Eternal Matters and the Faithful Women of the Cross

In this sermon Pastor Waldrip begins with a reflection on a warm, inviting day and transitions into a sobering call to consider eternal matters, prompted by the recent passing of a 99-year-old believer named Ruby. The Dr. Waldrip emphasizes the shallow thinking of non-believers who avoid contemplating eternity and urges Christians to gently but persistently raise these issues with the unsaved as a prelude to witnessing. The main study focuses on Mark 15:40-41, which describes women who followed Jesus and were present at His crucifixion, observing from a distance due to their modesty and the humiliating nature of Roman crucifixion. The sermon explores the identities of three named women—Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the less and Joses, and Salome—delving into the significance of “James the less” and speculating that Salome might be the sister of Jesus’ mother, Mary, raising questions about her initial skepticism toward Mary’s divine pregnancy. The text highlights the unique role women played in Jesus’ ministry, a role unparalleled in other belief systems. Pastor Waldrip contrasts Christianity’s respectful treatment of women with the abandonment by the Buddha and the troubling actions of Muhammad, asserting that no other faith system honors women as biblical Christianity does. The sermon concludes with a prayer for wisdom in outreach, encouraging believers to emulate the discernment of these women who recognized and followed Christ.