May 8, 2005 Summit AM

What Can A Woman Do?

Introduction

A. Text – Phil.2:12-18

B. Stop & ponder this text – allow God to speak to you

            1. Work out your salvation = salvation must bring about active results

            2. God is at work in you to accomplish His will

            3. Stop the complaining whatever the hardship – Paul in prison & joyful

C. Now let’s make application to women – mothers

            1. It’s mother’s day – time to honor mothers – speak especially to the women

            2. Question often heard – What can a woman do?

                        a. Not even allowed to be used in worship service

                        b. How could God ever use them? It’s a mans world especially in church

                        c. Ever read the book “All the women of the Bible?”

                                    (stories with background astound you how God used women)

                        d. Women like Mary; Ester; Moses mother Jochebed; Rahab & others

D. Lesson – What can a woman do – show examples & what needed

E. Pray

 

I. Be A Woman Who Is Willing To Get Involved

            A. God always looking for people who will get involved

                        1. His plea

                                    a. Mt.28 – Go make disciples - teach

                                    b. Mt.4 – Jesus says come follow Me – make you fishers of men

                                    c. Mt.20 - parable of workers (continuously looking for workers)

                        2. Still true – see text

                                    a. Work out salvation = get actively involved

                                    b. Is something God wants to do through you

            B. See God use women who were willing to get involved

                        1. Esther

                                    a. Young Jewish girl who became Queen

                                    b. In a desperate situation – people about to be massacred

                                    c. Asked to intervene – meant risking her life

                                    d. Esther 4:12-14 – infamous words = here for this reason

                                    e. Agreed to get involved – saved a nation

                        2. 2 Sam.20

                                    a. Sheba rebels against king David

                                    b. Vs.14 – comes to city for refuge – taken siege

                                    c. Vs.15-22 – woman is one used to save the city

                                                1) Why not city leaders?

                                                2) Here was a woman who saw a way out – appealed

            C. What getting at is that they were willing to get involved

                        1. Not just sit back & say “I’m a woman – can do nothing”

                        2. Used the brain power given them & acted

                        3. Found a way to be used in the system – not sit & complain

                        4. God can & will use those who willingly will get involved

II. Be A Woman Who Has The Courage To Stand Alone

            A. Standing up for God is not always easy

                        1. Heb.10:32-34 – stood ground in face of suffering

                        2. Heb.11:32-38 – list of some of the atrocities against believers

                        3. Acts 14:28 – Paul told church will be many struggles

                        4. People will abuse you – must do right anyway – 1 Pet.3:8-13

            B. Women God used who were willing to stand-alone

                        1. Mary mother of Jesus – asked to bear God’s Son       

                        a. Never known a man – a virgin engaged to Joseph

                        b. Consequences she had to face

                                    1) Ruined reputation, a marked woman

                                    2) Shame to self & family as Joseph divorces her

                                    3) Not able to talk it over with him – totally in dark

                                    4) Driven from family, society – even stoned to death

                        c. Attitude – “I am God’s servant” “May it be as you have said”

            2. 2 Kings 11:1-3

                        a. Athaliah seeks to destroy royal seed line

                        b. One young child saved – hidden for 6 years in Temple

                                    (Athaliah not worship God – never go there)

                        c. Imagine the situation – the danger – what if ever found out?

                        d. Because these women willing to take a stand for God – victory

                                    (If seed line destroyed – Messiah not come)

C. God still needs people who are willing to stand-alone

            1. Live in a godless society – becoming more so daily

            2. God’s standards are being ignored & ridiculed

            3. Perverted people are ones that are most often listened too

            4. God calls us to take a stand – exalt righteousness

 

III. Be A Woman Who Is Willing To Be Submissive

            A. Not popular or politically correct

                        1. Fighting words to some women

                        2. Reject notion & seek to exalt self – rise up against the man

                        3. God’s word

                                    a. Eph.5:22-24 – in subjection to husband

                                    b. 1 Pet.3:1-6 – a meek & quiet spirit – won without a word

            B. Women God used who were willing to be submissive

                        1. Mary the mother of Jesus

                                    a. Not fully understand what God doing through her

                                                1) Pondered the words of the shepherds – Lk.2:19

                                                2) Marveled at words of Simon’s praise – Lk.2:33

                                                3) Not understand Jesus at Temple - Lk.2:50,51

                                    b. In addition God used Joseph to guide & protect her

                                                1) Angel came at beginning

                                                2) After that God works - through the men in her life

                       

 

2. Moses mother Jochebed

                                    a. Put Moses in river hoping God care for him

                                    b. Submitted to Pharaoh’s daughter

                                                1) Raised Moses till weaned

                                                2) Sent Moses to live in Pharaoh’s house

                                    c. Gave Moses the start needed to become Israel’s savior

            C. God still needs people who are willing to be submissive

                        1. Submissive to authority – work within the system

                        2. To trust God enough to not be rebels

                        3. 1 Pet.2:13-18 – submit for the Lord’s sake

 

Conclusion

A. Stop hiding behind the thoughts – what can I do, I’m only a woman

            1. Take on the character needed to be a vital part of God’s work

            2. Work out your salvation

                        a. Show some active results – seek to accomplish something for God

                        b. God is at work in you – wants to do His work through you

                        c. Stop the complaining – regardless the circumstances

B. Get involved – Be willing to stand alone – Be submissive

            1. Surprise you what God can & will do through you

            2. Allow the examples in scripture to inspire you

C. Pray