Some Thoughts About Eve

Genesis 3:6 NKJV So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Eve became aware of 3 things:

1. The tree was good for food.
2. The tree was pleasant to the eyes.
3. The tree was desirable to make one wise.

Eve made a wrong conclusion—it was good and not forbidden.

Eve took the wrong action—she ate the fruit.

We know

• All of creation was perfect and good.
• Adam being alone was identified by God as being not good: Genesis 2:18 NRSV Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.

God created Eve

• For fellowship. God has no need for fellowship. Fellowship is something God enjoys, but He does not have a need. Adam had a need for fellowship.
• For the other half of wisdom and spiritual gifts that Adam did not have. Adam could make a full, wise decision with Eve’s input. Without her input, it would not be a full, wise decision. Only God is complete in Himself. God made it clear that being governor of the earth would not be correct without Eve.
• For a female. Adam had a need for companionship. God has no needs. God wants to make it clear that Adam had needs that Adam could not fulfill.
• To express love and other attributes.
• To receive love and other attributes.

What we can learn from Eve becoming aware of 3 things:

1. The tree was good for food.
   1. She may have thought it to be a poisonous plant, so thinking she would drop dead from the plant.
   2. She may not have thought about it before.
   3. She may not have known all the facts, thus a failure on Adam’s part.
2. The tree was pleasant to the eyes.
   1. She may not have looked at it before.
   2. She may not have studied it, just avoiding it.
3. The tree was desirable to make one wise.
   1. She wanted to learn.
   2. Wisdom is good to learn and is approved by God.
   3. She was ignorant of the type of wisdom, she would receive.

Adam failed.

• This showed that he did not have complete wisdom. He made a bad decision.
• This showed a lack of love for God first and also for Eve.
• This showed that He did not believe God.
• This showed ignorance of God’s character and attributes. Perhaps, he was thinking, “Since God is not here, He will not know.”

Eve’s punishment: pain in childbirth. (She also shared in loss of fellowship with God and spiritual death and eventually physical death. But, the only punishment specified was pain in childbirth).

Eve’s promise from God: Messiah will come from your seed, not Adam’s seed.

Adam’s punishment

• Hard work with little reward.
• Guilt
• Suffering
• Death
• Loss of fellowship with God
• Knowing all creation suffered because Adam sinned. Note, all this suffering is NOT from Eve’s sin.
  • Romans 5:12 NKJV Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:21 NKJV For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
  • Romans 5:14 NKJV Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45 NKJV For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. ... And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

Temptation

• The temptation we face is not unique to us; it is common to all humans: 1 Corinthians 10:13 CSB No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide a way out so that you may be able to bear it.
• James 1:12 NRSV Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
• It is from sinful desire within us: James 1:14-16 NRSV But one is tempted by one's own desire, being lured and enticed by it; 15 then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved.
• Love of other things: 1 Timothy 6:10 NKJV For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
• Things that are more important than God, His teachings, and His lifestyle: Luke 8:14 NKJV Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
• The devil knows what we enjoy and have pleasure in, so he makes sure there is opportunity: Romans 7:5 NKJV For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.
• The devil gives us what WE THINK IS A BETTER DEAL in life: 1 Timothy 5:15 GW Some of them have already turned away to follow Satan.

