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“M-O-T-H-E-R” PROVERBS 1:8 INTRO: Today we honor those special ladies who have graced our lives and molded us into what we are today. Countless times each day a mother does what no one else can do quite as well. She wipes away a tear, whispers a word of hope, eases a child's fear. She teaches, ministers, loves, and nurtures the next generation of citizens. And she challenges and cajoles her kids to do their best and be the best. But no editorials praise these accomplishments-where is the coverage our mothers rightfully deserve? --James C. Dobson (1936- ) and Gary L. Bauer (1946- ) (Edythe Draper, Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992). Entry #7844). In Proverbs 1:8-9 Solomon writes—“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.” We are to remember those pious instructions that our mothers instilled in us. A godly mother will point her children to God by the force of her example as much as by the power of her words. (Croft M. Pentz, The Complete Book of Zingers (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1990)). I want you to note it says—“forsake not the law of thy mother...”. Two little boys were sitting together in Church and the preacher said, “There is one law-giver and that is God.” One of the boys punched the other and said, “The pastor must not have had a mother; if he had he would know that there are two law-givers, God and momma.” I can relate to that because mom laid down the law to me many times! This morning I want to use the acrostic method of outlining this message by letting each letter of the word MOTHER form a word. There is something very special about the name MOTHER, and I believe that the letters used to spell it show us that she is a very special person. Let us consider those letters this morning each in turn as we honor our MOTHERS today… (1) M Stands for MAGNITUDE PROVERBS 31:10—“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” A. THERE IS NO HIGHER CALLING. The word magnitude means “greatness or importance.” (Funk & Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary. Volume 1, A-M. p. 390). There is no greater joy a woman can have than to be a wife and a mother. Someone has said, “Motherhood is the greatest privilege of life.”-- May R. Coker (Edythe Draper, Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992). Entry #7849). Why is motherhood such a HIGH CALLING? : MOTHERS HAVE SPECIAL PLACE IN THE WORD OF GOD. She gives life to every living person. Genesis 3:20 tells us—“And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.” Eve is the mother of all mankind. Without her none of us would be here. No matter what a person thinks of their mother they must remember that they would not be here if it had not been for her. Jochebed, the mother of Moses, changed the course of history. A nation was delivered from bondage by her son. Exodus 2:1-2 says—“And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman conceived, and bore a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.” If there had not been a Jochebed there would have been no Moses! Hannah, the mother of Samuel, gave Israel the greatest priest they ever had. 1 Samuel 1:20 tells us—“Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.” Without Hannah there would have been no Samuel! Mary, the mother of Jesus, gave us the Saviour. Matthew 1:18-21 says—“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” MOTHERS HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN THE ANNALS OF HISTORY. Theodore Roosevelt said, “The mother is the one supreme asset of the national life. She is more important, by far, than the successful statesman, or businessman, or artist, or scientist.” George Washington said, “The greatest teacher I ever had was my mother.” Thomas Edison said of his mother, “She cast over me an influence which has lasted all my life.” Abraham Lincoln said, 'The greatest lessons I ever learned were at my mother's knees." (Croft M. Pentz, The Complete Book of Zingers (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1990)). All these great men attribute their success to their mothers. B. THERE IS NO MORE HONORABLE CALLING. Ladies, count it a honor to be a mother. Proverbs 31:10 once again tells us—“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” Someone once said, “an ounce of mother is often worth more than a ton of clergy.” Billy Sunday said, "Mothers . . .fill so great places that there isn't an angel in heaven who wouldn't be glad to give a bushel of diamonds to come down here and take their place." (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 95). (2) O Stands for OTHERS PROVERBS 31:13-27—“She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” A. MOTHERS LIVE A LIFE OF SERVICE. A mother is always doing for others. Someone said, “Any mother could perform the jobs of several traffic-controllers with ease.”