400
 Is actually about Jesus and the church.

00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:47.500
 So here's the reasons why we think,

00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:52.400
 why we can find a difference in men and women,

00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.600
 even in chapter two.

00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.660
 Come along with me.

00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.080
 First of all,

00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:56.880
 Adam is formed first.

00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:58.900
 They're not created at the same time.

00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:00.380
 Now,

00:21:00.540 --> 00:21:06.280
 I don't think I would notice that unless the new Testament didn't say it.

00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:08.920
 And build a lot on that fact.

00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:16.599
 Adam is given the command not to eat of the fruit of good and evil before Eve is created.

00:21:17.119 --> 00:21:17.240
 Now,

00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:19.539
 I think it's reasonable to infer from that,

00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:26.480
 that Adam was responsible to at least communicate that command to Eve.

00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:28.079
 Now,

00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:28.519
 arguably,

00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:30.259
 that's,

00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:32.500
 I'm making a comment from silence there.

00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.279
 I'll admit that.

00:21:35.360 --> 00:21:37.420
 Adam names Eve.

00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:42.360
 He is so full of joy.

00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:46.200
 When God brings Eve to him,

00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:48.700
 he's at last.

00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.559
 He's just filled with joy.

00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:55.799
 All love songs are just an expression of this first love song.

00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:58.559
 He's full of joy,

00:21:58.639 --> 00:22:00.339
 but he does name Eve.

00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:02.839
 God doesn't name her.

00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:04.159
 She doesn't name herself.

00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.119
 Now,

00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:07.720
 Eve was deceived,

00:22:07.899 --> 00:22:09.000
 1 Timothy 2 says.

00:22:09.899 --> 00:22:14.339
 But I don't think that's blaming Eve as the primary person responsible,

00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:17.500
 because Adam transgressed.

00:22:18.939 --> 00:22:19.839
 In other words,

00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:24.839
 transgression is the sign on the fence saying,

00:22:25.879 --> 00:22:26.839
 what's it called?

00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:30.659
 Trespassers will be prosecuted.

00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.119
 Thank you.

00:22:31.419 --> 00:22:31.959
 Mental blank.

00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:33.379
 Transgression is going,

00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:36.980
 here's a clear sign and you willfully step over it.

00:22:37.139 --> 00:22:38.059
 Eve was deceived,

00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:38.939
 deceived.

00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:42.339
 Adam willfully transgressed.

00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:43.339
 Transgressed.

00:22:45.699 --> 00:22:46.619
 In chapter 3,

00:22:46.679 --> 00:22:47.039
 verse 6,

00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:50.699
 we're told Adam was with Eve and he remained silent.

00:22:52.679 --> 00:22:53.959
 I think that's evidence.

00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:56.099
 He abdicated his responsibility.

00:22:59.399 --> 00:23:01.299
 It was Eve who ate first.

00:23:01.699 --> 00:23:02.519
 They both ate,

00:23:03.139 --> 00:23:06.779
 but it was Adam who was held ultimately responsible.

00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:08.480
 God calls them into judgment.

00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:10.179
 Where are you?

00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:12.360
 Sorry,

00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:15.080
 I'm saying that loud because I'm speaking to myself.

00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:19.840
 Where are you?

00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:23.660
 In taking the responsibility.

00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:30.660
 The ultimate penalty of sin is death.

00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:33.460
 That curse comes through Adam.

00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:33.519
 Adam.

00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:39.100
 He's ultimately responsible for the fall.

00:23:40.620 --> 00:23:40.860
 Now,

00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:44.380
 this is a bedrock of Christian theology.

00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:45.460
 Adam,

00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:50.900
 his disobedience brought death to his family.

00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:53.280
 Jesus,

00:23:53.280 --> 00:23:54.680
 the second Adam,

00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:58.820
 his obedience brings eternal life to his family.

00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:06.800
 I think we see difference even in paradise.

00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:12.220
 And it's a good difference that Adam was primarily responsible for his family.

00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:15.120
 But we want to be clear here.

00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:18.519
 Adam's headship doesn't give license to male domination.

