Know Your Design and Shine

This is the third class ("Know Your Design") in the third series of classes of the Women’s Foundation Series.

This series will explore understanding God’s role for women, having a proper self-esteem and knowing our place in the world.

I. Know Your Design (Review)

A. The Purpose -

Bear the Image and Likeness of God Accurately - Be a Visible Representative of the Invisible God. God wants us to worship God in truth, enjoy our relationship with him, love him deeply, and know him intimately. As we spend time with him we will begin to share his glory. He wants us to know him so well that we think, act, desire, and speak just like him. He wants us to represent him accurately, so that anyone who observes will know God better and also want to worship Him.

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him;

B. The Plan (Bear God’s image accurately as you are doing this plan. Do this plan on his behalf…)

1. Be fruitful and multiply. Be adundantly productive (spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, and relationally). Fill the whole earth with additional images and likeness of the One True God. Reproduce in other humans the mission and purpose of God to bear His image and likeness (responsibility and privilege). Develop a Godly heritage in each generation so they will intimately know how to carry out the Creation Mandate.

Gen 1:27-28 …male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply

2. Subdue chaos and disorder; promote order and goodness. Bring creation into orderly productivity; Tame beastliness as a representative of a very good Master. Make thing subject to godly authority structures. Be responsible for making creation useful, beautiful, and orderly. Care for each other and creation for God’s glory rather than exploiting it for personal gain.

Subdue - to conquer and bring into subjection; to overpower by superior force; overcome; to bring under mental or emotional control; render submissive; to repress (feelings, impulses, etc.).

Gen 1:28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it

3. Rule over creation and exercise dominion on God’s behalf over the created world . Partner with God to rule over the world he created to make it productive for Him. Manage the specific dominion entrusted to us. Govern as representatives or ambassadors of the King who is on a journey and will one day return to set up his physical kingdom. Prepare to give an account to the King when he returns, answering for how we invested and grew our talents in God’s purposes for his majesty.

Rule – to control or direct; exercise dominating power, authority, or influence over; govern.¹

Dominion - the power or right of governing and controlling; sovereign authority.[1]

Genesis 1:28 …rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

II. No human who has ever been able to successfully obey the Creation Mandate.

A. Adam and Eve chose to disobey God’s purpose and plan.

Genesis 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

B. Because of Adam’s sin, all humans have a sin nature and a death curse.

Romans 5:12 12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Romans 6:23 23 For the wages of sin is death…

C. Instead of loving, worshipping, and imaging God accurately, humans became God’s enemies and idolaters.

Romans 5:10 10 For if while we were enemies…

Romans 1:18-23 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

D. Instead of fulfilling God’s plan on earth, humans filled the earth with evil and chaos.

Romans 1:28 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God (bear the image and likeness of God), God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil (subdue evil and chaos), covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless (rule and have dominion). 32 Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them (be fruitful and multiply)

Romans 3:11-18 “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. (bear the image and likeness of God), 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood(be fruitful and multiply); in their paths are ruin and misery, (subdue evil and chaos), 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” (rule and have dominion). “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

III. Only Jesus ever successfully completed God’s mission.

A. Jesus lived God’s purpose perfectly.

John 1:14 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Col 1:19 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

Hebrews 1:3 And He (Jesus) is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.

B. Jesus completed God’s plan perfectly.

Hebrews 10:7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”

John 14:31 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.

John 12:49 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.

C. Jesus obeyed God even though it cost his life.

Philippians 2:8 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

IV. Jesus’s obedience to God’s purpose and plan glorified God and benefits humans.

A. Jesus’obedient death on the cross glorified God.

John 13:31 31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

Phil 2:10-11 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

B. Jesus’ obedience results in our righteousness.

Romans 5:18 18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

C. Jesus’ obedience results in our restoration.

Ephesians 1:5-6 In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Ephesians 2:1-10 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

V. Bright lights impact a dark world!

A. The non-believing world is a very dark place.

Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Prov 4:19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.

Colossians 1:13-14 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

B. Christians who live for Christ and begin being like him will be noticeably “different” than the non-believers around us (especially as women).

1. God is light.

I John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Hebrews 1:2-3 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.

Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.

2. God’s children share in his light.

John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 5:8-10 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

2 Cor 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:28-29 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

C. Being “different” gives us opportunities to impact our culture and community in a way that glorifies God (fulfilling the Creation Mandate).

Matthew 5:14 -16 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deed and glorify your Father in heaven.

I Peter 2:9-11 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

D. Godly women collectively knowing and living out their biblical design have awesome opportunities to make a big impact for God’s glory.

Psalm 72:18-19 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who alone works wonders. And blessed be His glorious name forever; And may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen.

