God’s Design for Men and Women in His Church (1 Timothy 2:8-15)
One of the reasons Singapore has been a successful nation is because we are a meritocracy. We don’t let social class or gender stand in the way of awarding scholarships or promotions. We recognise talent and promote people based on performance. By and large, the most qualified person gets the job.
Hence many of us carry the assumption that all the matters is talent and ability and we may import this thinking into the church. Someone with a successful financial career would make a great treasurer. The one with a diploma in music should lead worship, and an articulate and engaging speaker should preach.
However, we have learned over the past three weeks that talent and ability are not the only factors Christians should consider as we think about our roles at home and in the church. The head of the household is not chosen based on who earns the most. The leaders of a church are not chosen based on their talents or work experience.
God reveals Himself to us in Genesis 1 as our creator. He is the one who made us and the world that we live in. As such, we are to pay attention to His grand design and live according to His will.
Further, our response to His design is a great way to express our love and trust in His wisdom and goodness.
God tells us on the first page of our Bible that He has made us in His image and He has assigned us one of two genders, male or female. Although both males and females are equal in dignity and worth, He has given us unique roles. Adam was given charge of the Garden, and Eve was created to help Adam fulfil God’s mandate to be fruitful and multiply.
Although sin distorted God’s original design for man and woman, Jesus came to restore it.
We learn from Ephesians 5 that a Christian marriage is supposed to reflect the mystery of Christ and His church. The headship and love of a husband reflects Jesus’s servant leadership and sacrificial love for the church. The voluntary submission of the wife reflects the church’s faith and love for Jesus.
And today, we shall learn from 1 Timothy 2:8-15 that God not only has distinct roles for men and women in the home, but also in the church.
The church in Ephesus had been going through a challenging time. False teachers had crept in and corrupted God’s truths. As a result, proper worship of God had been disrupted. People were doing whatever they thought was right in their own eyes and God was not glorified.
Hence Paul writes to Timothy to bolster his confidence as their pastor and to correct the errors of the church. Although the letter is addressed to Timothy, Paul intended for it to be read to the entire congregation. Paul states in 1 Timothy 3:14-15 that he has written this letter so that Christians will know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.
The church is God’s household. It was created by God, and belongs to Him. Further, God is living and active. He continues to exercise His authority and cares what His church represents. Like a pillar that holds up a building, so the church is supposed to uphold God’s Word.
This is why Paul begins his first letter to Timothy by stating his credentials. Paul is an apostle of Jesus by command of God and Jesus. Hence it would be a mistake to think that 1 Timothy contains Paul’s view on the church. Although Paul wrote at times with the first-person pronoun, often saying “I desire,” or “I want,” Paul is writing as God’s appointed messenger and communicating God’s will.
2 Peter 1 tells us that the Holy Spirit moves Biblical writers to communicate God’s truths. Therefore, what Paul states in 1 Timothy is to be received as the very word of God. What Paul has laid out in our text is what God expects of men and women when we gather in His house for worship.
Worship is not just about singing songs. Worship is about honouring God as our Creator and Redeemer. Having the right view of God, seeking to do things God’s way, and coming to God with the right attitude are all part of worship.
God reveals how we are to worship Him as men and women.
Therefore, the big idea is God reveals how we are to worship Him as men and women.
God’s desire for men
Firstly, God desires men to prioritize prayer (1 Tim 2:8).
Prayer is a privilege that God has given believers. Although our sins separated us from God, Jesus cleanses us with His blood and clothes us with His righteousness so that we can draw near to God. Through faith in Jesus, our relationship with the King of Kings is restored and we can approach His throne of grace. Further, we are not lowly subjects who never get a day in court. Through our union with Jesus, we are received as children of God. We can call God “Abba Father” and speak to Him any time of the day and in any place.
When I was a child, hand phones were not that common and there was no WhatsApp. And so when I needed to talk to my dad in the day, I would have to use a landline to call his office. And when the receptionist picked up the phone, I would have to state that I am Mr. Lee’s son. Sometimes, it felt great that I had access to the Director because I was his son. But there were times when my dad was in meetings and even his son would have to wait.
