What I Can Learn From A Mom

Sermon Notes

Sermon Title: What I Can Learn From A Mom

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-23

Throughout history, mothers have had the great responsibility of T___________.

The mother of James and John…

Knew Who Is in C________________.

‘came’—‘approaching someone who has greater authority or power than yourself, and either making a request of that person, or S_____________________ yourself to that person.’

Heb 11:6

2. How to be H_______________.

kneeling down—usually translated as “w______________.”

This act gives us a picture of submitting to, or worshipping a M_____________—like kneeling and kissing the hand of someone.

Do we truly feel the need to kneel before Jesus? Do we present an attitude of humility and respect?

3. How To Ask what was on her H_______________

The Son of God, ...is concerned about what we W________. She asks what’s on her heart. She’s honest and O___________.

When we come clean with God, then we are honest with ourselves, and it’s at that point that God can S__________ to us and work in our life in a very real way.

4. To Accept what Jesus said.

We don’t have all the I_________________________.

Jesus knows their F_______________.

It was not for Him to grant this request...He submitted Himself to the will of the F____________. And He had already told them who His Father was.

Bible scholars believe that their mother’s name was S___________, and that this ... was one of the women who came to the tomb to put spices on Jesus’ body.

This is God’s desire—not just for mothers, but for all of us.

________________________________________________________

Series Title: Mother’s Day

Sermon Title: What I Can Learn From A Mom

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-20:23

20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

21 "What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."

22 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered.

23 Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."

Introduction

Throughout history, mothers have had the great responsibility of teaching. When we are young, mothers have the greatest influence over us. When the football player scores and the camera is on him, he waves and says, “Hi Mom,” even though Dad may have taught him everything he knows about football.

When we read the story, we seem to see a picture of a mom trying to get the best positions in Jesus' Kingdom for her adult children.

But I think there are several lessons we can learn from this mother. The first thing she shows us is that she knows...

I. Who Is in Charge.

20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus

The word, ‘came,’ here is a common word that carries the idea of coming or going, but in Scripture it most often seems to refer to ‘approaching someone who has greater authority or power than yourself, and either making a request of that person, or submitting yourself to that person.

Joseph of Arimathea approached Pilate to request the body of Jesus.

When Stephen is preaching his message before he is stoned to death, he mentioned that Moses saw the bush that was burning, and he approached it, and met with God.

Heb 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God [approaches God] must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

James’ and John’s mother knew who was in charge. If she’s thinking like the disciples often thought, that the Messiah would be a military leader, then she may believe that Jesus is going to lead a revolt against the Romans, and establish his kingdom right there in Israel. So, He would definitely be in charge. So, she approached Jesus with her request.

(ILL: Customer Service)

Have you ever had to call a company about a product, and had to deal with customer service? It can be a nightmare, can’t it?

I have had to call the IRS a few times in the past. You see, ministers are given some benefits in regard to their taxes, but you have to record the income information correctly. I was taught that you, also, need to make certain handwritten notes to clarify certain things. Well, a few years ago, when the electronic filing had just started, there was no way to record those hand-written notes. Because they didn’t have my notes, they made some changes to my tax return, and it made it look like I made more money than I actually did. Because of the changes, they said I owed some taxes instead of getting a refund.