Faith of Our Mothers May 10, 2015 Sermon #672
Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 4:32PM
Faith of Our Mothers
Introduction: The A.D. serious on TV is covering the persecution of the Church. Beginning with Stephen it will tell the martyrdom and attack on the disciples. You will see little about the women. The Church was born into a patriarchy (male dominated society). Little is written about women who were born to be domestics, bring sexual pleasure, and produce children. It is not proven if the church followed the society, (no women Elders or Apostles) or the intent of the Holy Spirit. The Bible, for the most part, was written by men, about men. That is not to say that thousands of women did not give their their lives for the Gospel. Still in line with A.D., this Mother's Day I want to tell you about the Church Mothers.
I. The First Evangelist
John 20:1-18(NKJV)
1Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and
saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” 3Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go
in. 6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths
lying there, 7and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.
8Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.
9For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. 11But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 14Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.
15Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 16Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to £Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’” 18Mary Magdalene came and told the £disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
ILL: 14 times Mary Magdalene is mentioned by name in the N.T. In 8 of these her name heads the list.
She was called a harlot by preachers in the medieval church but there is no Biblical evidence. She was a companion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus and lived together with her under the protection of the Apostle John!
II. Dorcas
Acts 9:36-43(NKJV)
May 10, 2015 Sermon #672
36At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full ofgood works and charitable deeds which she did. 37But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
43So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.
ILL: Dorcas lived on the sea coast where cargo washed ashore. She collected the cloth and sewed clothing for the improvised people. She was well known and respected in the Christian community. When she died disciples rushed to Peter. The witness of Dorcas being raised from the dead turned many to Christ.
III. Lydia
Acts 16:11-15(NKJV)
11Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who
met there. 14Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
15And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.
ILL: Paul, Luke and Timothy were guests in Lydia's house. Paul and Silos were imprisoned, when turned loose they went to Lydia's house. The Church at Philippi was birthed at Lydia's house.
Philippians 1:1-5(NKJV)
1Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the £bishops and deacons: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
IV. Priscilla
Acts 18:18-28(NKJV)
18So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow.
19And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent,
21but took leave of them, saying, “I£ must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus. 22And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. 24Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he
spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.
26So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
ILL: Three out of five places she is mentioned in the Bible, her name appears first! Paul commented the work in Ephesus to the couple.
1 Corinthians 16:19(NKJV)
19The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
Romans 16:1-5(NKJV)
1I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also. 3Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of £Achaia to Christ.
ILL:: Tertullias wrote "By the holy Prisca the Gospel is preached." One of the catacombs of Rome is named after her.
V. Phoebe
Romans 16:1-2(NKJV)
1I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
ILL: Paul calls her a "sister" notifying the church of her Christian place. second, he calls her deaconos - a deacon of the church. He calls her a "succourer" or a mother to him when he was in need.
VI. Eunice and Lois
2 Timothy 1:3-5(NKJV)
3I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
ILL: Grandmother Lois, a Jewess, and mother Lois taught Timothy his inheritance even though because his father was Greek he was not allowed in the Synagogue. This is the only time in Scripture that "grandmother" is used.
2 Timothy 3:14-15(NKJV)
14But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
ILL: My mother, though a Mormon, read to me from children's Bible stories.
VII: Influential Christian Women in History
1. Sabina
Sold herself into slavery and converted her owner. Was branded a witch due to her work, faith and evangelism and beheaded in 125AD.
2. Melania
Missionary - traveled from Rome to Sicily then to Africa. Befriended Augustine of Hippo then traveled and worked in Egypt and Palestine. 383 AD
3. Genevieve
419 Christian in Paris - life of prayer and faith - creeded with saving France from the Huns
4. Frithuswith.
Founded Christ Church in Oxford - Christ Church College and Oxford
5. Laura
Spanish Christian who lived in Spain during Muslim control - taken captive by Muslims she was put into a pot of molten lead. Inspired by her faith thousands of Christians refused conversion.
6. Olga of Russia
1st Russian to become a Christian c.945 due to her teaching and influence Christianity became the state religion and the founding of the Russian Orthodox Church.
7. Ingegerd
Her faith led her to build Saint Sophia Cathedral . Her four daughters became queens of Hungary, Norway, France and England.
8. Catherine of Siena
1347 First woman Doctor of the Church helped form key decisions of the Church
9. Anne Askew
1520 forced to marry a man she did not love, she asked for a divorce (argued that her husband was not a Christian)- she became protestant theologian and teacher - She was imprisoned in the tower of London, tortured and burned at the stake. She held that the Bible was the only authority for the Church.
10. Anne Hutchinson
1633 She taught women in her house a "covenant of grace" In 1637 she was tried and banished from New England, she moved to Rhode Island. She influenced civil liberty and religious toleration.
11. Fanny Crosby
Blind American Methodist rescue mission worker she wrote. "Blessed Assurance," "Jesus is Tenderly Calling You Home," "Praise Him, Praise Him," "To God be the Glory," - 8.000 songs, 100 million copies in circulation. 1820
12. Mother Teresa
"By blood I am Albanian, By Citizenship an Indian, By Faith a Catholic, I belong to the world, as to my heart it belongs entirely to Jesus."
Conclusion:
I could talk about many others, both historical and contemporary. Tens of thousands that I will never hear about nor will the world know. Today, Christian girls are being raped, women slaughtered, around the world because of their faith. Pray for the persecuted Church! Those whose deaths are being displayed on TV are only a few compared to what is going on. The United States is doing nothing in order to have "religious tolerance." There is no difference between those who stood by and watched the Holocaust of Jews and those who watch the persecution of Christians.
