Video Clip after worship: The Croods
How many have had similar road trips with your families. You have to love our families!
T.S- Today is Mother’s Day – Happy Mother’s Day to all of you moms – we want to honor both the natural and the spiritual moms that are here today! You both are essential to Kingdom of God and to the family unit.
Series: Beyond the Benjamin’s
Hold $100.00 Bill up again and then the Hershey Bar from last week to remind them of what we talked about last week.
Scripture Texts – 2 of Jesus’ Parables:
Luke 12:13-21: The parable of the rich fool
Matthew 25:14-30: The parable of the talents
Summary of the message
Are you using the Benjamin’s God has given you for the Kingdom of Heaven or just for yourself?
God will give you more if you give it away for Him and His Kingdom. If you hoard it you will lose it all!
We also learned the story of Milton’s Hershey’s eternal legacy from Hershey Pa.
Sermon 2: Your Family!
Thesis: Life is not about the money you accumulate or even make but it’s about your investment in your family and your willingness to sacrifice for them. Success as God see’s it is all related in how you help your family members grow mentally, physically and spiritually.
Introduction:
Everything that God does is modeled on family. It is in this structure that spiritual and natural growth and spiritual health flourish. We all need mothers and fathers as well as spiritual mothers and fathers to speak into our lives. We need brothers and sister to run beside us and interact with us. We need brothers and sisters to learn how to socialize, how to share, how to play fair and even fight fair. We all need children growing up around us to show us the value of investing in other people’s lives and to see what children see and value. We need children running around us so we can see their playful attitudes, their humor and also their potential.
Illustration of Kids – you have to love them: From Paul Harvey
We should be like the 3-year-old boy (that Paul Harvey told about) who went to the grocery store with his mother. Before they entered the grocery store she said to him, "Now you’re not going to get any chocolate chip cookies, so don’t even ask."She put him up in the cart & he sat in the little child’s seat while she wheeled down the aisles. He was doing just fine until they came to the cookie section. He saw the chocolate chip cookies & he stood up in the seat & said, “Mom, can I have some chocolate chip cookies?” She said, “I told you not even to ask. You’re not going to get any at all.” So he sat back down. They continued down the aisles, but in their search for certain items they ended up back in the cookie aisle. “Mom, can I please have some chocolate chip cookies?” She said, “I told you that you can’t have any. Now sit down & be quiet.” Finally, they were approaching the checkout lane. The little boy sensed that this may be his last chance. So just before they got to the line, he stood up on the seat of the cart & shouted in his loudest voice, “In the name of Jesus, may I have some chocolate chip cookies?” And everybody round about just laughed. Some even applauded. And, due to the generosity of the other shoppers, the little boy & his mother left with 23 boxes of chocolate chip cookies. We ought always to pray and not give up…SOURCE: Jeff Strite in "The Power Of Persistent Prayer" on www.sermoncentral.com.
We need to help our natural and spiritual kids to mature in God as well as in their natural gifts and talents. All parents want their children to do more than they did and they want them to achieve their God given dreams and goals. It’s our job to help them do that!
But sadly many families in America are experiencing “Family Shock” today due to the changing of moral values which are spiraling downwards - technological changes which are impacting the family and there is also a rapid climate of cultural change which is leading us as a nation down the path of depravity and it is swelling up all around us. It is beating at our doors, ravishing the public schools and entering our homes through things like media sources. It’s chipping away at Biblical family values, challenging them, trying to break them off of the families of America.
All families today have been shocked, taken back with the explosion of shifting values, and the relentless media attack on Biblical values, the attempt by society to redefine the nuclear family, we have information overload, waves of novelty trends that come and go, and also for some their rises a fear of the future.
How many here today are concerned or even fearful of the future of the Biblical American family?
Many are concerned about what our kids and grandkids will have to deal with in the future.
Power point 3: Reference the cartoon of the basketball player coming out of the closet and all the media around him asking for his wisdom and insight on his lifestyle were as the same media is scolding Tim Tee Bo telling him to keep quiet about his biblical value system and lifestyle for God. Something is wrong! Something is out of sync! Do you realize it?