VI. The Application to Life

A. The attitude you bring to being a “helper”

If God designed women as the “helper” it means by our nature we will observe weaknesses, deficiencies, and areas of need. I TEND TO NOT LIKE THIS VERY MUCH

I end up feeling like….I’m the only one who every finishes a project, cleans up messes, addresses problems, disciplines children / animals, etc

What is our natural tendency when we observe weaknesses and deficiencies in others? (Gossip, roll our eyes, get irritated, yell, be annoyed, by a martyr, self-pity, being critical, being exasperated, become prideful,)

Everybody says they want to be a servant until they are treated like one.

We were BORN as women to notice problem areas and step in on God’s behalf, as his ambassador, to help alleviate the situation. We were DESIGNED to support those who need support, protect those that need protected, and help those that need help. We were designed to speak helpfully and act helpfully.

Galatians 6:1-2 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

Matthew 18:15-17 15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

What it is not:

• manipulative
• enabling
• Savior complex

B. The actions you perform as a helper

1. Helper by Age Category (always tying it back to the WHY; get good at asking those around you boss/husband/parents, etc How can I help you right now? No “can I help you?” people always need help)

Infant – holding the new diaper for mommy while she changes the diaper, not hitting other children, keeping kitties and puppies safe from hitting / biting / kicking, not screaming or crying a lot because you want something,

Preschool – not biting other children, not taking toys from other children, helping set the table, put away dishes, doing assigned chores, looking for specific ways to help daddy (handing him his slippers when he gets home from work), handing daddy his lunchbox, helping other children pick up toys, picking up trash

Elementary – observe things that need to be done and intervene without being asked, look for lonely children that need to be included in school/church and welcome them into your friendship, stick up for the bullied, serve their teacher, making coffee for the adults, play a game you don’t really want to play in order to support others having a good time, helping mommy cook, gardening, sorting laundry, putting laundry away, making beds, caring for animals, looking for ways to especially help little siblings, visiting with the lonely and shutins, being constructive not destructive, encouraging little sibs to honor and obey parents

Middle School – mowing so daddy doesn’t need to, hanging laundry, folding laundry, doing chores, looking for the lonely in youth group and welcoming them into your friendship, looking for ways to help little siblings, help with Wed Night Kids of Faith to support the teachers, they should be regularly doing things around the house without being asked (notice and intervene), supporting others in their homework or schoolwork needs, cooking / cleaning, helping grandparents and the elderly (mowing, cleaning, visiting), good sportsmanship, helping setup and teardown Living Nativity/sports practice / games, wearing modest clothing, pet sitting for friends/neighbors so it won’t cost them to kennel them, respecting parents espec in front of little sibs

High School – running errands for parents, youth group, serving little children’s classes, mentoring middle schoolers, cooking, gardening, canning, caring for animals, serving in the nursery, doing things on their own in the mother’s place (mom’s ambassador – helping mom help others), baking for events that cookies, dressing and acting modestly,

College – study really well so teacher’s life is easier, stay connected with family, dressing and acting modestly and having wise relationship rules, being careful with actions around other sex, volunteering at church, serving with younger kids, shadowing older women cook/clean, spending money wisely and living on a budget, knowing how to cook and meal plan and grocery shop, not becoming self-absorbed, staying focused on making wise adult decisions / freedom to make decisions on your own away from parents, not overspending your parents money if they’re still supporting you, watching the children from older married families

Single Adult – keeping house in a wise way, being helpful to her boss and working to accomplish his / her goals, self-absorbed, looking for ways to serve anyone in need instead of filling extra time with frivolous stuff, staying healthy, volunteer in community

Newly Married – notice husband’s weaknesses and process through them in a way that should the topic arise you will have helpful insight and ideas for solving problems not just lambasting your husband for his weakness, keeping the budget, learning how to support husband’s goals, presenting your partner positively / building him up, keeping your mind/actions/relationships pure, helping husband to build career, watching the children from older married families

Married With Children – mentoring the kids to be helpers (helping put on coats), keeping the house in order, supervising responsibilities, knowing where things are, raising children for the Lord, having good schedules, helping as a family, shoveling snow for the elderly, running errands for elderly, not being so family focused that you miss serving the old timers (respect for elders), sex with husband, supporting daddy’s decisions and not undermining his authority or decisions, working outside the home, not working outside the home,

Empty Nesters – not using time to be self-absorbed, looking for ways to serve her grown children, helping neighbors / friends, having time for people, mentoring young moms, running ministries that you’ve been helping in (stepping up leadership),

Married With Grandchildren – teaching grandchildren to obey their parents, not interfering with parental guidelines,

Older Single Adult – lots of the same as younger

Widow – supporting other widows, looking for friendships with younger women and little kids, adopting a school class, using their home in creative ways, hospitality

Elderly – praying, investing in younger generations

C. The mentoring of the next generation that is needed

Titus 2: 3-5 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

1. Older Women are going to have to assume that young women need help

Why do we wait for young ladies to ask us when they need help? They don’t even know they need help often.

2. Younger Women are going to have to assume that they need to be helped

Why do we wait for older ladies to offer mentorship?

VII. Go out and live your purpose and put God’s plan into action in such a way that attention is drawn to your God.