Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

A Woman’s Contribution
To The Local Congregation
Mark A. Copeland
INTRODUCTION
1. Attention is often given to the limitations placed on women in the assemblies of the church...
a. Because of what is said in 1 Co 14:34-37
b. Because of what is written in 1 Ti 2:11-12
-- Such limitations notwithstanding, the early church benefited greatly by the
contributions of many women
2. In just the church at Rome, we read of...
a. The service of Phoebe, a helper of Paul and many others - Ro 16:1-2
b. The help of Priscilla, even risking her life for Paul - Ro 16:3-4
c. One named Mary, who bestowed “much labor” - Ro 16:6
d. Twin sisters, Tryphena and Tryphosa - Ro 16:12
e. The beloved Persis - Ro 16:12
-- Even today, the growth of many churches is the result of “much labor” by women
3. How can that be, if women are limited in what they can do in the public assemblies...?
a. Public assemblies are actually a small part of the overall work of a congregation
b. There is much work outside the assembly that must be done, if a church is to grow
-- Women are often in a position to provide much of this needed work!
[What can a woman do? How can she contribute to the growth and success of a local church? Let’s
answer such questions as we review the work of a local church...]
I. A WOMAN’S CONTRIBUTION IN BENEVOLENCE
A. BENEVOLENCE IS AN IMPORTANT WORK...
1. It is a mark of pure and undefiled religion - Ja 1:27
2. Ministering to brethren who are sick, poor, imprisoned, etc., is a service rendered to the
Lord Himself - Mt 25:34-40
-- All Christians, men no less than women, are to be involved in this work - Ja 2:
14-16; 1 Jn 3:17
B. WOMEN ARE WELL-SUITED FOR BENEVOLENCE...
1. They bring a grace and a beauty that men are normally not capable of
a. The unique attributes of femininity lend themselves well to this work
b. E.g., mercy and compassion are almost second-nature to women
c. And mercy is one of the gifts the Lord has given to His church - Ro 12:6-8
2. They often possess skills through which benevolence can be rendered
a. E.g., making clothes, as Dorcas did for needy widows - Ac 9:36-39
b. E.g., cooking, baby-sitting, ministering to the sick, extending hospitality, etc.
-- Indeed, women who might later be “taken into the number” were to be known or
“well-reported” for the good works she had done in this area - 1 Ti 5:9-10
Topical Sermons 414