A LESSON FROM MOM
PROVERBS 31:8-9
#MothersDay2017
INTRODUCTION… http://www1.cbn.com/family/%27never-turn-down-a-mint%27-and-other-life-lessons-from-mom
The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) posted a list of valuable lessons that mothers teach us. The following are life lessons we may have learned from our mothers:
* I am special. I have worth that far outweighs how I look, how smart I am, or what the scale reads.
* Don’t be so busy working for God that you miss His instruction.
* One of the first things you learn as a baby is how to find your balance. It’s a lesson you’ll need throughout your life.
* Don’t be in such a rush to grow up. It’s nothing but bills and taxes.
* It’s better to be single and lonely rather than married and miserable. There is no hell like being trapped in a bad marriage.
* You can lie to everyone else, but always tell yourself the truth.
* Drink more water.
* Sometimes people don’t want to argue. They just want you to acknowledge their hurt.
* Pick your battles. Ask yourself, “Is this the mountain I’m willing to die on?”
* Be mindful of the seasons of your life. Know when to move forward, let go, or stay put.
* A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips.
* When God is silent that means, He’s working. Trust Him.
* Relax. Some things come with age.
* Don’t use so much salt.
* Don’t focus on your looks and forget about your character. After all, pretty is as pretty does.
* Never turn down a mint.
* Life's not fair, and it's not supposed to be.
* When you lose someone, you’re going to feel angry, depressed, bitter, and lonely. It’s perfectly normal. Take your time and grieve.
* Bloom where you’re planted.
* Eat your vegetables.
* Most of the time, bad relationships don't just happen. Learn to see the red flags.
* Not everything is the way that it appears. Ask God to open your eyes.
* People are watching you. You’re a role model, whether you like it or not.
* You teach people how to treat you.
* And last but certainly not least... always, always send thank you cards.
This morning, in honor of Mother’s Day, we will be in the Book of Proverbs Chapter 31. Proverbs 31 is the last chapter in the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament and is a chapter written by someone named King Lemuel. King Lemuel is relating to us words taught to him by his mother. Proverbs 31:1 begins, “The sayings of King Lemuel-- an oracle his mother taught him.” Now to be honest, we have no idea who King Lemuel is or who his mother is. You might read in a Bible study or other book that King Lemuel is King Solomon and the mother is Bathsheba, but there is no way anyone can actually know that. We don’t know who these people are, but the chapter is included in the Book of Proverbs so it is trustworthy.
Chapter 31 has 4 sections. Section 1 is a warning from a mother to her son about lust and women and the destruction that brings. Section 2 is a warning about drinking and craving beer and the destruction that brings. Section 3 is advice. Section 4 is perhaps the most well-known part of Proverbs 31 which is the wife of noble character.
This morning I would like us to focus on the 3rd section of Proverbs 31 and review the life lesson and advice that King Lemuel’s mother told him. Our mothers often teach us valuable lessons with their words and with their actions. What did King Lemuel’s mother say to him?
READ PROVERBS 31:8-9
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
THE PASSAGE
Our passage this morning is not one that is all that complicated.
The passage begins on verse 9 with the command to “Speak up.” This is definitely an action word. To “speak up” is the opposite of “staying silent” or doing nothing or being passive. To “speak up” means initiative breaks forth, words are let loose and spoken, and actions are unloaded and done. This command to “speak up” is repeated in verse 9 and please know that anytime something is repeated in the Bible we should definitely take note. Also, in the middle of verse 9, the command to “speak up” is explained with the word “defend.” We are charged to take up the cause and plead the case for others. The sense we get about these verses is that you and I are commanded to speak up and take action in defense.
The passage also tells us who we are to speak up and take action in defense for! There are 3 groups mentioned for whom we should be verbal advocates. Whose cause should we plead? Whose plight should break our hearts? Who is it that we should spring into action? The first group that King Lemuel’s mother describes is “those who cannot speak for themselves.” There are people that have no voice. There are people that cannot defend themselves. We should speak for them. The second group that King Lemuel’s mother describes is “all who are destitute.” The picture we get is someone who has lost absolutely everything. Someone who is destitute is someone who has endured unfortunate destruction in their lives and is afflicted through no fault of their own. The third group that King Lemuel’s mother describes are the “poor and needy.” If anyone is poor, needy, lowly, weak, or abused, those are the people to whom our attention should be.
ILLUSTRATION… http://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/things-mom-would-never-say
Mothers are often those that give us life wisdom that definitely needs to be listened to. There are some things that we know that mothers never say!
“How on earth can you see the TV sitting so far back?”
“Just leave all the lights on...it makes the house look more cheery.”
“Let me smell that shirt—Yeah, it’s good for another week.”
“Go ahead and keep that stray dog, honey. I’ll be glad to feed and walk him every day.”
“Well, if Timmy’s mom says it’s OK, that’s good enough for me.”
“The curfew is just a general time to shoot for. It’s not like I’m running a prison around here.”
“I don’t have a tissue with me...just use your sleeve.”
“Don’t bother wearing a jacket—the wind-chill is bound to improve.”
There is something else that Godly mothers would never say. Godly mothers would never say, “Ignore the Bible, it is more of a metaphor for life.” “Ignore God’s commands, He is ok with it.” “Just read the Bible and look holy… that is good enough.” Godly mothers would never tell us those types of things.
THE CHARGE
So, what is this passage saying to us? What is King Lemuel’s mother telling her son that applies directly to us? What should we do based on what we are reading? This passage is charging us as the People of God to speak up and defend those who cannot speak for themselves and those who are in need. That is a valuable lesson that King Lemuel’s mother passed on to him and that he passed on to us in Proverbs 31.