Deliverance

• We need God’s help: Matthew 6:13 NKJV And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
• We need to follow God’s advice by application: Matthew 26:41 HCSB Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
• We need to endure temptation. God gives the grace to do this, but we must do: James 1:12 NRSV Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
• We need to humble ourselves, asking God to help. We must also resist: James 4:7 NLT So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
• The Lord Jesus knows, has experienced temptation, and is compassionate willing to help us: Hebrews 2:18 NIV Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
• This passage refers to uncalled for angry but can be applied to any temptation, sin, sinful situation: Ephesians 4:26-27 NET Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on the cause of your anger. Do not give the devil an opportunity.
• The testing of faith produces endurance (the idea of no pain, no gain): James 1:2-3 NET My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
• Believers have the Holy Spirit in them to help in temptation: 1 John 4:4 NKJV You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
• Realize satan hates us and has many evil thoughts and plans: 2 Corinthians 2:11 WEL Fearing that Satan would take advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his evil thoughts.
• Don’t blame God: James 1:13 NRSV No one, when tempted, should say, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one.
• God allows tests of our faith, not to find out if we are genuine but so we can find out if we are genuine: 1 Peter 1:6-7 NRSV In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
• We resist, but God gives us the strength: 2 Timothy 4:18 NKJV And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
• Recognizing evil. We have to know what God teaches (Bible) and recognize truth. This was part of Eve’s downfall, for she did not know completely. Adam knew but did not teach her the total truth. Genesis 3:1-7 NKJV Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" 2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' " 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
• We must know the truth. Otherwise, we will be tricked by fake teachers and the false teachings. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NKJV For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
• Confess our sin and repent (don’t do it anymore): 1 John 1:9 MKJV If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Two Kingdoms, Two Gods

1 John 5:19 NRSV We know that we are God's children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one.

Introduction

We are living in a world with two kingdoms.

B1 Devil’s

C1 1 John 5:19 NRSV We know that we are God's children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one.

C2 Matthew 12:26 NRSV If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?

B2 God’s

C1 1 Chronicles 29:11 CSB Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all.

C2 Psalm 45:6 CSB Your throne, God, is forever and ever; the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice.

C3 Psalm 145:13 CSB Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your rule is for all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words and gracious in all his actions.

C4 Matthew 26:64 CSB You have said it," Jesus told him. "But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.

Characteristics of the two kingdoms

B1 Devil’s

C1 Hates God. Reason? God reveals to them that they are evil and are doing evil in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. John 7:7 NRSV The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify against it that its works are evil.

C2 Refuse God’s leadership and kingship (This is from the Parable of the Ten Talents): Luke 19:14 GNB Now, his own people hated him, and so they sent messengers after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.'

C3 Hate Christians: John 17:14 NRSV I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.

C4 In darkness and the power of satan: Acts 26:18 NRSV to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

C5 Evil desires for fleshly happiness and satisfaction, what we see will our eyes (I want ____ fill in the blank), pride, financial riches and goods: 1 John 2:15-17 NRSV Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16 for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.

C6 Claims all the kingdoms of the world: Matthew 4:8-10 NRSV Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.

B2 God’s

C1 Truth (reality)

D1 John 14:17 GW That helper is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it doesn't see or know him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be in you.

D2 Titus 1:2 WEL In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began.

C2 An abandonment of the world system, lifestyle, and desires for what God wants and loves: 1 John 2:15-17 NRSV Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16 for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.

C3 God, Yahweh, is greater in every conceivable way. He overcomes all enemies. We are now not of the world as our King is not of this world’s system and kingdom. We are God’s children. Rebirthed by the work of the Holy Spirit. We have and follow the Spirit of Truth. 1 John 4:4-6 NRSV Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and whoever is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

C4 Wins the conflict over the devil: John 12:31 NRSV Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.

Two Kings

B1 Devil

C1 A murderer from the beginning (of creation) who is unable to tell the truth: John 8:44 GW You come from your father, the devil, and you desire to do what your father wants you to do. The devil was a murderer from the beginning. He has never been truthful. He doesn't know what the truth is. Whenever he tells a lie, he's doing what comes naturally to him. He's a liar and the father of lies.

C2 Blinds people to truth, God, and Gospel: 2 Corinthians 4:4 NRSV In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

C3 Brought death to the world, through, Adam’s sin: Hebrews 2:14-15 NRSV Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.

C4 Deceiver: Revelation 20:7-8 NRSV When the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, in order to gather them for battle; they are as numerous as the sands of the sea.

C5 Enslaves people and totally controls them: Matthew 8:28-29 GW When he arrived in the territory of the Gadarenes on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, two men met him. They were possessed by demons and had come out of the tombs. No one could travel along that road because the men were so dangerous. 29 They shouted, "Why are you bothering us now, Son of God? Did you come here to torture us before it is time?"

