All right, if you wish to follow
along, turn to Romans chapter 16. Our brother, the apostle Paul's
letter to our brothers and sisters at Rome and to us as well. What I'm going to do is I'm going
to read the whole chapter, and as other weeks come, Lord willing,
I will probably revisit some of these verses, but I'll not
go back and read the whole chapter again. various verses, but I'm
gonna read the whole chapter. This is Paul winding up this
epistle, this letter. I commend unto you Phoebe, our
sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Sincreia,
that ye receive her in the Lord, as become saints, that ye assist
her in whatsoever business she hath need of you. For she hath
been a succorer or a helper of many, and of myself also. Greet
Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus, who have for
my life laid down their own necks, unto whom not only I give thanks,
but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise, greet
the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epanipas,
who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Greet Mary, which
bestowed much labor on us. Salute Andronicus and Juna, my
kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles
who also were in Christ before me. Greet Amplia, my beloved
in the Lord. Salute Urbane, our helper in
Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. Salute Apolles, approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus'
household. Salute Herodian, my kinsmen,
greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the
Lord. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa,
who labor in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which
labored much in the Lord. Salute Rufus, chosen in the Lord,
his mother and mine. Salute Erstenocris, Phlegon,
Hermes, Patrobus, or Patrobus, Hermes, and the brethren which
are with them. Salute Flagellus, and Julia,
Nerus, and his sister Olympus, and all the saints which are
with them. Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches
of Christ salute you. Now I beseech you, brethren,
mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the
doctrine which we have learned, and avoid them. For they that
are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly,
and by good words and fair speeches. Boy, don't we hear that a lot
today. By good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of
the simple. for your obedience is come abroad unto all men.
I am glad therefore on your behalf, but yet I would have you wise
unto that which is good and simple concerning evil. and the God
of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, amen. Timotheus, my
fellow worker, and Lucius, and Jason, and Socipiter, my kinsman,
salute you. I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle,
salute you in the Lord. Gaius, mine host, and of the
whole church, saluteth you. Erastus, the chamberlain of the
city, saluteth you, and Quartus, a brother. The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Now to him that is of power
to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of
Jesus Christ. according to the revelation of
the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now
is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according
to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations
for the obedience of faith. To God, only wise, be glory through
Jesus Christ forever. Amen. Now, while this world malks,
and derides God's ordained order. And they mock and deride God's
ordained order. God's people bask in the glow
of God's glorious wisdom. But I wanna talk about a particular
part of God's divine order. Turn with me quickly, or not
quickly, but turn with me, I'll read quickly, 1 Corinthians chapter
11. And I'll try to tie these, these'll
seem like some loose ends here for a while, but I'll try to
tie these together. First Corinthians chapter 11. We're gonna read
of God's divine order. Verse three. But I would have
you know that the head of every man is Christ, and that the head
of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God. That's God's divine ordained
order. Now, the head, is one to whom
another is subordinate. That's the main station or place
of a head. A head, or the head, is one to
whom another is subordinate. So we see that the wife is subordinate
to the husband. We see that the man is subordinate
to Christ. And we see that Christ is subordinate
to God. But we must beware what we say
concerning this subordination. Now, again, our world is filled
with headship. Everyone here who has a job,
unless you own the company yourself, you were a what? A subordinate. You had someone who was over
you. You had someone that had say over you and your life. Again,
our world is filled with headship. and filled with positions of
subordination. Now, sadly, we by nature are
usually what? Insubordinate. But nevertheless,
we are, there is such a thing. Where there is a head, there
must be subordination. Where there is subordination,
there must be a head. Yet, this antichrist world would
deny God his right to institute headships. And remember, there's
more than one headship. God is the head of Christ. Christ
is the head of the man. The man's the head of the woman.
