are going to just touch on the text today, for sake of time and for sake of clarity, the passage that we're going to deal with today in our series is probably one of the most difficult passages in the book of 1 Corinthians. So, it just so happened to fall out on this schedule, on this day, at this time, and God orchestrated it in His sovereignty for us to have a special James 5 prayer time and to have a missionary guest, which was outside of our normal operation, meaning that we've cut into what would be a regular exposition of this passage. So what we're going to do is I'm just going to introduce it, deal with the first two verses in the passage, well actually the first three verses in the passage. And then next week, we will work through verses 4 to 16. I had a contingency plan, and this is it. Originally, I would have liked to have gotten through chapter 11, verses 1 to 16 today, but we're actually just going to deal with the first three verses. We are going to read the whole thing and introduce the content and the topic for you. And like I said, this is one of the most challenging passages in the book because it leaves us with some interpretational issues that we really just need to discuss. And I'm going to tell you up front, even studying this passage over and over again for years and hours in preparation for this, I don't have all the answers. I'm going to give you what I would consider to be the best exegetical answers available, and I will give you my opinion, and I will say my opinion differs from others that come to this text. I will give you good reasons for why I think my opinion is the right one, or else I wouldn't be giving it to you today. However, this is a challenging passage of scripture that we're gonna deal with. But the good news is that God and his word is spiritually understood. God gave us his word through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, and God wants his word to be clear, he wants it to be understood, and he wants us to apply it. So knowing that our good God gave us his word for clarity and understanding and application, we can pray and ask God to help us to see it clearly, understand it well, and apply it to our lives. And I believe God will answer that prayer request. So even though this is a challenging passage, I know that we will walk away with some understanding in this passage, and I will do my best to give you the big picture. So, We have titled this message, Worship Responsibly. This is a part three of this series, Worship, and ultimately, though, we're dipping into a totally new section of the book. Chapters eight through chapter 11-1 really dealt with the main issue of the problem of idolatry as it affected Corinthian worship. Now, as we move into chapter 11 through chapter 14, we're going to stay on the topic of worship, but we're going to deal with other issues related to worship. In fact, we're going to deal with the issues of public worship. In chapters 12 to 14, we're going to see a subset of worship with spiritual gifting. Praying and prophesying are bookends of this section. In fact, we see the idea of praying and prophesying here in chapter 11. We're gonna see it end the section in chapter 14. And then, so what we find then, as we open up chapter 11, we know verse one went with the preceding section. But it's a beautiful dovetail into verses two and three, which give us the foundation of responsible public worship. And that's all we're gonna discuss today. We're gonna talk about the foundation of responsible public worship. And as we look at verses two and three, we're gonna help understand the big picture of verses four to 16, which is worshiping responsibly in public, and specifically this truth. Principled worship reflects its object. So I want you to remember that idea as we work through this whole section. What I mean by that is worship based on principles or timeless truths must reflect the object of what we're worshiping. So, with that being said, let's just briefly do a little mental exercise. In chapters 1-4, Paul specifically dealt with the disunity and lack of harmonious living inside the church because the Corinthians were espousing man's worldly wisdom. They were applying the wisdom of the world to the operation of the church and God excoriates them. He chastens them in chapters one to four and basically says, look, man's wisdom is foolishness to God. God's wisdom is the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we must operate our lives based on the truths of the gospel. And when we are operating our lives on the truths of the gospel, we find incredible gospel actions that bring unity, harmony, love, deference, and that's how he walks through the first four chapters. Then in chapters five through eight, he's dealing with similar issues of disunity, but he's gonna deal with specific topics in the process. Then he's introducing what would be intimately individual worship that is affected by our heart idols. And then he gets into this section, which he's gonna communicate public worship. So that's kind of where we've been. Now, our scripture reading this morning from Colossians 1, verses 9-18, actually is a perfect way to start this section. Because in Colossians, our scripture reading today, If you look back at verse 18, where we ended, it gives us a principle that we need to espouse to help us understand the rest of this text. So you're welcome to turn back there to Colossians 1, verse 18, if you'd like. I'm just going to read it after Paul makes this incredible argument. of the preeminence of Jesus Christ, how Christ is first and must be first, he makes this bold statement, and he, that is Jesus, is the head of the body, the church. You ready? We're going to do our exercise. Who is the church? We