00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.759
 In fact,

00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:22.960
 he needs to be the first to confess.

00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.420
 He shouldn't have shifted the blame.

00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.799
 He should have took the blame.

00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:32.119
 So the third conclusion,

00:24:32.359 --> 00:24:37.460
 Adam was held ultimately responsible for his family disobeying God.

00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.819
 What about Eve?

00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:41.919
 Do we see anything in chapter two about Eve?

00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:45.700
 Eve is called helper in paradise.

00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:47.160
 Now,

00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:49.600
 I know as soon as we hear that word,

00:24:49.840 --> 00:24:51.680
 we think inferior.

00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:53.519
 Don't you?

00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:54.340
 It's just,

00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:58.400
 it's like Batman and Robin.

00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.519
 Who cares about Robin?

00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:03.940
 Isn't that the sense you get?

00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:13.980
 But the Lord himself is happy to be called Israel's helper

00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:15.920
 and the church's helper.

00:25:17.360 --> 00:25:20.059
 We saw it in Hebrews 13,

00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.980
 verse six,

00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:24.259
 the Lord is my helper.

00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:26.620
 I will not fear.

00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:29.000
 What can man do to me?

00:25:29.900 --> 00:25:33.860
 Now that cannot be a statement of inferiority.

00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:39.319
 We find refuge in the fact that God is helper.

00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:42.940
 He supplies what we lack.

00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:47.579
 Eve supplies what Adam lacks.

00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:50.200
 That's what it means.

00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:52.200
 It's a good thing.

00:25:53.120 --> 00:25:54.500
 Someone defines it this way.

00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:55.099
 A helper,

00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:55.599
 therefore,

00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:58.319
 is not a sidekick or assistant,

00:25:58.920 --> 00:26:05.319
 but rather someone who channels their power to help someone who lacks that power.

00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:10.259
 As someone else points out,

00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:14.639
 Eve was created to help Adam fulfill God's mission,

00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:17.139
 not merely Adam's mission.

00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:22.920
 It's not that helper is to get on board with Adam's mission.

00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:24.480
 No,

00:26:24.800 --> 00:26:26.560
 it's God's mission.

00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:30.120
 And she supplies what he lacks in fulfilling that.

00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:35.939
 It's not competitive,

00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:38.419
 but it's in partnership.

00:26:41.719 --> 00:26:42.959
 If the wife is,

00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:48.200
 I'm just going to dive straight into a bit of application here.

00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:49.799
 If the wife is better at finances,

00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.880
 she can manage the money.

00:26:52.019 --> 00:26:54.019
 That is not a threat to your manhood.

00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:59.819
 Emma gives me sermon feedback,

00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:03.599
 and I'm not threatened by that at all.

00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:08.919
 Now,

00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:10.779
 even if I'm initially threatened,

00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:13.740
 it's like my exegesis wasn't right,

00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:15.319
 or she gives a clearer outline,

00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:19.519
 or more careful illustrations,

00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:21.359
 I shouldn't be threatened.

00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:23.319
 She's just supplying what I lack.

00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:25.459
 Great.

00:27:30.459 --> 00:27:33.459
 I think it's way too...

00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:35.699
 restrictive,

00:27:36.399 --> 00:27:38.740
 to confine to home and work.

00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.399
 Helper,

00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:40.899
 home,

00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:42.419
 man,

00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:42.699
 work.

00:27:44.119 --> 00:27:44.719
 Again,

00:27:44.879 --> 00:27:45.419
 chapter one,

00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:48.759
 called to rule the world together,

00:27:49.439 --> 00:27:52.740
 supplying what he lacks to do that.

00:27:54.419 --> 00:27:56.019
 So here's our fourth conclusion.

00:27:56.019 --> 00:28:01.079
 Eve was Adam's equal in the only sense that worth can be found.

00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:02.059
 Image of God.

00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:07.939
 And she supplies what Adam lacks in fulfilling God's mission.

00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:12.719
 In chapter two,

00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.179
 verse 18,

00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:16.459
 the only thing the Lord said is not good is for the man to be alone.

00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:22.900
 It's very unlikely that Adam had any internal awareness of being alone.