Power point 4: Look at what is attacking our biblical family values lately - show the different pictures of the attackers.
God’s Biblical structure for the family is a well designed system to bring new life to this world and it’s difficult to get lost and off track when we live by God’s design. I find it’s easy to grow children naturally and spiritually when the family unit is functioning in alignment with Biblical values and God’s design. Without God’s design there is no new life and really no hope for a future!
Story from girl raised in homosexual family:
"My name is Dawn Stefanowicz. I grew up in a homosexual household during the 60s and 70s in Toronto, exposed to many different people in Gay, Lesbian, bisexual, Transsexual subcultures and explicit sexual practices. My biggest concern is that children are not being discussed in this same-sex marriage debate. As a child, I was at high risk of exposure to contagious STDs due to sexual molestation, my father's high-risk sexual behaviors, and multiple partners. Even when my father was in what looked like monogamous relationships, he continued cruising for anonymous sex. Unfortunately, my father, as a child, was sexually and physically abused by older males. Due to this, he lived with depression, control issues, anger outbursts, suicidal tendencies, and sexual compulsions.
He tried to fulfill his legitimate needs for his father's affirmation, affection and attention with transient and promiscuous relationships. Sadly, my father died of AIDS in 1991.
From a young age, I was exposed to explicit sexual speech, self-indulgent lifestyles, varied Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transexual subcultures and vacation spots. Sex looked gratuitous to me as a child. I was exposed to all inclusive manifestations of sexuality including bathhouse sex, cross-dressing, sodomy, pornography, gay nudity, lesbianism, bisexuality, minor recruitment, voyeurism and exhibitionism. Sado-masochism was alluded to and aspects demonstrated. Alcohol and drugs were often contributing factors to lower inhibitions in my father's relationships.
My father prized unisex dressing, gender-neutral aspects and a famous cross-dressing icon when I was eight years old. I did not see the value of biological complementing differences of male and female or think about marriage. I made vows to never have children since I had not grown up in a safe, sacrificial, child-centered home environment. Due to my life experience, I ask, "Can children really perform their best academically, financially, psychologically, socially and behaviorally in experimental situations?" I can tell you that I suffered long-term in this situation, and this has been professionally documented.
Over two decades of direct exposure to these stressful experiences caused me insecurity, depression, suicidal thoughts, dread, anxiousness, low self-esteem, sleeplessness and sexuality confusion. My conscience and innocence were seriously damaged. It took me until I was into my 20s and 30s, after making major life choices, to begin to realize how being raised in this environment affected me. My healing encompassed facing reality, accepting long-term consequences, and offering forgiveness. Can you imagine being forced to tolerate unstable relationships and diverse sexual practices from a young age and how this affected my development? My gender identity, psychological well-being, and peer relationships were affected. Unfortunately, it was not until my father, his sexual partners and my mother had died, that I was free to speak publicly about my experiences."
Unfortunately, Dawn’s experiences aren't unique. Among children raised by same-sex couples, there is a significant increase in low self-esteem, stress, confusion regarding sexual identity, an increase in mental illness, drug use, promiscuity, STDs, and homosexual behavior, to name just a few. The fact is, our heavenly Father knows best! Children thrive when they have a mother and a father in a lifelong marriage bond. Kids need responsible monogamous parents free of extramarital sexual partners. Parental promiscuity, abuse and divorce are destructive for children.
Contributed by Chris Kelley to sermoncentral.com
Power point 5: Mom’s and dad’s both natural and spiritual you are the most influential people in your kids lives and you have to be willing to fight for your family and for your future family in this world.
Power Point 6: The question could be asked: Is the family - your family more important than the Benjamin’s you earn at your job every day?
Right answer: "Yes, your family is more important than money – we all know how crazy our families can be and how irritating our families can be but they are family":
Reference the Video clip from the movie - The Croods.
Back to my point today: “Your family is more important than the Benjamin’s – so moms and dads fight for them keep doing what you are doing and do not lose heart in the battle for your kid’s spirit and soul!”