are. Who is the church? We are. What is the church's mission? We glorify God, how? How do we accomplish that mission? By being disciples, making disciples. So here he says that he, Jesus, is the head of the body, which is the church, that's us. And then he goes back to why Jesus is the head of the body or the church, us, because he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead. The idea of firstborn is not the idea that he was somehow created and born first, as he's a little demigod, as is false doctrine that is taught by Mormons. No, this idea means he gets the rights and preeminence of the firstborn. The idea that he is preeminent, the firstborn from the dead, then links that firstborn right as the second Adam who lived a sinless and perfect life, bypassing the seminal transference of the sin nature through the Holy Spirit coming upon Mary and God conceiving Jesus in Mary's womb supernaturally. He was born like Adam was originally created without sin. Jesus was born without a sin nature. Therefore, just like the first Adam, he was confronted with a choice. Would he obey God the Father or would he disobey the Father and sin? And thankfully, we know that Jesus lived a sinless life. The author of Hebrews says that he was tempted in all points like as we yet without sin. Paul put it this way, because he endured the suffering of the cross, God has highly exalted him, Jesus, and given him the name, which is above every name, to the glory of God the Father. I skipped down a couple of phrases. And so here he says in the text that because Jesus is the firstborn from the dead, what gives him the ability to do that? Because he was the first, he was the second Adam. He didn't sin, whereas Adam failed, he succeeded. And because he didn't sin, when he suffered on the cross, he cried out, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani. He cried out, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Because God poured out on Jesus all of his wrath for all sin, for all sinners, for all time. And the perfect triune God in mystery, who'd always been in perfect fellowship and harmony from eternity past to that moment in time, God the Father turned his back on God the Son. Because Paul would tell the Corinthians, he, Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us. For a specific purpose, so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Jesus. So Jesus, the second Adam, succeeded where the first failed. And how do we know he succeeded? Because he didn't stay dead. Because death is the result of sin, and death is eternal separation from God. But because Jesus did not sin, had no sin, and there was no deceit or guile in his mouth, because he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities, and he satisfied the wrath of God because it pleased the Father to crush him in our place, Jesus, once for all sacrifice, meant that nothing could keep Him dead. And He rose in power and authority over death and hell, and He has given us the victory. And so he is the firstborn of the dead, which means there will be others to follow. Hallelujah. Praise Jesus. That means when I breathe my last, this frail body, hopefully it'll be a whole lot older than it is now, but this frail body will eventually be resurrected to new life with a new body and a new hope and eternal deliverance. He is the firstborn from the dead. that in all things, what does that result in? What is the result of Jesus's preeminent power and authority as the head of the body, who is the beginning and the end, the firstborn over creation? What is the result of all this? The result of all this is so that Jesus Christ has first place. Now you say, Pastor, what in the world? How does this have anything to do with 1 Corinthians chapter 10, or chapter 11? Well, that's a great question. How about let's look at chapter 10. Remember what we said the theme of responsible worship was. Remember the promise that we saw in verse 13, no temptation is overtaking you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with temptation will also make the way to escape, you may be able to bear it. What was the emphasis in our defeating idolatry is that we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous one, who's been given to us. He replaced us on the cross. He died in our place, was buried, and he rose again the third day so that we now have victory over our daily sin. When we are tempted, we can go to the Spirit of God, who indwells us in the name of the Son of God, And we no longer have to say yes to sin, but we can say yes to Jesus. So, what does that mean? That means as the chapter ends, in chapter 10, verse 31, it means, therefore, whether we eat or drink or whatsoever we do, we do all to the what? All to the what? So our lives, even the mundane eating and drinking, are for this purpose of bringing God glory as followers of Jesus. Because we have been ransomed, reconciled, we have been brought nigh, we've been given peace from the Prince of Peace, we have been adopted into the family, been made children of the heavenlies, have an inheritance above, all because of the living hope that we have in the precious blood of Jesus Christ. So the text tells us, and the follow-up to this text in chapter 11, as we walk into this final expose, and what does it mean to be responsible in our worship, worship responsibly, accountably to God, that all of our worship and everything we do gathered together in Jesus' name should be done for His glory. That's what it means. Why? Because Jesus is the head of the body, the church. And who is the church? So the whole point of chapter 11 and this discussion, which is an admittedly difficult chapter, is hinging on this reality. Jesus Christ is the head of the body. He ought to get