Judges 4

This exciting passage is important to the development of the overall themes of the book of Judges, including the sovereignty of God, divine judgment of sin, salvation by grace, and the need for a redeemer that is ultimately fulfilled only in the Redeemer Christ. In a less obvious way, this narrative illustrates what it means for human beings to be male and female in the image of God. The strong female characters Deborah and Jael play central roles, not only in the narrative action, but also in the revealing of the nature of relationships between men and women as God created them to be. This sermon focuses primarily on this latter topic, and owes much to Sam Andreades' work in his thought provoking book enGendered.

Joshua 15

It has been an unexpected and remarkable blessing to enjoy during my ministry in Greenville an encouraging and strengthening relationship with a godly mentor, Dr. Arnold Olsen. He and his wife Ruth are wonderful exemplars of devoted love, and they came to mind as I studied the Bible’s account of Othniel and Achsah, which provides us with significant teaching in regards to a proper understanding of gender roles as God intends them to be.

Numbers 27 and 36

Sunday | August 16, 2015

Continuing this series on the Bible's teaching concerning relationships, this sermon gives attention to significance of the order of God's creation of the genders. Without compromising the doctrine of gender equality before God, the Scripture teaches that there are differences in the gender roles of men and women. What does it mean for God to first create the man, commission and command him, and have him begin his work, and then afterwards create the woman? What does this difference between equals tell us about gender roles today?

Ephesians 5:1-2

Sunday | August 2, 2015

This sermon series on relationships began on June 28th with a consideration of the Trinity, and we do well to keep returning to think about the character of God as we think about what should be the character of our relationships with others. First Corinthians exhorts us: Let all that you do be done in love. Were we to obey that command, would not our relationships give off a pleasing aroma to God, the scent of love?