Empowering Women: Carriers of God's Transformative Plan
Summary
Today, I explored the profound role of women in God's divine plan, emphasizing their unique capacity to carry and nurture God's transformative movements throughout history. This message, titled "Carrying a Move of God," draws from the biblical narratives of Mary and Elizabeth, as well as the broader scriptural context provided by Joel 2:28-32, which prophesies that God's Spirit will be poured out on all people, men and women alike.
The sermon began by setting the theological foundation with the promise from Joel, highlighting that both sons and daughters of God are empowered to prophesy and see visions, indicating a shared spiritual authority in God's kingdom. This inclusivity underscores the pivotal role women play in God's salvific history, a theme that is recurrent throughout the scriptures and was central to today's discourse.
I then delved into the Genesis narrative where the serpent's deception leads to humanity's fall, but God promises redemption through the seed of a woman, setting a precedent for the significant role women will continue to play in the divine narrative. This promise is echoed in the stories of Elizabeth and Mary, who both carried and birthed pivotal figures in the story of salvation—John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, respectively.
The sermon emphasized the societal challenges and spiritual attacks that women often face, which are attempts by the enemy to thwart God's plan. These challenges are not just historical but continue in various forms today, as seen in societal pressures that devalue women's unique roles and contributions. I highlighted the importance of recognizing and affirming the spiritual gifts and callings of women, particularly in their roles as carriers of God's transformative power.
In discussing the practical implications of these truths, I encouraged the congregation to support and uplift the women in their lives, recognizing their God-given potential to influence and lead spiritual movements. This support is not only necessary but scripturally mandated as a reflection of God's kingdom where men and women are co-laborers.
The sermon concluded with a call to both men and women to embrace their identities and roles as defined by God, not by societal expectations or pressures. I stressed the importance of community and mutual support in nurturing and realizing the spiritual gifts bestowed upon each one of us, especially the women among us who are often the targets of specific spiritual attacks due to their crucial role in God's plan.
### Key Takeaways:
1. The Prophetic Role of Women: Scripture clearly includes women in the outpouring of God's Spirit in the last days, empowering them to prophesy and participate fully in the move of God. This biblical truth challenges and overturns any cultural or societal norms that seek to limit women's roles in spiritual contexts. [05:02]
2. Historical and Spiritual Significance of Women: From Eve to Mary, women have been central to God's plan for redemption. Their roles as bearers of the promise highlight the strategic attacks they face from the enemy, who fears their God-given capacity to bring forth life—both physically and spiritually. [14:09]
3. Support and Empowerment in Community: The relationships between women like Elizabeth and Mary model how intergenerational support and spiritual mentorship are crucial for nurturing the faith and calling in each other. Such relationships empower individuals to withstand societal pressures and embrace their divine callings. [41:06]
4. Resisting Societal Pressures: The sermon calls for a rejection of the lies and pressures that seek to define women's worth by worldly standards. Instead, it encourages embracing God's view of their identity and role, which is rooted in their inherent spiritual authority and capacity to impact the kingdom of God. [19:07]
5. Active Participation in God's Plan: Every believer, regardless of gender, is called to actively engage in God's redemptive work. Women, equipped and called by God, must be acknowledged and supported in their roles to ensure the full manifestation of God's kingdom on earth. [16:07]
### Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:48] - Opening Prayer and Introduction
- [01:36] - The Fall and Redemption Plan
- [14:09] - Women's Role in Defeating the Enemy
- [19:07] - Societal Pressures and Spiritual Attacks
- [25:12] - Mary and Elizabeth's Faith Journey
- [37:30] - Standing Firm in Faith
- [41:06] - Community Support and Empowerment
- [49:13] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Joel 2:28-32: "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the remnant whom the Lord calls."
2. Genesis 3:15: "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel."
3. Luke 1:39-45: "Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.'"
### Observation Questions
1. According to Joel 2:28-32, who will receive the outpouring of God's Spirit, and what will they do as a result? ([00:48])
2. In Genesis 3:15, what is the significance of the "seed of a woman" in God's plan for redemption? ([02:47])
3. How did Elizabeth react when Mary visited her, and what did she say about Mary and her child? (Luke 1:39-45) ([39:14])
4. What societal challenges and spiritual attacks do women face according to the sermon, and how are these related to their roles in God's plan? ([08:06])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the prophecy in Joel 2:28-32 challenge traditional views on the roles of men and women in spiritual contexts? ([05:02])
2. What does Genesis 3:15 reveal about the ongoing spiritual battle and the role of women in God's redemptive plan? ([02:47])
3. How does the interaction between Mary and Elizabeth in Luke 1:39-45 illustrate the importance of community and support among women of faith? ([39:14])
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that societal pressures attempt to undermine the value and roles of women, and how should believers respond to these pressures? ([19:07])
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Joel 2:28-32, how can you personally support and encourage the women in your life to embrace their spiritual gifts and callings? ([05:02])
2. Considering the promise in Genesis 3:15, how can you recognize and resist the spiritual attacks that aim to devalue the roles of women in God's plan? ([02:47])
3. How can you create a supportive environment similar to that of Mary and Elizabeth's relationship, where women can nurture their faith and callings? ([39:14])
4. What are some practical steps you can take to reject societal pressures that define women's worth by worldly standards and instead affirm their God-given identity and roles? ([19:07])
5. How can you actively participate in God's plan by recognizing and supporting the unique contributions of women in your church and community? ([16:07])
6. Think of a woman in your life who might be facing societal or spiritual challenges. How can you offer her support and encouragement this week? ([41:06])
7. Reflect on your own life: Are there any societal expectations or pressures that you need to reject in order to fully embrace your God-given identity and role? How will you address these? ([19:07])
Devotional
Day 1: Empowering Women in Prophetic Roles
Women are not just participants but pivotal figures in God's unfolding plan. Scripture affirms that in the last days, God's Spirit will be poured out on all flesh, empowering both men and women to prophesy and participate fully in His transformative movements. This divine empowerment challenges cultural norms that have historically limited women's roles in spiritual contexts, urging a reevaluation of how the church recognizes and nurtures the spiritual gifts of women. This inclusion is not merely for equity but is a strategic deployment of all God's resources in the mission of the church. [05:02]
Acts 2:17-18 "And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy."
