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Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWoman was created as a helper comparable to man, designed to complement him in the marriage relationship. Her role, as established in the order of creation, is to support and aid her husband, making up for deficiencies and balancing the partnership as they become one flesh. This position does not imply inferiority or slavery, but a distinct function that harmonizes with man's leadership, as ordained by God. The wife is to help her husband fulfill the responsibilities God has placed upon him, reflecting a relationship of mutual purpose for God's glory. Her submission to her husband is not absolute as it is to the Lord, but is an expression of her duty to Him, done primarily for His sake and as part of her Christian behavior. By submitting, she displays a characteristic of God's way of life, showing that she no longer belongs to the world and its chaos. As a comparable helper, she offers qualities her husband may lack, supplementing him while recognizing his role as head, thus maintaining the order God established before sin distorted human relationships.
Virtues Hard and Soft
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn Genesis 2:18-24, God recognized that it was not good for man to be alone and declared that He would make a helper comparable to him. This helper, Eve, was created from Adam's flesh and bones, not from the dust of the ground, to signify her equality and similarity to him. The term "helper" does not imply subservience but rather a partner who comes alongside to assist, fulfilling what is missing in Adam. God Himself is described in similar terms in other parts of Scripture when He aids humanity, showing that this role is not demeaning but one of equal partnership with differing strengths. Through the process of naming the animals, Adam realized that none of them could be a suitable mate, understanding that his helper needed to be like him, made in God's image. When Adam awoke and saw Eve, he acknowledged their shared essence, declaring her as bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh, naming her Woman because she was taken out of Man. This reflects their unity and distinction as human beings, separate from animals and created to complement each other. In marriage, as described in verse 24, they become one flesh, forming a distinct unit where masculine and feminine traits combine to make them more complete and equipped to face the world. The woman, as helper, brings a perspective and abilities that aid the man, enhancing their partnership to achieve what neither could fully accomplish alone.
The Perfect Wife
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the beginning, God created man as male and female, giving them both the same responsibilities and powers as equals, each made in the image of God. Together, as one flesh, they complement one another, forming a more complete image of God through their different strengths. God declared that man should not be alone, and thus He made a helper comparable to him, a suitable companion to stand by his side. This helper, Eve, was formed from Adam's rib, signifying equality, as she was neither behind nor in front of him, but at his side as a companion. Both are in God's image, sharing the same essence, yet with distinct roles. The concept of woman as helper underscores her role as an aide, not as an inferior, but as one of comparable worth. Made from Adam's side, she is of the same humanity, not a separate or lesser being. This equality is evident in their shared creation in God's image, yet God established an order where Adam, created first, holds headship, and Eve, as the helper, supports him in their unified purpose as one flesh. Their union reflects a partnership where they function as a unit, with the woman helping and being a companion throughout life. Sin, however, introduced challenges to this ideal relationship. As a consequence of Eve's actions, God foretold that her desire would be to dominate her husband, yet he would rule over her, reflecting a struggle rather than cooperation. This prophecy highlights the natural result of sin, where women might seek to overthrow their husbands but often lack the strength to do so, leading to a life of pain and sorrow. Throughout history, this dynamic has often resulted in men dominating women, a deviation from God's original intent. The instruction in Scripture aims to guide humanity back to God's foundational design. Women are called to submit to their husbands as to the Lord, reflecting the church's submission to Christ. This submission is an act of humility and respect, not of inferiority, but of fulfilling the role God has ordained. It is a Christian duty, akin to other forms of submission under God's established order, and is meant to reverse the effects of sin by fostering faith, love, holiness, and self-control. A woman's salvation is tied to how well she fulfills her role as a godly woman, encompassing duties of motherhood and womanhood. Her judgment lies in how she responds to her husband and nurtures her family, areas where she faces opportunities for growth and overcoming. This role, though challenging, is precious in God's sight, as exemplified by Sarah, who recognized her husband's headship with a gentle and quiet spirit. God values this attitude and encourages women to do good without giving in to anxiety, trusting that He will support them in their submission. The portrayal of the perfect wife in Scripture reveals a woman of honor, worth beyond measure, and great fulfillment. Far from being oppressed, she is praised for her contributions, embodying opportunity and blessing when she follows God's instruction. This vision stands as a testament to God's design for marriage, where the woman as helper plays a vital role in achieving unity and reflecting His divine purpose.
Wonderful Women
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAccording to God's vision of the institution of marriage, when man and wife follow the rule of submission and sacrificial love, patriarchy is a blessing.
What's Wrong With 'Here Comes the Groom'?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsRadical feminism has tried to empower one gender by disabling and marginalizing the other gender, creating a pathological, dysfunctional society.
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod established the order of family relationships, creating Eve after Adam, not as a slave, but as a companion, prefiguring Christ and His Church.
Remembering Who We Are
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidWhen we consider the awesome contrast of what we were before God called us and what we are now, we cannot allow ourselves to commit spiritual fornication.
The Role of Women
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsEven though feminist leaders have attacked the Bible for allegedly denigrating and demeaning women, God's Word emphasizes the honor and dignity of women.
Do We Truly Honor God in Our Actions?
Sermon by Kim MyersWe've all read the verses that state that the Word of God is the Bread of Life, but do we consistently practice what it teaches, and thus honor God?
Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part Twelve)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAlthough authority over the family unit was given to the husband, man and woman were created to be complementary and supplementary to one another.
Husbands, Love Your Wives
Sermon by Mark SchindlerGratitude must be cultivated with expressions of thanksgiving in marriage, avoiding the pitfalls of materialism, entitlement, victimhood, and narcissism.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Five)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughUniversal in scope, the Edenic Covenant introduces God to mankind as his Creator and establishes the way human beings are to relate to Him and the creation.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Becoming equipped for leadership requires that we discipline ourselves in following God's way of life, allowing the mind of Jesus Christ to be in us in.

The Two Shall Become One
Sermon by Bill OnisickThe fact that Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon multiplied wives does not imply that the Bible endorses polygamy, which produces bad fruit.
Dating Outside the Church
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughDating outside the church is fraught with dangers, yoking a believer with an unbeliever and complicating the spiritual overcoming and growth process.
Parenting (Part 3): Mothers
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe mother provides a gentle, cherishing quality to child rearing compatible with the strength provided by her husband.
Friendship
Sermonette by James BeaubelleTrue Proverbs 18 friends are those who stick with us in this life and will wait for us as we finish our spiritual race.
Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part Eleven)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's selection of Eve as a companion to Adam took into account the need for a helper as a counterpart—like himself, but standing opposite as complementary.

The Two Great Commandments: First Principles
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod made male and female in His image and has determined that the binary metamorphize into unitary in order to accomplish higher Spiritual purposes.