Our ability to pray to God should be greatly treasured. We who are lowly creatures have direct access to the King of Kings 24/7.
Thus our ability to pray to God should be greatly treasured. We who are lowly creatures have direct access to the King of Kings 24/7.
Therefore, Paul exhorts men to ensure that prayer is prioritized in every place.
The kingdom of Christ is constantly growing and Paul envisions churches springing up all over the world. Thus he does not just exhort the Ephesians he was writing to, but godly men all around the world to model prayer at corporate gatherings. Whenever a church gathers for worship, there should be prayer.
This does not mean that men are the only ones praying. Scripture clearly teaches that both men and women who put their faith in Jesus have access to God, and Jesus taught all believers how to pray. Regardless of whether we are a man or woman, young or old, we can pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ.
Paul’s exhortation in 1 Timothy 2:8 simply puts the responsibility of prayer in corporate gatherings on the men. Men are to ensure that prayer is always a priority. Prayer must not be neglected or relegated to an afterthought. Prayer is to be one of the main features in every worship service.
The first half of chapter 2 gives us some direction on the content of prayers. Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:1-2 that we are to pray for all people, including rulers who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life.
We are to pray for our leaders to rule well and without discrimination so that we can freely live out the Christian faith.
Since God desires all people to be saved, we ought to pray for non-Christians to hear the truth that Jesus is the only mediator between God and us. We are to pray that non-Christians will turn from sin and put their faith in Jesus for salvation.
These examples are not exhaustive. Paul’s point is simple. Men are to ensure that prayer is always a priority, especially when the church gathers.
At GBC, the pastors plan out several prayers in every worship service. Service begins with a time of individual prayer. We quieten our hearts and draw near to God. Then the service leader prays a Prayer of Praise and Adoration. In this prayer we praise God for one of His attributes that is highlighted in the sermon text. We pray for God to enable us to give Him the worship and honour that He deserves.
After praising Him in song, we invite another brother to lead the church in a prayer of confession and assurance. The leader facilities a time where we confess our shortcomings to God and find grace and forgiveness in Jesus Christ.
Then after the doxology, we have a pastoral prayer where we bring our petitions before God. We pray for the needs of our members, our growth in the faith, the ministries of the church, the spread of the gospel in Singapore and overseas.
After the sermon, the preacher would pray for God to help us trust in Jesus and strength to live out the truths we have heard.
Service concludes with a time of silent prayer where we are all encouraged to reflect on what we have heard and bring our petitions before God.
Did you count how many times we pray during service?
Beyond the worship service, the elders facilitate regular prayer meetings. Prayer items are collated and shared and brothers and sisters are encouraged to pray and affirm prayers.
Brothers, even if you are not an elder, I hope that you will model the importance of prayer through your participation at service and prayer meetings. Your family and friends can sense your priorities.
Paul’s exhortation does not limit the priority of prayer to only church settings. Consider your own prayer life and the spheres God has given you charge of. Do you initiate prayer before meals? Do you encourage your family to pray together? Do you pray with other believers that you meet?
Sisters, please pray too. Remember that this section is not about Paul restricting prayer to men but exhorting men to ensure that prayer is a priority. Both men and women are to be praying during a worship service and to be affirming the prayers made on behalf of the congregation.
Secondly, God desires men to pursue holiness (1 Tim 2:8). In 1 Timothy 2:8, Paul describes prayer as lifting holy hands without anger or quarrelling.
Whilst the practice of lifting up hands was common among Jews and Christians during Paul’s time, the emphasis is on having holy hands. In the Bible, one’s hands represent the condition of your heart. Hence the Psalmist states in Psalm 24 that it is the one who has clean hands and a pure heart that can ascend the hill of the Lord.
Therefore, the exhortation to pray with holy hands is not about washing our hands in special water before we pray but considering our standing before God.
In many religions, the power of prayer is measured by outward expressions. Devotees think that god will hear their prayers if they performed rituals like crawling up a flight of steps or lighting candles.
But the God of the Bible reminds us that He is more interested in our heart. Our posture of prayer matters. Thus God is not concerned about how high our hands are raised when we pray, or even how long our prayers are, and more concerned about personal holiness. Men are not simply to prioritize prayer, but to pray with holy hands, with pure hearts.
