Mother

Sermon for 5/11/2008

Mother

Introduction:

Mrs. Monroe lives in Darlington, Maryland. She’s the mother of 8 children. And except for a few interesting experiences, she’s just like any other mother across America. One experience was so unique that John Haggai put it in his book: “How to Win Over Worry.” She came home one afternoon from the grocery store and walked into her home and everything looked pretty much the same, though it was a little bit quieter than usual. She looked into the middle of the living room and 5 of her darlings were sitting around in a circle, exceedingly quiet, doing something, with something in the middle of a circle. So she put down the sacks of groceries and walked over closely and looked and saw that they were playing with 5 of the cutest skunks you can imagine. She was instantly terrified and she said, “Run children, run! Each child grabbed a skunk and ran, in 5 different directions. She was beside herself and screamed louder, more frantically, with great gusto. It so scared the children that each one squeezed his skunk! As the writer put it, “Skunks don’t like to be squeezed!” John Haggai, in Swindoll, Oxcart, p. 207

WBTU:

A. Some have a struggle on Mother’s Day.

B. To help counteract this, let’s first talk about women. In talking about women, Rev Magazine said the following about women:

1. Women are natural net workers. They talk about everything and even if they have no ideas, to share with someone else seems to be the make up of a woman. Is it any wonder that women also network about church and their relationship with Jesus? Men are reluctant to talk about church but women do this quite naturally. Women are more comfortable extending invitations because of this.

2. Women are nurturers by nature. They care about relationships. Women staff most of the “caring” ministries of the church. Talk to a man and one of the first things brought up is work. Talk to a woman and one of the first things brought up is family. Have ministries for women here: Hospitality, Dorcas Circle, Nursery, Education.

3. Women desire relationships. Women aren’t satisfied with attending anything more than twice without some connectedness. They’re always on the lookout for new friends, people they relate to, a sense of belonging. As a church we can have great sermons, music, and children’s programs, but if a woman doesn’t connect with someone within the first few weeks, the whole family is likely to not come back. The reverse is also true. If a woman makes strong connections …

4. Women have sensitive hearts toward God. Who attends church the most and who makes up the bulk of the people sitting in the pews? George Barna did a survey examining 12 different elements of faith behavior and perspective. Women excelled in 11 of the 12 elements examined far distancing themselves from men. Men may enjoy advantages in physical strength, but women generally are stronger spiritually.

Thesis: Acrostic on the word MOTHER

For instances:

M is for the Million things she gave.

A. Man’s work is from sun up to sun down. A woman’s work is never done. Take an illustration from the world of running: a man is a sprinter, a woman a marathon runner.

C. A teacher gave her class of second graders a lesson on the magnet and what it does. The next day in a written test, she included this question: My full name is six letters. The first one is M. I pick up things. What am I? When the last test papers were turned in, the teacher was astonished to find that almost 50 percent of the students answered the question with the word “Mother.”

D. (Prov 31:13) She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.(Prov 31:14) She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.(Prov 31:15) She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

E. (Prov 31:17 NIV) She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.(Prov 31:18 NIV) She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.(Prov 31:19 NIV) In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.(Prov 31:20 NIV) She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.(Prov 31:21 NIV) When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.(Prov 31:22 NIV) She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

F. (Prov 31:27 NIV) She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

O = Only that she is growing old