Matthew 24:9-14(NKJV)
9“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Faith of Our Mothers
Introduction: The A.D. serious on TV is covering the persecution of the Church. Beginning with Stephen it will tell the martyrdom and attack on the disciples. You will see little about the women. The Church was born into a patriarchy (male dominated society). Little is written about women who were born to be domestics, bring sexual pleasure, and produce children. It is not proven if the church followed the society, (no women Elders or Apostles) or the intent of the Holy Spirit. The Bible, for the most part, was written by men, about men. That is not to say that thousands of women did not give their their lives for the Gospel. Still in line with A.D., this Mother's Day I want to tell you about the Church Mothers.
I. The First Evangelist
John 20:1-18(NKJV)
1Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and
saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” 3Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go
in. 6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths
lying there, 7and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.
8Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.
9For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. 11But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 14Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.
15Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 16Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to £Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’” 18Mary Magdalene came and told the £disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
ILL: 14 times Mary Magdalene is mentioned by name in the N.T. In 8 of these her name heads the list.
She was called a harlot by preachers in the medieval church but there is no Biblical evidence. She was a companion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus and lived together with her under the protection of the Apostle John!
II. Dorcas
Acts 9:36-43(NKJV)
May 10, 2015 Sermon #672
36At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full ofgood works and charitable deeds which she did. 37But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
43So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.
ILL: Dorcas lived on the sea coast where cargo washed ashore. She collected the cloth and sewed clothing for the improvised people. She was well known and respected in the Christian community. When she died disciples rushed to Peter. The witness of Dorcas being raised from the dead turned many to Christ.
III. Lydia
Acts 16:11-15(NKJV)
11Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who
met there. 14Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
15And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.
ILL: Paul, Luke and Timothy were guests in Lydia's house. Paul and Silos were imprisoned, when turned loose they went to Lydia's house. The Church at Philippi was birthed at Lydia's house.
Philippians 1:1-5(NKJV)
1Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the £bishops and deacons: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
IV. Priscilla
Acts 18:18-28(NKJV)
18So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow.
19And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent,
21but took leave of them, saying, “I£ must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus. 22And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. 24Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he
spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.
26So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
ILL: Three out of five places she is mentioned in the Bible, her name appears first! Paul commented the work in Ephesus to the couple.
1 Corinthians 16:19(NKJV)
19The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
Romans 16:1-5(NKJV)
1I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also. 3Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of £Achaia to Christ.
ILL:: Tertullias wrote "By the holy Prisca the Gospel is preached." One of the catacombs of Rome is named after her.
V. Phoebe
Romans 16:1-2(NKJV)
1I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
ILL: Paul calls her a "sister" notifying the church of her Christian place. second, he calls her deaconos - a deacon of the church. He calls her a "succourer" or a mother to him when he was in need.
VI. Eunice and Lois
2 Timothy 1:3-5(NKJV)
3I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
ILL: Grandmother Lois, a Jewess, and mother Lois taught Timothy his inheritance even though because his father was Greek he was not allowed in the Synagogue. This is the only time in Scripture that "grandmother" is used.
2 Timothy 3:14-15(NKJV)
14But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
ILL: My mother, though a Mormon, read to me from children's Bible stories.
VII: Influential Christian Women in History
1. Sabina
Sold herself into slavery and converted her owner. Was branded a witch due to her work, faith and evangelism and beheaded in 125AD.
2. Melania
Missionary - traveled from Rome to Sicily then to Africa. Befriended Augustine of Hippo then traveled and worked in Egypt and Palestine. 383 AD
3. Genevieve
419 Christian in Paris - life of prayer and faith - creeded with saving France from the Huns
4. Frithuswith.
Founded Christ Church in Oxford - Christ Church College and Oxford
5. Laura
Spanish Christian who lived in Spain during Muslim control - taken captive by Muslims she was put into a pot of molten lead. Inspired by her faith thousands of Christians refused conversion.
6. Olga of Russia
1st Russian to become a Christian c.945 due to her teaching and influence Christianity became the state religion and the founding of the Russian Orthodox Church.
7. Ingegerd
Her faith led her to build Saint Sophia Cathedral . Her four daughters became queens of Hungary, Norway, France and England.
8. Catherine of Siena
1347 First woman Doctor of the Church helped form key decisions of the Church
9. Anne Askew
1520 forced to marry a man she did not love, she asked for a divorce (argued that her husband was not a Christian)- she became protestant theologian and teacher - She was imprisoned in the tower of London, tortured and burned at the stake. She held that the Bible was the only authority for the Church.
10. Anne Hutchinson
1633 She taught women in her house a "covenant of grace" In 1637 she was tried and banished from New England, she moved to Rhode Island. She influenced civil liberty and religious toleration.
11. Fanny Crosby
Blind American Methodist rescue mission worker she wrote. "Blessed Assurance," "Jesus is Tenderly Calling You Home," "Praise Him, Praise Him," "To God be the Glory," - 8.000 songs, 100 million copies in circulation. 1820
12. Mother Teresa
"By blood I am Albanian, By Citizenship an Indian, By Faith a Catholic, I belong to the world, as to my heart it belongs entirely to Jesus."
Conclusion:
I could talk about many others, both historical and contemporary. Tens of thousands that I will never hear about nor will the world know. Today, Christian girls are being raped, women slaughtered, around the world because of their faith. Pray for the persecuted Church! Those whose deaths are being displayed on TV are only a few compared to what is going on. The United States is doing nothing in order to have "religious tolerance." There is no difference between those who stood by and watched the Holocaust of Jews and those who watch the persecution of Christians.
Matthew 24:9-14(NKJV)
9“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.