RE-READ PROVERBS 31:8-9
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
As I was thinking about these verses, I wondered if this type of charge is given out anywhere else in the Bible? If it is not, we might be able to worm our way out of it. We might be able to fashion some type of lame excuse to stay quiet and mind our own business. It certainly is mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. As God’s people, we are reflections of God’s sense of justice and love and righteousness. We don’t always get it right, but one of our callings as the People of God is to speak up for those who are oppressed and do not have a voice and to defend those who are in need.
Proverbs 24:11-12 “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. 12 If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?”
[expound briefly]
Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.”
[expound briefly]
Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
[expound briefly]
Zechariah 7:10 “Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.'”
[expound briefly]
Matthew 23:23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-- mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-- justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
[expound briefly]
Titus 3:14 “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.”
[expound briefly]
Hebrews 13:1-3, “Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”
[expound briefly]
Over and over and over again in the Bible we who are God’s people receive the command to speak up and defend those who have no voice and to come along side those who are destitute and poor and give aid. We are people who are dedicated to justice, righteousness, mercy, action, persuasive words, rescue, and love. I hope you see that from the words of King Lemuel’s mother and from the other passages from the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The truth about this charge is that we cannot just hear it and then go on about our business. King Lemuel’s mother gave him a call to action. She gave him wise actions for those who are hurting and needy. She expected him to not just think on these words, but to act on them. Act. Do. Give time. Give money. Speak words. Write letters. Send cards. Fire off emails. March. Pray.
THE ACTIONS
This morning as we think about these words, I would like to give you suggestions of 4 options for you to put these verses into practice.
http://www.newlifesolutions.org/
First, our church already supports “New Life Solutions” which is a ministry that offers an alternative to abortion. Abortion is morally wrong in all circumstances. The unborn certainly qualifies as those who cannot speak up for themselves. Yesterday was the Walk for Life. We advertised that event over and over. Did you go? Did you speak up for the unborn? Did you add your voice to others who say that a life growing inside a woman is sacred? If not, it is time to speak up and defend! The ministry is always in need of volunteers. Right now, they need people to input the pledges from the Walk for Life. You can see on the screen the needs they have. The contact information is on your sermon notes.
https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-christian-pastors-from-possible-death
Second, the American Center for Law and Justice is currently gathering resources to free 2 Christian ministers from imprisonment in the Sudan. A Christian pastor on trial faces 12 years in prison for his Christian faith. In Sudan in Africa, there is a deadly crackdown on Christians. Two Christian pastors – Rev. Hassan Abduraheem and Rev. Kuwa Shamal – were arrested and imprisoned by Sudan’s Islamist Security Services on trumped-up national security charges because of their Christian faith. Pastor Kuwa has been freed. Pastor Hassan has now been sentenced to 12 years in prison because of his Christian faith. The ACLJ, is launching a massive international legal advocacy campaign, mobilizing global resources demanding this innocent Christian pastor be freed. He could be sentenced to hang for his faith if the world is silent. How about we speak up for him? The way you can sign the petition is included in the sermon notes.
https://trinitycafe.org
Third, in our city, Trinity Cafe serves over 380 hot hearty meals every day to the homeless at 2 locations. Since 2001, Trinity Café serves restaurant quality meals to the homeless, hungry, and working poor. The meals are prepared by chefs and served by volunteers. All guests sit at cloth covered tables with dishes and silverware. As far as I can tell, Trinity Café needs 32 volunteers a day at their Nebraska Ave location and 32 volunteers a day at the Busch Blvd location. Some days only have 2-7 volunteers. This is something we can do! Go and volunteer! Go and come along side someone who is hurting and help provide a meal! Not only can we go and volunteer in this place, but there are needs that they have to serve those who are destitute and homeless. I looked on their chef’s wish list and I saw: large sized bottles of hand sanitizer, magic erasers, paper towels, glass cleaner, laundry detergent, and silverware. I have put a box in the foyer to collect those items. We are going to collect these items for 2 weeks and then we are going to deliver them to the cafes. The list and website is in the sermon notes.
http://freedomcommons.ijm.org/action-alert/end-slavery-put-your-name-line
Fourth, slavery still exists. Today it has a new name called “Human Trafficking. The fact that slavery still exists may come as a shock. Slavery doesn’t just exist—in some places, it is thriving. Ending modern-day slavery will take all of us. The End Modern Slavery Initiative (EMSI) will make a tremendous difference in the fight against slavery, but they need our help to make sure it gets the resources it needs. In December 2016, legislation passed that authorized new U.S. spending to combat slavery. This means Congress is allowed to spend up to a certain amount, but it does not mean that they will. The U.S. budget process now requires that each year congress appropriates the money they are allowed to spend. Many authorization bills get passed that do not get funded. So, this year, we need to tell our new president and members of Congress that ending slavery is important to us as Americans, and urge them to fully fund this new initiative. How about we speak up and defend those who cannot speak for themselves? The way you can sign the petition is included in the sermon notes.
RE-READ PROVERBS 31:8-9
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
CONCLUSION, OUR MOTIVATION
As we conclude this morning, you might be thinking, “Why should I do any of this?” or “What is my motivation?” Our motivation is the Gospel. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That verse shares with us the heart of God. God’s heart centers on love. His love centers on sacrifice. That love and sacrifice is not earned by us, but we are in need and He saved us. If you are here this morning, and this is new for you, that is the reason we are all here. God who is love sent Jesus His Son while we were sinners to die in our place that we might have eternity with Him. Jesus spoke up for us with His life when we could not speak for ourselves, were destitute, and spiritually poor. If you are here this morning, and you are already a believer, God in His vast love is our motivation to speak up and act in defense of others.
Thank you King Lemuel’s mom for her lesson to us today!