Reflection: How can you actively support and affirm the prophetic voices of women in your community?
Day 2: Women as Bearers of Divine Promise
From the earliest narratives in Genesis, women have been central to God's plan for redemption. The strategic role of women like Eve, Mary, and Elizabeth highlights their importance in the divine narrative, not just as supporters but as leaders and fulfillers of God's promises. These women faced significant challenges and spiritual attacks, a testament to their crucial role in the spiritual warfare that underpins the history of redemption. Their stories encourage us to recognize and uphold the spiritual authority and contributions of women in our midst. [14:09]
Genesis 3:15 "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
Reflection: In what ways can you help to lift the burdens that women in your spiritual community might be facing due to societal or spiritual opposition?
Day 3: Fostering Community Support and Mentorship
The relationship between Elizabeth and Mary exemplifies the powerful impact of spiritual mentorship and community support among women. This intergenerational support is crucial for nurturing faith and calling, enabling individuals to withstand societal pressures and embrace their divine roles. By fostering such relationships within the church, we can create an environment where spiritual gifts are recognized and cultivated, allowing every member to contribute fully to the body of Christ. [41:06]
Titus 2:3-4 "Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children."
Reflection: What steps can you take to either seek a spiritual mentor or become one within your church community?
Day 4: Resisting Societal Pressures on Women's Roles
The sermon challenges us to reject societal pressures that devalue women's roles and contributions, urging us to embrace a biblical understanding of women's worth. This involves recognizing the inherent spiritual authority and capacity of women to impact the kingdom of God profoundly. By aligning our views with God's perspective, we can resist and reform cultural norms that hinder women from fully exercising their God-given roles and gifts. [19:07]
Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: Identify one cultural norm or pressure that affects women negatively in your community. How can you actively work against this norm?
Day 5: Encouraging Active Participation in God's Plan
Every believer, regardless of gender, is called to actively engage in God's redemptive work. Recognizing and supporting the roles of women in this divine narrative is crucial for the full manifestation of God's kingdom on earth. As we acknowledge and empower women, equipped by God, we ensure that the church is utilizing all its resources to advance the Gospel and bring about transformation both locally and globally. [16:07]
1 Corinthians 12:7 "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
Reflection: How can you contribute to creating an environment in your church where the gifts of both men and women are equally recognized and utilized?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You have got to work extra hard. And I understand this because I'm married to a woman. She tells me stuff that society and culture, I'm a guy, so I don't see things the same way, but things are designed in your life to make your life more difficult and isolate you and separate you. Why? Because if you got together, they ain't no telling what God could do." [47:18]
2. "And then what? And then if you don't conform to their view of the world, if you don't agree with how they think things are. To be they will attack you and criticize you. They won't listen to you. God forbid, you might actually be saying something reasonable. They're not going to do that. They're going to criticize you until you just go away until you give up until you shut up." [20:51]
3. "Listen, I wish I could tell you this. I wish I could tell you that God's promises, which are yes and amen all the time, come as fast as Amazon Prime. But they don't. Not always. Sometimes you've got to wait in faith. Sometimes you've got to hold on when everyone else is coming at you. Sometimes you've got to deal with drama and deal with expectation and deal with nonsense." [33:40]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Women, don't ever forget this. You're anointed by God with his spirit to carry a movement. You're anointed by God to move into the world. And church, if we embrace this reality and we fight and resist the devil's lies and the attempts of the world system to keep us from valuing the gift of God from us, then we are going to see God move in unprecedented ways because God wants to use the daughters among us." [49:13]
2. "You are who God says you are. Ladies, you can do what God has called you to do. Don't let the judgment of others determine your commitment to God. Don't let the fear of man keep you from carrying the anointing of God in your life. Stand firm on God's promises. And you'll be like, like Mary and like Elizabeth, who? Came to know what the angel said. He said, for with God, nothing shall be impossible." [37:30]
3. "Point number three. Find support for your faith. Find support for your faith. If I could. I'll title that. It'd be don't go it alone. Look at verse thirty nine through forty five down at the end of the chapter. It says now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste. This was right after the angel visitor and to a city of Judah and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth." [38:08]
4. "Mary had to get away and get help to be in position to bear the child that God had given her. There is something that God has put in your heart and you need someone in your life to help you carry it through, to give you counsel, to give you advice. Isn't that what midwives do? They say, oh, you want to take this? Oh, you want to rest here? Oh, we're going to help you here." [42:43]
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