Mom - The Woman the World Can’t Duplicate
Heroes Part 4
Text: Proverbs 31:10-31
Solomon’s List, “The Virtuous Woman”, “The Perfect Woman”, The man’s dream and the ladies nightmare. Christian woman all over the world have attempted to fulfill the characteristics, behaviors and practices of the Virtuous Woman. Many, to simply quite in frustration, not being able to keep up with this Wonder Woman.
The truth is, most scholars today believe that Solomon was not talking about one woman, but rather of the character, behavior and practices of several. And with 1,700 women in his home, Solomon could conduct these field observations right under his own roof.
As we have been considering the Heroes of Faith for the last several weeks, I want, this morning to look as this Hero as well. The Excellent Woman.
Never underestimate the power of a woman:
A drill sergeant was frustrated with a new recruit. This guy lagged behind on marches, used any excuse to go on sick call, grumbled constantly about the food, and never made his cot properly. But one day a noticeable change took place in the young man’s attitude. When asked what had made the difference in the young man the drill sergeant explained “threats and punishments didn’t work, so I had to resort to the ultimate weapon: I called his mother!”
We are here this morning to honor the women in our lives; past and present. Some tough, some sweet, some compassionate, some passionate.
A London editor submitted to Winston Churchill, for his approval, a list of all those who had been Churchill’s teachers. Churchill returned the list with this comment: “You have failed to mention the greatest of my teachers – my Mother”.
This morning I want to look at five marks of an excellent woman. Men and young people I encourage you to celebrate these traits in that significant woman in your life. Ladies, I admonish you to build up these traits, walk them out in your own life and instill them in the lives of those you impact.
I. She works with her hands (Vs 13)
A business man was walking up the sidewalk to his house one afternoon. On the other side of the door was his wife, hair in disarray, kids running everywhere and the house an absolute shambles. When he opens the door, instead of being met with a kiss and a smile, he gets an exhausted groan. The question on his face was clear. His wife tells him “you come home every evening and ask what I do all day. Well, today I didn’t do it and here it is”.
Let me run through some of the tasks that Solomon’s virtuous woman does:
Verses 13, 19, 22 tells us that she sews, picks out fabric and “works with eager hands”.
Verse 14 tells us that she “brings her food from afar”
Verse 15 says that she provides food for her family. It also says that she “gets up while it is still dark to prepare food.
Verse 16 says that she plants a vineyard
Verse 18 says that “her lamp does not go out at night”
Solomon knew the saying to be true “man works from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is never done”.
Verse 27 says “she watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. [She isn’t lazy].
II. She speaks with wisdom (vs 26)
The great G. Campbell Morgan had four sons who all became ministers of the gospel. At a large family gathering, one of the sons what asked which of the Morgan’s was the better preacher. While looking at his father he relied – “Mother”.
As I assess men and women in the Tampa Bay area who want to be adoptive parents, we asked the question “who was the most significant person in your childhood”. Hardly without fail that response is “my mother”.
Ladies, be that woman of significant influence in the lives of your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, students and neighbor kids.
Let your words always be words of wisdom and godly instruction. They are listening to you – even when they would like for you to think they are not.
III. Her heart is full of Love
I love verses 11-:12
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
I love those verses because they speak to me about my wife.
• She never wanted to marry a preacher.
• Early on she wasn’t very comfortable in the role of a pastor’s wife.
• Then, when I went through a dark season of the Soul, it was Shari who encouraged me to get back to what God had so clearly called me to do.
• She is, by far, my greatest encourager, strongest supporter, constant inspiration, biggest fan and very best friend.
I understand Solomon’s words that when a man trusts his wife, he lacks no gain.
Ladies, give your heart wholly to your husbands (husbands, do what you must to be worthy of her heart) and your children will benefit the most from it.
Vs. 28
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
IV. She fears God. (vs 29-31)
Where do the traits of an Excellent Woman begin? With the Fear of the Lord.
The woman who fears God is one who:
• Lives out a life of Holiness (godliness)
o Perfect? No, but walking close to Christ and allowing Him to be perfect through you.
• Lives out a walk of Faith
o Flesh sees faults, Faith sees the potential.
o Faith looks beyond the pain and holds to the promise.
• Lives out a life of Prayer
o There is something about a woman’s audience with God.
o No one can touch the heart of God like a mother’s prayer for her children.
Ladies, be women of Excellence, women of influence.
Follow hard after God. Get into His Word and live it out in front of us.
Your children, the children of this church, this church as a Body will rise up and call you blessed!
Let’s Pray
A note from Pastor Terry,
Thanks so much for looking over this message. I trust that, in some way, you were blessed, encouraged and empowered on your own walk with Christ. Every message I prepare is bathed in prayer that God will draw, inspire, and challenge my listeners (or readers) into a more meaningful and power-filled walk with Him.
Pastors, how we need one another! We need to be encouraged, strengthened and built up in order to encourage, strengthen and build up. It’s my personal prayer that the message you’ve just reviewed has done that for you in a personal way. Use what you can of this message, toss what you can’t and above all, let God’s Spirit inspire it all!
Sometimes I feel like Peter and John at the Temple steps…”Silver and gold; I don’t have but what I do – I give to you”
Grace and peace to you, your family and the Flock you tend.
Pastor Terry