Power point 7: We dare not deny the dangerous reality of our present world. A large part of society is in the midst of change which is trying to rock and change your Biblical family units beliefs. Many believe this change will tear our nation and our families apart.
Power point 8: Gary Collins author of “Family Shock” states, “Change, however, is part of life, and we cannot cope by resisting its impact, denying its reality, retreating to the past, or withdrawing into what have been called “armored cocoons”- homes and churches that we turn into cozy bunkers where we “set up alarm systems, pull down the blinds, and imagine ourselves safe from threats outside.”
I. Family Shock
a. Quote: Family Shock pages 4, 5: The message of this book is different. It’s a message of hope that can be stated in a few sentences:
i. The whole of society is in the midst of change so powerful that it rocks every part of our lives, including our families.
ii. Many people fear these changes, sensing that they will tear apart our nation and our homes, so they call for a return to the nostalgic families and traditional values of the fifties.
iii. Change…on power point slide 8 above…
iv. When we understand the changes that are shaking families, we can take steps to deal with the change and to undergird our homes so they can stand firm.
v. The church can, and must, become a stabilizing influence that gives direction, healing and hope, and security to marriages and families that are battered by the shock waves of change.
vi. We can reach out from our homes to make others a part of our families, bringing them into God’s family as well.
b. Power point 9: Mom’s and dad’s we need you more than ever to fight for your families!
i. When I think of a person who fought for his nation and his family I think of Nehemiah.
1. We need to be like Nehemiah who prayed first not after he failed (Neh. 1:5-11).
2. We need to be like Nehemiah who did not give up and just think about how good it was in past but instead called out to God for a plan and then got it (Neh. 2:2-8)
3. We need to be like Nehemiah and proceed with the plan by putting things in to action (Neh. 2:9-12)
4. We need to be like Nehemiah who joined with others to rebuild what was destroyed by the enemy. We must in times like this reach out to each other (Neh. 2:12-18).
5. We need to be like Nehemiah when he encountered opposition and pressed forward (Neh. 2-5)
a. He faced laughter and ridicule (Neh. 2:19; 4:1-3).
b. He faced people who plotted to undermine his building project (Neh. 4:7-9).
c. He faced fatigue and stress (Neh. 4:10-12).
d. He faced economic crisis and squabbles among the builders (Neh. 5:5-7).
e. He faced people who deliberately tried to distract the builders from their tasks (Neh. 6:4-9).
6. In every scenario Nehemiah and his associates prayed and kept on building!
II. We need spiritual and natural moms who reflect the character traits of Proverbs 31:10-31 to press forth and fight for their families:
a. Proverbs 31:10-31 NIV:
i. 10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate
1. Note: In our society, where physical appearance counts for so much, it may surprise us to realize that her appearance is never mentioned. Her attractiveness comes entirely from her Godly character to fight and supply the needs of her family.
b. Today I want to focus for a moment on the important roles that spiritual and natural mothers play in the family and remind us why we need to honor them on this special day. Sorry guys you will have to wait until June to be honored as fathers!
i. But before I do look at Proverbs a little more in detail - Let’s first look at the first mom:
1. Illustration: EVE: from sermoncentral.com
a. 7 Advantages of Being 1st
i. No "in-laws!"
ii. No one to be compared to (Eve never heard, "Johnny's mother...")
iii. No bad culture or influences to fight against
iv. No birthdays (of your own) to celebrate (perpetually 29 and holding!)
v. You hold the title, "World's Best Mom" for decades!
vi. You will have a family tree like no other mother!
vii. More Grandkids than you can count!
b. 7 Disadvantages of Being 1st
i. No mother of your own to seek advice from
ii. No manual or parenting books for raising children
iii. No Grandparents to babysit the kids
iv. Large family -- whether you wanted one or not ("Be fruitful and MULTIPLY!")
v. You're the 1st to have to deal with snakes (We all know how bad that turned out!)
vi. You are blamed for every mother's pain (childbirth)
vii. You are blamed for EVERYTHING that has gone wrong for...well basically for all of human history!
