1. Tell her you love her. There are at least three languages of love. “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (I John 3:18).
a. Attitudes. This is loving in attitude of truth.
b. Actions. This is loving in deeds.
c. Words. This is verbal communicaton of the tongue.
Don’t love in words only, but don’t love without words.
2. Love her with your care. “When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own
home” (John 19:26-27).
a. In what ways did your mother care for you? Every way possible.
b. In what ways should you show your mother your love? Every way expected.
3. Love her with hugs and kisses.
a. She loved you physically. Your mother was the first to touch you. Think of all the ways your mother touched you, i.e., tickling, kissing, washing, feeding, and protecting.
b. Now you must show your love with the same respect and affection.
4. Love her patiently. “Love suffereth long and is kind (I Cor. 13:4).
“Love is patient and kind” (I Cor. 13:4, NLB). “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (I Cor. 13:7, NLB).
a. Recognize her stress. Mothers have demands, i.e., physical, mental, emotional, financial, and spiritual.
b. Don’t become impatient, because she cannot do everything.
c. Mothers are not bottomless containers that can do everything.
5. Love her with time and listening attention.
How did your mother listen to you?
a. When I hurt.
b. When I had needs.
c. When I failed.
d. When I celebrated.
e. When I needed her.
How should you listen to your mother?
a. When she hurts.
b. When she has needs.
c. When she is anxious.
d. When she worries.
What should I give my mother today? An open door of communication.
6. Love her generously.
a. Think of all the sacrifices your mother made for you. She gave up for you her schedule, sleep, energy, time and friends. How can you repay her? Yon cannot repay because love doesn’t need repaying.
b. Think of all the things you can do for your mother today. You cannot repay, but you can give her yourself.
c. Since you can never repay, what can you do? Share.
7. Honor her on Mother’s Day.
a. The only Commandment with promise. “Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long upon this earth” (Ex. 20:12, NASB).
DON’T DIE YOUNG
You must include both father and mother.
You must respect both father and mother.
You get an earthly promise of an extended life.
b. You honor your mother by living for God.
(1) Some children need to repent.
(2) Some need to raise their children as your mother raised you.
(3) You honor her by living by her godly standards.
c. You honor your mother by:
(1) Recognizing her sacrifice for you.
(2) Respecting her authority.
(3) Fulfilling her expectations.
8. Obey your mother in the Lord.
a. The Old Testament is broad honor. The New Testament is more narrow and specific, obey. “Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” (Eph. 6:1).
b. Is it ever proper to disobey your parents?
(1) The young: when you put your feet under your parent’s table, live by the rules of their house.
(2) Wrong action: if parents tell you to do wrong, they are responsible for their actions.
(3) When you leave home you still honor your parents, even after you establish the rules of your house.
9. Application:
a. What does your mother want you to do that you haven’t done? I will do right.
b. What does your mother need, that you can supply? I will provide it.
c. What does your mother expect, that hasn’t happened? I will make it happen.
d. What has you mother expected you to accomplish for God that you haven’t done? I will attempt it.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
