The Influence Of A Mother
2 Kings 18:1-7
Introduction:
1. As you read the books of 1 and 2 Kings, it doesn’t take long to realize that, after King David and King Solomon, Israel had many wicked kings.
2. But there was one king who decided that he would do right in God’s sight. His name was Hezekiah. He was 25 years old, and notice what the Bible says. vs. 1-3, 5
3. This is interesting when you consider Hezekiah’s father, Ahaz. 16:2-3
4. But look who the Bible mentions right before it says, “…he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord.” It mentions his mother, Abi. It is interesting that her name means “fatherly.” Abi had to be a mother and father to Hezekiah (while Ahaz was out living like the devil). I’d say she did a great job!
• What a difference a godly mother can make.
• A mother can have such a powerful influence and impact on a child.
5. Let’s look at Hezekiah’s life and see just how powerful the influence of a mother can be.
First, a mother can influence her child to destroy idols. vs. 4
1. The high places and groves were places that were devoted to the worship of Baal or other gods and goddesses. None of the previous kings would destroy these idols.
2. Hezekiah destroyed all of this idolatry along with the brazen serpent that the Israelites had made an idol out of. I believe Hezekiah learned at a young age, from his mother, that he needed to destroy idols in his life and put God first.
3. The second of the Ten Commandments deals with idolatry (Exodus 20:4-6). God spent three verses on that one command. Why is this?
• God is a jealous God in the sense that He will share His glory with nobody or nothing. For Him to share His glory with something would mean to deify it and make it equal with Himself. God cannot do this. This would be a lie.
• When God gives us things in our lives, they are given to us to bring glory to Him, not to share in His glory. Illustration: A piano is a wonderful gift from God, but God doesn’t want to share His glory with the piano. It is to bring glory to Him.
4. An idol is anything that takes away from our relationship with God. God wants to be number one, taking priority over anything else.
5. But remember, parents, children learn idolatry not by your words, but by watching your actions. We must set the example for our children.
• When our children are young, they have no concept of money or materialism. They can’t tell a one-dollar bill from a hundred-dollar bill. When is the last time your two or three year old refused to wear her clothes because they weren’t a popular name brand?
• But they grow up and learn all about materialism. The sad part is, many times they learn it from Mom and Dad. They work all hours and spend little time together as a family, so that they can have the best house, cars, gadgets, clothes, electronics, toys, etc.
• Parents, more than they need these things, they need YOU! No material object can replace you, and time spent with you!
6. When we allow our children to put school, sports, friends, jobs, money, hobbies, etc., before Jesus, we are teaching them to be idolaters.
7. Parents, it is our job to keep the things of this world in proper priority and perspective for our children. Toys, T.V., video games, sports, etc., can become idols if we don’t help them to keep it all in perspective. 1 John 5:21
8. God, give us some godly mothers who will teach their children to destroy idols.
Second, a mother can influence her children to trust the Lord God. vs. 5a
1. Many a child learned how to trust God because of a godly mother that knew how to trust God in everything. 2 Timothy 1:5
2. More than children need toys, money, video games, televisions, and other material things, they need a Christian mom and dad who know how to trust God. 19:14-19
• Parents, do your children see Jesus invading every area of your home and life? They need to learn that the Christian life isn’t something that sits on a shelf six days a week and then brought down on Sunday. They need to see it permeating every area of your life.
• Do your kids see you praying, taking your problems to the Lord? Do they see that Christ is the center of your life?
• Not that we have to model perfection, but we should be modeling Christian growth and a tender heart towards God. They see that we have a real and genuine love for Jesus and trust in Jesus.
3. Parents, do your children see you trusting God and spreading things before the Lord like Hezekiah did? Parents, through your example, you can teach your children to trust in the Lord.
Third, a mother can influence her children to dare to be different. vs. 5b-6
1. Hezekiah was different and was not ashamed of it. Before him, no other kings would cut down the groves, remove the high places, and break the images. But Hezekiah was different.
2. The world has a mold they want our children to fit into, but a godly mother can teach her child to reject the world’s idea of acceptance and live to please the Lord.
3. But if Mom and Dad are walking the course of this world (actions and attitudes), our children are doomed. It is not common to see a Christian mom with a biblical world view, today. Ladies, will you dare to be different?
4. Men, we should be encouraging our wives to be that virtuous, godly woman that the Bible describes. Encourage them to be women that dare to be different. This is the Bible plan. Ephesians 5:8, 11
5. But parents, we have to search our own hearts to see if we truly desire for our children to dare to be different for God. Many times, as parents, we want our kids to fit into a mold. We want them to be what we were, or what we wish we would have been.
• We want them to be popular, accepted, and well-liked by the “in” crowd at school. But the reality is this: if our child does right and stands for Christ, he or she won’t be popular with everybody.
6. They need to know that they have acceptance with you, and that they are allowed to be who God has made them in Christ. They need to know that worldly popularity doesn’t matter to you. What matters to you is that they follow God’s Word.
In Conclusion:
1. There are so many evil forces and weapons that Satan has at his disposal to try to destroy our children today. How do our children overcome these enemies of the soul?
2. Notice Hezekiah in verses 7-8. Hezekiah defeated the enemies of the Lord. Why? He destroyed idols, trusted in the Lord and was true to Him, and dared to be different.
3. Moms (and dads), this is what we can teach our children. The greatest legacy you could ever leave your children would be to teach them these three powerful principles.