00:28:24.100 --> 00:28:25.740
 He was with the Lord.

00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.340
 He was fine.

00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:28.200
 He was fine.

00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:34.980
 What's not good is God's design isn't finished yet.

00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:41.759
 When God walks Eve down the aisle,

00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:43.559
 it's like a proud father.

00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:48.880
 And we get that first poem and love song.

00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.019
 Oh,

00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:55.579
 bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.

00:28:55.579 --> 00:28:58.539
 All these animals were brought before me.

00:28:58.639 --> 00:29:00.199
 They're all beneath me.

00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:04.419
 And the Lord is above me.

00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:06.720
 But now at last,

00:29:06.800 --> 00:29:08.400
 the companion on my level.

00:29:09.640 --> 00:29:10.740
 He's not threatened.

00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:12.220
 He's not threatened by her.

00:29:12.600 --> 00:29:12.759
 Oh,

00:29:12.800 --> 00:29:13.019
 no,

00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:15.060
 I have to share my rule now.

00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:15.900
 He's not threatened.

00:29:16.100 --> 00:29:17.420
 This is a beautiful partnership.

00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.620
 They're one flesh.

00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:21.820
 My very flesh.

00:29:21.819 --> 00:29:25.480
 We're meant to picture one body.

00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:30.539
 His counterpart.

00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:35.819
 Someone in my Bible study called it synergy.

00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:40.000
 The combined effect is greater than the parts.

00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:43.419
 It's this beautiful partnership.

00:29:43.679 --> 00:29:45.000
 Marriage is God's idea.

00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:46.119
 It is a good thing.

00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:47.079
 It's not society.

00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:48.059
 It's not a curse.

00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:49.460
 It is beautiful.

00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:51.119
 It's a bedrock of society.

00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:56.399
 And it's a bond even deeper than the flesh and blood of father,

00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.559
 parents to children.

00:29:58.879 --> 00:30:00.659
 Because when they become one flesh,

00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:01.980
 a new family.

00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:05.319
 It is a deep unity.

00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:08.000
 More than sexual.

00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:09.759
 Of course it includes sexual,

00:30:09.879 --> 00:30:12.319
 but it's the fusion of two lives.

00:30:13.379 --> 00:30:13.819
 Two wills.

00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.700
 The covenant,

00:30:16.919 --> 00:30:17.720
 permanent bond.

00:30:18.159 --> 00:30:19.779
 You're authorised in marriage.

00:30:19.779 --> 00:30:24.299
 You're authorised by God to give yourself over to your spouse.

00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:27.559
 It's a partnership.

00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:28.740
 It's a friendship.

00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:33.259
 To work together for something greater than even your relationship,

00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:34.279
 the glory of God.

00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:37.399
 And they're naked and not ashamed.

00:30:37.400 --> 00:30:42.620
 They had nothing to hide.

00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:45.300
 I'm still tempted to hide things from Emma.

00:30:46.280 --> 00:30:47.320
 Nothing to hide.

00:30:48.600 --> 00:30:51.240
 They're actually innocent at this point.

00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:57.540
 So they had no reason to be seen and fear rejection because they're actually innocent.

00:30:57.539 --> 00:31:04.680
 And they had no fear that others would mistreat them and not treat them with dignity.

00:31:04.879 --> 00:31:05.980
 They didn't have fear of that.

00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:08.180
 I don't think any of us have,

00:31:08.639 --> 00:31:11.139
 we only get little tastes of the goodness of that,

00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:12.980
 of not being able to hide.

00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:15.740
 If you knew everything about me,

00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:18.500
 would you still love me?

00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:24.980
 To be seen totally as you are,

00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:25.700
 warts and all,

00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:28.640
 and embraced and even rejoiced in,

00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:32.900
 it's this one flesh,

00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:34.000
 beautiful partnership.

00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:39.819
 So marriage is God's good idea.

00:31:41.359 --> 00:31:49.119
 The man is responsible for the family and the woman bringing all her strength to supply what he lacks.

00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:50.859
 A deep,

00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:54.740
 profound unity of companionship and partnership.