This means that we must first take our personal holiness seriously. Men are not to lead spiritually without first reflecting on their own walk with God. Because we are all fallen, we must first acknowledge our sins and confess them to God. Whilst there are many sins that men struggle with, Paul highlights two common ones — anger and quarrelling.
If we are offended by someone in the church and harbour anger, our prayers will be hindered. Praying with unresolved conflict fails to portray the gospel of reconciliation.
Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:23-24 that we ought to first seek reconciliation with fellow Christians before worshipping God. Therefore, we are to come to church with a pure heart. We are to offer prayers with holy hands.
Brothers, God desires our holiness.
Brothers, God desires our holiness. Would you consider the holiness of your hands and heart? Have you confessed your sins and sought reconciliation with those who have offended you? Are you trusting in Jesus’ work on the cross to cleanse you and enable you to draw near to God today?
Sisters, God’s call for men to be holy does not mean that you can live the way you please. Rather, God has called men to model holiness so that everyone will seek to be holy as He is holy.
Thirdly, God desires men to embrace the responsibility He has given (2 Tim 2:8, 12-14)
Men, many of us carry heavy responsibilities outside church. We have demanding jobs and the pressures of providing for our family. Thus we may feel that we have little bandwidth to do anything else and simply desire a break. We might be less inclined to get involved in church or plan family devotions.
But God wants us to remember that spiritual leadership is a responsibility that He has given men. If your boss tells you to plan a staff outing or to head a special project, will you not do it? How much more should we embrace the responsibility that our king has given?
The higher a view we have of God, the more we will seek to please Him. We will not take his desire as optional but delight in doing His will. So men, let us honour our Great and Gracious God by embracing the responsibilities He has given us. Let us grow in personal holiness. Let us lead our families and church in praying more.
In the next section, I will be addressing God’s desire for women to learn His truths. But rather than circle back to the implication for men, I am going to first address God’s design for men to teach and lead women that is grounded in the creation order.
Citing two key events in Genesis, Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:13-14, “For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.” God is a God of order and intention. In the same way that more responsibility and privileges are accorded to the firstborn, so God’s creation of Adam before Eve reflects God’s will for man to lead. Godly men are to lead God’s church. And a godly husband is to lead his family.
The point of stating that Adam was not deceived is not to lay all the blame on Eve, but to communicate the sin of Adam. Both sinned. But they sinned in different ways. Eve sinned by listening to the lies of the devil. Adam sinned by listening to Eve instead of leading and protecting Eve.
God had spoken His Word to Adam, and Adam was supposed to teach Eve God’s truths and exercise good spiritual leadership. Yet he failed to counter the devil’s lies with God’s promises and boot the serpent out of the garden.
Therefore, Paul warns us not to repeat Adam’s sin. Men are to embrace their responsibility to teach and lead.
Men are responsible for the faithful and continual teaching of God’s truths in the church and in their homes.
Men are responsible for the faithful and continual teaching of God’s truths in the church and in their homes. Further, the teaching of God’s truths is not just for knowledge accumulation. Men are to exercise authority that ensures God’s truths are lived out.
This is why the next subject Paul writes about in 1 Timothy 3 is about church elders. Qualified men are to be recognised by the church as leaders who are responsible for the right teaching and application of God’s Word.
Brothers, do you recognise the calling God has given us to be spiritual leaders? Will you embrace our God-given responsibility to ensure God’s Word is faithfully taught and applied in church and in our homes?
Let us prayerfully consider how we can reorder some of our priorities so that we will have more bandwidth to lead our families spiritually. Husbands, will you set aside time to read the Bible and pray with your wife? Fathers, will you lead your family in spending a few minutes each day hearing what God has to say?
Men, will you model godliness and consider teaching the children, the youth and other adults in our church God’s truths?
If you sense God calling you to serve as an elder, would you speak to one of the pastors so that we can journey with you?
Brothers, our sermon text is most known for addressing the role of women in church. But it begins with God’s desire for men and the responsibilities He has given. In fact, our faithfulness in living out God’s desire for men will not only glorify God, but also inspire our sisters to live out God’s desire for them which we shall now unpack.
