Imitating Christ: Embracing God-Ordained Roles and Authority

Devotional

Day 1: Emulating Christ's Example

Paul's invitation to the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitates Christ is a profound call to live a life worthy of emulation. This requires a deep commitment to following Christ, recognizing that our example is only as good as our adherence to His ways. In a world where many shy away from the responsibility of being a role model due to compromise and ungodliness, Paul's confidence is rooted in his understanding that his worthiness as an example is not in himself but in his following of Christ. This sets a boundary and direction for imitation: follow others only as they follow Christ. [00:21]

1 Peter 2:21-23 (ESV): "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly."

Reflection: Who in your life can you look to as a Christ-like example, and how can you begin to emulate their Christ-centered qualities today?

Day 2: Understanding God-Ordained Roles

The principle of headship is about God-ordained roles, not superiority or inferiority. Paul outlines three headship relationships: Christ over man, man over woman, and God over Christ. This structure is not about superiority or inferiority but about God-ordained roles. It calls for men to lead with love and women to submit with respect, reflecting the divine order seen in the relationship between Christ and God the Father. This principle is crucial in the church and the home, where men are called to lead with love and women to submit with respect, mirroring the relationship between Christ and God the Father. [08:14]

Ephesians 5:23-25 (ESV): "For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

Reflection: In what ways can you practice leading with love or submitting with respect in your relationships today, reflecting the divine order?

Day 3: Cultural Practices Reflecting Eternal Principles

While cultural practices like head coverings may vary, they symbolize eternal principles of authority and submission. In Corinth, a woman without a head covering was seen as rejecting authority, akin to a man wearing one, which would signify submission. Paul emphasizes that these practices, while culturally specific, reflect eternal principles of order and authority that transcend culture. These principles are not bound by culture but are rooted in God’s design for order. [18:25]

1 Corinthians 11:10-12 (ESV): "That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God."

Reflection: Consider a cultural practice you observe today. How might it reflect or obscure eternal principles of authority and submission?

Day 4: Interdependence of Men and Women

Paul emphasizes the interdependence of men and women, highlighting that neither is independent of the other. This mutual dependence calls for a partnership that respects God’s order while valuing each other’s contributions. In the church and the home, this interdependence is a reflection of the harmonious relationship between Christ and God the Father, where roles are distinct yet complementary. This understanding encourages a partnership that respects God’s order while valuing each other’s contributions. [46:24]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to a partnership in your life that respects God’s order and values each other’s contributions?

Day 5: Submission to Christ

True submission begins with submitting to Christ. This foundational relationship influences all other headship relationships, ensuring that our roles in the church and home reflect Christ’s love and authority. By submitting to Christ, we align ourselves with His will and purpose, allowing His love and authority to guide our interactions and relationships. This submission is not about inferiority but about fulfilling God’s design for harmony and order in relationships. [54:58]

James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Sermon Summary

In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul boldly invites the Corinthian Christians to imitate him as he imitates Christ. This call to be an example is a profound challenge, especially in a time when many shy away from such responsibility due to compromise and ungodliness. Paul’s confidence stems from his understanding that his worthiness as an example is not in himself but in his following of Christ. This sets a boundary and direction for imitation: follow others only as they follow Christ.

Paul’s discussion transitions into the topic of headship, a principle of order, authority, and accountability established by God. He outlines three headship relationships: Christ over man, man over woman, and God over Christ. This structure is not about superiority or inferiority but about God-ordained roles. The principle of headship is crucial in the church and the home, where men are called to lead with love and women to submit with respect, mirroring the relationship between Christ and God the Father.

Paul addresses the cultural practice of head coverings, which symbolized being under authority. In Corinth, a woman without a head covering was seen as rejecting authority, akin to a man wearing one, which would signify submission. Paul emphasizes that these practices, while culturally specific, reflect eternal principles of order and authority that transcend culture.

The sermon challenges both men and women to embrace their God-given roles. Men are called to lead with Christ-like love, while women are encouraged to submit as equals, reflecting the submission of Christ to the Father. This submission is not about inferiority but about fulfilling God’s design for harmony and order in relationships.

Key Takeaways

1. ordained roles, not superiority or inferiority. It calls for men to lead with love and women to submit with respect, reflecting the divine order seen in the relationship between Christ and God the Father. [08:14]
3. Cultural Practices and Eternal Principles: While cultural practices like head coverings may vary, they symbolize eternal principles of authority and submission. These principles are not bound by culture but are rooted in God’s design for order.

4. Interdependence of Men and Women: Paul emphasizes the interdependence of men and women, highlighting that neither is independent of the other. This mutual dependence calls for a partnership that respects God’s order while valuing each other’s contributions.

5. Submission to Christ: True submission begins with submitting to Christ. This foundational relationship influences all other headship relationships, ensuring that our roles in the church and home reflect Christ’s love and authority. [08:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - Imitate Me as I Imitate Christ
[01:10] - The Need for Godly Examples
[02:44] - Understanding Chapter Divisions
[03:48] - The Limit of Imitation
[05:10] - Sarcasm and Traditions
[06:26] - The Frightening Word: Traditions
[08:01] - The Principle of Headship
[10:39] - Authority and Submission
[12:36] - Women’s Response to Headship
[15:10] - Voluntary Submission
[18:25] - Head Coverings and Authority
[23:59] - The Corinthian Context
[29:50] - The Order of Creation
[39:49] - Eternal Principles Beyond Culture
[46:24] - Interdependence of Men and Women
[54:58] - Submission to Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1 Corinthians 11:1
1 Timothy 4:12
Genesis 2:18

Observation Questions:

