Lesson Thirty One

Women You Can Preach!

Does it seem to you that a good majority of the preachers on television lately are women? Joyce Meyer comes to mind as do a few others whose names I can’t recall. And the sad part is, some of them are better speakers than the men and demonstrate more authority! What a sad commentary…women have become more masculine and the men more feminine.

However, the Bible is clear: “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” (I Tim. 2:12) Ouch! No wonder it seems strange to see men sitting in the audience of a Bible-thumping woman preacher…it’s not scriptural.
But don’t despair, those of you who aspire to deliver a soul-stirring sermon, you can preach….in fact, you do so every day. Here’s how:

I. You preach a sermon with what you wear.

A. Many times over the years my husband and I have sat in airports and studied the passing crowds. Observing some avant garde outfits, Jim would say, “What’s the statement?” We have wiled away many airport hours contemplating the message people are conveying with their attire. Like it or not, you do project an image with your clothing.

Even as many women make clothing purchases by the rules of the designers in New York City, we are given guidelines by the Supreme Designer. “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair or gold, or pearls, or costly array.” (I Tim. 2:9) The key word here is modesty; if you have any doubts if a piece of clothing is modest or not, it isn’t! We are raising a generation of young girls in America who are clueless as to what is proper; how often do you witness females running around with the bottom of their shirts not even close to the tops of their pants? And many have the “muffin effect”…the flesh spilling over the top of their jeans! Recently, on two different occasions I observed two young women wearing t-shirts with sayings on them that were so vulgar, I can’t even print it here. What has happened to womanhood?

B. Conversely, you needn’t look like a frump; it doesn’t take a fortune to acquire apparel that is tasteful and flattering. You are a walking billboard for Jesus Christ…look like the daughter of a King. What sermon is your clothing preaching?

2. You preach a sermon with what you say.

A. Call me outdated, but I am appalled at the language used by women today.

You can’t expect to be treated like a lady if you sound like a sailor. Be reminded that it takes far more intelligence to speak well than to spew out gutter words. Don’t bring down on yourself the condemnation David asked for his enemies: “For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.” (Psa. 59:12)

B. Don’t we of the feminine gender have a lot to say? We would do well to put (Prov. 10:19) into practice: “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” In other words: Put a lid on it!

[1]. In our homes – wives, this one is for you. “It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.” (Prov. 25:24) This reminds me of a trip we took a few years ago with a couple with whom we thought we were well acquainted. It didn’t take long before we realized that their relationship was in deep jeopardy, and the primary cause of that was due to the wife’s constant nagging and berating of the husband. She would have done well to copy (Prov. 12:4) on a piece of paper and tape it on her bathroom mirror. “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but she that maketh ashamed is a rottenness in his bones.” That poor guy had to have aching bones!

[2]. In our outside relationships – There is undoubtedly not one of us who hasn’t sustained deep wounds from someone we though to be a friend. For good reason, the Bible has much to say about the tongue. The old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is a big lie. As Proverbs 18:8 reminds us: “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” The sharp edges of words go deep, and they wound profoundly.

[3]. In our witness – (Matt. 12:34-37) Jesus reprimands the Pharisees for their deceit since in (vs. 25) we are told “he knew their thoughts.” And in this tirade, we can find several warnings for us if we are willing to look.

(a). vs.33–-The tree is known by the fruit. Recall the quip…your actions are speaking so loudly, I can’t hear what you are saying.
(b). vs.34—In the heart, out the mouth!
(c). vs.36 – Idle words call for judgment.
(d). vs.37 – Praise God, we are not justified by our words, but by the blood of Christ!
(e). I find vs. 35 inspiring because good begets good, and in our daily witness, we can have profound results if the words that come from our lips are edifying. May (Psa. 19:14) by our daily prayer as we “preach” with our words. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”

III. You preach a sermon with how you behave.

The Bible gives a myriad of examples of women delivering “sermons” with their actions, both for the good and the bad. Here’s a few that come to mind:

[1]. Jezebel – a sermon of deceit, selfishness and distain for God that didn’t even need an illustration and a poem to be complete!
[2]. Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus – a sermon of devotion and the desire to spend time with the Lord.
[3]. Lot’s wife – a sermon of love for the world and the consequences of that love.
[4]. Dorcas – a sermon of unselfish works.

And on it goes throughout God’s Word…sermons being preached by the actions of women just like you and me. We are walking, talking epistles of what is in our hearts and minds. Sobering, isn’t it?

Conclusion:

To those of you who long after the glory you perceive preaching to have, to those who long for an audience which will hang on your every word, there is good news: you are a preacher.

To those who wish to remain obscure and disappear into the scenery, there is bad news: you are a preacher.

The key is: what message are you bringing? 

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