God’s desire for women
Firstly, God desires women to adorn themselves in respectable apparel and good works (2 Tim 2:9-10).
The word “likewise” connects this section with the preceding. Having taught men God’s expectations of them at church, so Paul turns his attention to the women.
Paul had heard reports of certain women who had caused disorder in the Ephesian church by the way they were dressing. Some of these women had dressed in a promiscuous or sensual way, perhaps trying to catch the attention of potential suitors. Others had adorned costly attire and accessories that flaunted their wealth and status.
The way these women dressed revealed that they had misunderstood what Christian freedoms we have and their lack of consideration for others. Whilst we have the freedom to decide what kind of clothes we wear, what hair style to keep and what accessories to adorn, we must also consider how our choices impact the body of Christ. After all, we are not worshipping God in isolation pods, but as one gathering of believers.
For example, spraying a very strong perfume can be overwhelming for those we are in close proximity with. Wearing a Liverpool jersey might upset Man U fans. Donning a large hat will block the view of those behind. Therefore, Paul wants us to be more thoughtful in how we dress for church. He exhorts us to adorn ourselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control.
Clearly, Paul is not saying that we are to throw away all sense of fashion and dress as monks or nuns. Rather, we are to consider what would be most glorifying to God, drawing attention to God and not ourselves. We are to exercise self-control over our fashion choice so that we don’t stumble someone at church. We are to guard against excess and immodesty so that we will not distract others from worshipping God.
Sisters, let me share with you that men are easily distracted and can place too much emphasis on external beauty. Will you help our men by praying for them and dressing in a way that reflects modesty and causes your inward beauty to shine more?
Whilst the world might teach us to use our fashion to get attention, God wants us to know that godly character will get His attention and the attention of godly men.
Therefore, in 2 Timothy 2:10, Paul encourages women who profess godliness to adorn themselves with good works.
Getting ready for church does not begin with dressing up on Sunday morning. Rather it begins with a life that is centered around God. Women are encouraged to engage in Christian activities throughout the week, nurturing the family, caring for those in need, ministering to others. These good works will showcase much more beauty than fancy accessories or costly attire or revealing clothes.
Friends, fashion and what is considered appropriate may vary widely in different places and times. But we are reminded that appearances and our motivations for what we wear is not a matter of indifference to God.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 also exhorts us to consider one another — “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbour.” So let us to be prayerful about how we dress and consider our heart attitude towards God and one another as we prepare to come to church each week.
Secondly, God desires women to Learn with humility and submission (2 Tim 2:11-14). During Paul’s time, and really for a long period of time, many cultures did not accord women the dignity that God intended them to have. Women were not given the same opportunities men had to learn. Thus we should appreciate the early church’s practice of giving women and men the same opportunity to learn God’s truths. There is no inner circle reserved for men. Both men and women are always welcome to hear God’s truths and respond in worship as one people.
Both men and women are equal in God’s sight. All have equal access to the Gospel. All can receive the same salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
This is affirmed by the apostle Peter who exhorts men to view women as co-heirs of the grace of life. Women are not second-class citizens. Both men and women are equal in God’s sight. All have equal access to the Gospel. All can receive the same salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Women feature prominently in both the Old and New Testament. Women like Sarah, Ruth, Mary and Lydia are held in high honour. Thus we would be mistaken to conclude from Paul’s letter that he is chauvinistic. Paul had a high view of women and he desired them to flourish in the faith.
What concerned Paul was the wrong attitude some women in the church had during gathered worship. Certain women were not content learning God’s truths. They were countering what was being preached and may have even tried to put themselves forward as a better preacher. Because of his love for God’s church, Paul makes clear to both the Ephesian congregation and Christians throughout the ages the distinctive roles God has given men and women in the church.
As an apostle of Christ, Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:11-12, “Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.” “Quiet” does not mean women should be silent and not utter a single word. Other parts of Scripture show women involved in church and everyone is encouraged to sing praises to God.
Hence the phrase learn quietly is best understood in parallel to 2 Timothy 2:2 where Paul exhorted men to pray for kings that we might live a peaceful and quiet life. Women are to be peaceful learners, not contentious. Instead of causing disruptions, they are to promote an atmosphere that is conducive for learning God’s truths.
