Philippians 4:2-3 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

1. The Bible teaches that men and women are equal in value before the Lord.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them.

2. Human beings have a history of minimizing the value of women below that of men.

• First Century Jewish people (Jn 4)
• Early American history (Women were given the right to vote in 1920 by constitutional amendment)
• Islam
• Sex-slave trafficking

3. The Gospel has the power to re-equalize men and women before the Lord.

Mark 15:40-41 Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome. They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Then they and many other women had come with him to Jerusalem.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

4. Gender equality and gender roles are not the same thing.

• Only men can be husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers
• Only women can be wives , mothers, daughters, and sisters
• These roles are meant to be complimentary, not contradictory

5. Men and women have certain complimentary roles to play within the church that fit their specific gender.

Women are to have motherly and sisterly roles

Titus 2:3-5 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that is appropriate for someone serving the Lord. They must not go around speaking evil of others and must not be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to take care of their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

Men are to have fatherly and brotherly roles. This is why the role of pastor should be fulfilled by a man.

1 Timothy 2:10 – 3:2 For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. Women should listen and learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was the woman, not Adam, who was deceived by Satan, and sin was the result. But women will be saved through childbearing and by continuing to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty. 3:1 It is a true saying that if someone wants to be an elder, he desires an honorable responsibility. For an elder must be a man whose life cannot be spoken against.

6. God-given gender roles are given in spite of talent levels or intelligence levels.

• A man may be smarter and more talented than a woman, but she is still able to nurture children more naturally than he can.
• A woman may be smarter and more talented than a man, but he is still called of God to lead the church.

CONCLUSION:

• God-given complimentary gender assignments are important as a picture of salvation.

Ephesians 5:23-25 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of his body, the church; he gave his life to be her Savior. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives must submit to your husbands in everything. And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her.

• God-given gender assignments are grounds to worship our great Creator.