—Lisa Alther (Vern McLellan, The Complete Book of Practical Proverbs and Wacky Wit (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1996)). The cooking, the laundry, the house cleaning, kissing hurts, and giving encouragement are just some of the things that mothers do in a single day. Without mother how could the family survive? ILLUS: A cartoon in the Saturday Evening Post showed a young boy about five or six years old talking on the telephone, saying, "Mom is in the hospital, the twins and Roxie and Billie and Sally and the dog and me and Dad are all home alone." (James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 376). ILLUS: 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." (James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 378). B. MOTHERS LIVE A LIFE OF SACRIFICE. Mothers are always sacrificing to meet the needs of others. When we are growing up some times we take fore granted the sacrifices our mothers made for us. But when we are older we can look back and recall all the things our mothers gave up for us. ILLUS: One lady said, “Not until I became a mother did I understand how much my mother had sacrificed for me. Not until I became a mother did I feel how hurt my mother was when I disobeyed. Not until I became a mother did I know how proud my mother was when I achieved. Not until I became a mother did I realize how much my mother loves me.” –Victoria Farnsworth (James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 382). ILLUS: 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. (As quoted in Bob Phillips, Phillips' Book of Great Thoughts & Funny Sayings, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1993), p. 221). M stands for MAGNITUDE, O stands for OTHERS, and… (3) T Stands for THOUGHTFUL PROVERBS 31:26—“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” A. HER WAY IS MINDFUL. Mothers are thinkers. They are creative. They open the door of imagination to their children. I can remember “toys” mom made us out of empty tissue rolls, paper milk cartons, and egg containers. Listen to some words from Erma Bombeck’s Tribute to Mom that I have slightly edited: “When the good Lord was creating mothers He was into the sixth day of overtime when the angel appeared and said, ‘You’re doing a lot of fiddling with this one.’ And the Lord said, ‘Have you read the specifications on this order? She has to be completely real, not plastic; have 180 movable parts, all in working condition; run on black coffee, leftovers and nerves. She must have a lap that disappears when she stand up; a kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a hurting husband. And eyes that can see through closed doors where the kids are doing things they don’t want mother to see. She must have a mind that can read her families thoughts.’ Finally the angel bent over and ran his finger across the cheek. ‘There’s a leak,’ he pronounced. ‘I told you you were trying to put too much into this model.’ ‘It’s not a leak,’ said the Lord, ‘It’s a tear.’ ‘What’s it for?’ “It’s for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness and pride.’ ‘You’re a genius,’ said the angel.’” B. HER WORDS ARE MEANINGFUL. Proverbs 31:26 says—“She openeth her mouth with wisdom…”. This means: She is wise and intelligent. She has not failed to cultivate her mind. My mom only went through the 8th grade but I still trust her wisdom more than all the philosophers, professors, and teachers in this world! She is well-tempered and friendly. The last part of v26 says—“in her tongue is the law of kindness.” An Arabian proverb asks, “How can one have a sweet fragrance whose father is an onion and whose mother is garlic?” Did you know the way we treat others we learn from our parents? And since we spend more time with mother than with father it is her influence that molds us the most. (4) H Stands for HELPER PROVERBS 31:10-12—“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” GENESIS 2:18—“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.” A. MOTHERS ARE ENCOURAGERS. A child has no greater champion than their mother. Sensitivity is the key word. It means "tuning in" to the thoughts and feelings of our kids, listening to the cues they give us, and reacting appropriately to what we detect. --James C. Dobson (1936- ) (Edythe Draper, Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992). Entry #8326). There is no one that knows her children better than a mother. Mothers understand and offer encouragement when no one else will. That is why it is so important that children “forsake not the law of thy mother.” Mothers spend tear-filled hours in prayer for their children. One mother prayed: “Make me a wise mother, O Lord. Keep my calm and give me patience to bear the small, irritating things in the daily routine of life. Give me tolerance and understanding to bridge the gulf between my generation and that