Let Her Reach, Teach, & Preach - 3-21-21

Good morning and welcome to worship. Our Scripture texts are 2Kings 22.11-20 and Luke 2.25-38 from the thought, "Let Her Reach, Teach, & Preach." In 1808, the earliest female preacher was a Methodist woman named Elizabeth. In 1816, Reverend Jarena Lee became the first African American woman to preach at the African Methodist Episcopal. In 1884, Julia A. J Foote was the first woman ordained a deacon in the AMEZ Church. Mary Small was the first woman to achieve "elder status".Deborah was a Prophetess, judge, national leader, wife, and commander-in-chief – Judges 4. Miriam the sister of Aaron was a Prophetess - Exodus 15:20-21. She was a part of the "Leadership Team" according to Micah 6.4. In 2Kings 22;13, Josiah learned that Hilkiah, the high priest, had found the Scriptures that had been lost. In repentance, he tore his clothes. The king knew to send them to the house of the LORD! Who did they go to? They went to the Prophetess Huldah! Anna, the Prophetess, lived in the temple and was dedicated to the LORD. Whereas Simeon prophesied to the parents, Anna preached to them ALL! - Luke 2:36-38. When examining Scripture, we must ask is the selected text prescriptive (where we ought to do what they did), or is it descriptive (to inform us but not to follow verbatim)? 1Cor 11:4-5 talks about the covering of the head, but Paul realized that women would prophesy. Paul served with Priscilla and Aquila; this married couple taught together! They instructed Apollos. Paul and team went to Caesarea, stayed with Phillip and his four daughters who ALL had the gift of prophecy. - Acts 21:8-9. Paul understood that women had the ability to Preach, Teach, and Reach!In John 20:16-18, Mary Magdalene was the first person to share the Gospel. Her message was He has Risen! God has called both men and women to bring the gospel! God does the calling! Thank God for the reachers, teachers, and preachers like Sojourner Truth, Mother Teresa, Bishop Teresa Jefferson Snorton, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, and many others!Let her reach! Let her teach! Let her preach! Amen.