C6 Pretends to be holy: 2 Corinthians 11:14 NRSV And no wonder! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

B2 God

C1 Destroys satan: Hebrews 2:14-15 NRSV Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.

C2 Casts out satan: Matthew 12:26-28 NRSV If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27 If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

C3 Declares believers to be His children (we are adopted): Romans 8:16 NRSV it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

C4 Prays for us:

D1 For deliverance from satan: John 17:15 NRSV I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.

D2 Romans 8:34 NRSV Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

C5 Gives us victory: 1 Corinthians 15:57 NRSV But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

C6 God loves us, so He will come back for us: John 14:28 GW You heard me tell you, 'I'm going away, but I'm coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I'm going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am.

Two Decisions

B1 Resist God

C1 John 5:39-40 WEL Search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, and they are the very ones that testify about me. 40 You are not willing to come to me, that you might have life.

C2 Luke 13:34 NKJV O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!

B2 Believe God

C1 God, Yahweh, rescues, transfers, redeems, and forgives us from the devil’s kingdom, power, and sin to the kingdom of Jesus, the beloved Son, Colossians 1:13-14 NRSV He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

C2 John 14:1 GW Don't be troubled. Believe in God, and believe in me.

Two Outcomes

B1 Of the Devil’s Kingdom (those who do not believe God):

C1 Revelation 20:10 NRSV And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

C2 Matthew 25:41, 46 CSB Then he will also say to those on the left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels! ... "And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

B2 Of God’s Kingdom (those who believe)

C1 Daniel 7:18 CSB But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever.

C2 1 Peter 1:3-4 CSB Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.

C3 John 3:15-16 WPNT so that everyone who believes into Him should not be wasted but should have eternal life. Because God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes into Him should not be wasted but should have eternal life.

2 Corinthians 6:2 WEB for he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you.”Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2 GNB Hear what God says: "When the time came for me to show you favor, I heard you; when the day arrived for me to save you, I helped you." Listen! This is the hour to receive God's favor; today is the day to be saved!

Today is the day to be saved!

Matthew 25:41, 46 CSB - "Then he will also say to those on the left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels! ... "And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Goals

1 Corinthians 13:13 NRSV And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

John 6:38 NRSV for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

B1 Jesus came to do His Father’s will.

B2 So should we.

Goals—Some goals for us

B1 Philippians 3:10, 12, 14 CSB My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, ... Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. ... I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

C1 To know God better.

C2 His power and promise of the resurrection.

C3 To be patient in sufferings

C4 Heaven

B2 1 Timothy 1:5 CSB Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

C1 God teaches us through reading and studying the Bible.

C2 Our faith needs to be genuine.

C3 God gives us grace and help to make it to heaven.

B3 1 Peter 1:9 CSB because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

C1 The goal of our faith is our salvation.

C2 Whatever we face here is only temporary.

C3 Be faithful

B4 1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT Let love be your highest goal!

C1 Love is the highest and best characteristic.

C2 It is in short supply.

C3 You and many others have been cheated from love that was deserved and needed. Parents may have failed, teachers, pastors, religious people, church goers, employers, etc.

C4 God love is constant.

B5 2 Corinthians 5:9 NLT So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.

C1 We want to please the saviour, our Messiah.

C2 He promises to deliver, but He does not say when He will deliver.

C3 Our thankfulness for His goodness is never forgotten.

B6 Galatians 1:10 NLT Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant.

C1 Pleasing people is not a good goal.

C2 Too many people take advantage of us and hurt us.

C3 They lie and cheat us.

C4 Pleasing God is doing His will.

C5 His blessings are eternal.

B7 1 Thessalonians 4:11 NLT Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.

C1 Some people are loud.

C2 Some people are obnoxious.

C3 Some people are both.

C4 God does not want us to be either of them.

B8 John 17:4 NLT I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

C1 To bring glory to God rather than ourselves.

C2 God will honor us.