Now, what does this have to do with chapter 16? Headship's not
mentioned. But what I wanna try to talk
about is the demand, the demand of headship. Now, contrary to,
I mean, If you read 1 Corinthians 11 three, to most people in this
world, they will scoff and mock. Will they not? They will scoff
and mock. But think about this, 10 of the
29 people mentioned in chapter 16, there's 29 people mentioned,
either directly by name or referred to by association with someone
else. 10 of the 29 people mentioned in chapter 16 are women. Eight
of them are named directly, two of them are mentioned by association. The second thought of this, all
10 women here are held in high regard. Now this idea that people
like us, that we believe in this headship, that we somehow look
at the woman as a second class citizen in the kingdom of God,
there are some religions that do so. There are some religions
that look at women as being second class in whatever kind of kingdom
they're talking about. You don't read anything like
that in chapter 16, do you? As a matter of fact, most of
these women are commended for their devotion to the cause of
the gospel. The first one mentioned, Phoebe,
is the courier of the very epistle we're reading. She took this
thing from Sincrea and took it all the way to Rome. And Paul
said, whatever she needs, You supply it. You know what he said?
You supply it. So headship, now listen to me. Although headship is not the
subject of this chapter, it's clear that headship does not
mean this. Headship does not demand superior
versus inferior. You see what I'm saying? There
are those who say, well Paul was a bigot. He was a male chauvinist. because he believed that the
man was superior and the woman was inferior. That is not so. That is not so. But it may include
it. God, look at this. Christ is
not inferior to God. He said, John quotes him, and
we have it recorded in John 10 and verse 30, I and my father
are what? One. One, I work and my father
works. You know what he said? But that
same man, Christ, Christ Jesus the Lord also took a subordinate
position to God so that he also made statements like this. This
commandment have I received of my father. You know what he said? Somebody said explain that, don't
have to do it. I'm not in the splitting business.
I'm in the preaching business. Christ is the head of the man,
but God is the head of Christ, and the man is the head of the
woman. This is the way God's ordained it. This is the way
it is. Not ought to be. It is, whether
we like it or not. It is. So remember, Christ is
not inferior to God. The woman is not inferior to
the man. Turn to chapter three, and we've done been through this. Chapter three, verse 10, as it
is written, there is none righteous, no not one. That's male and female. Jew or Gentile, bond or free,
rich or poor, it does not matter. There's none righteous, no not
one. There is none that understandeth. There is none that seeketh after
God. A man doesn't have the place of the head of the woman because
he's smarter than the woman, but because God gave him the
responsibility of being the head. In other words, I want to jump
ahead. Headship doesn't mean you're the boss. It means you're
responsible. That person that's your head
at work, they're ultimately responsible. The place where I work, there's
a man that sits in the office. Everything and everybody that's
there, it all boils back down to him. or her, as the case sometimes
had been. So again, Christ is not inferior
to God. A woman is not inferior to the
man. We'll read on. They're all going out of the
way. They are together become unprofitable. There is none that
doeth good. No, not one, not one. Hmm, their throat is an open
sepulcher. With their tongues they have
used deceit. The poison of ass is under their lips, whose mouth
is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed
blood. What did you think, even down in here, the last time somebody
cut you off in traffic? I have them 18 wheelers start
to come over when I'm coming up beside them. They start to
come over on your side of the road. There's all kinds of things
that are going on down in here about that individual. But what
does it say? And the way of peace, have they not known there is
no fear of God before their eyes. So again, Christ is not inferior
to God, but he took a subordinate position. The woman is not inferior
to the man, but she does have a subordinate position. Now think
about this. Christ is superior to the man
and the woman. Look at chapter three again. Verse 20, therefore by the deeds
of the law, there shall no flesh, that's us, male or female, Therefore
by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in
his sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now
the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being
witnessed by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness
of God, which is by the faith, the personal faith of Jesus Christ. Do you see that? So when we talk
about headship, it doesn't demand Superior versus inferior, but
it does at times include that Yet I know what our flesh says
Don't tell me I'm inferior to anyone. We are inferior to God
He is the creator. We are the creature We are clay
What is he he's the Potter I and he can make of that clay, that
one lump, male or female, bond or free, rich or poor, and he
can make one vessel into honor, and he can make another vessel
into dishonor, and it's his business. This thing of boss, being the
boss. I'm just reminded this. Henry Mahan told a story of one
of his great-grandchildren, or no, one of his grandchildren,
I'm sorry, I think it was his daughter, anyway, his daughter
was telling their kids, The father was away, she said, now when
daddy's home, daddy's boss. And when daddy's not home, mommy's
home, mommy's boss. And one of the kids chimed in,
but God's the big boss. God is the big boss. I don't have the right to do
what I will with my wife. She's not my property, she's
God's property. God bought her with a price.
