"Rebekah" Series

14 May 06

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris

CP Walker Multicultural Gospel Service

Taegue, South Korea

BIG IDEA: When God calls us out of our comfort zone, we need to do as REBEKAH did, Trust in the LORD.

REFERENCES: Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths; Genesis 24:1-20, 20-67; Genesis 2:7, 18, 21-23; 1 Peter 3:1-5 (GW) Wives, in a similar way, place yourselves under your husbands’ authority. Some husbands may not obey God’s word. Their wives could win these men {for Christ} by the way they live without saying anything. 2 Their husbands would see how pure and reverent their lives are. 3 Wives must not let their beauty be something external. Beauty doesn’t come from hairstyles, gold jewelry, or clothes. 4 Rather, beauty is something internal that can’t be destroyed. Beauty expresses itself in a gentle and quiet attitude which God considers precious. 5 After all, this is how holy women who had confidence in God expressed their beauty in the past. They placed themselves under their husbands’ authority); Mark 7:24-30 (Woman of Great Faith: The Syrophoenician Woman);

I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Genesis 24:57-67

II. READ THE PERICOPE: Genesis 24:57-67

III. READ THE TEXT: Genesis 24:61 (MSG) Rebekah and her young maids

mounted the camels and followed the man. The servant

took Rebekah and set off for home.

IV. PURPOSE: To motivate Mothers Day hearers to affirm to others that when God calls them out of their comfort zone, do as REBEKAH did – Trust in the LORD.

V. INTRODUCTION:

Last Friday, South Korea celebrated its annual Children Day: A Day when the parents of Korea acknowledged their Children. Three days later, South Korea celebrated Parents Day. A day when the Children of Korea acknowledged their parents … and their lasting contribution to their life and family.

Now, early this Sunday Morning (14 May 2006) before the break of day, while most were still fast asleep, my wife (Dedra) received an email from our new Victorious Women Christian Council (VWCC) Ministry Leader: Minister Bert Grant … wishing all of our ladies a “Happy Mothers’ Day”.

*******************TAKE 5 BEATS *********************

MOVE 1: Thanks, Bert …. your email prompted me to also send our Multicultural Gospel Service (MCGS) ladies an email of appreciation which read:

a. It is with my whole heart, and mind, that I sincerely wish each of you MCGS Mothers a Happy Mothers’ Day 2006.

b. My prayer, for each of you (this Mothers Day 2006) is for you to "REBEKAH" - TRUST GOD when He calls you out of your comfort zone to do a WORK for HIM.

c. Again, and especially to those of you that don’t do emails, Happy Mothers Day 2006.

d. Now, as most of you can attest to, In the United States Mother’s Day was first suggested in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe (who wrote the words to the Battle hymn of the Republic) as a day dedicated to peace.

****************TAKE 5 BEATS ************************

MOVE 2: Notwithstanding, in 1907 Ana Jarvis, from Philadelphia, began a campaign to establish a national Mother’s Day.

a. Ms. Jarvis persuaded her mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia to celebrate Mother’s Day on the second anniversary of her mother’s death, the 2nd Sunday of May. By the next year Mother’s Day was also celebrated in Philadelphia.

b. Ms. Jarvis and her supporters began to write to ministers, businessmen, and politicians in their quest to establish a national Mother’s Day. It was successful. By 1911 Mother’s Day was celebrated in almost every state.

c. In fact, President Woodrow Wilson, in 1914, made the official announcement proclaiming Mother’s Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the 2nd Sunday of May.

d. While many countries of the world celebrate their own Mother’s Day at different times throughout the year, there are some countries such as Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, and Belgium which also celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May.

*****************TAKE 5 BEATS ***********************

MOVE 3: Still, in spite of all of the celebrations, flowers and gifts, we are very much aware of the fact that today is not a day of happiness for all mothers.

a. And, I would think that those of us that are in this military setting are more aware of this … than most would be.

b. For many of our relatives, friends, and co-workers have had MOTHERS become recipients of military notifications, due to the loss of their child … and our military member … in Iraq or Afghanistan.

c. But, mothers aren’t just losing their children in the military setting only.

d. Many mothers around the world are losing children to drugs, drunk driving, jealousy, AIDS, and gangs.