first place. He gets all the glory. and he expects us as his paid for, purchased, bought, loved, redeemed, inherited, adopted children in his family as a part of his body, he ought to get glory in everything we eat, drink, and whatever we do. Which means when we gather as a church to worship, Jesus Christ ought to get glory. So that leads me to this idea that principled worship reflects its object. In other words, the principles that we draw out from the text about our togetherness worship will reflect the object of our worship. If we're worshiping ourselves or our preferences or our culture or our desires, then our worship will reflect that object. It will lead to strife and disunity and disharmony. And here, Paul is going to deal with an issue that, quite frankly, I'm just going to be blunt before I get to the whole text here. There is no modern illustration in our American culture that really underscores or connects why Paul said what he said about the women and head coverings. And I'm going to explain all that more next week, really, because I'm introducing it this week. Okay, so come back for part two of part three. Part three B, all right? However, as we understand and we look at the text, we're going to find this morning that Paul is setting up the reality that we must choose God's glory and other's good when we worship together because we aren't called to worship for ourselves. Paul has been building this really strong case that the community of God's people, the body of believers that we call the church, and who is the church? So we, when we gather together, we gather for one singular purpose, to worship and glorify God. Not for ourselves. Not for showiness, not for attention, not for physical or spiritual manipulation amongst the body. No, we are gathered together to worship God for His glory. So, let's look at the text. I'll read the whole thing. We aren't getting through it. I'm going to give you like two principles and then we're going to have to call it quits. Remember, chapter 11 verse 1 goes with chapter 10, but it is a nice segue to verse 2 when Paul says, imitate me just as I also imitate Christ. Doesn't that leave us with, what's the last word of verse 1? What's the last word of verse 1? What's the last word of verse 1? So what is chapter 11 verse 2 about? Christ. What is our worship about? Christ, whether we eat or drink, what should we do? Do all to the glory of God. It was Jesus Christ, okay? Do you see the theme that's going on here? Now, look at verse two. Now, I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered, dishonors her head. For that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn or shaved. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man, nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. For this reason, the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman nor woman independent of man in the Lord. For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman, but all things are from God. Judge among yourselves, is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering. But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. May the Lord add a blessing. to the reading of His Word this morning. And remember, God's Word is meant to be clear, understood, and applied. So we need to help clarify it and understand it and apply it. Now, with that being said, let's go back to verses two and three. I will satisfy some of the itch, some of these questions that you have. I know, I will, because you're all sitting there like, wow, that left me way more confused than when you read it, Pastor Ryan. I will satisfy the itch a bit, but I'm not going to preach next week's message. So let's take a look, though, at the foundation of its response. The foundation of responsible public worship is found in verses two and three. and that is bringing this reality of spiritual headship. So let me just say a couple of things that are English words that might be uncommon for us. Have you ever heard the word decorum? Decorum in its Webster's Dictionary means this, behavior in keeping with good taste or propriety. Even the definition sounds stuffy, doesn't it? It's like some British guy wrote that, right? Behavior in keeping with good taste or propriety, right? I mean, you could just see him like flicking his little pinky out as he says it, right? The next word though, etiquette. Have anybody heard the word etiquette before? Okay. Etiquette. So etiquette, as Webster defines it, this obviously is more of an American word, because listen to the definition. The customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group. Right? Doesn't that just sound American? You know? Yeah, I did. I Texas-ized it. Yeah. The customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group. Okay? Etiquette, code of conduct. Today we host a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserves. And there, I noticed in the lovely picture of two weeks ago on Friday night, he was wearing a head covering. He was wearing a hat. That is required by military code. When he is outdoors, he must wear his hat. If he is caught without his hat outdoors, unless it was shot off his head in military combat, He can be reprimanded. Somebody could walk up to him and reprimand him for not having his lid on his head in outdoors. Am I right, Pastor James? Because that is military code of conduct. It is proper for an officer representing the U.S. Air Force or any military in general to be lidded outdoors. Don't ask me why. I have no idea why. I really don't. Maybe it's because it has their rank insignia on it, which I don't think they do that anymore. Why is it, James? If the officers does, yeah, the officer has rank. Yeah, I don't know why. Somebody thought it would be a great