c. Let’s take a closer look at our Scripture text in Proverbs for more insight into why we need to praise our moms.
i. Scripture Text: Proverbs 31:10-31
1. From Chronological life application Bible notes: “Proverbs has a lot to say about women. How fitting that the book ends with a picture of a woman of strong character, great wisdom, many skills, and great compassion. Some people have the mistaken idea that the ideal woman in the Bible is retiring, servile, and entirely domestic. Not so! This woman is an excellent wife and mother. She is also a manufacturer, importer, manger, realtor, farmer, seamstress, uphoisterer, and merchant. Her strength and dignity do not come from her amazing achievements-they are a result of her reverence for God. In our society, where physical appearance counts for so much, it may surprise us to realize that her appearance is never mentioned. Her attractiveness comes entirely from her character. The woman described in this chapter has outstanding abilities. Her family’s social position is high. In fact-she may not be one woman at all-she may be a composite portrait of ideal womanhood. Do not see her as a model to imitate in every detail; your days are not long enough to do everything she does! See her instead as an inspiration to be all you can be. We can’t be just like her, but we can learn from her industry, integrity, and resourcefulness. (Page 847)
d. Proverbs paints a picture for us of a godly woman – this woman is a mom and could be a spiritual mom as well.
i. Proverbs 31: Description of a Worthy Woman (NASB)
1. 10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
a. How much is she worth study of moms: A University of Minnesota study on Motherhood released a few years ago said moms should get $131,000 a year for what they do! When you add together all the different jobs they do it becomes obvious how valuable mothers are in our lives. Some reports say mothers do 17 different jobs while raising their children: Here are some examples: psychologist, social worker, doctor, nurse, executive chef, teacher, police officer, judge, counselor, manager, dish washer, maid, financial manager, etc. One researcher stated, "Of course, no one can place a value on the love and affection that mothers give to their families." But it shows what they are worth far more than a 3 figure salary and their love and service to their families is “Priceless".
b. Guys too many of us take our wives for granted and we need to understand that they are far more valuable than the Benjamin’s we make.
c. Maybe this verse is why we give our wives precious jewels in their rings and jewelry to show that they are worth more than what is on their hand.
2. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
a. Josh McDowell wisely stated, “The greatest thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” And the greatest thing a mother can do for her children is to love their father."
b. Moms, married woman, single woman do you do your men good?
c. Remember ladies guys are different and they need your God given mother’s sensitivity and womanly wisdom to keep proper focus in life:
i. Funny Illustration: Heart of a true father: One day a mother chanced by the nursery and noticed her husband standing in deep contemplation by the crib of his sleeping son. Silently, she watched him for a while, wondering what thoughts were going through his mind as he looked at his own flesh and blood asleep in the crib. At last she slipped into the room and put her arm through his and asked, “What are you thinking of, dear?” He was startled from her putting her arm in his and her question: “Oh, I was just wondering how in the world they could make a crib like this for $69.00!”
3. 13 She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight.
14 She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens.
a. Women of God you work hard for your family and we as a church want to say thank you!
b. Spiritual and natural moms work hard at providing the physical things your family needs but moms let me remind you to work even harder at providing the spiritual things your children need.
c. Example of this is found in Salome as an example: A New Testament mother was Salome, mother of the disciples James and John. A few scholars suggest that she was a sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Certainly, she and her sons were very close to Jesus. We think of her as an ambitious person. She was so desirous for her sons to enjoy extra prestige during Jesus' ministry that she made a special public request to him. (Matthew 20:21 "Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.") Jesus rebuked her gently, (Matthew 20:23 "To sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.") We should not be too hard on her, for she remained one of the most faithful followers of Jesus to the end. And evidently she handed down a rich spiritual legacy to her sons. It was to her son John that Jesus entrusted His own mother at the end. And it is commonly agreed that James was the first apostle to be martyred.
i. She was working hard on behalf of her children!
ii. She wanted them to be blessed!
iii. Moms thanks for going the extra mile for your family in the spiritual things of their life too.
