The Importance of Recognizing God’s Gifted People: August 20, 2017

Sermon and Scripture Reading

Title: The Importance of Recognizing God’s Gifted People

Scripture: Romans 16:1-16

16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. ² I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.  ³ Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. ⁴ They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.  ⁵ Greet also the church that meets at their house.  Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.  ⁶ Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.  ⁷ Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.  ⁸ Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.  ⁹ Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.  ¹⁰ Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.  Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.  ¹¹ Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.  Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.  ¹² Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.  Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.  ¹³ Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.  ¹⁴ Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.  ¹⁵ Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.  ¹⁶ Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the churches of Christ send greetings.

1.  The Importance of Commending Workers
2. The Importance of Knowing the Names of People   Who We Encounter
3. The Importance of Gifted People, Each One             Equipped by God (Men and Women), Contributing to   the Work of the Lord….

CONCLUSION:

 Quotes – Women – Leading, Teaching and Preaching

*Many New Testament scholars argue that gifted women should be leaders, preachers and teachers in the Church.  Here are a few quotes from renowned New Testament scholars.  CCC has a history and tradition of embracing women called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that women of faith in our church will hear the call, respond to the need in our world, commit to study, prepare and step out in faith following Jesus, wherever he leads.

 Howard Marshall

“Much anguish is felt by women whose God-given talents have been denied expression.”

 Gordon D. Fee

“It seems a sad commentary on the church and on its understanding of the Holy Spirit that “official” leadership and ministry is allowed to come from only one half of the community of faith. The New Testament evidence is that the Holy Spirit is gender inclusive, gifting both men and women, and thus potentially setting the whole body free for all the parts to minister and in various ways to give leadership to the others. Thus, my issue in the end is not a feminist agenda—an advocacy of women in ministry. Rather, it is a Spirit agenda, a plea for the releasing of the Spirit from our strictures and structures so that the church might minister to itself and to the world more effectively.”

Craig S. Keener

Today we should affirm those whom God calls, whether male or female, and encourage them in faithfully learning God’s Word. We need to affirm all potential laborers, both men and women, for the abundant harvest fields.”

 John Stott

“If God endows women with spiritual gifts (which he does), and thereby calls them to exercise their gifts for the common good (which he does), the Church must recognize God’s gifts and calling, must make appropriate spheres of service available to women, and should ‘ordain’ (that is commission and authorize) them to exercise their God-given ministry, at best in team situations. Our Christian doctrines of Creation and Redemption tell us that God wants his gifted people to be fulfilled, not frustrated, and his church to be enriched by their service.”

Good Christian Links Encouraging Women in Ministry

http://juniaproject.com/ and http://cccdc.com//www.cbeinternational.org/