Mother

MOTHER

Did you know that the idea for Mothers Day was born in a small Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia?

It was 1876 and the nation still mourned the Civil War dead. While teaching a Memorial Day lesson, Mrs. Anna Reeves Jarvis thought of mothers who had lost their sons. She prayed that one day there could be a "Memorial Day" for mothers. The prayer made a deep impression on one of Mrs. Jarvis eleven children. Young Anna had seen her mothers efforts to hold the war-split community and church together. As she grew into adulthood, the younger woman kept Mrs. Jarvis dream in her heart. On the day of her mothers death, Anna was determined to establish Mothers Day in her honor.

On May 12, 1907, a local observance was held which later spread to Philadelphia. By 1910, Mothers Day was celebrated in forty-five states, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Canada, and Mexico. Elated, Miss Jarvis told a friend, "Where it will end must be left for the future to tell. That it will circle the globe now seems certain."

On May 8, 1914, President Wilson designated the second Sunday in May as Mothers Day "for displaying the American flag and for the public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of the country."

I. Mothers Day is a very important day to honor our mothers and we should honor them every day. A child without a mother is like a door without a knob. Jewish proverb

Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. .

A. Honoring your mother brings benefits to your life.

1. It brings long life, if you want a long life honor both your father and mother.

Deut 5:16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

2. The blessing of God will follow you everywhere. It is good and will be with you in every land and place.

a. I know it has follows me into over 125 countries where God has sent us to take His Word over the past 47 years.

B. It is not just an old but also a New Testament teaching.

Eph 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) .

II A Sign of last days in Matt. 24 is rebellion and disobedience to parents.

(2 Tim 3:2 KJV......, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Prov 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:.

A. Disobedience reaps terrible results.

Matt 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or

mother, let him die the death.

Lev 20:9 For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall

be upon him.

Prov 28:24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

B. God’s Will for children is to honor their mother:

1. love and care for their mother

Prov 23:22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

a. Jesus is our perfect example toward His mother.

John 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! .

John 19:27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. .

1. Jesus cared and provided for His earthy mother.

2. We should do no less. We are following Jesus.

III. Mothers should love, care and pray for their children.

A. Mothers do want the best for their children.

Matt 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and

desiring a certain thing of him. .

Matt 20:21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons

may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the

other on the left, in thy kingdom. .

1. Sometimes children do not realize their mothers care and love until it is too late.

Prov 4:3 For I was my fathers son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

B. I often say that Mom has helped to care me over the years in the ministry with her prayers. At the preaching of this message, she is almost 94, still works as my secretary and still prays for my wife and me.