He owns her, lock, stock, and barrel. I don't own anything.
I don't own anything. But God owns us. Lock, stock,
and barrel. He's the big boss. And he does
with us what he will. So again, Christ is not inferior
to God. Woman is not inferior to man.
But Christ is superior to the man and the woman. Now in light
of this, let's consider just two thoughts. Our station in
the body of Christ is not to be denied because of our position
in Christ. See it? Now, look at our station.
1 Timothy chapter two. And I'll just read these and
make a few statements. I am not here to try to philosophically
explain these things so that they become easier to our flesh.
Our flesh revolts against headship no matter what. Even when we're
at work, we don't like the boss telling us what to do. But we
know if we don't do what the boss says to do, guess what the
boss might do? He might send you packing. Why? Because he's the boss, right? Now look at what the book says,
1 Timothy 2. Like I said, most of this I'm just gonna read.
I won't state a whole lot, but look at it. Verse 11, let the
woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer, I do
not allow a woman to teach nor to usurp authority over the man
but to be in silence. Is that what the book says or
not? That's what the book says. First Peter chapter three. Listen
to what Peter says about the matter. This one goes even deeper. First Peter chapter three. Likewise,
you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands. That, now
notice now, it's not just to believing husbands, is it? Look,
that be in subjection to your own husband, that if any obey
not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation
of the wives. So here, the wife, though she's
in subjection to the husband, the head, yet she's the one,
this believing wife is the one that has the, we'll put it this
way, the upper hand, has the greater witness. and even has
the greater responsibility because of this belief and unbelief dwelling
together. Do you see it? That they also
may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives,
while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. In other words, wives, how you
act does matter. Change that, strike out act.
How you conduct yourself, because it ain't to be an act. How you
conduct yourself does matter. and God can use it. And I have
every reason to believe that, Mac, if the roles are reversed,
if the husband's believing and the wife is unbelieving, it's
still the same thing. Who's adorning, let it not be
outward adorning, the plaiting of the hair or wearing of gold,
this is not a prohibition against a woman plaiting her hair or
wearing gold. Because if it is, it says, oh,
we're putting on apparel, so you're not supposed to wear clothes. Right? But there are people who
teach this as some rule. That a woman's not to do anything
with her hair, she's not to wear, that's not, that's not how you
win them. How you win them is by believing
God. By believing God no matter what
the circumstance. Even if your husband's unbelieving, right? Who's adorning, let it not be
that outward adorning of plaiting of the hair and wearing of gold
or putting on apparel, apparel, apparel. But let it be the hidden
man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight
of, here it is, God, a great price. For after this manner,
in old time, the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves,
being in subjection unto their own husbands, even as Sarah obeyed
Abraham, calling him Lord, whose daughters ye are, as long as
ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise,
ye husbands dealt with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto
the wife as unto the weaker, not weaker as inferior, but the
more delicate vessel. In other words, husbands, and
we'll put it this way, you're the chamber pot. She's the Ming
vase, or I'm sorry, when I say Ming, I'm supposed to say vase,
right? It's not a vase, it's a vase.
That's what Peter's talking about. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell
with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife as
unto the weaker vessel, as being heirs together of the grace of
life, that your prayers be not hindered. Finally, be ye all
of one mind, having compassion. You see, it's all mutual. This is done in the service of
God. That's our station. Ephesians
chapter five. Let's look at that one. Ephesians chapter five. Paul
gives a little more detail. Ephesians chapter five, verse
18. And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled
with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts
to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things unto God and the
Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, submitting yourselves
one to another in the fear of God. So we're all to take a subordinate
position to the other. Correct? But at the same time,
it's still true, wives, submit yourselves unto your husbands.
