Bold Women’s Sunday

Bold Women’s Sunday

Matthew 28:1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” 

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts, be acceptable in your sight O Lord, our strength & our redeemer (Psalm 19:14)

INTRO
I have always been confused by other Christian denominations when they say, or act, like women don’t belong in Christian leadership. I just can’t wrap my mind around it just from the thought that if ALL people are invited TO worship, why aren’t ALL people invited to participate in LEADING worship? 

TEXT
In the NT, there is no place that Scripture says women weren’t disciples. There were women following Jesus to the cross even after the male disciples bowed out. 

Look at today’s reading in Matthew if it weren’t for the Mary’s at the tomb and then going and telling people no one would’ve known. In Luke, Mary and a whole group of women were there to witness the empty tomb and went and told the disciples, who didn’t believe them and had to check for themselves. In John, Mary Magdelene went and told the disciples the tomb was empty; they didn’t believe her and had to see if the tomb was empty for themselves; then the disciples return to their homes confused and Mary runs into Jesus while looking for his body and then goes back to tell the disciples Jesus has risen. Women being important to ministry has always been there.

The woman at the well recognizing Jesus as someone special. 
The woman who convinced Jesus to heal her daughter.
Then we have stories like Lydia who supported Paul in starting a church. 

LIFE
The stories go on and on, and not only in our Bibles but also in our history. Women have been leading in front and behind the scenes all throughout our history.

Let’s take a few minutes to learn about Katie Luther. Katharina von Bora and the Protestant Reformation

CONC
Katie is just one of many examples of women being leaders all throughout history.

And all of you gathered tonight/today continue to be a part of this continued story in the present. And for all that you do I wish to say ‘Thank you.”