On today we are continuing in our our celebration of, and for, women. Women have always contributed significantly to the work of the Kingdom, but have not always received the proper recognition. In fact, in the Baptist church we have bordered on female discrimination. This, of course, is not the position of our Lord. Jesus raised women from degradation and servitude to full fellowship and service. In Luke 8, we find women accompanying Jesus and the disciples as they travel throughout preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God. In Jewish culture women were not supposed to learn from rabbis. By allowing these women to travel with Him, Jesus was showing that all people are equal under God. These women not only traveled with Jesus, they supported His ministry with their own money. (Luke 8:2, 3) Jesus elevated the status of women in the Kingdom, a direct contrast to the customs and mores of the Jewish culture. Jesus recognized the enormous worth of women to the Kingdom and this pastor certainly shares in that recognition. As pastor I am grateful and appreciative to the Father for the wonderful, loving women of Friendship and for women in general.
In Acts 16:11-15, Luke highlights the story of Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira. Lydia was a marvelous person who loved the Lord with all her heart. To this pastor, Lydia is a personification of the many women of Friendship who love the Lord with all their heart. Women, co-laborers in the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.
To God be the glory!
Pastor J. Amos Jones