Women are also to learn with all submissiveness, recognising God’s authority. They are to have a teachable spirit, a posture of receiving God’s truths. This posture of submission to the Lord is further emphasised in 2 Timothy 2:12 where Paul prohibits women from usurping or coveting the role that God has given biblically qualified men. In the next section, Paul makes clear that teaching the Scriptures and spiritual oversight are the work of church elders.
In 2 Timothy 2:13-14, Paul grounds the prohibition of women teaching or exercising authority over a man in the creation order. This is significant because Paul was not formulating a specific set of guidelines for the Ephesian church. Rather he was applying God’s design for men and women to the Ephesian church.
In the same way that God had given Adam the responsibility of teaching Eve His truths and leading her in faithfulness, so God has appointed men to teach and lead His church.
Now being male is not the only criteria for those who teach and exercise authority over the congregation. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 lists several qualifications for the church to consider as they elect elders who are responsible for teaching right doctrine and leading the congregation in worshipping God.
Therefore, context shows that Paul is not saying that women are to submit to every man in the world, but to their church elders. This teaching is also not unique to women. Christian men are to submit to their church elders.
Even a church elder submits to the plurality of elders in a local church. At GBC, we have a team of elders, and together, we exercise the authority God has given to teach and lead this congregation.
Sisters, God’s prohibition on women teaching men in church is not about saying that you are less qualified than man or worth less than man. Rather, the different roles God assigns men and women are meant to draw our attention back to Him.
By embracing the unique roles God has given us, we demonstrate our identity in Christ and trust in God’s goodness.
Church is not about making ourselves feel good or valued. Church is about magnifying God’s greatness and wisdom. Through the right practice of church, we proclaim God’s sovereignty and majesty. By embracing the unique roles God has given us, we demonstrate our identity in Christ and trust in God’s goodness.
Further, God has given women many other opportunities to teach his truths. God calls upon older women to teach younger women. God calls all women to tell the next generation about His salvation. The elders and I rejoice that many of you, sisters, have responded to God’s call. Several of you teach in Sunday School, lead Bible studies and book discussions, disciple other women and speak at women’s conferences.
Ladies, God has gifted you in various ways to serve Him. Many ministries are strengthened by your involvement. We need women teaching, helping, serving, equipping, and spreading the gospel. Just like how many women were involved in Jesus’ ministry, we would love to share with you ways that you can be involved at Grace.
Thirdly, God desires women to embrace biblical womanhood (2 Tim 2:15).
In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul rounds up his teaching to the godly woman that began in 2 Timothy 2:11. He says, “Yet she will be saved through childbearing — if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”
Although some cultures have sought to minimize the differences between males and females by introducing gender-neutral language, gender-neural bathrooms, gender-neutral fashion and even allowing biological males to compete in women’s sporting events, no one has been able to override God’s design for women to bear children.
Childbearing is not limited to a particular culture but a permanent and ongoing difference between men and women. It is a special role given only to women since creation. Thus Paul selects childbearing to represent God’s unique design for women. Paul’s point is that women will be saved by doing what women were created to do. Women will be saved by embracing God’s design and calling.
At first glance, we might wonder if Paul is saying that childbearing is necessary for salvation. If that were true, Paul would not have talked about the gift of celibacy. Further, the New Testament makes clear that a right standing before God is only possible through faith in Jesus alone. Not by works. Hence Paul completed his statement in 2 Timothy 2:15 by saying women will be saved if they continue in faith.
Further, the topic of salvation has a much broader scope beyond receiving a pardon from God. Salvation in the New Testament covers the entire Christian life, from the definitive moment when Jesus declares us right in God’s sight to our perseverance in putting off sins daily, and on to our glorification when Christ returns.
This is why there are texts like Philippians 2:12 which exhort Christians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, not for gaining a right standing before God, but as a reflection of Christian growth.
In his book, Men and Women in the Church, Kevin DeYoung says that this is the sense of salvation Paul has in mind when he says that women will be saved through childbearing.
Understandably, some women will not have children because of medical reasons or singleness, but in so far as it is possible, childbearing is one of the unique ways in which a woman embraces her God-given design.