C3 Let us finish His work that He has given us.

D1 Every Christian has a some work to do for God.

D2 It could be praying, listening to others, helping when possible, being kind, etc.

B9 2 Timothy 4:7 NLT I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

C1 We need to be faithful.

C2 We have God’s promise to help us.

C3 We pray for each other.

Goals—Some goals of God

B1 To live with His people

C1 Leviticus 26:11-12 NLT I will live among you, and I will not despise you. I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people.

C2 Psalm 23:6 NLT Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

C3 John 14:23 NLT Jesus replied, "All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.

B2 To seek the lost: Luke 19:10 NRSV For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.

B3 To reconcile with His enemies, that is, humans: Colossians 1:20-21 GNB Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son's blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven. 21 At one time you were far away from God and were his enemies because of the evil things you did and thought.

B4 To never leave nor forsake us: Hebrews 13:5 NRSV Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you.

B5 Others answered: What is God's ultimate goal? Why did God do everything he did (e.g. creating humans, angels, and animals)? What does he gain? Isn't he perfect, and supposedly has no needs?

Anthony Zarrella, Lifelong Catholic and avid student of theology

Answered Jan 17 2017 · Author has 2.3k answers and 8.4m answer views

You’re right that God has no needs. The greatest Saint adds nothing to God’s perfection, and God would be no less great if there were nothing but Him.

However, God’s nature is love, and love seeks to be shared.

So, God created Man - a free moral agent who could choose to do good (and therefore, by necessity, could choose to do evil), and who could choose to love God (or not).

It’s not that the existence of Man is good for God - God doesn’t need us. But the existence of Man is good for Man.

It’s the same with prayer - God doesn’t need our prayers, but prayer and worship puts us in better “alignment” with His nature, and therefore with our own best nature, and so He demands it of us just like a parent demands that a child eat his vegetables (it’s not like the parent gets any benefit from the kid eating nutritious food, right?).

As to His reasons for creating other stuff (animals, angels, etc.), He’s the only one Who knows for sure, but it’s strongly implied that all Creation is “aimed at” Man - that is, that the universe in all its splendor has us as its goal. I’m talking theology here, not science, by the way - I have no desire in this particular thread to debate whether it is scientifically reasonable to believe this (I think it is, but it’s a discussion for another time and place).

Psalm 18:6 NLT But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.

Psalm 69:3 NLT I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.

1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 3:1-13

B1 God’s Undershepherds, His leaders

C1 Jesus is Supreme in the church: Ephesians 1:22-23 WEL He has put everything under his feet and given him to be the head of everything in the church, 23 Which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything of everything.

C2 Jesus is supreme teacher and leader: Matthew 23:8-12 WEL But you are not to be addressed as Rabbi, because one is your Teacher, the Messiah, and you are all brothers. 9 "Do not address anyone as your "Father" on this earth, because one is your Father, who is in heaven. 10 "Also do not be addressed as "Teachers", because one is your Teacher, the Messiah. 11 "Instead he who is greatest among you will be your servant. 12 "And whoever will exalt himself will be humbled, but he who will be humble will be exalted.

C3 Jesus’s rules/commands are supreme: John 14:15 WEL If you love me, obey my commandments.

C4 Jesus appoints the offices: Ephesians 4:11-12 WEL He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

C5 Jesus has plurality of elders in every church:

D1 Acts 14:23 WEL After they had chosen elders in every church and after praying with fasting, they committed them to the Lord on whom they had believed.

D2 Acts 20:17 WEL At Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

B2 Pastors, Deacons, and Deaconesses

C1 Qualifications

D1 A true believer (this is different than just a believer, for some might be able to say or teach the correct doctrine but their life is not matching the New Testament)

D2 The list is further things beyond salvation. I count 18 in the list. Another person may count differently.

E1 First grouping is character traits. These are desire, blameless, vigilant, self-controlled, good behavior, not quarrelsome, not greedy, gentle, not contentious, not covetous

E2 Second is marital status. He is to be a one woman man. He does not HAVE to be married, though.