00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:58.480
 The same but different.

00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:01.380
 And that's to be enjoyed.

00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:06.200
 Okay,

00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:07.380
 I want to go a step further.

00:32:08.380 --> 00:32:13.359
 Can we say anything from Genesis about the essence of manhood and womanhood?

00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:19.019
 Is there something different about our design that goes deeper than the obvious?

00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:21.440
 Men are generally physically stronger.

00:32:23.339 --> 00:32:25.220
 Different reproductive systems.

00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:27.359
 Can we say anything more than that?

00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:31.640
 Is there something that goes even to our psyche,

00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:32.859
 our soul?

00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:35.980
 It wasn't long ago.

00:32:36.160 --> 00:32:37.779
 Our society wasn't afraid to go.

00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.680
 That's obvious.

00:32:41.380 --> 00:32:42.359
 Do you remember 1992?

00:32:43.400 --> 00:32:44.240
 Men are from Mars.

00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:45.140
 Women are from Venus.

00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:48.359
 It wasn't long ago.

00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:49.299
 30 years.

00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:51.160
 We were saying,

00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:51.680
 yes,

00:32:52.380 --> 00:32:53.500
 there is a difference.

00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:56.779
 That was the highest rank book in the 1990s.

00:32:57.720 --> 00:33:00.619
 It was two years on the bestseller list.

00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:03.960
 So society has moved very quickly on this one.

00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:08.900
 I think we can only draw speculative conclusions.

00:33:10.099 --> 00:33:16.180
 I don't think it's illegitimate to ask the question and to draw some speculative conclusions,

00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:20.000
 but we've got to hold on to it really lightly at this point.

00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:32.119
 I think the call on men to bear the responsibility and the call on women to supply companionship,

00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:35.160
 which obviously includes the nurture of children,

00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:44.140
 and I think we can infer from that that our design is probably best suited to fulfil that calling.

00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:50.340
 I'm going to lean heavily on Christian psychologists I've found helpful,

00:33:50.820 --> 00:33:52.140
 Dr. Larry Crabb.

00:33:53.259 --> 00:33:57.400
 He says that the fundamental to human nature, men and women,

00:33:57.759 --> 00:34:02.080
 is we all crave connection and significance.

00:34:03.180 --> 00:34:05.820
 Connection, we need relationships.

00:34:06.080 --> 00:34:07.500
 We need love.

00:34:07.780 --> 00:34:09.880
 We need to be known and belong.

00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:11.460
 We all crave that.

00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:13.559
 But we all crave significance.

00:34:15.340 --> 00:34:16.700
 Make a difference.

00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:18.260
 Make your mark on the world.

00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:19.640
 Have a good impact.

00:34:20.180 --> 00:34:21.780
 We crave both these things.

00:34:23.200 --> 00:34:25.340
 I think they're helpful concepts.

00:34:28.320 --> 00:34:33.860
 Generally speaking, women more highly perceive and value connection.

00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:39.619
 Men more highly perceive and value impact, significance.

00:34:39.880 --> 00:34:49.619
 I think of the amount of relationships you women can maintain.

00:34:49.619 --> 00:34:53.960
 I feel tired thinking about that.

00:34:56.780 --> 00:35:00.260
 Sometimes I catch up with friends and M's like,

00:35:00.380 --> 00:35:04.360
 did you ask about this and this going on in their family?

00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:09.420
 I'm like, we just talked about work and soccer.

00:35:09.420 --> 00:35:14.019
 Anyway, you may not resonate with those comments.

00:35:14.200 --> 00:35:15.639
 This is just speculative, okay?

00:35:16.300 --> 00:35:17.480
 This point is speculative.

00:35:19.280 --> 00:35:27.780
 But could it be, could it be that God has designed us to give the other gender

00:35:27.780 --> 00:35:31.420
 exactly what they crave to receive?

00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:40.119
 I find that a pretty positive thought.

00:35:40.119 --> 00:35:52.559
 I was listening to a secular podcast on being men and women and lots of useful observations,

00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:56.179
 but the main thing I took away from it was thankfulness.

