Highlight the faithfulness and active contribution of women in the early Church, as exemplified by the women in Luke 8:1-3, and to inspire all believers to use their resources for God's glory.
Good morning, Church Family! Today, we turn our hearts and minds to a remarkable group of women found in the Gospel of Luke 8:1-3. These women, who provided for Jesus and His disciples out of their own resources, offer us a profound picture of faithfulness, service, and the power of women in the Church.
To kick off our sermon, let's consider the words of Mother Teresa. She once said, "God has not called me to be successful. He has called me to be faithful." These words resonate deeply with the message from our scripture passage today.
Let's read Luke 8:1-3,
"Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means."
These women, healed and transformed by Jesus Christ, chose to use their resources to support His ministry. They were not just passive recipients of God's grace, but active contributors to the work of the Kingdom.
Let us pray.
Father, as we dive into Your Word today, open our hearts to learn from these resourceful women. Help us to understand the vital role women play in Your Church, and inspire all of us, regardless of gender, to use our resources for Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.
The women of Luke 8:1-3 are a testament to the transformative power of Christ's healing and the impact of resourcefulness in the Kingdom of God.
The women: Mary Magdalene, from whom seven demons had been cast out, is perhaps the most well-known among them. Her life was radically transformed by Jesus, and she responded with a deep commitment to His ministry. Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, was also a significant figure. Despite her high social standing, she chose to use her resources to serve Jesus, a man who was often criticized and rejected by the elite of society. Then there was Susanna, about whom we know little, but her inclusion in this list signifies her important contribution to Jesus' ministry.
They’d been healed: These women, and many others not named, were healed of various ailments, both physical and spiritual. They had experienced the life-changing power of Jesus firsthand. Their healing was not just a personal blessing, but it also served a greater purpose. It propelled them into service, into becoming resourceful women who played a crucial role in the early days of Jesus' ministry.
Their willingness to use their private means to support Jesus and His disciples: This was not a small feat. Remember, Jesus and His disciples had left their regular jobs to preach the Kingdom of God. They were dependent on the generosity of others for their daily needs. The resourcefulness of these women, therefore, was a lifeline for Jesus' ministry.
Challenge the traditional view of women during biblical times: They were normally seen as passive recipients of God's grace. These women were active contributors to the work of the Kingdom. They were not sidelined or minimized because of their gender. Instead, they were valued and appreciated for their resourcefulness. This is a powerful reminder for us today, that everyone, regardless of gender, has a role to play in the Church.
Speaks to their faithfulness: They had been healed, and they could have gone back to their lives, enjoying their newfound health and freedom. But they chose to follow Jesus, to support His ministry, to invest their resources into the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. This was not a one-time act of generosity. It was a lifestyle, a commitment, a demonstration of their faithfulness to Jesus.
A call to each one of us to examine our own resourcefulness: Are we using our resources—our time, talents, and treasures—to support the work of the Kingdom? Are we active participants in the ministry of Jesus, or are we merely spectators?
Pastor, here would be a good place to share some stories about the women in your congregation and how they are a vital part of your church and the work of the Lord.
The Church's dependence on women is a concept that is deeply rooted in the Bible, yet often overlooked ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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