| In the days of the Early Church, the Apostle Paul encountered several issues within the Body of Christ. One of these, being disorder. In the book of 1st Timothy, Paul asks Timothy, to "abide still" or remain in Ephesus, being somewhat a disorder there in the church. Paul charges Timothy to instruct these into the right atmosphere and teaching of doctrine. 1st Timothy 1:3-7...As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou charge some that they teach no other doctrine. Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which ministers questions, rather than godly edifying which is faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. It was during this first charge from Paul, that the behavior of women in the church was addressed. We must understand that in this time of history, the Gentiles previously practiced paganism. They were superstitious, adhered to astrology and worshipped idols. They based their actions upon fables, was worldly and were "busybodies". In 1st Timothy 2:9,10, Paul addresses their attire. Verses 11 and 12, he addresses their behavior, within the church. Our lesson today is focused on verses 11 and 12, regarding the behavior of the women within the church. This is rather a controversial issue with many denominations. Some denominations welcome women as leaders within the church, even unto being Pastors. While some denominations disregard women altogether as leaders or even speaking within the church at all, using this scripture of 1st Timothy 2: 11 and 12 (women keeping silence in church) as their basis. The first thing we must understand is in reference to verse "13" of 1st Timothy 2... For Adam was first formed, then Eve. While God ordained Woman to be submissive to man...(submissive means to willingly come under authority of another) He did not ordain that they (women) become SUBJECTIVE to man....(subjective means to force someone to come under authority of another) Likewise, though it is biblical that the woman is under submission to man, it is NOT BIBLICAL that the female gender be squelched from operating in their calling unto Almighty God. Such doctrine in the church causes division within the Body of Christ and births "tradition". Tradition makes the Word of God ineffective.... Tradition causes bondage... Tradition inhibits personal and church growth.... How can the church be in unity if the male half of the congregation is under the law of submission to Christ and female half under the law of "subjection" to man? It can not! Only when both genders are submissive to Christ, keeping in mind that the woman "submits" herself to the authority of man are we biblically correct. However, Silence is for us all! Let's examine: Zechariah 2:13...Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord; for He is raised up out of His Holy Habitation (dwelling) Habakkuk 2:20...But the Lord is in His Holy Temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him. Notice that the above scripture says for all flesh...all the earth to keep silence. What then is "silence"? According to Webster's Dictionary, silence is..... stillness lack of noise to stop making an opinion to muffle the noise of a gun (our tongue is a deadly weapon) A church that does not know how to be still, and know that God...He is God....is just making "a lot of noise". God wants us to be still, keep quiet and listen within ourselves for His voice...His still, small, voice. Hush the "old you" and "your old attitude" and let God move in you. God does not want your opinion, He wants your silence. I would like to tell you of a incident, on which I was present at the time. Many years ago, in a service, a young lady came to this same service seeking a closer relationship with the Lord. The preacher spoke on keeping oneself pure before the Lord. This lady is on the edge of her seat, ready for a change. Then the preacher makes a personal comment, regarding the mixing of races in a relationship, and how he thought that was wrong to do. The young lady (presently in a mixed relationship) now slumps in her seat, her feelings hurt and spirit trampled, leaves the service in the same pitiful state she came in. If only silence had been used to muffle the noise of his most deadly weapon, his tongue..... He wants to do a new thing in you, but He will not put new wine in old wineskins. We must crucify our old selves, our old nature, our old ways and silence ourselves before God so he may create a new thing in us. I would like to tell you of another incident, within a church service I attended. It was near the end of the service. The people was caught up in the "Spirit". People were shouting and running the sanctuary. I sat quietly, not understanding at the moment why my spirit felt "nothing". Troubled, I sought the Lord, why this was happening. He directed me to Genesis 1:2...And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. The Holy Spirit of God ministered to me right then. His Spirit was only able to move on the face of the congregation, as they, in their exuberance, in the instant of feeling the Presence of God, forgot to be still and "know God". What could God have shown them, if they had been still, and been silent, allowing the Lord to engulf them entirely? Becoming silent...we hear Him Becoming silent...He instills His wisdom Becoming silent...His promises breakthrough Becoming silent...Traditions are broken Becoming silent...we worship and praise Him Satan leaves us alone... We come under submission.... We become ready to receive His Will for our lives. Let all of us, His children, learn in silence with all submission before Him. Not just women, not just certain denominations, but all of us...bringing Glory to His Name! Even in Heaven there will be silence....Revelation 8:1-4....And when He had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in Heaven about the space of an half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censor, and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which is before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. Silence in Heaven before God. How marvelous that even Heaven stands in silence and awe as God attends to the prayers and cries of His children. Church...when we learn to quiet our heart before the Lord, our spirits will then shout and we will finally know the difference between "having church" and "Experiencing the Presence and Persons of our Lord God". That is when Silence is really Golden. |
The Dominos Effect
What will YOU do with Jesus?
