Three out of Three Women Surveyed...Recommend

It’s Mother’s Day

God loves Women

He created them to be the glory of man - One step further refined from the dust

He created them with the ability to create - the miracle of childbirth

He place within each of them the ability to experience the depths and power of His Holy Spirit.

He gave them a special ability to nurture. to love and to protect

We celebrate those women in our lives today. Happy Mother’s Day.

Today, I want to look at three women from the scriptures.

I want to look at their struggles of life.

I want to dig deep into their faith in God

I want to inspect the depths that they would go to for their children

And then I want to take all of those things and apply them to every godly woman here. I want to encourage you that you have the goods

And my belief is that God is going to touch every woman’s heart here today and excite you about what He has called you to be.

Sister “Priority Setter”

2 Kings 4:8–10 NKJV

Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food. And she said to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.”

Elisha is the prophet. He is going back and forth between the places where his job takes him. There would be times that he would have to hold office. There were times he had to perform the ritual sacrifices. And so he was a pretty common sight for the Shunamite woman and her husband.

There is something in this woman’s heart that wants to make room for the prophet. and in so doing - make room for the presence of God in her life.

She starts feeding him. - Prophet, whenever you are going by, stop in and you will be fed.

How many know that is an imposition in itself. It affected the routine of life.

any time Elisha walked by, Hey, let’s pull into the drive through.

And many women would be sorry that they had made the invitation.

But not this girl.

It’s not enough for her

She asks her husband for an addition. Now that’s not out of the ordinary.

But this addition isn’t for her. It’s not for a bigger kitchen or a more comfortable living room. It’s not even for a she-shed.

It’s for the prophet.

And she furnished it. For the prophet

She changed her schedule

She changed her house

for the presence of God to be comfortable there.

My sisters, if you want to experience the presence of God in your home

If you want your children to know Jesus in a greater dimension

Make room of God in your life.

Clear out a space or build one - I don’t know what that means to you.

It might be clearing the hindrances and the obstacles of your worshiping him out

It might be adding something to your life to sustain his presence in your life

Like adding a room to a house - getting up earlier for a devotional/prayer time

Journaling

worshiping around the house (when nobody is home) - doing spiritual warfare for a lost husband, children, grandchildren and such

Just re prioritizing things so that God appears at the top of your demanding daily chores

Maybe it’s just something that slows life down, for just a bit, to a pace that is manageable and gives God time to act in your life.

Like the Shunamite Woman, you may think that you are only making room for God, when in fact, what you are really doing is providing him a space to do greater things in your life.

Look at verse 13 - Elisha sends his servant Gehazi to her with a word - And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Look, you have been concerned for us with all this care. What can I do for you? Do you want me to speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?

The prophet of God turns things around and says, okay, you have made room for me. You have served me. Now what can I do for you?

Let me tell you something, when the God of the universe, the one who created all of this and things we can’t even see yet with just a word, asks you what you have need of - stand back Ladies, because you are about get blessed. Step Away from the Tramcar - This God is going to move.

She has never been able to have a child - Next year at this time she has a child.

This is also the significance of having made room for God in your life. Because how many know that with the joys of children come many heartbreaks as well.

As the boy grew, he begins to hang around with dad. And one day they are out in the fields reaping and the boy grabs his head in great pain.

Within hours, the boy is dead on his mother’s lap.

The promise of God wiped out by situations and circumstances of this world - any women ever been there before?

Any sisters here ever experienced the goodness of God’s hand on your life and then the boss calls you in, the doctor calls you and requests a followup

The bill collectors are coming tomorrow, the sink is broken again, but that’s not it, because the vacuum isn’t working and niether are the are washer and dryer, the car is in the shop and now something just fell off the wall. -Am I speaking to anyone today?

Make Room for God - It makes all the difference.

The New King James Version Chapter 4

And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door upon him, and went out. 22 Then she called to her husband, and said, “Please send me one of the young men and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and come back.”

23 So he said, “Why are you going to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath.”

And she said, “It is well.” 24 Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, “Drive, and go forward; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” 25 And so she departed, and went to the man of God at Mount Carmel.

So it was, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, the Shunammite woman! 26 Please run now to meet her, and say to her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’ ”

And she answered, “It is well.” 27 Now when she came to the man of God at the hill, she caught him by the feet, but Gehazi came near to push her away. But the man of God said, “Let her alone; for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me, and has not told me.”

28 So she said, “Did I ask a son of my lord? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?”

29 Then he said to Gehazi, “Get yourself ready, and take my staff in your hand, and be on your way. If you meet anyone, do not greet him; and if anyone greets you, do not answer him; but lay my staff on the face of the child.”

30 And the mother of the child said, “As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. 31 Now Gehazi went on ahead of them, and laid the staff on the face of the child; but there was neither voice nor hearing. Therefore he went back to meet him, and told him, saying, “The child has not awakened.”

32 When Elisha came into the house, there was the child, lying dead on his bed. 33 He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD. 34 And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands; and he stretched himself out on the child, and the flesh of the child became warm. 35 He returned and walked back and forth in the house, and again went up and stretched himself out on him; then the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 And he called Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite woman.” So he called her. And when she came in to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” 37 So she went in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground; then she picked up her son and went out.

And she went up and laid him on his bed?

And she went up and laid him on her bed? Or she made arrangements for the burial?

NO - she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God. Might I remind you that she could not have done that if she had not built a room for the man of God and furnished it with a bed.

