THREE THINGS THAT MAKE AN OUTSTANDING MOTHER
Luke 2:1-7
TEXT: 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.
PROPOSITION: To motivate the hearer to seek the power of God to enable him/her to be a successful parent.
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:
THE ONE WHO FOLLOWS ME
A careful mother I ought to be,
A little one is following me
I do not dare to go astray
For fear she’ll go the selfsame way.
I cannot once escape her eyes,
Whatever she sees me do, she tries.
Like me she says she’s going to be
That little one who follows me.
She thinks that I am good and fine,
Believes in every word of mine;
The base in me she must not see
That little one who follows me.
I must remember as I go
Through summer’s sun and winter’s snow
I am building for the years to be
That little one who follows me.
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.
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 1:14,2:1-4 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplica-tion, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 2:1 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 re-lationship 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.
The first thing necessary to become an outstanding mother is a personal re-lationship 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 Then 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?
CONCLUSION:
