Illustrations:
"The Stages Of Motherhood"
4 Years Of Age - My Mommy can do anything;
8 Years Of Age - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot
12 Years Of Age - My Mother doesn’t really know quite everything.
14 Years Of Age - Naturally, Mother doesn’t know that, either
16 Years Of Age - Mother? She’s hopelessly old-fashioned
18 Years Of Age - That old woman? She’s way out of date
25 Years Of Age - Well, she might know a little bit about it
35 Years Of Age - Before we decide, let’s get Mom’s opinion
45 Years Of Age - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it
65 Years Of Age - Wish I could talk it over with Mom
"The Hand That Rocks The Cradle"
They say that man is mighty
He governs land and sea;
He wields a mighty scepter
On lower powers than he.
But mightier power and stronger
Man from his throne has hurled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is that hand that rules the world.
"Mother Power"
Julia Ward Howe, at age ninety-one, said: "We talk of forty horse-power, but if we had forty
mother-power it would be the most wonderful force in the world."
Text:
Matthew 18:1
"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"
Intro:
When you think about what Jesus is saying you can see the heart of a mother.
Whether their son is an axe murderer or a saint
There daughter is a call girl or the soloist in the church choir
Momma loves her baby
This morning I want to honor the Mothers that are in this place
I want to tell you that you have been placed by God
You have been called for a great purpose
The nurturing that comes from your heart tells the wayward child there is still hope
The warmth that comes from your smile tells a child that even if they have failed miserably in every thing they have tried...I still believe in you.
It is that warmth from a mothers heart that makes a child feel loved & not despised
It is that caring touch from your hand that can calm the storm
There are many preachers that are preaching because...momma prayed
There are many singers singing about the King of Kings because....grandma wouldn’t give up
Why?....because a mother
Never gives up
Never loses hope
Always tries to see the best
The Woman Is
The nurturer
The lover
The one who seeks to keep balance in the family
Eve was to be a help meet
That means she was going to help Adam balance his duties
Eve was to be a companion
That means she was going to help Adam balance his emotions
The Woman Completes The Man “the 2 shall become one”
The Motherhood of America Under Attack
We Are In A Society Today
That has attempted to assassinate the hope of a mother
By taking the father out of the home
By replacing covering of love with the perversion of lust
Trying to be the provider and the nurturer, but with no covering
Mary In the “Passion of Christ”
Statistics
Dr. Anne Catherine Speckard, of the University of Minnesota, reports the following long-term (five to ten years) consequences of abortion:
81 percent reported preoccupation with the aborted child
73 percent reported flashbacks of the abortion experience
54 percent recalled nightmares related to the abortion
23 percent reported hallucinations related to the abortion
Abortion Facts
1.2 to 1.4 million abortions are performed in the United States every year
4,000 every day, 3 every minute, 1 every 20 seconds
United States has one of the highest abortion rates among developed countries
every fourth baby conceived in America is killed by abortion
Proverbs 31:10-31
10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
I. THE ATTRIBUTES OF A GODLY WOMAN
A. (v. 10 ) Virtuous- Strong & able with plenty of supply – she is worth more than...
B. (v. 11-12) Her husband can completely trust in her. She will in no way embarrass him.
C. (v. 13 – 15) She is not afraid of work. She works hard and long. She feeds and clothes and her family well.
D. (v. 16) She keeps her eye open for good deals. She is diligent in business.
E. (v. 26 – 27) She watches her speech and her behavior.
II. THE ATTRIBUTES OF A GODLY CHURCH
A. It seems that the attributes of a virtuous woman - Strong & able with plenty of supply
B. Should be the attributes of the church
Strong & able with an unending source...worth more than just a cheap shout and a religous act
Trustworthy and full of integrity
Not afraid of working in the house
Being diligent in business
Watching her speech and behaviour
IV. WHERE IS MOMMA
A. The Nurturers are wounded
B. The ones God has placed to keep the balance at home - Have Been Stripped Of Their God Given Duties
C. But deep down...Momma is still Momma
D. Beyond all of the chaos...Momma still yearns
V. AHA I FOUND YOU
A. You are the one who doesn’t give up
You are in the Parable Of Jesus - Luke 18:3-8
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
You received a Word From Paul - Ephesians 6:13-14
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
B. You are the one who always musters enough strength
You Have taken Gods Words to heart -1 Corinthians 10:13
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
C. You are the one who hears your child’s cries
D. You have kept the faith
Your determination will project you to your destination - 2 Timothy 4:7
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
E. You have been chosen
Your heart, Your passion, Your design - John 15:16
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Conclusion:
Letter From A Mother To Her Child.