You see it? Somebody says, how's all that
fit? It's not about how it fits. It's just do what God says. Live
like God says to live. For the husband is the head of
the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church, and he is
the savior of the body. Therefore, as the church is subject
unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church.
gave himself for it. Now that's not just died for
it, though that's definitely true, but his whole life was
devoted to us. Everything he did, it was for
our benefit. What did he say, he even said
one time, well on a couple occasions, it's recorded, I didn't come
to be served, I come to serve. There's nothing wrong with serving,
yes sir. Nothing wrong with serving. That
he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water
by the word. That he might present it to himself a glorious church,
not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing that it should
be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives
as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth
himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourisheth
and cherisheth it even as the Lord of the church. For we are
members of his body and of his flesh and of his bone. For this
cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined
to his wife, and they too shall be one flesh. This is a great
mystery, but here's the real thing. Not problem. Here's the
real thing. But I speak concerning Christ
and the church. Let me put it this way. If you've got your marital affairs
in complete order, and everything's fine, if you're not subject to
Christ, you're still both lost. That's what it boils down to.
Well, God's got to honor that. No, he don't. He honors one thing,
his son. And he only honors anything else
if, and only if, it's in his son. This is a great mystery,
but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless,
that every one of you, in particular, so love his wife as himself,
and the wife see that she reverends, not treat him like God, that's
not what it's talking about, but have great, profound respect. Why? Because of his responsibility. Not because he's the boss, but
because the buck stops here. It don't stop back there. The
buck stops here. That's our station, but here's
our position. Look at Galatians chapter three. We do hold various and varying
stations in this world as believers, but now let's look at our position.
Galatians three verse 26. For you're all the children of
God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you, or that means
as all of you, it's all. For as many of you has been baptized
into Christ to put on Christ. Now look at it. There is neither
Jew nor Greek. There is neither bond nor free. There is neither male nor female. For you're all, what, one in
Christ Jesus. But that don't give this man say so to go marry another man.
Hmm? Right? Because they're still
the divine order. Male and female are one. No difference. One in Christ Jesus. But that
doesn't change our stations in life. And if you be Christ, then
are you Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. Here's
another one, 1 Corinthians 12. So I'm trying to show, I'm just
basically right now trying to show we have a station and we
have a position. We can't mix those two up. Don't
use one to deny the other. Don't use the other to falter
in the other. Now, for what I say, 1 Corinthians
12 and one verse, 1 Corinthians 12 verse 13. four by one spirit,
we're all baptized into one body. Whether it be Jews or Gentiles,
whether we be bond or free, and I don't believe that's all, he's
just using a couple references about different stations in life,
do you see it? Male or female, rich or poor,
it doesn't matter. Whether it be Jews or Gentiles,
whether it be bond or free, and have been all made to drink into
one spirit. That's our position. Here's another
one, turn to John 17. Matter of fact, Paul already
quoted some of this. This is our Lord's Prayer. This
is the actual Lord's Prayer here. John 17, for the sake of time,
let's begin in verse 20. John 17, verse 20, neither pray
I for these alone, that's the 11, that's what he's talking
about. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which
shall believe on me through their word, that they all may be, what? One, you see, this is our position
in Christ. Not our station, but our position
in Christ. That all may be one, as thou,
Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in
us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me, and one
day they will. One day, they don't now, but
one day they will. One day the whole world will
know that God sent Jesus Christ to save his elect. and they'll
be made to bow to Jesus Christ in it, to no avail for their
soul. No avail for their soul. You
see, it's not a matter, and I've said it before, you need to bow
to Christ, you ought to bow to Christ, no, you will bow to Christ.
And you either bow now by God's grace, or you'll bow by the wrath
of God one day at the judgment, one or the other. That the world
may believe that thou sent me, and the glory which thou gavest
me, I have given them. You see that?
