Introduction:
A lawyer met a housewife at a function, and asked her what she did.
The housewife replied, “I am socializing two homo-sapiens in the dominant values of the Judeo-Christian tradition in order that they might be instruments for the transformation of the social order into the teleologically prescribed utopia inherent in the eschaton.”
Then she added, “And what do You do?”
The Lawyer stammered: “Er, I’m just a lawyer.”
And that is one of the many reasons we honor mothers today. Only a mom could make a lawyer speechless!!!!!
quoting ex 20.12)
“Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that It may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.” deut 5.3 & 16
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians centers on a mystery. Usually a mystery is unsolved. But this mystery is now revealed. This mystery is none other than the Son of God, God the Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the door that opens to us the divine will. The light of life shines as the door is opened. It is in this light that we see Paul’s discussion of Believer’s practices.
Paul points out something that has long been absent from many of our American homes. In his discussion of the family we see that it is a command of God to obey and honor our parents.
So today in light of God’s command let us all honor our mothers.
I have for us four reasons to honor our mothers.
Before we can honor our mothers let us define what it means to honor.
Honor: In the amplified bible it says to value as precious. (examples)
I. Honor your mother because it is right 6.1
A) Doing right in your eyes
1) Judges 21.25 “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
2) Foundation of society is the family
3) Foundation is cracked today
a) Focus on self
b) Should be Focus on the family
c) If we could begin again to honor the bedrock of our families (mom) then society would have a firm foundation.
B) Doing right in God’s eyes
1) God is interested in your doings.
KJV “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure and whether it be right.”
2) It is mom most often who teaches us what not to do.
Beds are not made for jumping on
Don’t eat that you’ll get worms
Don’t make me get up
Don’t pick that scab it will get infected
Don’t pick your nose in public
Don’t run in the house
Yeah you guys are all smiling because your moms told you these.
3) It is mom most often who teaches us to do right.
Eat your vegetables they are good for you
Always wear clean underwear in case you get in an accident
Be good
Clean up after yourself
4) It is honoring to mom when we obey what she says
1) Ephesians 6.1 Obey
a) The Greek word carries the idea to hear, to listen to be obedient and submit to.
b) Moms been around the block listen
2) Moms tell us what to do to protect us
In that way moms are very much like God. (mom trans)
Confess the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved.
Isn’t it time you started doing right in mom’s and God’s eyes
II. Honor your mother because it is scriptural 6.2 quoting ex 20.12, Deutoronomy 5.3, 5.16
A) The Bible says (2 Timothy 3.16)
a) God’s guide book
b) God’s rule book
c) Why a guide and rule book
1) To better us (Jesus in John 10.10 abundant life)
2) To bless us
B) The Bible says obey your parents
C) The Bible says honor you father and mother
D) The Bible is God’s timeless wisdom for man
1) Listen to it
2) Learn from it
The more we listen and learn the better off we should be.
III. Honor your mother so it may be well with you (best interest of child)
A) A mother’s discipline is for your well being
Proverbs 23.13,14 “Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you strike him with the rod he will not die. You shall strike him with the rod and rescue his soul from Sheol.”
1) Mother’s hearts are broken in disciplining
2) Children’s hearts (spirit) are broken by disciplining
Susannah Wesley, mother of seventeen children, included in the bunch were John and Charles ,
“The parent who studies to subdue slf-will in his child, works together with God in the renewing and saving of a soul. The parent who indulges it, does the Devil’s work, makes a religion impractical, salvation unattainable, and owes all that in him lies to damn his child, soul and body forever.”
B) A mother’s instruction is for your well being
1) Silly sayings are to safe guard you
2) Moms have made mistakes they want to protect you from.
Moms want us to protect us so that we can live long and give them granbabies. (God want’s us to make disciples and have a lasting effect on generations to come.)
IV. Honor your mother so that you may live long on the earth.
A) Obedience and Honor Leads to two things
1) A full life
2) A long life
The second is not the “rule without exceptions” and obedient child could die an early death (for there are no untimely deaths (God is in control))
However a life of reckless abandon and disobedience often leads to death.
B) Obedience and honor to God lead to two things
1) A full (spirit, joy filled) life
2) A long eternal life
Jesus said “
Moms are an almost perfect picture of God. Wanting the best for her children and trying to instruct and guide so that the child can live a full and purposeful life.
At the end of the day Mom and God want one thing, their children to come home.
Hear this touching poem from Florence Jones Hadley.
“I think ofttimes as the night draws nigh
Of an old house on the hill,
Of a yard all wide and blossom-starred
Where the children played at will,
And when the night at last came down,
Hushing the merry din,
Mother would look around and ask,
“Are all the children in?”
Tis many and many a year since then,
And the old house on the hill
No longer echoes to childish feet,
And the yard is still, so still.
But I see it all, as the shadows creep,
And though many the years have been
Since then, I can hear my mother ask,
“Are all the children in?”
I wonder if when the shadows fall
On the last short, earthly day,
When we say good-bye to the world outside,
All tired with our childish play,
When we step out into that Other land
Where Mother so long has been,
Will we hear her ask, just as of old,
“Are all the children in?”
What better way to honor mom and God than to come in today. Come into God’s family.
God is calling someone home today.
Come home, Come home to faith, Come home to Family, Come home to God
Come in God and mom have been waiting oh so long.