00:35:59.179 --> 00:36:04.519
 If we take God at his word, we have so much deeper things to say.

00:36:05.519 --> 00:36:15.980
 We have so much deeper things to say than just relying on social observation and evolutionary theory,

00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:20.280
 image of God and all those things.

00:36:20.280 --> 00:36:24.340
 Let's be thankful that God has given these things.

00:36:24.340 --> 00:36:30.100
 I want to pause and I want to highlight something I despise.

00:36:32.400 --> 00:36:39.920
 There's other Christians who believe the doctrines, the observations I've just outlined in Genesis,

00:36:40.120 --> 00:36:41.820
 and there's something I despise.

00:36:43.260 --> 00:36:44.800
 And it's really hard to put your finger on.

00:36:44.800 --> 00:36:49.560
 And I think it's just this attitude of male superiority.

00:36:51.800 --> 00:36:55.380
 It comes across in different ways, like men speaking over women,

00:36:55.860 --> 00:37:00.620
 or you're in a discussion and the woman's input is just dismissed.

00:37:01.539 --> 00:37:06.560
 I think it comes across when men make jokes about women objectifying

00:37:06.560 --> 00:37:11.420
 or as if marriage is a burden rather than honouring.

00:37:12.560 --> 00:37:13.720
 I've got to be careful, will you?

00:37:14.800 --> 00:37:31.560
 I wasn't expecting tears at this point.

00:37:31.940 --> 00:37:35.160
 There's no room for male superiority in Genesis.

00:37:37.160 --> 00:37:42.120
 In the image of God to rule together, supplying what Adam lacks,

00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:44.440
 deep delight and partnership.

00:37:44.940 --> 00:37:46.859
 Adam is responsible for the fall.

00:37:48.380 --> 00:37:50.319
 Anyway, there's a side note.

00:37:52.619 --> 00:37:58.559
 Now, I'm guessing at this point you're either cheering me on, yes, go gender roles,

00:37:58.779 --> 00:38:01.759
 or you just want to, if it was culturally more acceptable,

00:38:01.980 --> 00:38:04.859
 you would be shouting at this point with objections.

00:38:04.860 --> 00:38:10.380
 Because the inference that it sounds like I'm saying is that if as individuals

00:38:10.380 --> 00:38:15.200
 and as a society we would be fine, we would be fulfilled and content

00:38:15.200 --> 00:38:18.640
 if only we embrace traditional gender roles.

00:38:20.200 --> 00:38:21.760
 I don't know if that's where your mind is going.

00:38:21.760 --> 00:38:27.780
 But here's where what we looked at last week is so, so important.

00:38:28.760 --> 00:38:30.900
 We're in that overlap of the ages.

00:38:33.320 --> 00:38:37.200
 The eternal kingdom is coming and is broken into history.

00:38:37.740 --> 00:38:43.620
 The intimacy that we crave is actually found in heaven,

00:38:44.380 --> 00:38:45.520
 in the kingdom of God.

00:38:45.519 --> 00:38:48.139
 So much, it's going to be so good.

00:38:49.099 --> 00:38:50.079
 Marriage is obsolete.

00:38:51.920 --> 00:38:55.699
 Family, it's God's family that lasts forever.

00:38:58.280 --> 00:39:04.800
 The original design was always pointing forward to the true husband

00:39:04.800 --> 00:39:06.820
 and the true family.

00:39:07.559 --> 00:39:12.059
 Jesus as the husband you can totally rely on and we need.

00:39:12.599 --> 00:39:13.759
 God as our father.

00:39:13.760 --> 00:39:18.380
 Otherwise, the call of the gospel makes no sense.

00:39:19.220 --> 00:39:24.980
 Listen to the comforting promise that Jesus gives in Mark, chapter 10.

00:39:27.200 --> 00:39:29.400
 And hear the overlap of the ages.

00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:35.480
 Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers

00:39:35.480 --> 00:39:42.120
 or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake

00:39:42.120 --> 00:39:42.860
 and for the gospel.

00:39:43.760 --> 00:39:48.140
 Who will not receive a hundredfold now.

00:39:49.800 --> 00:39:50.520
 Now.