idea to have a hat on in the outdoors. No clue why. I'm sure somebody knows why. You could ask Siri or Google. Cortana might know as well. I'm sure there's a good reason. But the point is, yeah, that's a Microsoft thing. The point is this, etiquette, decorum. All of these things we understand inside our social network or our social areas of behavior, right? Okay, don't admit this. Don't admit it. How many of you have ever had to go to court for any reason? Don't admit it. Usually, yeah, okay, I have too. I was told when you go to court to represent yourself, dress up. look clean and neat, look the judge in the eyes, make sure that you are holding and carrying yourself well and be penitent, okay? Especially if you were, you know, most likely if you're before a judge and you're the defendant, there's something going on there, right? So we understand that. We understand there's an etiquette and a decorum involved in our society. Well, Paul is actually laying out an etiquette when it comes to worshiping Christ. And he's establishing that etiquette based on clear principles from Scripture. Now, Paul is also picking an issue that is foreign to us. It is an issue that, from American culture and society, it just seems like strange. It really does. And he's picking that issue because it was a cultural issue in Corinth. It was a cultural issue because of Judaism versus paganism versus the new way, Christianity, followers of Christ. When the gospel enters into a culture, the gospel shatters the culture. The gospel reaches the culture for Jesus. And it takes everybody from every culture. They come to faith in Christ. They bring all of their preferences, their decorum and their etiquette into one group of people. And if they're not careful, their preferences can destroy the unity and the harmony that we're supposed to jealously guard that is supposed to be provided by the Holy Spirit in the person and work of Jesus. You get that? How does verse one end? What's the last word of verse one? Christ. What does 1031 say we're to do? All to the glory of God. Christ is the head of the body, the church. Who is the church? So when we gather together, Christ should have preeminence and there is a decorum and there's an etiquette that God lays out in His Word. that affects culture and brings our culture together. Now, Christians over the years have tried to make that look like a certain thing on the outside, and that's exactly what's going on in this text. Now, a very, very, very, very important application that we're gonna get to next week, but I wanna mention today is this. Look at verse 16. How does this text end? How does this section end? If anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God." Why? Because what are the fruits of the Spirit? Love, joy, peace, patience, long-suffering patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, and self-control. What are the works of the flesh? Strife. James puts it this way in James chapter 4 verse 1. Where do wars and rumors of wars come from among you? Don't they come from your lusts within that war against your souls? Contention and strife comes from our flesh, not from the Spirit of God. And so there ought not to be any contention. There should be no practice in the decorum or the etiquette of worshiping God's church, God's church gathering together of worshiping Jesus Christ, God the Father in the name of Jesus. When we gather together, if there's contention or strife about a particular practice, we ought to set that aside. and decide, I will not do that practice. I will not allow that practice because it's bringing strife. And it is antithetical. It is opposite of what God is asking for. God brings unity. Satan brings disunity. Jesus brings truth. Satan brings lies. Jesus is our advocate. Satan is our accuser. Do you see the difference? There's a clear contrast in scripture. So when we work through this text, we're going to find there are some really confusing things here. And there are some people that have had some hearty opinions on this and have been dogmatic about it. And I'm not going to dogmatize, but I am going to give you my position, and I think I'm leaning in a little bit so you can kind of know where I'm coming from. So let me just make a couple more comments. I'll give you some two kernels of truth, and I'll leave it with that, okay? A couple more comments. First of all, what does he say? Now, I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. First of all, this word praise or this idea of praise is thrown commentators for a loop. Paul has not done this. He only does it here. And everybody's like, why? Are you being passive-aggressive, Paul? Because you praised them, and then you say that wonderful contrasting conjunction. Right? I mean, how many of you have ever been in a job scenario where the boss calls you in and you sit down and they say, hey, man, I want to let you know you've been doing great at X, but, and you immediately know, oh, here's the reason for this conversation. There's something I messed up. And that's kind of the feel that you get here. So there's been questions, why does he praise them and then tell them there's some negative stuff that's going on? Well, first of all, I think that Paul is actually pleased with the process of growth in the church of Corinth. He's pleased with the things that he's seen them do. I mean, this was a absolutely pagan society that received Christ and had been transformed. We read in 2 Corinthians, remember, in 1 Corinthians 5, he addresses gross, or chapter 4, gross immorality among them. Like, immorality that was just being accepted that wasn't even accepted in the pagan society that they lived in. And Paul addresses it, and we find out later, they listened to him, they dealt