How To Read Women Back Into Scripture
Sharing Jesus with Others • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 2 viewsWomen followed Jesus from the earliest times in his ministry. Sometimes we need to read them back into the Bible.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction (5m)
Introduction (5m)
TSA has a history of promoting women in ministry for which we can be justly proud
TSA has a history of promoting women in ministry for which we can be justly proud
Catherine Booth - but in a way she has been “written back into TSA history”.
We sometimes need to do the same with women and Scripture
We sometimes need to do the same with women and Scripture
NT times, women did not have equality. Often not counted, not given prominent role in stories/accounts.
Mark takes 15 chapters before he explicitly mentions women following Jesus
Mark takes 15 chapters before he explicitly mentions women following Jesus
Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome. They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.
Preaching in synagogue, curing people of sickness/disease, feeding of 5,000 (only Matthew mentions women and children).
Explanation (5m)
Explanation (5m)
What does that mean for our passage today - Jesus’ ascension?
What does that mean for our passage today - Jesus’ ascension?
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
Andres Galilaios - Men of Galilee - only men there?
Andres Galilaios - Men of Galilee - only men there?
They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
Provided stability to small, wavering and fearful group of male disciples
Provided stability to small, wavering and fearful group of male disciples
Left behind?
Left behind?
More likely there, but not mentioned. Why “Men of Galilee” - never know, but must consider women were there.
Women were there at the birth of the church too
Women were there at the birth of the church too
Gospels - Mary, Mary Magdalene, Mary and Martha, etc. then Priscilla, Chloe, Lydia, Apphia, Nympha, the mother of John Mark, Junia - an apostle!, four daughters of Philip - prophetesses.
Application (5m)
Application (5m)
Why is all this important - because the Great Commission is to every Christian - men, women and children!
Why is all this important - because the Great Commission is to every Christian - men, women and children!
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Ordinary people - men, women and children - would receive the Holy Spirit and his power
Ordinary people - men, women and children - would receive the Holy Spirit and his power
Spiritual power.
And the men, women and children who received the Holy Spirit and his power would be Jesus’ witnesses in the world
And the men, women and children who received the Holy Spirit and his power would be Jesus’ witnesses in the world
Not clever, articulate. Simply called to describe what they have seen and heard.
Heralds at King Charles III proclamation of accession ceremony. “We have a new King”. In ancient world, if new Roman emperor, heralds would travel throughout empire to announce.
Witnesses to their neighbours, to those who were different to them, in fact, to anyone and everyone
Witnesses to their neighbours, to those who were different to them, in fact, to anyone and everyone
The reason it may be important to “read back” women into this passage of Scripture is to remind us that Holy Spirit power is available to all of us and the Great Commission is for all of us to carry out
The reason it may be important to “read back” women into this passage of Scripture is to remind us that Holy Spirit power is available to all of us and the Great Commission is for all of us to carry out
Each one of us can and must become fountains of divine power, eloquence, and joy. God will pour out his love through us.
We must all join together - in unity - to depend on HS for his power and to give us the words to witness for Jesus
We must all join together - in unity - to depend on HS for his power and to give us the words to witness for Jesus
No division - men/women/children. One heart and mind.
Is there someone in your family, workplace, school, community who hasn’t yet heard or accepted the good news of Jesus Christ?
Is there someone in your family, workplace, school, community who hasn’t yet heard or accepted the good news of Jesus Christ?
Then every man, woman, and child must continue to proclaim and witness.
Next Steps
Next Steps
Song: Come, celebrate the women
Song: Come, celebrate the women
1 Come, celebrate the women
who brought the Church to birth!
the gentle revolution
that shall transform the earth:
whose faith was salt and leaven,
whose hearts and minds were free,
and this was their direction -
to peace and unity.
2 The teachers, saints and mothers
who lived and died unsung
kept safe the gospel story
and taught it to the young;
the Christ child Mary cradled,
the living Word to be,
was crucified for pleading
this peace and unity.
3 Daughters of the disciples,
you weave the story still,
the fabric of the future
with warmth and love and skill,
you make the bread of wholeness,
the wine of harmony -
and all shall share your feasting
in peace and unity!
Shirley Erena Murray (1931-2020)
© 1992 Hope Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
7 6 7 6 D Iambic
Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. 135015
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