Dr. Shana Wise shared with the women in August 2019 on Chief Women Arise. Enjoy this lesson and video clip from the Jacksonville meeting.
CHIEF WOMEN ARISE!
By Pastor Shana Wise
“THE SPIRIT OF CHIEF WOMEN-NOT A FEW!”
Acts 17:4 (KJV) And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
Acts 17:12 (KJV) Therefore many of them believed; also, of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Acts 17:34 (NIV) Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others. Men, not a few.
The women in Apostle Paul’s day not only believed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they were instrumental to the furtherance of the gospel in their cities, and they aided in the ministry of Paul. They were not just “regular women”, they were referred to as “Chief” and “Honorable”, which leads me to believe that they had power and influence in their city.
We are the “chief” women of our era-even more than the women of Paul’s ministry because of the advancement in women’s rights in society. We are educated, financially stable, independent, and strong together.
Women are the ones who are actively involved in the local church – attending church services and church functions. We are the majority! Women are taking responsibilities for teaching, preaching, overseeing ministries, singing, and a host of other things to help advance the gospel of Jesus Christ.
With all this information about women and what we are doing in the church, church attendance is still on the decline. People are losing hope and faith, and many are responding to every other message except the message of Jesus Christ.
Let’s examine some factors that may be blocking our effectiveness in the Kingdom of God, and identify some solutions.
1. Getting out of our Comfort Zone when it Comes to Evangelism
· CHIEF WOMEN RISE UP OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONES AND WITNESS CHRIST!
· Many persons are not responding to the gospel because we are not sharing it. We believe that it is the preacher’s job on Sunday morning to get people saved. However, their job is to equip us to go out and do the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:16).
· The great commission commands us to go out and make disciples and witness about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Mat. 28:18-20).
· When is the last time you led someone to Christ? When is the last time you made a disciple?
· Many of us are not witnessing Christ because it is out of our comfort zone. We must remember that someone else rose out of their comfort zone to witness to us and we must “pay it forward”.
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2. Getting over our insecurities
· CHIEF WOMEN FIND THEIR SECURITY IN CHRIST!
· Women (and men) struggle with insecurities and sometimes these can be so great, that they hinder our witness and keep us distracted.
· Our witness is unto Christ and not ourselves. We do not have to be perfect, know every scripture, or have a title to be an effective witness for Christ. Our testimony should outweigh our insecurities.
· What insecurities, if any, are preventing you from evangelizing to others?
3. Walking in our purpose
· CHIEF WOMEN HAVE THE MOST IMPACT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD WHEN THEY ARE WALKING IN THEIR PURPOSE!
· Do you know why God created you? Do you know why He woke you up this morning? Do you know your purpose?
· When the men and women of God rise up and walk in the purpose that God has created for them-they are a powerhouse for the Kingdom of God. Many people are not making an impact in the earth because they do not know their purpose. When we realize that God has a calling and purpose for our lives, it helps us to stay focused on what matters and what doesn’t.
· The “chief women” in Paul’s day influenced the city that they lived in. They were already women of statue before they heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. They used the same influence they already had to draw others to Christ, therefore growing the church.
Now, we are the “chief women of the 21st century. Let us arise, by getting over our insecurities, walking in our purpose, and be an effective witness for Christ!