with it, and then they restored the guy who had been in sin, and now he was part of their, he had been forgiven, had forsaken his sin, and was back to fellowship and the membership. So he is praising them for accepting the truth that he had delivered. But here's the hangup. Some people use this idea of the traditions that he'd given him to think, well, it's the Bible, that's sufficient, but we also need church tradition. And when you add tradition, you also need someone like the church, church big C, or big church father, you tracking with me? Like the big hat guy, who's got to tell us how to interpret scripture. So we have scripture plus church plus tradition, and that's not what Paul's saying. So this idea of tradition does not mean extra-biblical traditions. These would be traditions or truths that accord with Scripture. These are truths that accord with Scripture. You say, well, Pastor Ryan, how do you know that? Because Paul, the same author, also wrote the book of Galatians and the book of Colossians, two books that clearly say you have the gospel plus nothing. You have Scripture plus nothing. He also wrote to Timothy, all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, proof for correction, instruction and righteousness. You also have the epistles of Peter, where Peter says that holy men of God spoke as they were born by the Holy Spirit, that that scripture is a more sure word of prophecy than eyewitness accounts, Peter says. Okay. Scripture is where we go to for our faith and practice. So these traditions are truths that accord with Scripture. Okay? So I think, going back to why is Paul praising them, I think basically he's praising them so that he can correct them. It's kind of a soft reprimand while thanking them for keeping his instructions in certain areas. So what is the principle I see here in verse 2? That it is commendable to follow your spiritual head in public worship. The principle is this, God has made Christ the head of the church and as good big B Baptists, well not really big B Baptists, little B Baptists, good Baptists, we believe there are two offices in the church. The office of elder. which three Greek words, five English words, one office, okay? The office of elder, pastor, teacher, pastor-teacher, elder, however you, whatever words you like to use. We call it pastor at our church. But the office of pastor is the singular office that was gifted to the church to feed the flock of God, to protect them from dangers within and without, false teachers and false teaching, right? to officiate church functions and to observe the ordinances. And we find that clearly beginning, the kernel of that happening in Acts, from Acts chapter two all the way through early church history and into the epistles. So who is the elder or the founder of this church? It's Paul. What did he just say in verse one? Imitate me as I imitate. Imitate me as I imitate. Okay, so it's commendable as we look at the context, Paul is laying out the principle of headship. And he starts by saying Christ is the head of the church. But as the head of the little head of the church, the founding pastor of the church, it's commendable for you to follow me as I follow Christ. It's commendable to follow your spiritual head in public worship. Spiritual leaders must not elevate themselves to seek to build their own empire, but rather to elevate Jesus Christ. Okay? So respectable, here's the principle, respectable spiritual leaders also seek to pass on biblical truth based on their honest study. Paul, who was a master of Old Testament law, Philippians gives us his testimony. He's a Pharisee of Pharisees. He's a Benjamite. He sat at the seat of Gamaliel. This guy was a very brilliant man. He was on the pace to be on the Sanhedrin himself. So he, as a respectable spiritual leader, he seeks to pass on biblical truths that were based on his honest study. And he left those biblical truths that were in accord with Scripture with this church. And when we talk about etiquette for the church, when we gather together, it's important for the church to understand and to follow its spiritual head or heads in worship. In our case, we have a plurality of pastors. So Pastor Stephen and I work together. We have a preaching calendar that's completed the entire year, and we know what every passage is we're gonna be in for the whole year. We gather together, we talk about our worship services, we plan the hymnody, we plan the scripture reading. We lead you spiritually on Sunday. And Paul is essentially saying, look, that's proper and correct. Because the head of every man is Christ, the head of the woman is man, the head of Christ is God, and the context of all this is within the church. And that's the context of worship. That's the context Paul is building here. There's a principle of headship. Now that's Christianese. Have you ever used the word headship outside of the church? I can't really think of an instance where you would. It is Christianese. What I mean by that is it is a word that we Christians have created and adopted to mean something. And so I'm going to explain what headship is next week in great detail. So you're gonna need to Paul Harvey it, come back and hear the rest of the story. But there's a last principle here that we see in verse three when he says, but I want you to know the head of every man is Christ, the head of the woman is man, the head of Christ is God. Just make a quick comment about this. It's very likely in this translation that man and woman could also be translated husband, wife. Okay? And some translations do that, depending on what translation you have. And I think that I'm going to make application next week that will qualify for both. Okay? Because the headship principle, this