00:39:51.520 --> 00:39:53.540
 And I think he's talking about the church.

00:39:54.760 --> 00:40:01.480
 In this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children

00:40:01.480 --> 00:40:06.860
 and lands with persecutions and in the age to come eternal life.

00:40:06.860 --> 00:40:11.400
 We've got to keep that overlap of the ages.

00:40:16.400 --> 00:40:22.440
 There's a deeper problem that Genesis points to than either embracing gender roles

00:40:22.440 --> 00:40:24.320
 or rejecting them.

00:40:26.079 --> 00:40:27.240
 There's a deeper problem.

00:40:27.239 --> 00:40:40.379
 Many thoughtful Christians think that male authority is actually found in the curse.

00:40:40.519 --> 00:40:41.899
 In chapter 3, verse 16.

00:40:42.899 --> 00:40:49.439
 Your desire shall be contrary to your husband and he shall rule over you.

00:40:49.440 --> 00:40:52.579
 Now, there's two possible ways of interpreting this.

00:40:52.679 --> 00:40:53.420
 One is positive.

00:40:53.900 --> 00:40:55.420
 He must not allow you to rule.

00:40:56.760 --> 00:40:57.760
 Or one's negative.

00:40:58.440 --> 00:41:00.900
 It's going to be an ungodly domination.

00:41:00.900 --> 00:41:05.579
 Now, I think observation, we all know.

00:41:08.220 --> 00:41:09.840
 I'm happy to accept the negative.

00:41:09.840 --> 00:41:17.740
 There's a lot of ungodly domination in history still today.

00:41:19.120 --> 00:41:24.079
 The power struggle is the opposite of this one flesh partnership.

00:41:24.079 --> 00:41:27.239
 So I'm happy to agree with all that.

00:41:29.719 --> 00:41:31.319
 But here's where I want to go.

00:41:31.880 --> 00:41:34.119
 I think Genesis 3 says more than that.

00:41:35.819 --> 00:41:43.199
 Blaming feminism and finding the solution in affirming gender difference

00:41:43.199 --> 00:41:48.860
 and tradition, it doesn't understand the deeper problem in chapter 3.

00:41:48.860 --> 00:41:54.740
 If you blame male authority and find the solution in gender equality,

00:41:55.320 --> 00:41:58.099
 you're failing to understand the deeper problem.

00:42:00.000 --> 00:42:04.880
 Blaming your spouse as the cause of your own discontentment.

00:42:06.680 --> 00:42:11.780
 Blaming not being married as the cause of that emptiness.

00:42:13.660 --> 00:42:18.519
 Blaming the expectations of the patriarch in your family

00:42:18.519 --> 00:42:20.659
 that you're feeling not valued.

00:42:22.940 --> 00:42:25.719
 There's just so much blame going on.

00:42:26.360 --> 00:42:27.800
 There's so much finger pointing.

00:42:30.820 --> 00:42:34.579
 We're just following in the footsteps of Adam and Eve who blamed each other.

00:42:35.460 --> 00:42:37.259
 Why are we blaming each other?

00:42:37.639 --> 00:42:41.539
 And we look for solutions in creation.

00:42:41.739 --> 00:42:43.139
 A man will fulfill me.

00:42:43.519 --> 00:42:45.239
 A wife will fulfill me.

00:42:45.860 --> 00:42:48.179
 Being a great mum will fulfill me.

00:42:48.519 --> 00:42:51.659
 Being a strong and successful man will fulfill me.

00:42:51.880 --> 00:42:56.179
 Being beautiful and having a career as a woman and having great family,

00:42:56.300 --> 00:42:57.840
 having everything will fulfill me.

00:42:59.980 --> 00:43:02.780
 Do you sense how insecure we all are?

00:43:02.780 --> 00:43:07.340
 I'm including myself.

00:43:07.340 --> 00:43:16.440
 The effect of sin is chapter 3 verse 7.

00:43:17.240 --> 00:43:20.860
 Then the eyes of both were opened and they knew that they were naked.

00:43:22.140 --> 00:43:26.420
 And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

00:43:26.420 --> 00:43:27.420
 They're ashamed.