That they may be one, even as we are one. I don't see that
now, but it's already true. Our stations cloud that. Our
sins cloud that. But it's true nonetheless. Now
one day it'll be finalized. All this will be gone. But look
what he says. and the glory which thou gavest
me I've given them, that they may be one even as we are one,
I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one,
and that the world may know that thou hast sent me and has loved
them as thou hast loved me. And he goes on and says, you
loved me before the world began. Therefore they're gonna know
that God loved his people before the world began, and they will
be made to bow to Jesus Christ in it. I can't wait to see that
day. So remember, our station in the
body of Christ is not to be denied because of our position in the
body of Christ. Here's the second thought. Headship,
headship does demand one thing, subordination. I cannot stress
that enough. But I cannot teach you that. The Holy Spirit has to teach
you and me that. Headship demands subordination,
especially to the Godhead. Okay? Especially to the Godhead. Now, just a few thoughts. Turn
to 1 Peter 2. Back to 1 Peter again. In turn, once you're there, I'll
make this statement and then we'll read it. We are to be in
subordination to God Almighty even in our sufferings in this
life. Look at what it says, 1 Peter
2 verse 21. For even here unto where ye called, because Christ
also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should
follow his steps. Do you see it? Who did no sin,
neither was guile found in his mouth. Who, when he was reviled,
reviled not again. When he suffered, he threatened
not, but here it is, but committed. Do you see this? Surrendered.
Do you see that? subordinated himself. Is that
a word? I'll make one up if it's not.
But committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. So a headship does demand subordination.
And God will bow us as his people to even our troubles and trials
in this land. As Paul said, while you've got
streams of true heartfelt tears that run down your face, you
still have joy in the Lord. Here's a second thought, turn
to John 10. Why is it that we subject ourselves
to God in the vicissitudes and all the troubles of life? Because
he's the Lord of glory. The devil can't even touch us
unless God's given him say so. Now can he? So if anything does
happen to you, your heavenly Father's in sovereign control
of it. He knows how far to take you. And one day he made us use
one of them trebles to take you on home. Now wouldn't that be
a glory? To have you done with this for good. What's so bad
about having a heart attack? If you're a believer. What's
so bad about dying? If you're a believer. It's to
be done with this mortal coil of corruption and sin. But here's another one. John
10 verse 16. This is important. We are to
be in subordination to our actual salvation. Salvation is of the
Lord. God's responsible for my circumstances,
even though he may use a second or third thing, right? He's responsible
for it. My Lord is responsible for my
salvation. I am not, I believe in God's
sovereignty and man's accountability. Now, if you use the word responsible
as a synonym for accountable, that's true, but we're not responsible
creatures. We are irresponsible creatures. I am not responsible for my salvation. Look at what our Lord said. He
took the responsibility. John 10, verse 16, you know the
verse. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold, them
also They must come, is that what it says? No, they'll come,
they must. But that's not what he says here,
is it? Them also I must bring. Who's taking the responsibility
here? The head, is it not? Them also I must bring and they
shall hear my voice and there shall be one fold and one shepherd. Aren't you glad he took the responsibility
of your soul? Aren't you glad God didn't do
all he could do and then leave it up to you? Right there, he guaranteed the
salvation of my soul if I wanted his. He said, I gotta bring them
in. It's my responsibility. Here's
another one. Turn to John three. Now there are many of these,
but we don't have time to, I don't have the ability to even discover
them all. Remember, Being in subordination
to God means we're in subordination to even our sufferings in this
life. It means we're in subordination to our Lord Jesus Christ. He
actually took the responsibility of our salvation. But it's also,
we are subordinate. We must leave it up to God in
our regeneration and our conversion. We can't do it. Look at what
he told Nicodemus. Jesus, verse three, Jesus answered
and said unto him, verily, verily, that is truly, truly I say unto
thee, except a man be, be, not get, be, something or rather
someone outside of you must act upon you. Except a man be born
again, he cannot see. He can't even comprehend the
kingdom of God. He can't even understand it. Hmm, you see it? Nicodemus saith unto him, how
can a man be born when he's old? Can he enter in the second time
into his mother's womb and be born? Jesus answered, truly,
truly, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of
the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom. So God's gotta act for
you, you see it? God's gotta act for you to even
enter it. You see it? You see it? Enter the kingdom
of God. That which is born of the flesh is what? flesh. That's all it'll ever be. God's
not working on the flesh. He's got to give you something
you never had before. Spirit. And not just human spirit. God's spirit. Divine Spirit,
God Almighty, look at it. That which is born of the flesh
is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. Marvel
not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again. The wind
bloweth where it listeneth, and thou hearest the sound thereof,
but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth.