of my children. Let me not be too ready to guide my children’s stumbling feet, but allow me to be ever near to bind their bruises. Give me a sense of humor that I may laugh with them but never at them. Let me refrain from preaching with words. Keep me from forcing their confidences, but give me a sympathetic ear when my children come to me. Help me to teach them that life must not be filled with compromises, but must be replete with victories. Make me humble. Keep my children close to me, O Lord, though miles separate us. And let thy light so shine upon me that they, too, will perceive they glory. Amen.” (Dayspring Baptist Chapel Newsletter. May 2002. Dayspring Baptist Chapel. Dobson, NC. Brother Roger Pickett, Pastor). B. MOTHERS ARE ENABLERS. Someone said, “No job can compete with the responsibility of shaping and molding a new human being.” --James C. Dobson (1936- ) (Edythe Draper, Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992). Entry #8317). Look in Proverbs 31:1-2—“The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?” The word character means “to cut, to engrave, and to make a furrow.” When a Godly Mother cuts her child a deep furrow for God, it is more than just a trace, which could be erased. She will take the pen of love from God’s Word and cut with a tool, a furrow in building Christian character in her children. (Dayspring Baptist Chapel Newsletter. May 2002. Dayspring Baptist Chapel. Dobson, NC. Brother Roger Pickett, Pastor). (5) E Stands for EFFECTIVE PROVERBS 31:31—“Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” A. HER INSTRUCTION IS REMEMBERED. The older we become the more of the lessons we remember that our mothers taught us. But let us never think that those early lessons mothers give to their children do not impact their lives. ILLUS: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 A little boy was riding around and around the block. A man asked him, “What are you doing?” He said, “I’m running away from home.” “But you’re just going around and around the block,” said the man. The little boy responded, “That’s because my mom won’t let me cross the street!” Even in the earliest ages, there can be restraint in the heart of a child because of godly training by his or her parents. The only way I ever learned to play football was on the training field. The classroom wasn’t enough. Parents must provide training and education for the lessons of life to be ingrained in their children. Has God given you the divine responsibility of parenthood? Then, spend some time this week to train your child in one area of godly living.--Adrian Rogers (Bible Illustrator For Windows. Version 3.0f. Copyright 1990-1998, by Parsons Technology, Inc. All Rights Reserved). B. HER INFLUENCE IS REFLECTED. Notice the last part of v31—“…let her own works praise her in the gates.” These words speak of influence. The word influence means “the power of persons or things to produce effects on others…One who or that possesses the power to affect others.” (Funk & Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary. Volume 1, A-M. p. 333). Mothers produce lasting effects on their children. Children live what they learn. (6) R Stands for REWARDED PROVERBS 31:28-31—“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” A. SHE IS REWARDED WITH PRAISE. V28 tell us—“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” She is praised because of her: INFLUENCE. INSTRUCTION. B. SHE IS REWARDED BECAUSE OF HER PATIENCE. It takes patience to raise children. And all of us should be glad today that our mom and dad had patience with us! One of the hardest jobs for a parent is making a child realize that "no" is a complete sentence. (Anonymous. Leadership, Vol. 16, no. 2). Notice it says here in the last part of v31—“….her own works praise her in the gates.” What are these “her own works” ? Could it not be the children she has patiently molded and instilled with a love for God? CLOSING: I pray today that each mother is truly blessed today. I pray that if your mother is at home with the Lord today that you take time to recall all the fond memories and remember all the things she has contributed to your life. I want to close this morning with these words: MOTHER From seeds You watered us. As we sprouted You helped us grow With the warmth Of your radiant love. Along the way You trimmed us To keep us safe From Harm. When we grew out of Our little pods, You replanted us, Where you gave us hope And showed us faith That we may be able To do for others As you did for us. ~Jim Little~ Prepared by Brother Bryan L. Browning, Pastor of Beechmont Baptist Church, Beechmont, KY for Sunday Morning, May 13 (Mother’s Day), 2007. PREACHED AT UNIONTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH, UNIONTOWN, KY (SUNDAY MORNING, MAY 9TH (MOTHER’S DAY) 2010). ................
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