E3 Third is  abilities. He is to be hospitable, able to teach, and a good manager at home.

E4 Fourth is addictions. He is not to be addicted to wine. He is also not to be addicted to porn, gambling, drugs, sports, work, etc. It is the addiction that is evil.

E5 Fifth is length of time he has been a Christian.

E6 Sixth is standing in society. He has to have a good reputation in society, with Christians, non-Christians, government, education, etc.

D3 Even though many might have these qualifications, if the calling of God is present, the person will show pastor like desire and actions.

C2 Responsibilities

D1 Preach the Gospel: 1 Corinthians 1:17 WEL For Christ didn't send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, not with wisdom in words lest the cross of Christ be ineffective.

D2 Read, exhort, and teach. The teaching would be teaching the Bible, doctrine, and how to live Christian life : 1 Timothy 4:13 WEL Until I come apply yourself to reading [of Scripture], exhortation, and to teaching.

D3 Teach the doctrines of the faith: 1 Timothy 4:6 WEL If you remind the brethren of these things you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and good teaching to which you have carefully followed.

D4 Assist in the congregation’s direction in Christian life and outreach: 1 Peter 5:2 WEL Feed the flock of God, which is among you. Take the oversight voluntarily, not by being forced, not for money's sake but with a willing heart.

D5 Be examples. We have to live the same life we teach others to do: 1 Peter 5:3 WEL Do not lord it over God's heritage, but be examples to the flock.

D6 Practice shepherd leadership. This is seen in the example and life of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are many who say they provide this, but by their life, words, and actions are controlling. The controlling pastor is most likely a false convert to Christianity (Read 3 John about Diotrephes). 1 Peter 5:3 WEL Do not lord it over God's heritage, but be examples to the flock.

D7 Teach other qualified men: Acts 14:23 WEL After they had chosen elders in every church and after praying with fasting, they committed them to the Lord on whom they had believed.

D8 They need to use discernment: 2 John 1:10 WEL If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house, nor greet him.

C3 The qualifications for deacons and deaconesses are similar.

D1 Character traits are respectable, not deceitful, not addicted to substances, and not greedy for money.

D2 Spiritual traits are known and fully believe the doctrines of the Christian faith in such a way to be consistent in their words and lifestyle.

D3 Also, they need to be tested (examined, evaluated) as to their spiritual traits.

D4 A blessing from God for faithful service is boldness (to live and preach the Gospel) and respect from others (reputation).

D5 The example is Stephen in Acts 6-7.

1 Timothy 3:14-16

B3 Reasons for church conduct

C1 We learn from this that our fellow Christians are family members with us. We are together as family in God’s family.

C2 We are not together for a similar purpose, reason, or goal, but we are together as a family.

C3 The church is to be the light in this world in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. We are to honor God by obeying His rules in the New Testament.

C4 Our religion is a mystery to the unsaved.

C5 The Lord Jesus was revealed in the flesh. He is the God/man. Many translations foul this Scripture. Wilbur Pickering PhD states in his Bible notes: Instead of 'God', 1% of the Greek manuscripts read 'who', and most modern versions follow this 1%. But 'who' is nonsensical (in the context), so most of them take evasive action: NEB and NASB have "he who"; Phillips has "the one"; NRSV, Jerusalem, TEV and NIV render "he". Berkley actually has "who"! In the Greek Text the relative pronoun has no antecedent, so it is a grammatical 'impossibility', besides being a stupidity—what is so mysterious about someone being manifested in flesh? All human beings have bodies. The pronoun can be accounted for as an easy transcriptional error, a simple copying mistake, so why not stay with the 98.5%? "God was manifested in flesh"—now there you have a mystery!

B4 Applications

C1 There are to be pastors, deacons, and deaconesses.

C2 There are requirements in order to be one. Being a great business person or leader in society counts for nothing in God’s church.

C3 We must be consistent in our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

C4 We are a family. We are to love and live as a family, The house we live in is God’s house. This is not referring to communal living.