Let’s look at this for a moment - Verse 23, the husband asks her why she is going (it doesn’t even appear that he knows the child is dead)

Ladies, there are some things that even your husband can’t fix. You are going to need to go to God

And she says, It is well

Then she comes into the area where the prophet is holding office and he sees her and sends Gehazi to her to ask her if it is well

What is her reply Ladies? Is it well? No? What’s the difference?

She had made room for God, and the dead lifeless form of her child is in that room right now. Any thing in God’s hands Is Well!

In fact, the prophet doesn’t even know what is happening. The Lord has not told him yet.

So Elisha sends Gehazi, but for this woman, who is at the mercy of God - the servant of God is not enough. She needs the presence of God.

Women, there will be a time when even your pastor is not enough - You are going to need to go to God. But remember, in God’s hands, it is well.

She says, As the Lord lives, and as you are alive right now, I’m not going back with him. I am not leaving you - in other words, I’ve made room for you, I’ve served you, it’s you that I need - and I’m not taking my eyes off of you.

I dare to say that most ladies would have been, oh great, let’s get there fast. Send him right away.

But this one says, No, I want you. I am not taking my eyes off of you, I am not leaving from your presence.

No matter how dire the situation may be, don’t leave the presence of God that you have made room for.

Live in it, walk in it, trust it.

Sister “I’m Not Taking No For An Answer”

A brief commercial break if I may - 3 out 3 women surveyed Recommend that you continue to abide where the power of God is.

We take you now to a certain city where an amazing thing is now in progress

Luke 18 NKJV

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.” So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken. Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Luke

Luke 18:1–8 NKJV

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

This woman pestered this judge to no end. She sat in his court all day. She made signs, she was at his front step when he got home. She would not be dissuaded, she would not give up. And it paid off for her. She was able to get the justice that she deserved. Her miracle had come.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program.

Elisha goes back and in a short time, this woman, who would not give up is holding once again, her little boy. Her gift of God, and he is alive and well.

Ladies, if you are going to make room for God, then experience the benefits of it.

You should be blessed

You should be overcoming the things that come against you in life

You should have a tenacity to take God at his word and expect that from him. And see it done.

You see the shunamite woman knew what she could expect. This prophet had stayed at her house.

she heard his phone calls

She heard his prayers on her roof

He ate at her dinner table regularly - they spoke about what God had done.

There was a residue of God’s presence over Elisha’s life as the prophet and it abided in her house, even after he would leave

If you will make room for God, your house will always be full of the presence of God.

If you will make room for God, you can count on the fact that He will always show up.

Even in Luke, this woman knew what she was entitled to. This judge may not have cared very much, but it was hers

And she knew where to go. The judge had the power to make it happen

The fact that he didn’t care wasn’t going to stop her from expecting it

The fact that he wasn’t moving on her behalf, didn’t hinder her resolve to get it

She kept at it. And Jesus’ point here, like most of the stories he tells, is God knows what you need and how you need it

So bring it to him.

Don’t stop

Keep your eyes and expectation on Him

And the woman who does that, I’m going to tell you on this Mother’s day, will see heaven and earth moved by her prayers.

Sister “Caught In the Act”

But the message is entitled 3 out of 3 so that means we have one more to look at today.

Turn with me over to

John 8:1–11 NKJV

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

Here is a woman who has no hope.

She has been caught. Yes there were two in the act, but it’s a man’s world so she has basically nothing to say in the matter - she was caught in the act.

The law says, death by stoning. In fact the rocks have already been picked up, so we know that it’s going to happen.

She knows what is coming to her. Like the women we looked at before her, she knows what to expect. She knows what she is entitled to and it’s not good.

She knows the law. But what she doesn’t realize is that the one whom the law has pointed to is here.

And by some mighty miracle of God, (I’m going to tell you it’s divine providence), she is used as a pawn to trap this one.

We have her. She should die, but let’s see what he says.

And she is forced to make room for God in her life. She is thrown at the feet of the savior. She don’t even know what he looks like, because there is no way she

is going to look up.

Everything is blur. She can’t concentrate on the words, because she knows what is coming]

She hears the rocks hitting the ground around her, but she feels no pain.

She hears the insults being thrown at her, but there is no blood, and slowly the crowd quiets down

And then, after a long time, she is able to focus again, just in time to hear these words - Women, we are your accusers? Who is it that has condemned you?

She says, I don’t understand it, but there is nobody here.

Then he replies - then neither do I condemn you - go and change your life.

Before this, there was not change of life available to her.

She might have been a sex slave

She might have had to provide for her own

But she made room for the master in her life and now things will be different.

We feel that this may be Mary Magdalene. Who later supported Jesus’ ministry and was a great support to his mother

We feel that she is the one who comes into the house, and anoints Jesus’ feet with her tears and wipes them with her hair and where Jesus says those who have been forgiven much, love and appreciate much.

Doesn’t that make sense.

No matter who she was - she was glad for the day that Jesus entered her life.

And my sisters here today, so will you be.

3 different women, 3 out of three women surveyed (so to say) Recommend Jesus.

This mother’s day, if you want to really make it a day to remember

If you want to know real freedom, know real peace. If you want to know how to get your prayers answered, you need to search no further. Open up your life to Jesus. Make room for God.

3 Studies, 3 situations lead to 3 different outcomes, but all the same - the Hand of God moves mightily in their lives.

Expect this in your life today

Let’s pray