Intro: Have you ever read some of the crazy warning labels there are out there today? Let’s take a look at a couple. This one says danger do not hold the wrong end of a chainsaw. The next one says of an Iron on application, “Do not iron while wearing shirt.” The last one says, “Warning this product moves when used.” There are others. A fanbelt warning says, “Be sure you shut off the engine as it may cause irreversible injury. "Caution: Remove infant before folding for storage." -- On a portable stroller.
The funny part about this is that someone somewhere had to have done some of these for them to become warnings. The not so funny part is that people still at times ignore the warning labels on dangerous things.
In Genesis we are giving clear understanding and revelation of the roles and responsibilities of man and woman Fathers and mothers according to God’s design. Before the fall man and woman didn’t seem to need any instructions. After the fall we will see warning labels and instruction manuals.
When faced with unrealistic and worldly ideas and instructions about motherhood it is not surprising when moms sometimes feel like quitting. Here is encouragement from Diana Allen how to face this attitude in a poem called, “I Quit.”
After explaining the hardships of parenthood, she concludes, “There will be days when I’ll still hunt through the yellow pages for the number for the Mother’s Resignation Hotline … or my heart will feel as though it has been shattered into a thousand pieces. One thing is sure, however: I have to hang on, to stand firm, to fight the good fight. The souls of my children and the quality of the lives they live here on earth is at stake—and so is their eternity. My children are too precious for me to do anything but persevere.”
(quoted from http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/parenting-with-a-purpose-dennis-davidson-sermon-on-mothers-day-185300.asp)
There is a generation of children and grandchildren that need to be rescued from wrong ideas and attitudes toward motherhood and womanhood. We begin by recognizing that God has every right to rule and have the last word on every subject. It is in accepting his right to rule that we begin to accept and defer to God’s word. In his word He has given a clear design for mothers.
I. God’s design for mothers
Learning God’s design for mothers will give you freedom to ignore what the world says about being a woman and a mom.
A) God designed mothers to be suitable helpers
If you pay close attention to Genesis 2:18-25 it is clear that God meant for woman to complement man. Some of you might have a problem with the word suitable helper. But before you get mad let’s look at who else has helped man in the Bible.
Psalm 54:4 “The Lord is my Helper, the Lord is the sustainer of my life.”
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.”
Psalm 33:20 “We wait for Yahweh; He is our help and shield.”
A suitable helper is able to step into any situation time or trouble.
What we see with God making Adam first is priority. God made Adam first because he was giving him the responsibility to lead the partnership of man and woman in a God centered God glorifying direction. What you have to know is as Alistair Begg said, “Priority does not mean superiority. Man is not better than woman. In fact women you are 100% better a being a woman and a mother than a man. Men you are 100% better at being men and fathers than a woman.
God had and has a grand design that can clearly be seen physically. I mean men and women mothers and fathers are different. That grand plan was for them to complement each other. The warning label comes in when we ignore God’s design.
He clearly tells us in Genesis 3:14-16 that the fall messed up his plan for man and woman. Sin caused the man to abandon his role as loving and leading head and protector of woman. Sin caused the woman to abandon her role as respectful and complementary helper. If children and grandchildren are going to get a glimpse of God’s goodness in Moms then ladies you have to begin with God’s design.
B) God designed mothers to reproduce His image
We see in God’s design for men and women that they are equal in that the both bear the image of God. Both however do not and cannot bear the same responsibilities because of their unique design.
Mothers you have the express responsibility and joy of carrying the beautiful gift of life called babies in your womb. Psalm 127:3 “Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, children, a reward.” Some translations say fruit of the womb.
There is no man I know that is capable of doing this. For one we are wimps and couldn’t handle it and two we aren’t built for it. That is why women are so different in emotional and relational abilities.
The only way that Adam and eve could fulfill God’s first commands to be fruitful and multiply and rule the earth would be if they were different but united.
C) God designed mothers to nurture her children
Providing a nurturing home reveals the image of God. God provides for His children. Moms you have the amazing opportunity to provide a home of constant support especially verbal. Moms can sometimes be like chucky cheese, they can make home a place to be a kid. Webster’s says nurture is to feed or nourish. Without nurture we wither. Mothers you have the responsibility of creating and environment in your home where you children can grow and develop in the happy obedience of God. Psalm 100:2 “Serve the Lord with gladness.” Nurturing you children through failures, difficulties, hurts and pains reveals the unending love of God. Making your shoulder and ears available. Sharing words of love and encouragement.
D) God designed mothers to know Him
Mothers you weren’t just made to reflect God. You were also made to relate to God. Jesus came to give life and give it to the full. Full life is full of God. Our children’s lives get fuller and fuller as they get older. They get full of activities, full of relationships, full of hobbies, full of ideas and opinions. You must be persistent in pursing God for your soul so that you will have something to show them what a full life is really like.
II. God’s discipleship for mothers
A) Share with them the God you know
We can see in the story of Genesis the desire of God to know Adam and Eve. He makes them like Him as moral and logical creatures. When he is ready to give life to them he breathes life into Adam and Eve. Then he desires to walk with them in the garden in the cool of the morning.
God still wants you to reproduce His image. When we share with them our relationship with God we give Him an opportunity to open their blind eyes.
B) Teach them God’s word you know (Deuteronomy 11:18-21 Read)
Let me explain. You may be thinking, Bro Bill I am not a Bible scholar, SS teacher or pastor. You don’t have to be a Pastor, teacher or preacher. You can teach them what you know about God’s word during your daily routine. Do you see this in the text? You are not being called to do a small group Bible study. Instead you are being told to teach them principles from God’s word for dealing with daily life.
When they take something that doesn’t belong to them remind them God says don’t steal. When they lie remind them Jesus said let your yes be yes and your no no. When they mistreat their siblings or friends, tell them, Love your neighbor as yourself.
Teach them to give thanks always, to pray without ceasing, to serve without the thought of return. Teach them to respect and honor their father. Teach them to forgive and pray for those that hurt them.
There are so many things we teach our kids that they may never use. However a deep dependence on God’s word as the final say in our lives is absolutely necessary.
Why?
1) Faith comes by hearing the word of God – We trust God by learning of Him and our need for his saving grace! (Romans 10:17)
2) We grow by the word of God. There are so many stunted Christians in the world because of neglect of proper diet. (1 Peter 2:2)
C) Invest in them obedience (Proverbs 23:14)
“Don’t withhold discipline from a youth; if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.14 Strike him with a rod, and you will rescue his life from Sheol.”
Not only does the Bible teach us to be disciplined but it clearly tells us to discipline our children? Why?
Discipline is a display of love. Proverbs 13.24, Hebrews 12:6. Discipline helps children learn right from wrong. The reason Balitmore Maryland happened is those kids were doing what was right in their own eyes. A lack of discipline teaches there is no right or wrong.
Proverbs 13:1
D) Introduce them to prayer
Conclusion: God never expects you to be perfect mothers. However he expects you to pay close attention to warning labels.
