Thanks Mom!
Open with video clip of people telling why they love their moms at Christian Hills.
Thesis: Thanks mom for all the hard work you do, we want to thank you for your sacrifice and dedication!
Video Illustration: When mom does not work from Blue Fish TV – What happens?
Opening Illustration: Mother in the Storm
One summer evening during a violent thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small boy into bed. She was about to turn off the light when he asked with a tremor in his voice, “Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?” The mother smiled and gave him a reassuring hug. “I can’t, Dear,” she said, “I have to sleep with your daddy.” A long silence occurred then he said in a shaky voice “The Big Sissy!”
Introduction:
Today we want to too fulfill the fifth commandment spoken of in Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving.” Today we want to honor our mothers and say Thank You!
Video Illustration: Heroes: Mother Theresa from Blue Fish TV
Really moms are the unsung heroes of the church. I put this illustration into my message today to make a point. Did you know that spiritual moms are as vital as literal moms in the church. They too are heroes who make a difference in the lives of others. So maybe you don’t have children today but you do have spiritual children. Thank You spiritual moms for your service to the Kingdom of God.
Quotes about the importance of Mothers:
Theodore Roosevelt stated, “When all is said, it is the mother, and the mother only, who is a better citizen than the soldier who fights for his country. The successful mother, the mother who does her part in rearing and training aright the boys and girls, who are to be the men and women of the next generation, is of greater use to the community, and occupies, if she would realize it, a more honorable as well as important position than any man in it. The mother is the one supreme asset of the national life. She is more important, by far, than the successful statesman, or businessman, or artist, or scientist.”
Mothers are important George Washington said, “I am what I am because of my mother!”
Abraham Lincoln stated, “I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” He also said, “All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”
Today I want to personally say thank you to the moms of Christian Hills. Your dedication to raising up Christian children is making a difference in our church and in our society. You mom are an instrument of the Lord and you are vitally important to God’s work. Here is how important you are:
God’s Helpers
God could not be in every place
With loving hands to help erase
The teardrops from each baby’s face,
And so He thought of mother.
He could not send us here alone
And leave us to a fate unknown
Without providing for His own
The outstretched arms of mother.
God could not watch us night and day
And kneel beside our crib to pray,
Or kiss our little aches away;
And so he sent us mother.
And when our childhood days began
He simply could not take command,
That’s why He placed our tiny hand
Securely into mother’s.
The days of youth slipped quickly by,
Life’s sun rose higher in the sky,
Full grown were we, yet ever nigh
To love us still, was mother
And when life’s span of years shall end,
I know that God will gladly send,
To welcome home her child again
George W. Wiseman
Mothers are God’s assistants and deserve to be praised.
Reference the bulletin insert – tell them to fill it out so I can read a few at the end of my message and so we can place the rest on a bulletin board honoring our mothers.
Dr. Benjamin Carson would agree listen to what he says about his mom:
Dr. Benjamin Carson, renowned surgeon at John Hopkins, has a story told about his mother by Kevin Lemam. Mrs. Carson insisted that Ben and His brother Curtis write a book report every couple of weeks. This wasn’t for school-this was for their mom. Ben and Curtis dutifully obeyed.
About the time he was in junior high, Ben finally realized something quite shocking. His mom couldn’t read. For years Ben had read books and scratched out reports, assuming that his mom was checking every word. But she didn’t have a clue what he was saying.
Now consider this: raised by an illiterate mother, Ben grew up to be a world famous surgeon who was featured in many articles and was the author of several books. His illiterate mom didn’t twist her hands over her lacking of learning and give up hope of raising intelligent boys. Instead, she gave her boys what she had interest, accountability, and courage to demand extra work.
And it paid off. Years later, someone asked Ben why his mother still lived with him, even after he was married and had a family of his own. “You don’t understand,” Ben answered. “If it weren’t for that woman, I wouldn’t be living here, She earned this.”
“God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers.” ~Jewish Proverb
Scripture Texts: II Timothy 1:5-7
I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us the spirit of timidity, but the spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV)
Verse 15 “She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.”
Verse 27 “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Verse 28 “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also praises her.”
Verse 30 “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Verse 31 “Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
Proverbs 31: The Message 31:10-31
10A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
11Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
12Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
13She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
14She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
15She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
16She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.
17First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
18She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
19She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
20She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
21She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
22She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
23Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
24She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
25Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
26When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
27She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
28Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
29“Many women have done wonderful things,
but you’ve outclassed them all!”
30Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-GOD.
31Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!
T.S. - Moms make the world a more loving place and are essential to the Lord in raising up the next generation of Christians. Let’s look at II Timothy 1:5-7:
I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us the spirit of timidity, but the spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
I. Mom’s thank you for instilling into your children the Christian Faith!
a. Paul was reminded of this while in prison how Timothy’s grandma and mother instilled the faith of God in him.
i. Their labor was not in vain their dedication helped birth the man of God Timothy.
ii. Mom do you know that your child could be another Timothy or another Paul or Billy Graham.
1. Susannah Wesley was a great Christian mother. Despite the fact that she had 19 children, she found time to give each child an hour’s religious instruction each week. Her most renowned sons were Charles and John. They turned the spiritual tides of England toward God in a dark hour.
iii. Your work will not go unnoticed – God is watching and he will bless you for your labor!
iv. Your service changes these young lies and creates men and women who will make a difference for all eternity.
1. George Herbert stated, “A good mother equals a 100 schoolmasters.”
2. When General Garfield became President of the United States, he insisted upon having his mother beside him when he finished his address he turned and thanked his mother for getting him to his position as president.
v. We need to remind you mom how we appreciate your dedication and sacrifices.
vi. Teens you need to reminded like Paul how your moms sacrifice for you and serve you and you need to acknowledge it and return the favor.
1. Teens and fathers need to realize that your wife and mother are placed there by GOD! So thank them for what they do!
T.S. - The Bible tells us to thank and praise our Godly mom’s and wives. Let’s look at another scripture text from the OT - Proverbs 31:10-31
II. Friends, husbands, and teens God sees what your mothers do – How about you?
a. Remember the book of Proverbs is placed in the Bible as a way to wisdom.
i. “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established: and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4
ii. Wisdom says, “Praise your godly moms and husbands your wives.”
b. Proverbs 31 – Highlights that we need to take note of:
i. Verse 15 “She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.”
ii. Verse 27 “She watches over the affairs of her household and dos not eat the bread of idleness.”
1. God’s word tells us that the kids should appreciate and praise their moms for their daily sacrifices. Do you?
a. Verse 28 “Her children arise and called her blessed; her husband also praises her.”
iii. Verse 30 “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
1. The Lord knows that what’s important in a Godly mother is not charm or beauty but a woman who fears and honors God with her life and instills this into her children.
a. It’s important for us to see Jesus in our moms and wives because it will be ingrained into our lives. This will become a great blessing to God, to us and to the mother
c. The Bible also tells us to give her the reward she has earned – it’s not found in money or things but it’s found in respecting her, honoring her and saying thank you to her!
i. Verse 31 “Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
ii. Let’s read some honoring words from kids to moms and from even husbands for their wives godly mothering of their children.
d. Rick White states:
i. Today is mother’s day and we have the joy of honoring our mom’s on this special day. For some it is a day filled with all kinds of emotions because of the special relationships that we have to our mothers.For some the word mother, conjures up images of June Cleaver, complete with lace apron and pearls-singing lullabies, baking brownies, and kissing away the Beavers hot tears. Still others envision the Erma Bombeck model, who drives a wood-paneled station wagon and whose hobby is dust. Yet still for the younger generation some may even envision the Roseanne type of mode. Whatever the type, no one has more influence than a mother. For better or worse, she will forever impact the life of her child. Abraham Lincoln was right: "No one is poor who had a godly mother."
e. Maybe your mom is like Claire Huxtebal, Olivia Walton, or another famous mom.
T.S. - The point of today is that we take the time to honor our moms – because the truth is they deserve it!
Conclusion:
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving.” Exodus 20:12
God is always smiling when we are acting on one of the Ten Commandments. So let’s make sure we honor our moms and our wives today.
Let’s read what some of you said about your moms!
Share some thoughts from the handouts.
My Mom Is Special!
My mom is special because?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
My mom can do many things! I think she’s best at?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I Like it when my mom?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My mom is as pretty as a?
Thanks mom for?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mom I commit to help by doing?
________________________________________________
Signed________________________ Date_____________
My Wife Is Special!
My wife is special because?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
My wife can do many things! I think she’s best at?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I Like it when my wife?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My wife is as pretty as a?
Thanks for?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
I commit to help you by doing?
________________________________________________
Signed________________________ Date_____________