d. Another example of this kind of woman is found in Eunice and Lois - The Apostle Paul loved Timothy as if he were his own son. He writes to him, (II Timothy 1:5 "I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.") Eunice and Lois seem to step right from the pages of the Bible to tell us that nothing is more important in a mother's life than the early spiritual training of her children. We can be sure such children knew well the stories of the Old Testament, and recalled the Books of the Law and the Prophets. Undoubtedly, Lois and her mother had steeped Timothy in a knowledge of all the great judges and the most loved prophets as well as the wisdom in the Psalms and Proverbs. You can almost hear them repeating some of those verses to each other, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Or, "She that bare thee shall rejoice." (Proverbs 22:6.) Another might have been, "I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths." (Proverbs 4:11.) Timothy was only about fifteen when he left them to go with Paul and Silas to preach the gospel. We can only imagine the pride coupled with sadness they experienced as they told him goodbye.
i. Moms don't neglect your child's spiritual heritage and their relationship with Jesus and God the Father.
ii. Invest into their minds, academics, skills, physical needs but never forget to develop their spiritual life too.
4. 16 She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
a. An example of a mom like this is Sarah, we should look at the beloved wife of Abraham, Sarah, who was to be the Mother of Nations. Her son Isaac, was born in her old age, the Bible's first story of a miracle conception. Sarah's life was one of continuous trial, but through it all she emerged as a woman of power, one who was a dutiful and beloved wife and who finally became a favored and venerated mother she always wanted to be.
b. Why is she honored today, she never gave up or quit in the tough times but pressed through to receive the promises of God.
c. Natural moms and spiritual moms never give up but stand on the Promises of God! Stay strong in the Lord!
5. 18 She senses that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night.
a. Mom is often the first one up in the morning. After running around all day, she's up late at night as well. The Bible says "...her candle goeth not out by night" in Proverbs 31:18. Most moms today would say they are burning the candle at both ends. An exemplary mom works hard to serve her family.
b. Natural and spiritual mom’s thanks for giving up your sleep for your children and for moms serving your family like this.
c. By the way there are single woman striving to serve their families like this woman did. Thank You for serving!
d. Thanks women of God for making a difference!
6. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy.
a. One of the greatest mothers I have ever read about and who never had children of her own was Mother Teresa who said this about helping others, “If you give what you do not need, it isn’t giving.”
b. Mother Teresa - CALLED TO BE FAITHFUL: Mark Hatfield tells of touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visiting the so-called "House of Dying," where sick children are cared for in their last days, and the dispensary, where the poor line up by the hundreds to receive medical attention. Watching Mother Teresa minister to these people, feeding and nursing those left by others to die, Hatfield was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the suffering she and her co-workers face daily. "How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?" he asked. Mother Teresa replied, "My dear Senator, I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful." SOURCE: Beyond Hunger, Beals
c. Moms thx for showing us the importance of helping the poor.
7. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
a. Moms thx for all the warm clothes!
b. EVOLUTION? If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands? Milton Berle, American comedian. SOURCE: Celebrating Mothers: A Book of Appreciation. Edited by Glorya Hale and Carol Kelly-Gangi. MetroBooks, 2002. pg 7.
8. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
a. THE DEFINITION OF BARBECUING: It’s the only type of cooking a "real man" will do. When a man volunteers to do the ’BBQ’ the following chain of events is put into motion:1) The woman goes to the store. 2) The woman fixes the salad, vegetables, and dessert. 3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils, and takes it to the man, who is lounging beside the grill. 4) The man places the meat on the grill. 5) The woman goes inside to set the table and check the vegetables. 6) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning. 7) The man takes the meat off the grill and hands it to the woman. 8) The woman prepares the plates and brings them to the table. 9) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes. 10) Everyone praises the man and thanks him for his cooking efforts. 11) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed "her night off." And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there’s just no pleasing some women.SOURCE: From Shani Monk, whose husband is a great BBQ-er. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021012/windows/net.htm
b. Thanks ladies for making us men look good.
9. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the tradesmen.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.
a. The story of the 3 year old in the grocery store and cookies: I am sure this mom had to smile at this scenario and think this kid has a great future! Who knows what God will have him do!
10. 26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
a. ALL MOMS KNOW THIS STUFF: One mom was out walking with her 4-year-old daughter when her girl picked up something from the ground and started to put it in her mouth. The mother tells what happens in her own words: "I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that." My daughter quickly asked, "Why?" "Because it's been lying outside, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty and probably has germs," I replied. At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Wow! How do you know all this stuff?" I thought quickly and said, "All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mommy Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy." We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, as she pondered this new information. "Oh...I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass the test you have to be the daddy?" I smiled and replied, "Exactly." (From a sermon by Mark Opperman, Mothers: Guardians of the Heart, 6/19/2012)
i. Ezekiel 16:44 "As is the mother, so is her daughter.
1. A simple little Bible verse that reminds us parents how much our children are watching and imitating us.
2. I have heard it said often when I was dating that if you want to know what the daughter will be like in few years of marriage then look at her mother. Children will always become what they have been taught over the years, the truth is the greatest influence in a child’s life is their mother and father. Daughters need to recall and remember that your mom has given you the example to follow when it's time for you to be the mom.
11. 27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
a. Bathsheba, David's favorite wife Bathsheba was a remarkably powerful woman. She intervened to have her son Solomon succeed his father as king.
b. Jochebed was the mother of Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. Her name lives on, not by how many big things she accomplished, but by how wisely and well she served as a mother. She was able to save Moses from the Pharaoh's edict of death for Hebrew male children. For the first three months of his life, she kept him hidden. Then she wove an ark of bulrushes and put Moses in it to await the coming of Pharaoh's daughter who took pity on the child. When she sought a nurse for the child, it was Jochabed who was given the task of caring for him until he was seven. Perhaps we can trace in the peculiarly gentle character of Moses the influence of this devout mother.
12. 28 Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
29 “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.”
a. Greg Louganis recorded an unprecedented double/double in Olympic diving when he won gold medals in the men’s 3-meter springboard and platform competition in both the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. Few will ever forget how he fought back in 1988. In the springboard event he missed one dive and hit the board with his head. Physicians stitched his cut, and he went on to win. In the platform diving he won the gold on his final performance with an incredible reverse three-and-a-half somersault tuck. It was a breathtaking finish that brought Americans to their feet. It was the same dive that clinched the gold for Louganis in the ’84 games. When reporters hounded him in Los Angeles he gave them a very unusual response. They asked, "What were you thinking about as you prepared for your final dive?" Maybe they were referring to the pressure, or to the fact that that dive is extremely dangerous and killed a Soviet diver just a year before in 1983. Louganis’ simple answer was, "I was thinking that no matter what happens, my mother will still love me." When Greg was just eleven, he became very frustrated at his diving performance in an early and important meet. Frances Louganis took her son aside and said, "I do not come to see you win. I come to see you dive. Just do your best. I will love you no matter what." That unconditional love carried her son to forty-three national diving titles, six Pan-American gold medals, five world championships, one Olympic silver medal, and four Olympic golds. Unconditional love can cause anyone to excel.Reader’s Digest, June 1988, p. 163-170
13. 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
a. THE BEST PREACHER IN THE FAMILY: G. Campbell Morgan, a profound British preacher whose four sons all became pastors, influenced millions with his preaching, teaching and writing. One day, when his young son Howard finished preached, a reporter asked him, "Since you have five Pastors in your family who is the greatest preacher? Expecting the son to give the honor to his father, Howard surprised the reporter by saying, "My Mother!" Often people do not realize that a mother’s love, concern and teaching are often far more influential on people than anything else. Never underestimate the power of love.
