Proverbs 31:29-30-“Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Luke 2:1-7-“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, be-cause he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
INTRODUCTION: Giving birth does not make a woman a mother. It takes a special woman to be a mother. A mother is a person who is willing to take the responsibility of investing her life into another human being who is totally de-pendent upon her to do so. We need Godly women who will serve the Lord and also be the kind of mother we read about in the keynote scriptures that were just shared. We need Godly mothers because they make outstanding mothers!
Abraham Lincoln: “No man is poor who has had a godly mother.”
The first thing necessary to become an outstanding mother is ...
I. A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
2 Timothy 1:3-5 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
When General Ulysses S. Grant's mother died at Jersey City in 1883, he said to the minister who was to officiate at the funeral: "Make no reference to me. She owed nothing to me, to any post I have occupied or any honors that have been paid me. Speak of her just as she was: a pure-minded, simple-hearted, earnest Methodist Christian."
A. Mary Was A Person Of Spiritual Integrity
Luke 1:30-Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
B. Mary Was A Person Who Enjoyed The Presence Of God
Luke 1:46-47 -And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
C. Mary Was Woman Hungry For God
Acts 1:14-These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Acts 2:1-4-When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one ac-cord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The first thing necessary to become an outstanding mother is a personal relationship with God.
The second thing necessary is….
II. A PROPER RELATIONSHIP WITH HER FAMILY
A. Mary Supported Her Husband’s Leadership
Matthew 2:13-14-Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt,
Matthew 2:19-23-But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead." 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
B. Mary Taught Her Children Discipline In Honor Of God
Luke 2:51-52 -Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Proverbs 22:6-Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Application: If your children don’t honor and obey you, whom they can see, how will they learn to obey God whom they cannot see?
C. Mary Was Faithful to Her Children
John 19:25-Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Dr. G. Campbell Morgan has four sons and they are all preachers. Someone once came into the drawing-room when all the family was there. They thought they would see what Howard, one of the sons, was made of and they asked him this question: "Howard, who is the greatest preacher in your family?" Howard had a great admiration for his father, and he looked straight across at him, and then, without a moment's hesitation, he answered, "Mother."
—War Cry.
The first thing necessary to become an outstanding mother is a personal relationship with God. The second thing necessary is a proper relationship with your family, the third ingredient in every outstanding mother is...
III. A WILLINGNESS TO SERVE GOD
Luke 1:38-hen Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Deuteronomy 10:12-13-"And now…what does the LORD your God re-quire of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 "and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?
Dwight L. Moody once wrote of his boyhood:
"Dad died when mother was forty-one. What a struggle she had with us; six besides myself, and then the twins were born after father's death. Only three books in the place, and yet they were enough—the family Bible, the catechism, and a book of family devotions. How the spruce log fire sparkled as we sat on the mat on the cold Sunday nights when church was impossible. I can hear mother now, solemnly adjuring us to walk in the ways of God, as she read from the big Bible to us. After father died, mother wept herself to sleep every night, sister said, and yet we younger ones who slept soundly in our blissful innocence, knew it not. She was always cheerful to us. Brave old mum! Her motto was, `Give others the sunshine, tell Jesus the rest.'"—Christianity Today.
CONCLUSION: As we celebrate Mother's Day may God continue to give us Godly mothers and outstanding mothers who will be a blessing to their husbands, children and most importantly, the kingdom of God.
