Sunday 2 - 28 - 21

Calvary Baptist Church

February – God loved us first. If you have experienced Christ’s love for you in salvation, you cannot help but grow in love for others. Real love comes from God. We love because he first loved us. - 1 Jn 4:7-19 Love can be found if you lost it. Remember, Repent, Return – Rev 2:14-15 Roles – How can we show love well? Gen 2:15-25 Gen 2:15-17 – Men’s Role – Work, Keep, and Lead v. 15. Steward what God has given • “Work” – cultivate o Make it productive – arts, science, business – make productive • “Keep” – guard or watch over or care for o Take care of what God has given you – property, money, skills We have responsibility to take what God has given and provide for our families. We have responsibility to take care of what God has given us Vv. 16-17. Steward what God has said God spoke the command to Adam, before Eve was created. Adam was to steward what God had created, and what He commanded. • Lead in keeping God’s commands Adam was to lead his family to keep God’s commandments. Gen 3:9 – when Adam and Eve sinned, God went to the garden and called for Adam. Men, we must read the Scriptures, let the Scripture read you. Apply the Scripture in your life & lead your family in reading & applying the Scripture Gospel connection: Adam was put to sleep and his side opened that he might have a wife. Jesus died on a cross, his side opened by a spear that he might have a bride, the church. Jesus loves the church. He worked for it. He cares for it. Gen 2:18-19 – Creation was incomplete. “Not good” Every day God created and “it was good.” Man was alone – it was “not good.” Adam needed Eve. Gen 2:20-22 The creation of woman “helper fit” Woman was taken from Man’s side. “She was not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved.” – Matthew Henry Women’s Role – Help, Complete • Help or aid – surround – from Hebrew ’ezer – ay’-zer It does not mean that women have a lesser role. This same word is used of God: “Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help (‘ezer) and our shield” Ps 33:20 “My help (‘ezer) comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” Ps 121:2 • Compliment or complete There is also the idea of a fitting or “suitable” help. Adam needs someone like himself – a mate or a match. Like him, but different enough from him Ladies, your husband is good at some things and not good at others. My observations – women are typically better at these things: 1. Connecting (relationships w/children and others) 2. Communicating (speaking clearly, listening) 3. Creating (ideas for financial goals, making home welcoming, raising kids) Genesis 2:23-25 The First Marriage Adam’s response was praise for the gift God gave. She is from “my bones… my flesh” – she is like Adam, a match or mate. She was made from him. He needed her. They will always belong to each other. They are a match, a set of two. Called Together • To be one in body and unified in purpose (2:24) • To rule together over what God has given (1:28) Too many couples feel like they are in a competition – you’re a team. God created men to Work, Keep, and Lead; women to Help, Complete (connect, communicate, create) God has given you a realm to steward, skills to work together to rule together.