b. POWER OF A PRAYING MOTHER: The year was 1820 and Peter Richley was a grateful man. He had survived one of the strangest and most harrowing events known to mankind. The ship which he had been traveling on sank. He was rescued. By some strange twist of circumstance, however, this ship sank. He was rescued again. But, this third ship sank likewise. He was rescued for a third time. Yet, his fourth ship of passage soon sank. And unbelievably, he was rescued for a fourth time, but this fifth ship sank as well. It would have been laughable had it not been so serious. On the high seas, however, he floated with the serene confidence that somehow God did not want him to die. And sure enough, as if on cue, another ship came by and answered his call for help.This ocean liner, The City of Leeds, was named after it’s British city of orgin. It was bound from England to Australia and traveled the same sea lane as Peter Richley’s downed ships. The crew of The City of Leeds hoisted Peter aboard. Dry clothing was provided to Peter. The ship’s doctor gave him a cursory exam, pronounced him fit, and then asked an unusual favor. “There’s a lady on board who booked passage to Australia,” the doctor explained. “She’s looking for her son who disappeared years ago. She’s dying and she’s asking to see her son. She knows everybody on board and since you’re the only newcomer, would you pretend to be her son?” Peter agreed. After all, his life had now been saved for the fifth time. He followed the doctor below deck and entered into a cabin. There on a small bed lay a frail woman with silvered-hair. She was obviously suffering from a very high fever. Deliriously, she was crying out. “Please God. Let me see my son before I die. I must see my son!” The ship’s doctor gently pushed the young man toward the bed. Soon, however, Peter Richley began sobbing. For lying there on that bed was the reason that he couldn’t seem to die. Here was the lifeline that had kept him from drowning five times. For lying on that bed was none other than Sarah Richley—who had prayed for ten years to reconciled to her son, Peter.The ship’s doctor stood in amazement as the young man fell down by the bed and embraced the sick woman. “I’m here mom! I’m here. It’s me!” Within days the fever had subsided and his mother awakened to find an answered prayer seated on the edge of her bed. SOURCE: Philip Harrelson in "Take Him to His Mother" on www.sermoncentral.com. Note from Mr. Harrelson: This story was told by western writer Louis L’Amour in an interview he gave. This story bears out the saying, “truth is stranger than fiction.” In researching the Louis L’Amour website there were additional references that bear out this story to be true.
c. Hannah: Eunice and Lois must have shared feelings similar to those of Hannah of the Old Testament when she left her young Samuel in the House of the Lord at Shiloh, "I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord." (I Samuel 1:28.) Hannah had named her son Samuel, meaning "asked of the Lord." She had prayed for his birth and made a promise that if she was rewarded with a son, she would consecrate her child to God. Then when he was about three years old, she took him to Eli the priest for training. Once a year the family went to Shiloh for the yearly sacrifices and each time Hannah took with her a robe made of blue fabric for Samuel to wear. We can be sure Hannah put love into every stitch.
14. 31 Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
a. INFLUENCE THE WORLD: Whenever I held my newborn babe in my arms, I used to think what I did and what I said to him would have an influence, not only on him, but on everyone he meets, not for a day, or a year, but for all time and for eternity. What a challenge, what a joy! SOURCE: Rose Kennedy, Mother to John F. Kennedy. Citation: Celebrating Mothers: A Book of Appreciation. Edited by Glorya Hale and Carol Kelly-Gangi. MetroBooks, 2002.
b. A MOTHER'S LOVE : One of the most touching elements of the film "The Passion of the Christ" is the mother-son relationship. Every mother can relate to Mary’s total commitment to her son. Here’s the story of a modern day mother and her love for her son, as told by one member of the staff at Campus Crusade Canada. "A lady in our church shared on Sunday that when she was 17 she got pregnant and had to give up her son for adoption. She has been praying for him for years and registered to find him a number of years ago. For her 50th birthday her daughter prayed and asked God to help her connect with this son after 33 years. The son had recently bought a computer and registered a willingness to meet his birthmom. Two weeks ago they spoke on the phone for the first time. He flew out to meet her last week. During the week this mom took her son to see The Passion of the Christ. She then led him to the Lord. He went home to his wife and three children and he led his wife to the Lord. This 50 year-old mom is going to meet her son and daughter-in-law and grandchildren this week. The son and family are talking about moving out here to be close to his mother. Praise God!" SOURCE: Bob Kraemer of Campus Crusade Canada, ShareTheLife Newsletter, March 26, 2004.
