Raising Children Who Are Difference Makers For God Series

Raising Children Who Are Difference Makers For God

Hebrews 11:23-26

Introduction:

1. Mothers, can you imagine how you would feel if you were pregnant, and the authorities in your country made a decree that every male baby born would be thrown into the river like nothing more than a piece of trash?

2. This is what happened in Exodus 1:22. Chapter two opens with a wedding and birth announcement. Sure enough, it was a son, but there was something different about this child (Exodus 1:1-2). The Bible says he was "a goodly child" - beautiful in the sight of God.

3. The mother takes a big risk and hides the child, but after three months she can’t do it any longer. Notice what happened (Exodus 1:3-10). In his earliest and formative years, God allowed Moses to be taught by his mother, Jochebed. Exodus 6:20

4. How did Jochebed do in rearing her son? According to Hebrews, she must have been quite a mother. What an impact she had on her son. What an impact Moses made for God during his life. He became one of the greatest leaders in the history of the world; he was a difference maker for God.

5. Mothers, you are influencing and impacting your child's life (hopefully for good and for God), but you are influencing them. You are a role model.

6. What made Jochebed such a great mother? These four verses in Hebrews 11:23-26 will give us insight into answering that question. How did Jochebed raise such a difference maker for God?

First, she taught Moses that God can always be trusted. vs. 23

1. That is what faith is. It is placing our trust and confidence in God. She taught Moses this by example:

• When she hid him for 3 months.

• When she placed him by the river (where the babies were being killed).

• When she finally had to hand him over to Pharaoh's daughter, what confidence and faith she had in God!

2. Verse 23 says, “ …they were not afraid of the King's commandment." But why? Their confidence in God was stronger than their fear of the king.

3. I'm sure when Moses encountered scary situations (before Pharaoh, the Red Sea, etc.), he thought back to his godly mother and said, "My mother was not afraid of the king's commandment; so I too can say, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:6

4. Today, we need mothers who will be women of faith. Are you teaching your children to put confidence in God? Do your children see you full of worry and fear? Do they see you trying to manipulate your circumstances?

5. Moms, do your children see you trusting God and walking by faith in Him?

Second, she taught Moses to stand firm on his convictions. vs. 24

1. Webster's defines "convictions" as "firm beliefs."

2. When Moses became a man, the Bible says (vs. 24), " …He…refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter." If Moses allowed himself to be called her son, it would be like turning his back on his family, his nation, and his God. Moses refused to do it.

• His mother obviously instilled in him some firm convictions; she too was a lady of firm beliefs.

3. As we look at our culture, it is obvious that many children are growing up with no convictions whatsoever.

• They are being desensitized to evil, and the line between right and wrong has been blurred to the point of non-existence.

4. Children are being indoctrinated in the idea of amorality (there are no moral absolutes).

5. There is only one hope for your children, Moms and Dads, and you are it. You must instill in them strong, Bible-based convictions. You must teach them to say "no" to illicit sex, drugs, dishonesty, cursing, disrespect, filthy movies, etc.

6. Parents, you must teach your kids to love God, to trust His Word, to pray, etc.

Third, she taught Moses to make right choices. vs. 25

1. Moses had a very clear choice. He could suffer affliction while doing right or enjoy the pleasures of sin while doing wrong. Moses made the right choice.

2. Did you know that kids must be taught how to make right choices? How is this done?

• Teach them that their choices should always be based on the Bible.

 The Bible is not a suggestion box. It is our final authority and has the final say on everything. We don't make choices based on what friends are doing, on what the TV says, what is easy or socially acceptable, what feels right, etc.

• Teach them that the most important decision in life is to accept Christ as their Savior.