Ministry Of Motherhood

Delivered on 5/14/17

                                               Ministry Of Motherhood
 
Proverbs 31:10-12 = 25-31
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
 
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
 
The term “mother” is indicative of one who is more than merely a parent. In fact, “The most common  among women is that having children makes one a mother—which is as absurd as believing that having a piano makes one a musician”.
 
That’s because it takes a special kind of woman to be what the Bible defines as a mother. As we have just read from our text. A biblical description of a wife, and a mother.
 
The biblical word translated “mother” is the Hebrew word “AME” (pronounced “ah-may”), and means, “the bond of the family”. The word also signifies a force that strengthens and holds things together. Though I don’t wish to diminish the importance of the father’s role in the family, I think we must confess today, that mom is really the glue that holds the family together. We acknowledge that fact far too seldom.
 
It is without question that mothers are a special gift from God. We would do well to recognize that reality. Some of our most famous American leaders recognized the value of their mothers.
 
For instance…
 
 “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her” (George Washington).
 
“By the blessings of heaven I mean to live and die, please God, in the faith of my mother” (William McKinley).
 
“From my mother I learned the value of prayer, how to have dreams and believe I could make them come true” (Ronald Reagan).
 
“Mothers are central to the success of the American family. Their love, dedication, and wisdom touch countless lives every day in every community throughout our land. And their love and guidance of children help to develop healthy and spiritually sound families.
President John Quincy Adams once said, “All that I am my mother made me.” President Abraham Lincoln believed, “All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother. I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.”
                                                                                                                         ( George W. Bush )
 
                                                 ( ADD TO POWERPOINT )
 
As we celebrate the gift of mothers today, I want to point out some of the qualities that make them so special. Let’s examine them together shall we…
 
Let us first look at what it means to love, the biblical definition of love. This is not just for the mothers, but it is safe to say that they carry these in their hearts when it comes to their children.
 
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
 
1 Corinthians 13, is probably the most widely quoted passage in the world. We recognize that Jesus demonstrated sacrificial love for us by dying for our sins, making possible our forgiveness and restoring our fellowship with our Heavenly Father.
 
Yet… at times we often fail to realize that Christ’s love goes even beyond the cross. Everything that we do, or don’t do, face, or don’t face is touched by His continuing love. Everything about us hinges on love because God… who is love created us in His image. Because of His great love, and we feel this love that comes from above. We can now share them with others.
 
Dad’s, kids… I am sure that everything that is written in that verse has been displayed by your wife…by your mom! Add the word mom on each sentence. “my mom is patient, my mom is kind, my mom does not envy, and so on.
 
The last part of the verse… “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”.
 
Mom’s and Dad’s should always protect their children no matter what. A Christian mom, and dad has learned that sacrificial love from above. They would give their life for their children, no matter what the cost!
 
For example… You remember this story of a king who requested wisdom? ( King Solomon )
 
1 Kings 3:23-27
23 The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’”
24 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king. 25 He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.”
26 The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!”
But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”
27 Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.”
 
This is an example of a God given love…sacrificial love. A God given love for her child. That kind of love often moves her to do some pretty heroic things in order to protect them.
 
Short Story:
 
About 6:00 A.M. on a Wednesday morning James Lawson of Running Springs, California (in the San Bernardino mountains) left home to apply for a job. About an hour later his thirty-six-year-old wife, Patsy left for her fifth grade teaching job down the mountain in Riverside, accompanied by her two children, five-year-old Susan and two-year-old Gerald, to be dropped off at the babysitter’s. Unfortunately, they never got that far. Eight and a half hours later the man found his wife and daughter dead in their wrecked car, upside down in a cold mountain stream. His two-year-old son was just barely alive in the forty-eight degree water. But in that death the character of a mother was revealed in a most dramatic and heart-rending way. For when the father scrambled down the cliff to what he was sure were the cries of his dying wife, he found her locked in death, holding her little boy’s head just above water in the submerged car. For eight and a half hours Patsy Lawson had held her beloved toddler afloat and had finally died, her body almost frozen in death in that position of self-giving love, holding her baby up to breathe. She died that another might live. That’s the essence of a mother’s love.
 
A mothers love also provides for her children…
 
Proverbs 31:14-15 = 27
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
 
Someone has said, “A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie”
 
Funny thing about moms: They may do without, but their kids won’t, if they can help it. Moms will often go until they can’t go anymore. When that happens, the rest of the family seems to be helpless. Moms are strong, powerful, especially when they need to be. God made them that way. Especially in those times when the dads are not doing their part in the household. Sadly… that is now true in the times that we live in. The fathers forget that they are the leaders of the household.
That is when moms…become supermoms! They do job that the fathers fail to do.
 
Funny story:
 
A fifteen-year-old boy came bounding into the house and found his mom in bed. He asked if she were sick or something. He was truly concerned. Mom replied that, as a matter of fact, she didn’t feel too well. The son replied, “Well, don’t worry a bit about dinner. I’ll be happy to carry you down to the stove.
 
Another example of a mother’s love for her child…
 
Matthew 15:22-28
22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”
23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
26 But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
 
I just really love seeing those words, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! If ever you are going through some storms in life, that is the perfect cry for help. “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!
 