passage has been used to abuse women, and we want to make sure that we clarify that that's not what this passage is teaching. Okay? So I want to make sure when you hear the word headship, you don't bristle. because you've seen headship as a Christian word being used for an excuse to abuse women physically, emotionally, or spiritually. That is sin and wrong. I don't know how I can be any clearer than that. So the text does not teach that. Church leaders then should seek to lead the church in proper decorum or proper etiquette. I mentioned this already, but there's a proper etiquette for concerts. How many of you have ever been to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? We actually have a member across from Baptist Church, one of the founding members, buried in the massive grave there in Arlington Cemetery. And I have not yet been there to see his grave, but I can't wait to go see his grave and honor his grave. David Goodman, dear friend of mine, he's been with the Lord for a bit. Korean War veteran, Purple Star recipient, silver, or excuse me, Purple Heart, Silver Star recipient for bravery in the Chinese incursion in North Korea early in that war. He was a Marine. It probably would still tell you when you get to heaven, he is a Marine. You know how Marines are, right? But when you go to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, there's decorum. There's etiquette in there. You better not mess with one of those guards on duty. Do not interrupt their cadence or step. Do not mock them or you will face the wrath of the rest of the team member that's standing guard to remove you from their presence. There is a decorum. And so Paul is going to deal with this idea of etiquette in the church. He speaks to this throughout the text by using different words. He uses the word dishonor in verse 4, 5, and 14. He talks about shameful in verse 6, or proper in verse 13, and glory in verse 15. All of these reflect something about decorum in public worship, or etiquette. Although this culture was a more honor-shame culture than ours is today, there's still some major principles that we need to apply. And so, I'm gonna show you this just to give you kind of a heads up. Next week, I will literally walk through verse four and five, and I'm gonna tell you all of the exciting tidbits of information in verses four and five that made your head turn as we read it. We're gonna talk about what does it mean, a man being made in the image of God and a woman not being in the image of God in verse seven. Is that what he's really talking about? Short answer, no, but we'll talk about it next week. Verse 10, we cover our head because of angels? What? I mean, Paul says it, so okay, we're going to deal with that next week. What about verses 11-12? This interdependence is an issue. And then verses 13-16, the natural hair idea. What are we doing with that? What does it mean, long hair? Did Samson have long hair? Yeah, Samson had really long hair. Was it shameful for Samson? No, he had a Nazirite vowel. Okay, so we're going to have to deal with some of these things. Alright? So, there's three things we're going to talk about next week. And here they are. Number one, we're to glorify God by honoring His headship in proper worship. That's what verses 1 to 10 are going to teach us. Alright? That's where I'm going next week. I'm tipping my hat. Number two, that's weird. I don't know why that is doing that. So I'm going to leave that up and I'll just tell you what number two is. I'll fix that next week. We're going to glorify God by honoring His headship through created interdependence. That's what verses 11 and 12 teach. created interdependence, and you're gonna see what I believe is a complementarian view of male and female created as equal, serving God together as joint heirs together of the grace of Christ, but having different but complementary roles. based on creation, and we're gonna see that. And then the final point is, again, it's being goofy, so I won't, oh, no, it's not being goofy. Okay, here we go. Third one is this, glorify God by honoring his headship through God's natural created order, so I'm gonna deal with the hair thing. What does that mean? And we'll deal with that next week. But here is the major principle. Remember, worship is all about Christ, who is the head of the church. He is preeminent. He gets the glory. So we must choose God's glory and others good because we aren't called to worship for ourselves. That is the main principle for today. And it's the main principle we're going to lead into next week as we finish the message. And I will actually explain all this weirdness that seems to be weird to us in the text. Okay, let's pray. Father, thank you for your goodness. Thank you for the opportunity we've had. to have a special James 5 prayer service over Kiko and Alexis and the family. Thank you for the opportunity we have ourselves to confess our faults one to another and be healed and restored. Thank you so much for the proper etiquette that is involved in scripture, knowing that Christ has preeminence in all things, that we can keep him preeminent in all things, that it is proper for the spiritual leaders in the church to focus on Christ and not self, to promote Christ and not their own agenda, and Lord, to teach things that are in keeping with the truths of scripture. And I pray that you'd help us as we understand this principle of headship to dig deeply in the text next week. Pray for Pastor James and for the wonderful team of Living Hope, that you'd give them grace and strength as they reach Reno for Jesus. Bless our fellowship as we leave, the lunches to follow, and the small groups tonight. And we pray these things in Jesus' name. In God's people said? Amen. All right.