What does Paul mean when he invites the Corinthians to "imitate me just as I also imitate Christ"? How does this reflect his confidence in his own walk with Jesus? [00:21]
In the sermon, how does Paul describe the principle of headship and its significance in the church and home? [08:14]
What cultural practice does Paul address in Corinth regarding head coverings, and what did it symbolize? [18:25]
How does Paul emphasize the interdependence of men and women in the church? [46:24]

Interpretation Questions:

How does Paul's call to imitate him as he imitates Christ challenge modern Christians in their daily walk? What does this say about the importance of having godly examples in the church? [01:10]
How can the principle of headship be misunderstood as a hierarchy of superiority and inferiority, and what does the sermon suggest is the correct understanding? [16:13]
In what ways do cultural practices, like head coverings, reflect eternal principles of authority and submission? How can these principles be applied today? [40:29]
How does the sermon explain the concept of submission to Christ as foundational for all other relationships? What implications does this have for believers? [54:58]

Application Questions:

Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you can confidently say, "Imitate me as I imitate Christ"? If not, what steps can you take to become a godly example for others? [00:21]
How do you perceive the concept of headship in your own family or church? Are there any misconceptions you need to address to align with the biblical understanding presented in the sermon? [08:14]
Consider the cultural practices in your own context. How can you discern which practices are merely cultural and which reflect eternal biblical principles? [40:29]
In what ways can you demonstrate a spirit of submission to Christ in your daily life? How might this influence your relationships with others, particularly in the church and home? [54:58]
Think about a relationship in your life where interdependence is crucial. How can you better appreciate and foster this mutual dependence, respecting God's order while valuing each other's contributions? [46:24]
Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with authority. How can you work towards a more biblical understanding and practice of submission in that area? [15:10]
Reflect on the role of angels as observers of our worship and conduct. How does this awareness impact your attitude and behavior in corporate worship settings? [38:34]

Sermon Clips

Paul was a wise man he knew that the Corinthian Christians he knew that every Christian needed examples you're aware of that aren't you that Christians need examples and Paul was willing to say I'll be your example go ahead and look at me as I follow Jesus Christ no Paul was simply doing what he told Timothy to be and to do in 1 Timothy 4 Paul says to his young associate be an example to to the Believers in word in conduct in love in spirit in faith in Purity be an example. [00:35:52]

Paul knew that he was an example and I believe that Paul knew he was was a good example of that at the same time Paul also knew that it was not Paul in and of himself that was a worthy example but it was Paul the follower of Jesus Christ who was the worthy example you see this sort of sets a limit and a direction on the way that we imitate others when we say just as I also imitate Christ. [00:39:00]

Paul makes it clear that God has established principles of order Authority and accountability and it all kind of focuses on this word head the head of every man is Christ the head of every woman is man the head of Christ is God what does he mean by head well some people have gone through and they consider that this word head means nothing more than Source in other words the source of every man is Christ. [00:52:00]

The Bible teaches the idea of male headship in two institutions in the home and in the church outside of those two institutions the Bible doesn't teach male headship but in those two institutions it does so Paul is careful to not say the head of every woman is every man and but he does say the head of woman woman is man there is a rightful place of authority that men have over women just as there is a rightful place of authority that Jesus Christ has over man. [00:57:01]

This is not just some little peripheral issue it's a very important idea to God because in his great plan for the ages one great thing that God looks for from man is a voluntary submission this is what Jesus showed in his life over and over again that he was totally submitted to God the father and this is what exactly God looks for in both men and women ladies don't think for a moment that God just expects this voluntary submission from you he expects it from men as well just in a different sphere. [01:04:04]

Being under Authority does not equal inferiority now there are some men who think that you know God's called me to be the head of this home woman or in the church you know yeah God wants us men to lead and they assume it's because they are superior and the women are inferior what a jerk come on man that's not it at all or other times maybe women get that idea in their mind oh the reason why God wants me to submit is because I'm inferior not at all. [01:09:59]

Paul is saying look if you just look at nature you see that God has given women a natural head covering their heads aren't supposed to be covered because God has given them more hair and they wear their hair longer nature itself teaches this now in both Jewish and Greek culture at that time short hair was common for men therefore it was a dishonor for a man to wear long hair because it was considered feminine. [01:24:15]

Paul is very strongly put forth the case for male headship wouldn't we agree but basically what he's saying is listen understanding all that or despite all that on top of all that Paul has said about male headship in the church it would be wrong to consider headship as the only Dynamic at work between men and women in the church I mean it's not like the whole dynamic in the relationship between men and women in the church is me head you submit that defines it all right there. [01:33:14]

Paul has recognized the order of creation but he also says listen man comes through woman there's a critical interdependence which must be recognized within the framework of male headship in the church and in the home so friends the man or the man who rule in the church or in the home without love without recognizing the important Place God has given women they are not doing God's will you got to rule man but you got to rule with love realizing that God has made that woman an essential partner not a servant or a slave to you. [01:36:55]

There's never going to be a man who's worthy to be a head in the church or the home there's never going to be a woman who is a worthy uh helper or supporter of a man in the church or a home if we're not all submitted to Jesus Christ isn't that the key to submit ourselves to Jesus Christ now when we submit to Jesus it doesn't override our other headship relationships if I'm an employee I don't have to say to my boss I don't have to submit to you I just submit to Jesus because Jesus has told me to submit to my boss. [01:49:43]

In this time of worship why don't you just think about submitting yourself to Jesus Christ to raising that white flag of surrender in your life and stop battling against him and if you have problems responding as the Lord would have you in those appropriate headship relationships in your life then watch talk to the Lord about it. [01:55:38]

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