WHY

 In the Wesleyan Church, we believe in supporting women preachers. Our doctrine acknowledges the anointing of God on all people and both genders. For the last two years, the Wesleyan Church, as an organization, has designated a specific Sunday in September as PreacHER Sunday, with the idea that every Wesleyan pulpit on that Sunday will be filled by a woman preaching the Gospel. Our pastor (who also happens to be my husband) goes even further in his encouragement, inviting a different woman each Sunday in September to preach the Gospel. The following is my sermon from September 8, 2024:

I am inquisitive by nature — in fact, I’m positive it’s in my DNA. I am always asking why. And now — to make all the ladies jealous — I’ll let you know I am so blessed to have a husband who knows I ask questions, and he is incredibly patient in answering every one of them. In fact, he is so good at answering my questions he’ll respond before I even ask! I can be telling him about a difficult situation at work, and before I can even ask, he’ll jump in with, “You know what you need to do….” And then he tells me.

Pastor Matthew asked me if I could preach on the fullness and completion found in Christ, and I asked, “Why?”

Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” God had already spoken to me about what He wanted me to say today, and I laughed when I realized it was that very word: Why?

For me, it always starts with that question. Why are we here? Why are we here today? Examine yourself for a moment and be honest. Why are you here? Why do we believe? Why do we call ourselves Christians? Why do we tithe, or not tithe? Why do we read the Bible, or not? There is no end to the why questions, but today, I want to remind us all of the power of why in our walk with Christ — our why that leads to the fulfillment and completion found in Christ. What this means, the fullness and completion found in Christ, is for us to reach our full potential — who God created us to be — as individuals and as a Church.

W – Wherever you are, preach the gospel.

There are two ways to do this: through your words and through your actions. By preaching the gospel with your words, you give people the chance to listen. By preaching the gospel through your actions, you allow people to see the gospel lived out.

In the book of Joshua in the Old Testament, we have an example of this. The Hebrews had wandered in the desert right outside of the Promised Land for 40 years due to their disobedience. When Moses died, Joshua became the new leader. God told Joshua it was time to enter the Promised Land, and the first place that needed to be defeated was Jericho. So Joshua sent spies, and these spies went to the home of Rahab the prostitute.

Before Rahab agreed to help the spies, she said this in Joshua 2:10-14: “We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.” “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.”

Rahab, you see, listened and observed. She listened to what was being said about Israel’s God, and then she observed the walls of Jericho crumble. She was added to the lineage of Jesus.

H – However you can, glorify God.

Glorifying God requires obedience. We bring glory to God through praise, but also by following His commands, such as not being afraid, keeping the Sabbath holy, giving to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God’s, having no other gods before Him, and loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Glorifying God requires the obedience necessary to bear fruit, remain in the vine, and let your light shine.

In the book of Ruth in the Old Testament, we have an example of obedience that glorified God. Ruth was a foreigner who married a Jewish man in her homeland, and when he died, rather than return to her family, she chose to go with her mother-in-law Naomi when Naomi returned home to Judah (Bethlehem).

In Ruth 3:1-6, it says: “One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, ‘My daughter, I must find a home for you where you will be well provided for. Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.’ ‘I will do whatever you say,’ Ruth answered. So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.”

Ruth was a foreigner in a foreign land, she had no friends — only Naomi — and she had no idea what kind of man Boaz was. But because of her obedience, God was glorified when Boaz, a good man, married Ruth, and she was added to the genealogy of Christ.

Y – Yield and Yes.

These two go hand-in-hand: yielding is yes, and yes is yielding. And perhaps, because they go together, they are far more complex and dangerous than you might think. They require preparation and affirmation.

In the book of Esther in the Old Testament, we have an example of preparation. Esther — a Jew — has been made Queen of Persia (a pagan people). Haman, the king's right-hand man, hates the Jews, so he has set a plan in motion to annihilate them. Esther’s uncle Mordecai learns of the plan and sends word to her that she needs to talk to her husband, the king. Her fearful answer is, “No way! There is one end for those who approach the king without being sent for by him—death!” Mordecai reminds her that just because she’s queen, she’s still a Jew — and maybe God made her queen for just this moment. Esther’s response shows preparation for yielding. Esther 4:15-16 says, “Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.’”

Esther knew the power of preparation before yielding to God. When you claim the name of Christ and declare you are a Christian, you had better prepare for what He has planned for you. Just as Esther required everyone (including the pagans in her household) to fast for three days, preparation requires three foundational things: Reading and studying the Bible, focused and purposeful prayer, and the Church — which consists of other believers. The church isn’t this building — it’s us in it.

In the book of Luke in the New Testament, we have an example of affirmation. Mary was a young girl pledged to be married, which meant she was basically already married but not yet living with her husband. The angel Gabriel came to her and told her she would give birth to the Son of God. Mary had questions — my sister! She wondered how that was possible since she was still a virgin. Gabriel told her the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. Mary’s answer is found in Luke 1:38: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

What Gabriel told Mary would happen was dangerous for her. Once she was found to be pregnant outside of marriage, she could be stoned to death. Yet, she didn’t hesitate to affirm God’s plan and her role in it. An affirmation is a declaration something is true; it is an agreement. Mary said yes.

If Rahab had turned in the spies, God’s plan for the Israelites to take the Promised Land would still have happened, but Rahab would have forfeited her chance to be a part of it. If Ruth had returned home instead of going with Naomi, she would probably have had a nice, quiet life, but would have missed her chance to be a part of God’s plan leading to Jesus. If Esther had been too scared to go to the king, God would still have delivered the Jews. However, Esther would have missed the chance to fulfill her part in God’s plan that first made her a queen. If Mary had said no — Jesus would still have come — but Mary would have lost her opportunity to be a part of God’s plan.

Ask yourself WHY — and ask it constantly.

W - Wherever you go—are you preaching the gospel?

H - However you can—are you glorifying God?

Y - Are you preparing to yield and saying yes to God?

To experience the fulfillment and completeness found in Christ is to become the people He created us to be.

If you’re ready…WHY?

AMEN