| Speaker of the Week |
Rev. Charles G. Rausch is the Pastor of Branches
of Christ Fellowship in Martin, Georgia.
He is licensed and ordained with the AIM
(Associated Independent Ministers) now based
out of Missouri. He is married, and has 2
wonderful children and 4 wonderful
grandchildren and another on the way.
Rev. Rausch grew up in the Church of God
denomination, however has pastored both in the
Baptist and Presbyterian denominations. He
founded and is senior pastor of Branches of
Christ Fellowship, which is an independent
church that has been established for 3 years now.
BOCF is currently worshipping with Ruhamah
P.H. Church in Carnesville, Georgia once a week
and holding 2 home-based meetings weekly
consisting of Bible Study and Trivia. They also
offer worship services during the week for those
who desire to host their homes.
You may contact Pastor Rausch at any time at:
PO Box 163
Martin, Georgia 30557 USA
706-363-6110 (US) or 706-491-9113 (Intern.)
http://branchesofchristfellowship.weebly.com
pastorcharlie@thedominoseffect.com
pastorcharlie@ymail.com (BOCF)
of Christ Fellowship in Martin, Georgia.
He is licensed and ordained with the AIM
(Associated Independent Ministers) now based
out of Missouri. He is married, and has 2
wonderful children and 4 wonderful
grandchildren and another on the way.
Rev. Rausch grew up in the Church of God
denomination, however has pastored both in the
Baptist and Presbyterian denominations. He
founded and is senior pastor of Branches of
Christ Fellowship, which is an independent
church that has been established for 3 years now.
BOCF is currently worshipping with Ruhamah
P.H. Church in Carnesville, Georgia once a week
and holding 2 home-based meetings weekly
consisting of Bible Study and Trivia. They also
offer worship services during the week for those
who desire to host their homes.
You may contact Pastor Rausch at any time at:
PO Box 163
Martin, Georgia 30557 USA
706-363-6110 (US) or 706-491-9113 (Intern.)
http://branchesofchristfellowship.weebly.com
pastorcharlie@thedominoseffect.com
pastorcharlie@ymail.com (BOCF)
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| www.thedominoseffect.com A Divinely Inspired Interactive Christian Community Website |
When Silence is really Golden by Rev. Charles G. Rausch |
| November 15-November 22 2009 |
Are you a Pastor of a
Church, evangelist,
missionary, or even a
Sunday School Teacher
or Church Leader?
If so, and you would like to
be a "Featured Speaker of
the Week" participant,
please email us with the
required information (below)
for review.
name:
address:
phone number:
email address:
Name of church/homechurch
church denomination:
your church position:
your statement of faith:
brief bio information:
introduction/summary of message
send email to:
bettyrausch@thedominoseffect.com
Church, evangelist,
missionary, or even a
Sunday School Teacher
or Church Leader?
If so, and you would like to
be a "Featured Speaker of
the Week" participant,
please email us with the
required information (below)
for review.
name:
address:
phone number:
email address:
Name of church/homechurch
church denomination:
your church position:
your statement of faith:
brief bio information:
introduction/summary of message
send email to:
bettyrausch@thedominoseffect.com