A Mother’s Honor.
Ephesians 6:1-3NIV
This morning we are here to worship the Lord but also we’re present to honor our mothers. Not only are we commanded to obey and honor our mothers; it’s also the sensible and loving thing to do.
Please refuse to take a mother for granted. Many children here today live with a longing to still touch and love on their mothers in a physical manner, and although that isn’t possible, God sees that longing, and He’s in direct communication with our unselfish mothers.
Yes, Mother’s are so unselfish, and though their children will do many things to honor Mom, I believe with my whole heart that nothing pleases Mom more than to see her children pray, praise and worship the Lord.
Again, More than a fancy meal cooked at home, or taking Mom’s out to eat at her favorite restaurant, more than flowers, new clothes, a necklace or a new shiny ring.
“A Mother’s longing; Mom’s greatest desire, is to see their children and their husband worship, serve and give their best of everything to the Lord!” P.H
There’s a wonderful reason for this—Godly Mother’s understand when their children and spouse take the spiritual reins, Mom’s— Motherhood has reached the pinnacle of success!
“Again, ‘Mother’s greatest longing is to see their children and spouse grow spiritually, and become mighty giant’s in the Lord Jesus Christ.” P.H
Three of the greatest scripture-verses found inside God’s word are from the book of Ephesians chapter 6, verses, 1 through 3. Inside these verses come a tremendous promise to everyone who gives them their full attention.
Ephesians 6:1-3NIV Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.
Verse 1 is actually commanding, Children to obey their father and mother, these three verses are non-negotiable mandates.
Listen, It shouldn’t be unusual to expect children to follow the instruction of their parents.
The New Testament Greek word for—obey in verse 1, gives the definitions "to follow instructions; to be subjection; to answer a knock at the door.”
In the Greek, this word—‘Obey’ leaves no wiggle room pertaining to this verse.
Colossians 3:20NKJV Is a tremendous scripture reference. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
Did you know, the parent-child dynamic of spiritual union is meant to be a powerful allegory for the relationship between each of us and God.
Again, Paul writes, children obey your parents in the Lord.
This kind of obedience is very similar to obeying the orders from a commanding officer that a soldier would be submitted to inside United States military—Here’s a fact, In the military, the solider will obey their standing officer, or suffer terrible consequences.
Again notice verse 1 of Ephesians 6—Obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.
Tim Challies—Author and Pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in Toronto, Ontario writes:
“The parent stands as God in relationship to the child. To teach the child to obey the parent is to teach the child to obey God. To allow the child to defy and disobey the parent is to teach the child to defy and disobey God with all the obvious consequences.”
Rev. Bryan Chapell writes, “If we love our children too much to require them to do what is right, then we have not really loved them enough.”
Ephesians 6:2AMP Honor [esteem, value as precious] your father and your mother [and be respectful to them]—this is the first commandment with a promise—
The Apostle Paul pulls this verse from, Exodus 20:12, the fifth commandment of God.
Exodus 20:12“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
Of course, This great commandment is sandwiched between commandment 4, and commandment 6. Commandment 4, Commands mankind to keep the Sabbath holy & Commandment 6, Commands mankind not to murder.
Again, Ephesians 6:2, Honor your parents…
“Isn’t it amazing that our obedience and honor of our parents, namely today, our Mother’s, is directly linked with peace, prosperity and longevity.” P.H
Speaking of honor, I’ll never forget this as long as I live—I was pastoring my first church, I had this precious lady in our small church, She had a son, she could do nothing with. He cussed her, and was always totally disrespectful and disobedient to her in every way. He refused to honor her.
At 17, he begin huffing gasoline, he also begin experiencing with heavy drugs. This young man was out one night, and decided to stop at his Grand Parents house, on hwy. 140. He demanded 20 dollars from them. Neither Grand Parent would give him 20 dollars knowing his condition. Gary murdered both of them. At 19, while in prison for life without the possibility of parole, he died of a mysterious illness.
However, Before any of this transpired, one Sunday night, as I finished preaching, God’s spirit was moving, heavily with conviction. However, he had a buddy with him that night, he pushed away, and literally ran out of church never to enter again.