Anyway… A mama knows her children. She knows their strengths and their weaknesses. When their children have a problem, if they can fix it, they will, even if it means doing it themselves.
 
Let me ask you a question, who do you think is better, Thomas Edison or his mom?
If you are not familiar with who Thomas Edison is… he invented many things that we, because of him are still using today. He invented the phonograph, it’s a recording device for sounds. The lightbulb. Motion picture cameras and so on… So, who do you think is smarter, Thomas A. Edison, or his mom?
 
When he was a young lad his teacher sent him home with a note which said, “Your child is dumb. We can’t do anything for him.” Mrs. Edison wrote back, “You do not understand my boy. I will teach him myself.” And she did, with results that are well known today. (POWERPOINT)
Thomas A. Edison, became a well- known inventor with the help and guidance of his mom.
 
A mother will always want what’s best for her child…
 
Matthew 20:20-23
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” 22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
They said to Him, “We are able.”
23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”
 
A simple mom request, right? To sit beside Jesus… she had to try, she was proud of her sons. Her sons were called by God, why wouldn’t she make such a request. A mom’s concern is for her child. She wants what is best for them. Sometimes they may take it a little too far, but you have to give them credit for good intentions. It’s kind of like this mom.
 
Short Story:
 
A letter to the college president:
“Dear Sir:
My son has been accepted for admission to your college and soon he will be leaving me. I am writing to ask that you give your personal attention to the selection of his roommate. I want to be sure that his roommate is not the kind of person who uses foul language, or tells off-color jokes, smokes, drinks, or chases after girls.
I hope you will understand why I am appealing to you directly. You see, this is the first time my son will be away from home, except for his three years in the Marine Corps.”
 
Three years in the Marine Corps, and she’s worried about his roommates.
A mom will always be a mom, regardless of how old, how mature their children are.
 
The best moms are the ones that will always tell their children…talk to them…teach them about Jesus Christ.
 
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
 
Again… this a job for both moms and dads. But if you are a single mom, this is still a command for your children. Scripture has a lot of single moms who trained their children in following the commands of the Lord. Here’s an example:
2 Timothy 1:5
when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
2 Timothy 3:14
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
 
Timothy learned about salvation and living for God from a godly mother and grandmother. Mom’s don’t neglect your children’s spiritual life when it comes to training. Your influence is greater than you can imagine. Sir Winston Churchill once said, “If we want to change our nation, begin by enlisting the mothers.” Sadly… Sir Winston Churchill’s comment can be true. Some of the men in household of faith forget, or neglect their spiritual duties to their family. Single moms, I applaud you… you are doing the work of two.
 
Short Poem:
 
The One Who Follows Me. 
A careful mother I ought to be, A little one is following me.
I do not dare to go astray, For fear she’ll go the selfsame way.
I cannot once escape her eyes, Whatever she sees me do, she tries.
Like me she says she’s going to be, That little one who follows me.
She thinks that I am good and fine, Believes in every word of mine.
The base in me she must not see, That little one who follows me.
I must remember as I go, Through summer’s sun and winter’s snow
I am building for the years to be. That little one who follows me.
                                                                                     Wayne Searls:
 
Mothers, part of your job is to instill a respect for the Bible, another responsibility is to instill an authentic faith. But these two elements are only preliminary for the most important job you have   of instilling within your children a desire to minister. Our kids are to learn the Bible and grow in their faith so that they can become difference-makers in their world. So, they can share their faith with others. So, they can minister in the church and in their school. So, they can serve those who are hurting. So, they can identify their spiritual gifts and use them on a regular basis. The truth of the matter is this, we are saved in order to serve. We are to be disciples so that we can disciple others. And that all starts at home.
 
In Conclusion:
 
A command from the Lord!
 
 
 
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise-up.
 
Moms… it is never too early to start teaching the Bible to your children ­ and, it’s never too late to start if you haven’t already. There is nothing that can replace your role in your child’s life. God wants to use you to instill within your children a respect for the Bible. I know for a fact that the moms…and dads of the Fil-Am church reads their Bibles. Or a devotional. Now, how hard is it to share what you have read to your children?
 
I would like to end this message with another poem, written for moms:
 
My Mother:
Your love, I know—I’ve seen your tears; You’ve given to me my life.
You’ve walked through hours and days and years, of heartache, toil and strife. To see that I could have the best. That you could give to me, You gave up needs and often rest, You viewed eternity.
To do His will my highest call. And by your special care.
I stood and walked and did not fall, You held me up in prayer.
Though strands of gray may brush your hair, And miles divide our way,
I know that by your quiet prayer. You’ve helped me day by day.
You’ve shown me how to give, to share. To put my own needs last. You’ve helped me see and be aware. That life is so soon past. 
To spite your love I would not dare, For there’s not another
Who spreads her gentle love and care…Like you, My Loving Mother.
                                                     
 
Have all the moms stand:
 
On behalf of all the men…dads, children of the Fil-Am Baptist Mission Church. We applaud you moms today. Happy mothers day!
 
Proverbs 31:30 says that, “a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” We praise God for these mothers who worship and adore the Lord and who pass this legacy on to their children.