A Glimpse Of God In The Goodness Of Our Mothers

Intro: Have you ever read some of the crazy warning labels there are out there today? Let’s take a look at a couple. This one says danger do not hold the wrong end of a chainsaw. The next one says of an Iron on application, “Do not iron while wearing shirt.” The last one says, “Warning this product moves when used.” There are others. A fanbelt warning says, “Be sure you shut off the engine as it may cause irreversible injury. "Caution: Remove infant before folding for storage." -- On a portable stroller.

The funny part about this is that someone somewhere had to have done some of these for them to become warnings. The not so funny part is that people still at times ignore the warning labels on dangerous things.

In Genesis we are giving clear understanding and revelation of the roles and responsibilities of man and woman Fathers and mothers according to God’s design. Before the fall man and woman didn’t seem to need any instructions. After the fall we will see warning labels and instruction manuals.

When faced with unrealistic and worldly ideas and instructions about motherhood it is not surprising when moms sometimes feel like quitting. Here is encouragement from Diana Allen how to face this attitude in a poem called, “I Quit.”

After explaining the hardships of parenthood, she concludes, “There will be days when I’ll still hunt through the yellow pages for the number for the Mother’s Resignation Hotline … or my heart will feel as though it has been shattered into a thousand pieces. One thing is sure, however: I have to hang on, to stand firm, to fight the good fight. The souls of my children and the quality of the lives they live here on earth is at stake—and so is their eternity. My children are too precious for me to do anything but persevere.”

(quoted from http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/parenting-with-a-purpose-dennis-davidson-sermon-on-mothers-day-185300.asp)

There is a generation of children and grandchildren that need to be rescued from wrong ideas and attitudes toward motherhood and womanhood. We begin by recognizing that God has every right to rule and have the last word on every subject. It is in accepting his right to rule that we begin to accept and defer to God’s word. In his word He has given a clear design for mothers.

I. God’s design for mothers

Learning God’s design for mothers will give you freedom to ignore what the world says about being a woman and a mom.

A) God designed mothers to be suitable helpers

If you pay close attention to Genesis 2:18-25 it is clear that God meant for woman to complement man. Some of you might have a problem with the word suitable helper. But before you get mad let’s look at who else has helped man in the Bible.

Psalm 54:4 “The Lord is my Helper, the Lord is the sustainer of my life.”

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.”

Psalm 33:20 “We wait for Yahweh; He is our help and shield.”

A suitable helper is able to step into any situation time or trouble.

What we see with God making Adam first is priority. God made Adam first because he was giving him the responsibility to lead the partnership of man and woman in a God centered God glorifying direction. What you have to know is as Alistair Begg said, “Priority does not mean superiority. Man is not better than woman. In fact women you are 100% better a being a woman and a mother than a man. Men you are 100% better at being men and fathers than a woman.

God had and has a grand design that can clearly be seen physically. I mean men and women mothers and fathers are different. That grand plan was for them to complement each other. The warning label comes in when we ignore God’s design.

He clearly tells us in Genesis 3:14-16 that the fall messed up his plan for man and woman. Sin caused the man to abandon his role as loving and leading head and protector of woman. Sin caused the woman to abandon her role as respectful and complementary helper. If children and grandchildren are going to get a glimpse of God’s goodness in Moms then ladies you have to begin with God’s design.

B) God designed mothers to reproduce His image

We see in God’s design for men and women that they are equal in that the both bear the image of God. Both however do not and cannot bear the same responsibilities because of their unique design.

Mothers you have the express responsibility and joy of carrying the beautiful gift of life called babies in your womb. Psalm 127:3 “Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, children, a reward.” Some translations say fruit of the womb.