I said this to tell you once again, “What Mother really desires, What she weeps over, is for her family to sell out to the cause of Jesus Christ. Listen, that’s honor!
The biblical order in Christian homes is not, “Parents, obey your children,” but rather, “Children, obey your parents.”
It would seem as if we’ve been influenced by worldly psychology that tells us, “Parents, cater to your child’s every whim and don’t do anything to stifle his or her self-esteem or warp his or her fragile personality!”
Here’s the gospel truth—Although your parents might have crossed over and met their eternal reward, or maybe you don’t live under their roof anymore, their words should still be clearly heard—Son, Daughter, Husband, Do the right thing!
Mother’s pray—What most of us fail to realize is, mother literally soaks the carpet on her knees in prayer over you!
Children, Listen to me, “Don’t live just to feel good, don’t cave into pressure. Live the kind of life your mother would be proud of.”
Parents, what’s most important as your children attend AWANA, or Kid Quest, VBS, and even Adult Church isn’t, “Did you have fun tonight?”
What’s most important is, “Did you experience Jesus, or did you learn some valuable truth tonite?”
A six-year-old boy, separated from his mother in a supermarket, began to call frantically for “Martha! Martha! Martha!”
That was his mother’s name and she came running to him quickly. “But, honey,” she admonished, “you shouldn’t call me ‘Martha’, I’m ‘Mother’ to you.” “Yes, I know,” he answered, “but this store is full of mothers.”
Our world is full of mothers—but we have only one mother who is special. She should be, and she must always be.
Hear me this, “There is no one like our mother. And no one can take the place of our mother.”
Paul told Timothy in, 2 Timothy 1:5NLT I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.
More than anything, “What godly Mothers desire from their children is to see their faith soar!
When I think about the pathway to faith—I can’t help but think about the story of Ed Kimball. Ed was a quiet man who loved the Lord and those God brought to his Sunday school class. Ed always went the extra mile making sure the lesson was appropriate and memorable. He genuinely cared for every child. On one particular Sunday, he noticed a newer student was missing from his class. Ed inquired about this new student from the other boys and girls in his class. Finally the kids told Ed, that this new boy was out because he got a job selling shoes. Ed responded by getting his coat and heading down to the store after class. He found the boy working in the back room. In that conversation, Ed helped a young Dwight Moody come to know the Lord. But it didn’t stop there. D.L Moody brought another would be evangelist FB Meyer to the Lord. Again it didn’t end there. F.B. Meyer helped Wilbur Chapman find the Lord, who then converted the former baseball player Billy Sunday who then later brought Billy Graham to faith–who may have brought some of you to the Lord.
One true fact about life is, “It all started with a mother giving birth. However, Spiritual mothers continue giving birth, travailing over their children and also their spouse. Fact be known, Spiritual mother’s like ours, never stop giving birth!
Again, Ephesians 6:2-3TLB Honor your father and mother. This is the first of God’s Ten Commandments that ends with a promise. 3 And this is the promise: that if you honor your father and mother, yours will be a long life, full of blessing.
Your obedience and honor to your mother produces long life and blessings—Favor.
Look at that word—Blessings.
Proverbs 10:22NKJV The blessing (favor) of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
To My Child—Things I Can And Cannot Do:
I can share your life, but I cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions, but I cannot always lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot decide for you.
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to be a friend, but I cannot make you one.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can tell you the facts of life, but I cannot build your reputation.
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I cannot achieve them for you.
I can teach you to obey, but I cannot answer for your actions.
I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make your morals.
I can love you as my child, but I cannot place you in God's family.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can teach you about Jesus, But I cannot make Him your Savior.
I can teach you about prayer, but I cannot make you pray.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
Once again, as we close, Mothers are a blessing to the Lord.
“However, that blessing has one stipulation, and that stipulation is Obey and Honor.
‘Children your obedience and honor begin and end with your direct obedience and honor of the Lord.” P.H
Isaiah 1:18-20NKJV “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord,“Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; 20 But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”;For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Today may be a reflective day for some mothers. Your faith as a Mom is being tried and you feel weary. I want to let you know that God sees your pain and hears your prayers. You’re doing well, living by faith. Hold on and be encouraged because God’s not finished with your children, and He’s not finished with you! P.H
Benediction.