c. THE BEST CITIZEN OF ALL: 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 only realize it, a more honorable as well as a more 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. SOURCE: Theodore Roosevelt
d. Rachel, mother of Joseph and Benjamin, was the first woman on record to lose her life in childbirth. Rachel died when Benjamin was born. Benjamin must have heard a great deal about his mother because Jacob loved her dearly.
b. Quote: from http://www.bibleandjewishstudies.net/articles/biblicalmothers.htm: The mother of the Bible is a figure of power. She influences the course of life in her home and, in some cases, wider society. The biblical mother is a force to be reckoned with in social, political and religious spheres. Her power stems in part from her role as wife, but far more so from the nurturing and influential relationship she has with her children. No other biblical woman, whether wife, sister or daughter, seems to enjoy the same status and power as the mother. As the mother of the Bible cares for her clan, she does so with wisdom and purpose, acquiring authority and position within the household and beyond.
c. Rise up, children and praise thy mother. It was no easy feat to raise you. Give her some kudos, a hug, much thanks and one or two of these great Bible verses.
Conclusion:
Listen to some of these research statistics asking people how important they think there family is:
The following from http://www.pobronson.com/factbook/pages/431.html:
75% of Americans believe that family is the most important factor in achieving personal happiness.
60% of Japanese believe family is the most important factor in achieving personal happiness.
"As a rule, in Italy the family is firmly at centre stage. The use of private services to assist with housework and care does not show any particular signs of change as compared to the past. Care of the house, children and elderly continue to be almost exclusively women’s responsibility. The differences with respect to the other European countries emerge clearly from a recent Euro-barometer survey."
"The geography of families in the central and northern parts of Europe and the communities in North America are characterized by relatively weak family ties. In contrast, families from the Mediterranean region possess stronger family bonds, as evidenced by the care they render to aged or weak members of society.”
“"In weak-family areas, the value attributed to the individual and to individualism tends to predominate.”
"Loneliness is one of the most important social problems in weak-family societies. I refer to the loneliness of the individual who must confront the world and his own life without the safety net of familial support so characteristic of strong-family regions. Suicide, often an indirect consequence of loneliness, tends to be far higher in northern Europe and the United States than it is in southern Europe.”
Why because of strong family bonds.
72.9% of American adult children describe their relationships with their mothers as "very close."
57% of American adult children describe their relationships with their fathers as "very close."
69.4% of American children contact their moms once a week.
58.6% of American children contact their dads once a week.
31% of American adult children have a "tight-knit" relationship with their mothers, while just 20 percent have such a close connection with their fathers
7% of American adult children have a "detached" relationship with their mothers: they don't see them, don't contact them, have little if any emotional connection.
27% of American adult children have "detached" relationships with their fathers.
Italians and Greeks: Seem to have the strongest family units maybe this is why I love to watch the TV show “Cake Boss” and my favorite movie is My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
58% of Italian men call their moms everyday!
65% of Italian women call their moms everyday!
Family is to be a focal point of our lives not money not jobs. God desires families to be strong and committed to Him and to one another this why it makes the top ten on God’s list of to do’s.
Exodus 20:12 "Honor thy mother and father."
This is one of the big 10 – it’s a commandment given to the people of God. God instructs us as children to honor our parents. It’s not a suggestion but it is a mandatory commandment! So I believe God is very serious about us doing this.
Your family is more important than the Benjamin’s you earn?
Power point 10:Mom’s thanks for being there!
• Be reminded that you job is a God ordained job!
• He promises to strengthen you, guide you, encourage you, lift you up, and fight for you and your family when you ask Him for help and for His intervention. So stay strong, stay focused and stay committed to Jesus!
Note: The above women of the Bible information was taken from: http://freepages.religions.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gentutor/BibleMothers.html
Altar time: Call older spiritual and natural moms upfront – have them pray for the younger moms and the moms to be!