00:43:27.420 --> 00:43:28.420
 They feel worthless.

00:43:28.420 --> 00:43:31.420
 They feel worthless.

00:43:36.200 --> 00:43:41.019
 There is a deep emptiness in every human heart.

00:43:41.019 --> 00:43:46.840
 And we blame others rather than taking personal responsibility for that emptiness.

00:43:47.059 --> 00:43:52.759
 We look for solutions in everything, even good things like marriage and family.

00:43:52.840 --> 00:43:56.699
 We look for solutions there instead of looking to God.

00:43:56.699 --> 00:44:01.679
 That pride of thinking, I can feel that emptiness if only this.

00:44:03.019 --> 00:44:05.879
 And if I get it, great.

00:44:06.059 --> 00:44:07.819
 If I don't, I blame.

00:44:09.399 --> 00:44:10.799
 It leaves us empty.

00:44:10.800 --> 00:44:19.400
 Apparently, Madonna, in an interview, said she didn't feel like anyone special.

00:44:20.580 --> 00:44:21.000
 Madonna.

00:44:21.940 --> 00:44:27.260
 And she said that when I receive a new level of fame, I feel special for a moment,

00:44:27.400 --> 00:44:29.980
 but then I need to reach even higher and even higher.

00:44:31.960 --> 00:44:32.980
 It's that emptiness.

00:44:32.980 --> 00:44:33.139
 Tennis.

00:44:34.920 --> 00:44:39.280
 Or apparently Chris Evatt, a female tennis player, Hall of Fame, said,

00:44:39.880 --> 00:44:41.960
 winning made me feel pretty.

00:44:45.860 --> 00:44:46.420
 Tennis.

00:44:47.059 --> 00:44:50.980
 Feeling that hole.

00:44:52.559 --> 00:44:57.260
 Unless we're profoundly so sure of your worth, and none of us are,

00:44:57.260 --> 00:45:04.280
 we look to things other than God and his grace to clothe that shame,

00:45:04.600 --> 00:45:06.540
 that sense of worthlessness.

00:45:13.180 --> 00:45:17.720
 I heard of a woman in her 40s, and she was really beautiful.

00:45:20.060 --> 00:45:25.720
 And she just got in with men who committed crimes,

00:45:25.719 --> 00:45:28.599
 and that just sent her life spiralling.

00:45:28.879 --> 00:45:33.039
 So eventually that prompted her to go see a counsellor and go to church.

00:45:34.179 --> 00:45:36.199
 And the counsellor identified her problem.

00:45:36.679 --> 00:45:39.459
 She says that when you see a man, you just think,

00:45:39.779 --> 00:45:42.939
 I've got to have a man loving me or I'm nobody.

00:45:44.299 --> 00:45:45.619
 You've got to stop doing that.

00:45:47.779 --> 00:45:48.980
 Finish your education.

00:45:50.079 --> 00:45:51.559
 Be financially independent.

00:45:52.279 --> 00:45:53.259
 Be a career woman.

00:45:53.379 --> 00:45:54.339
 Be proud of that.

00:45:54.340 --> 00:46:00.740
 And the woman said, because she was going to church,

00:46:01.160 --> 00:46:08.500
 so you want me to get rid of a female idolatry and adopt a male idolatry.

00:46:09.200 --> 00:46:10.180
 That's your solution.

00:46:10.700 --> 00:46:14.420
 So you want me to stop falling apart if a man doesn't love me

00:46:14.420 --> 00:46:19.539
 and fall apart if my career fails me.

00:46:19.539 --> 00:46:21.340
 Is that the solution?

00:46:23.179 --> 00:46:27.539
 And she said she found Colossians 3 really helpful,

00:46:27.860 --> 00:46:29.519
 and she preached it to herself.

00:46:29.840 --> 00:46:32.460
 Your life is hid with Christ in God.

00:46:33.400 --> 00:46:36.039
 When Christ, who is your life, appears,

00:46:36.159 --> 00:46:37.940
 then you will appear with him in glory.