Eve was created not because Adam was lonely but because Eve was needed to fulfil God’s command to be fruitful and multiply. Whilst the secular world views pregnancies as undesirable or inconvenient, the Bible views motherhood as a divinely appointed role and a high calling that should be celebrated and held in high honour.
If you are struggling to have children, God bless you for your godly desire. I pray that God will encourage you on this journey even as you wait on His timing and will.
Paul’s point in 2 Timothy 2:15 is for women to embrace the unique role that God has given them as opposed to coveting the role God has given men. God is glorified when women embrace their roles as wives, mothers, daughters, and women of God.
Paul ends 2 Timothy 2:15 by saying that all women, regardless of whether or not they bear children, will reflect their salvation by continuing in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
Faith in Jesus is the assurance that we are saved. And without faith it is impossible to please God.
Love is an expression of our faith. The love we have for God reflects our understanding and appreciation of the love God has shown us. Because God loved us so much by sending Jesus to die in our place, we love Him with all our heart, soul and mind. We love Him by seeking to please Him above our own desires. We embrace the role He has given rather than insisting on what we think is best for us.
As God’s holy people, we embrace God’s design in creation, in the home and in His church.
Holiness reflects our identity as God’s people. We set ourselves apart from the world and its false ideals because God is holy and we belong to Him. As God’s holy people, we embrace God’s design in creation, in the home and in His church.
Self-control reflects God’s indwelling presence. God has poured out His Spirit upon Christians and we are able to resist fleshly impulses. Although we are tempted to do things our way and are tempted to rebel against God’s design or modify God’s teachings to suit our passions, the Spirit divinely helps us to reign in sinful behaviour. The Holy Spirit helps us exercise self-control and joyfully submit to God’s will.
Sisters, you are special in God’s eyes. He has made you in His image, He has given you a role that no man can fulfil, and He has given you salvation through Jesus Christ. Will you embrace His design for your life? Will you embrace biblical womanhood and continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control?
May the Holy Spirit help you cultivate inner beauty, do good works and thrive in your role as wives, mothers, daughters, and women of God.
Many of us are familiar with the verse that says people will know that we belong to God by the love that we show one another.
Today, I put it to you that the world will also know that we belong to God by the way we embrace the distinct roles God has given us as men and women.
The world has rejected our Creator, and has cancelled His design. The world wants us to think that we are our own boss and that we can decide what is best for ourselves. All that matters is our own happiness.
However, that narrative reeks of the devil’s lie. It is the same strategy that the devil used to tempt Eve to reject God and sin in the Garden.
Friends, let us remember the consequences that befell Adam and Eve. They did not enjoy a better life. Instead, the curse of sin was unleashed. Relationships broke down and all of us are subject to death. Even today, those who have listened to the devil’s lie suffer consequences that they did not anticipate.
Problems arise when men abdicate their responsibility to lead. Conflicts arise when women usurp the roles God did not give. All these attempts to modify God’s good design don’t even lead to any real satisfaction. Rather, they lead to frustration and dissatisfaction.
So let us humbly acknowledge God as our Creator and sovereign Lord and seek to embrace His design for us as men and women.
We can trust God because He is good and has shown His love for us. While we were living in rebellion of His truths, God pursued us and sent Jesus to rescue us from our hell bound race. Jesus died in our place so that we can receive forgiveness of sins.
If you are a not a believer, I encourage you to talk to the person who brought you to church or one of the pastors. Ask them why it is worth trusting God and listening to His Word. Consider the testimonies of those who were baptised. God is good and He desires you to trusts Him too.
For those of us who have received God’s unmerited grace, let us offer pleasing worship by embracing the distinct roles God has given us as men and women in 1 Timothy 2:8-15.
Men, let us worship God by prioritizing prayer, pursuing holiness, and embracing the responsibilities God has given us to teach His Word.
Women, worship God by adorning yourself in respectable apparel and good works, learning with humility and submission, and embracing biblical womanhood.
In so doing we express our love for God and trust in His goodness. We reflect His glory and testify to His wisdom. We will be a pleasing aroma to God and a faithful witness to a broken world.
Let us pray.