Uplook - March 11, 2023
Good Afternoon Dear Ones,
Today I want to first remind you to turn your clocks ahead one hour this evening for Daylight saving time. This will preclude you arriving quite late for Sunday School or church in the morning. I am aware that for some of you this will possibly rob you of an hours sleep tonight but we trust the Lord will give you the necessary strength to go on. Of course, I say this a bit in jest for we know that a one hour time change is little more than an inconvenience for most. The additional useful daylight will be appreciated.
And speaking of appreciation. I respectfully appreciate the women in our church. They are godly women; some single and some married, some with children and some without, some young and some older. I read that this past Wednesday, March 8 was “International Women’s Day” around the world. Interestingly enough, did you know that the early Christian church was instrumental nearly 2000 years ago in elevating the status of women within the Roman Empire in which it functioned. At that time women (including wives and daughters), were often valued only slightly above enslaved persons. The Christian message of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ reawakened God’s purpose for humanity (including women) as “heirs of God; and joint-heirs with Christ” as described by the Paul the Apostle. And the Apostle Peter reminded husbands of their privileged responsibility to dwell with, know, and honor their precious wives as “heirs together” of God’s grace. Christianity honored and elevated women in general to an equal status because of redemption.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:16–17
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
1 Peter 3:7
Now…the church over the centuries has not always lived up to this ideal, sometimes reflecting the culture around it rather than God’s Word even up until today, but by God’s grace we want to reflect God’s heart and the scriptures in our treatment, honor, and fellowship of women in our midst. If I may share a "not so flattering" story about myself to illustrate this point. Many years ago as a young pastor in my first pastorate, I came home after a long Sunday of preaching, teaching, directing music, praying, and counseling and in exhausted frustration exclaimed to my wife, “I think 70% of the problems in the church are women!” After a few moments of silence her response came softly but clearly. It was reflective of wisdom which I have come to appreciate more and more over the years of our marriage. She said, “That is because women do 70% of the WORK in the church.” I was immediately silenced as I considered her words and realized not only the truth of them, but just how the church benefited from that work which included everything from music and decorating to teaching, praying, and cleaning, and those just the beginning. I realized how that I and my family had personally benefited by the gracious and loving hearts of the women in our congregations over the years …watching our children, befriending my wife, including our children and grandchildren with their own.
And so over the years…I have learned to rejoice in all of those whom God has called and chosen to be a part of His church and participate in this great enterprise of the kingdom of God. Our particular church teaching emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is available to all…including women, empowering them for this great work. The prophet Joel said it like this:
And it shall come to pass afterward, That I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids In those days will I pour out my spirit. Joel 2:28–29
May God bless and honor the women of our church and of His kingdom around the world not only on "International Women’s Day" but every day. And may the rest of us do our best by God’s grace to honor and respect them as his precious image bearers and joint-heirs together in God’s great kingdom.
God bless you all.
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
Today I want to first remind you to turn your clocks ahead one hour this evening for Daylight saving time. This will preclude you arriving quite late for Sunday School or church in the morning. I am aware that for some of you this will possibly rob you of an hours sleep tonight but we trust the Lord will give you the necessary strength to go on. Of course, I say this a bit in jest for we know that a one hour time change is little more than an inconvenience for most. The additional useful daylight will be appreciated.
And speaking of appreciation. I respectfully appreciate the women in our church. They are godly women; some single and some married, some with children and some without, some young and some older. I read that this past Wednesday, March 8 was “International Women’s Day” around the world. Interestingly enough, did you know that the early Christian church was instrumental nearly 2000 years ago in elevating the status of women within the Roman Empire in which it functioned. At that time women (including wives and daughters), were often valued only slightly above enslaved persons. The Christian message of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ reawakened God’s purpose for humanity (including women) as “heirs of God; and joint-heirs with Christ” as described by the Paul the Apostle. And the Apostle Peter reminded husbands of their privileged responsibility to dwell with, know, and honor their precious wives as “heirs together” of God’s grace. Christianity honored and elevated women in general to an equal status because of redemption.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:16–17
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
1 Peter 3:7
Now…the church over the centuries has not always lived up to this ideal, sometimes reflecting the culture around it rather than God’s Word even up until today, but by God’s grace we want to reflect God’s heart and the scriptures in our treatment, honor, and fellowship of women in our midst. If I may share a "not so flattering" story about myself to illustrate this point. Many years ago as a young pastor in my first pastorate, I came home after a long Sunday of preaching, teaching, directing music, praying, and counseling and in exhausted frustration exclaimed to my wife, “I think 70% of the problems in the church are women!” After a few moments of silence her response came softly but clearly. It was reflective of wisdom which I have come to appreciate more and more over the years of our marriage. She said, “That is because women do 70% of the WORK in the church.” I was immediately silenced as I considered her words and realized not only the truth of them, but just how the church benefited from that work which included everything from music and decorating to teaching, praying, and cleaning, and those just the beginning. I realized how that I and my family had personally benefited by the gracious and loving hearts of the women in our congregations over the years …watching our children, befriending my wife, including our children and grandchildren with their own.
And so over the years…I have learned to rejoice in all of those whom God has called and chosen to be a part of His church and participate in this great enterprise of the kingdom of God. Our particular church teaching emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is available to all…including women, empowering them for this great work. The prophet Joel said it like this:
And it shall come to pass afterward, That I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids In those days will I pour out my spirit. Joel 2:28–29
May God bless and honor the women of our church and of His kingdom around the world not only on "International Women’s Day" but every day. And may the rest of us do our best by God’s grace to honor and respect them as his precious image bearers and joint-heirs together in God’s great kingdom.
God bless you all.
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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