00:46:37.940 --> 00:46:43.280
 And she would tell herself, she would see a guy checking her out,

00:46:44.300 --> 00:46:46.940
 and I'll stop myself and tell my heart,

00:46:47.760 --> 00:46:50.280
 I'd love to be married.

00:46:51.440 --> 00:46:52.980
 You might be a great guy.

00:46:53.059 --> 00:46:53.519
 I don't know.

00:46:55.400 --> 00:46:56.780
 But you're not my life.

00:46:56.780 --> 00:47:01.840
 You are not my life.

00:47:03.560 --> 00:47:10.040
 To hear the gospel, Jesus alone can hit that emptiness in all of us.

00:47:10.039 --> 00:47:20.420
 We're all profoundly empty at our centre, shifting the blame,

00:47:21.980 --> 00:47:24.300
 looking for solutions where we shouldn't look for them.

00:47:26.059 --> 00:47:28.119
 Here's the solution at the end of the chapter.

00:47:29.259 --> 00:47:30.779
 Chapter 3, verse 21.

00:47:30.780 --> 00:47:39.400
 And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins

00:47:39.400 --> 00:47:41.120
 and clothed them.

00:47:43.100 --> 00:47:45.480
 Now it's just a little hint of hope.

00:47:47.800 --> 00:47:51.420
 Sacrifice is what it takes to clothe you, that sense of shame,

00:47:51.920 --> 00:47:55.560
 that you really are precious, that you really are a somebody.

00:47:56.180 --> 00:47:59.280
 There's only one thing that can do it, and that's the cross.

00:48:00.780 --> 00:48:08.540
 Unlike the first Adam who shifted the blame, Jesus took your blame.

00:48:09.480 --> 00:48:13.940
 And in our case, we deserved it, but he took it.

00:48:16.820 --> 00:48:21.240
 To restore you, to clothe you in his name,

00:48:22.540 --> 00:48:26.740
 to make you his bride forever.

00:48:26.739 --> 00:48:35.919
 However, that, believing that, has the power to know I'm loved.

00:48:37.500 --> 00:48:38.979
 I'm somebody.

00:48:40.039 --> 00:48:42.959
 Even if my husband rejects me.

00:48:45.619 --> 00:48:49.279
 Even if my father or mother disown me.

00:48:49.280 --> 00:48:56.080
 This has the power to fill that emptiness and clothe us with glory.

00:49:00.340 --> 00:49:04.220
 In this area of being men and women, there's just so much angst

00:49:04.220 --> 00:49:07.160
 and defensiveness and hurt and blaming.

00:49:08.160 --> 00:49:11.900
 If only we saw the real problem, it's in our heart,

00:49:12.180 --> 00:49:14.140
 and come to God and his grace.

00:49:14.139 --> 00:49:19.639
 It's only at the cross, only at the cross,

00:49:20.379 --> 00:49:24.900
 that we are clothed in glory, that you are loved.

00:49:26.879 --> 00:49:27.920
 Will you pray with me?

00:49:28.099 --> 00:49:28.379
 Let's pray.

00:49:33.000 --> 00:49:33.900
 Father, I pray,

00:49:33.900 --> 00:49:41.460
 at whatever point my own words have got in the way of yours,

00:49:41.760 --> 00:49:46.119
 that your spirit would make your word break through that,

00:49:47.019 --> 00:49:49.400
 that you would counsel each of our hearts,

00:49:50.059 --> 00:49:55.119
 that we would find contentment in you and in your son,

00:49:56.099 --> 00:49:59.180
 shedding his blood to make us his own.

00:50:00.039 --> 00:50:01.539
 So, Lord, I pray that for each one of us.

00:50:01.619 --> 00:50:02.300
 In Jesus' name.

00:50:02.559 --> 00:50:02.860
 Amen.

00:50:03.900 --> 00:50:04.780
 Amen.

00:50:04.780 --> 00:50:04.780


00:50:04.780 --> 00:50:04.780


00:50:04.780 --> 00:50:04.780


00:50:04.780 --> 00:50:04.780


00:50:04.780 --> 00:50:04.780


00:50:04.780 --> 00:50:04.780


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