So is everyone that is born of the capital S, Spirit. Do you see it? Spirit. Here's
another one. Turn to the 76th Psalm. This
will be the last one for today. 76th Psalm. Christianity does not have amongst
its recipients, the recipients of God's free sovereign mercy
doesn't have inferior versus superior. But it does have headships. There is no doubt about it. But
the main headship is the Godhead. The Godhead. Now you're at Psalm
76, I'll give you the verse in just a moment. We are to be in
subordination to God even in the worst of man's worst. Look
at verse 10. Surely, surely, there's no doubt
about this from the psalmist. Surely the wrath of man shall
praise thee. Do you see it? Surely the wrath,
I can't explain that. I just know it's so. Look at
the cross. That's the great, there's the
greatest act of human wrath ever perpetrated, is when men cried,
crucify him, crucify him. And they were doing exactly what
God Almighty ordained before the world began. Now they weren't
doing this, but it's almost like they were reading the Bible and
saying, what are we supposed to do to him next? Wasn't it? They were doing what was in their
evil, wicked hearts to do. But yet God was manipulating
every bit of it. I mean, Christ, they were not
going to put him to death on the Passover day, the Passover.
They were not, we can't do that. But he, by just pushing the truth
on him, and pushing the truth on him, and pushing the truth
on him, worked them into such a favored pitch, they got to
the point that they didn't care what day he died on, they just
wanted him dead. They just wanted him dead. And
they were doing unto him. whatsoever God's hand had determined
before to be done. Surely the wrath of man shall
praise thee, and the rest of it shall keep it from happening. You see it? See, there's a lot
of things we would do, but God just keeps us from doing it.
And we'd be like the wild beast of the field, but God restrains
us, and the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. I don't mind to submit myself
and to be subordinate to somebody like that. You better be. You better be. Deny it. Reject it. Avoid it. Headship. But if we do so, I said, if we
do so, we do so at the peril of our own soul. Pardon me just a moment. Henry Mahan told the, It wasn't
a story. He was the one that actually
happened to him. He was preaching along this line about headship.
Exactly what I'm talking about this morning. And there was a
lady in the group there, she didn't like that at all. And
she made it, she got up in the middle of the message and walked
out and said, I won't have this. She didn't leave the whole place,
but she went out of the building, wouldn't listen to Henry anymore.
After they got done, Bunch of the preachers and some of the
people from that church were standing around. Henry asked
Doris, would you go get me a cup of coffee, please? And she got
so mad. Who was he to tell her to go
get her? He just asked her to go get him a cup of coffee. You
know what God did? The next meeting she came back
to, God broke her heart. God bowed her down. Aren't you glad God bowed you
down? Because every part of me says no to headship. I'll be
my own boss. I'll do my own thing. And God
says, no you won't. But even your wrath will praise
me. And if it's wrath that wouldn't praise me, I'll squash it. I'll
squash it. That's the good thing about our
wrath. Think about that. Even though the wrath of man
worketh not the righteousness of God, that doesn't mean God
Almighty can't use it. Right, right, Jack? Our wrath
is not gonna work the righteousness of God, but that don't mean God
Almighty don't have sovereign control in all of it. So deny
it, reject it, avoid it. If you do so, if I do so, I do
it at the peril of my own souls. Hear the prayer of submitting
to headship. Turn to Matthew chapter six.
We'll close with this prayer. Hear the prayer of submitting
to headship. Matthew chapter six. These are our Lord's instructions.
The disciples ask him, Lord, teach us to pray, right? Verse
nine, after this matter, therefore pray ye, our Father, which art
in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, and then here
it is. Here's the prayer of submission
to headship. You see it? Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done. in earth as it is in heaven. Even our Lord Jesus Christ prayed
this prayer, and I don't believe it was because there was something
evil in him. We're not gonna believe that. Lord, Father, not
my will, but thy will be done. You know what he said? Oh, God
forced me to do that. and to be that and to live that.
Heavenly Father, teach us. We need instruction. We need
instruction daily, hourly, by the moment. Lord, truly without
our Lord Jesus Christ, we could do nothing. Strengthen us, comfort
us. Lord, be with us. This world
is in upheaval. Just the madness that's about
us as human beings. Oh God, work out your sovereign
will, protect your people and honor your son, in Christ's name,
amen.