We welcome you all to the Church today and congratulate you for witnessing the celebration of another Women’s Harvest of our great Church. It is a very important landmark in the life of our parish. Our God has been faithful and gracious and we express our deepest appreciation in thanksgiving and praise as we count our blessings.
We congratulate our women in particular and wish them many happy returns of the celebration in Jesus name. Women are men’s helpmeet and companion and there are many things that cannot be done without them. The Lord will protect and defend our women always. We wish to remind the women of their position in the society. Christian women are expected to reflect the word of God in their relationships and lifestyles. They should know that they have their source in men because they were taken out of men. The Bible enjoins and commands them to recognize the headship of their husbands and so be submissive to them. The submissiveness is to be total and absolute. In fact, it must be the way the Church is subject to Christ. Women of old called their husbands lord and this is what must distinguish Christian women from the other women in the society -Ephesians 5:22-24. The Bible of course also mandates Christian Women to be modest in all things. They are to shun extravagance. They must adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works – 1 Timothy 2:9-11. They are to set their priorities in order. They must not do anything for vain glory. They are not to dress like people who are competing and looking for attention. Women are to be properly and decently dressed to the glory of God. They are to live exemplary lifestyles that will impact positively on their children and their generation. They are to replicate the Virtuous Woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31. This woman as epitomized here is :
- Trustworthy, 9. Compassionate,
- A positive influence, 10. Delightful,
- Hardworking, 11. Selfless,
- A good planner, 12. Humble,
- Protective, 13. Reliable,
- Meets the needs of her home, 14. Chaste,
- Invests for her household, 15. Gracious, etc
- Helps her husband become successful,
Virtuous women are meant to be graceful and gentle because she is Spirit- filled. They are usually given to prayers both for their husbands and children. They bring honour to their husbands and families and not disgrace. They put their husbands and children in the right perspective and not the type that struggle with their husbands for position and authority.
Harvest is a celebration of God’s faithfulness and mercy. A celebration of His love and dependability. In Romans 9:16, we are told that “ it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” It should be acknowledged that we are what we are solely by the grace of God. He gives us everything including life. It is in Him we live, and move, and have our being- Acts 17: 28. Jesus said that He is the vine and we are the branches. It is when He abides in us and we in Him that we can bear fruits and also that apart from Him we can do nothing – John 15:5. Paul plants and Apollos waters but it is God who gives the increase. It is neither he who plants that is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase- 1 Corinthians 3: 6-7. No wonder that He reminded the Israelites not to forget all that He did for them right from Egypt up until when they got to the promised land of Canaan. It was turbulent for them but it was God’s presence that made all the difference. It is always easy for us to forget where we are coming from. So, He reminded them that He was the one who gave them power to make wealth – Deuteronomy 8:18. It would not have been possible without God who fought for them, guided them and provided for them. We have to acknowledge this in our lives and not to arrogate any power to ourselves for any reason whatsoever. We must appreciate God always for what He has done in our lives and families hitherto as we continue to put our trust in Him.
It is a great privilege to plant and be alive to harvest. Many had wished to do so but they did not have the opportunity. Many laboured on their children and when they were supposed to be enjoying the fruits of their labour they died. Many completed their housing projects but never lived therein. Psalm 116:12-14 enjoins us to pay our vows to God and to take our horn of salvation in proclamation of His goodness to us. Harvest is a celebration of thanksgiving and we must do it like grateful people and not like nine of the lepers who were healed but refused to give thanks.
In conclusion, let us feel free to dance, sing, and leap for joy to the glory and praise of our ever gracious God. Let us come out with the best offering ever to demonstrate our indebtedness and total dependence upon Him. He will bless us more and make His face shine upon us.
Happy celebrations and great blessings in Jesus name.