Luke
Trendsetters: The Unique Ministry of Women in Luke 8
Speaker
Pastor Troy Ingersoll
Date Published
Scripture: Luke 8:1–3
Topic: Uniqueness, Women in Ministry, Spiritual Gifts
I. Announcements & Opening
- Drive-Thru Prayer: A new mission program on Tuesdays (2:00–4:00 PM) and Fridays (11:00 AM–2:00 PM). A way for the community to receive prayer without leaving their cars.
- Upcoming Events:
- Choir Practice: Sundays at 4:00 PM.
- Lester Concert: Saturday, Jan 31st at Glendale Baptist.
- Deacon Meeting: Monday, Feb 2nd.
- Men’s Breakfast: Saturday, Feb 7th at 8:00 AM.
- Potluck Sunday: Feb 8th (Meat provided, bring sides).
- Valentine’s Dinner: Saturday, Feb 14th at 5:00 PM.
- Movie Night: Friday, Feb 27th at 5:00 PM.
II. Introduction: The Flat Tire and Uniqueness
- The Story: Pastor Troy shared a story about a "Mystery Dinner Cruise" in Tampa. On the drive home, he hit a railroad track and blew a tire.
- The Realization: At first, he thought this was a unique problem to him. However, he soon saw a Bentley pulled over with the exact same issue.
- Spiritual Application: While our problems may not always be unique, our design is. God has created every individual with unique DNA and personality traits. We must discover what makes us unique to the Kingdom of God.
III. The Kingdom Requires Activity (Luke 8:1)
- Jesus on the Move: The scripture opens with Jesus traveling from town to town. The "Circus is coming to town"—Jesus brings excitement and transformation wherever He goes.
- The Entourage: The 12 disciples were with Him, but in this specific text, they are not named. Instead, the Holy Spirit highlights the women accompanying the ministry.
IV. The Women of Luke 8
- Mary Magdalene:
- Her Past: Healed of "seven demons." The number seven represents completeness. This could refer to a completeness of sin (pride, envy, etc.) or ailments (depression, anxiety, sickness).
- Her Role: She was completely freed by Christ, leading to total loyalty. She was the first to see the resurrected Savior.
- Joanna:
- Her Status: The wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household. She was a woman of high status and wealth.
- Her Role: She used her unique position and financial means to fund the ministry of Jesus.
- Susanna:
- The "Unknown": The Bible mentions her name and "many others," but gives no backstory.
- The Lesson: Being unknown is not the same as being unessential. Just because you are behind the scenes does not mean you are not vital to the mission.
- Church Analogy: The Pastor noted that while the Deacons are willing, they often need the organizational gifts of women in the church (like Sharon) to keep them on track and effective.
V. Jesus as a Trendsetter
- Elevating Status: In a culture where Pharisees and religious leaders excluded women, Jesus welcomed them.
- Encouraging Ministry: Jesus validated the service and support of women.
- Differentiation: Jesus did not make the women "Apostles" (the 12 were men), showing that men and women have different, distinct roles, but both are absolutely necessary for the church to function.
- Defying Culture: Jesus did not let society dictate how He built His Kingdom.
VI. Conclusion: What is Your Uniqueness?
- Historical Examples: From Harriet Tubman to Margaret Hamilton (NASA), women have used unique gifts to change history.
- Local Application: Pastor Troy highlighted church members using their unique gifts in the community:
- Travis: Evangelizing to strangers at Home Depot.
- Nora & Karen: Using gifts of discernment and calmness in high-stress jobs (911 dispatch).
- Dean McGee: Using authority and discipline in the school system.
- The Challenge: If you don't use your gift, you lose it. The success of the church in the coming years depends on everyone—men and women—discovering their unique purpose and using it for God's glory.