Where Does It Hurt? Mothers Series

WHERE DOES IT HURT?

Ephesians 5:22-6:4

Scripture reading: Proverbs 31:10-31

INTRODUCTION

1. We have discussed the idea of where families hurt:

a. In the home

b. In the society

c. In the gospel

2. We determined that we needed to look at some things in order to fix those things.

a. We defined the family

b. We established its foundation

c. We determined the role of the husband/father

d. We will now determine the role of the wife/mother

e. We will next look at the role of the children

f. Then we will put all of this together to help build strong families.

3. In looking at the wife/mother, Proverbs 31:10-31 gives us a strong background.

a. First (from Genesis) we will see why woman exists

b. Then we will see some attributes of a woman full of virtue.

c. This will help us determine the role of the wife/mother in the family.

4. Again, men this is not a day off for you.

a. As a husband, it is your job to help your wife become what God wants her to be.

b. As the head of the family, it is your responsibility to make sure she is going the correct direction.

c. Pay attention so that you can help your wife be who she is supposed to be.

5. It is the aim of this lesson to help us all know what a wife/mother is to be and in so doing help us to build stronger families.

TRANSITION: Why does woman exist?

I. The existence of woman.

A. Now I do not want to get overly philosophical in this discussion.

1. I am not talking about, "What is the meaning of life?" and all that stuff.

2. That metaphysical, existential mumbo-jumbo is for someone else.

B. We want to get a feel for what God may have had in mind when he created woman. (Not whoa-man, woman)

1. For this we go to the only source that was there when woman was created. The bible

2. We looked at this aspect before, but at this point it is necessary to bring some of it up again.

a. Adam sees that all the other animals have a mate.

b. By necessity then he notices that he does not, he is all alone.

c. Genesis 2:18 then gives us some insight into what God decided.

d. "It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."

e. Man was alone and that was no good.

f. Woman was added into the formula and then things were good.

3. She was a helper suitable for him.

a. Nothing else in the world was suitable for him.

b. He needed a helper suitable for him.

c. Woman was that helper.

C. She was the crowning glory of creation.

1. Creation was lacking until Eve was created.

2. Once she was placed on the earth creation was complete.

3. God had completed the creation process and all was good.

D. She was created to complete creation.

1. She is man’s help-meet.

2. She is the suitable helper for man to survive in the world.

3. She is the topper on top of the cake.

4. Woman was created to perfect man and thereby perfect creation.

E. Matthew Henry says, "If man was head, woman was the crown. She is crown to her husband and to the visible creation. Man is dust refined; woman is dust double-refined, once removed further from the earth."

TRANSITION: What is she to be like then?

II. Some attributes of a woman full of virtue.

A. One would expect such a crown to have some extraordinary characteristics.

B. First off, she is chosen by her husband.

1. Wives do not usually just drop out of the sky.

2. They are hand-picked by their husband.

3. The Proverbist in 31:10 says that she is worth more than precious jewels.

4. To him his choice of you was the pick of all the treasures in the world.

5. You are his crown.

C. A good wife is committed to her husband.

1. The husband can trust his wife.

2. This is true in at least two ways:

a. She is hard working

i. She will work with flax and wool making clothes for her family to wear and to sell in the market.

ii. She works with her hands and is like a merchant ship bringing food from afar.

iii. She makes herself strong so that she can do her work and take care of her family.

iv. She is going to work with the husband to ensure that the needs of the family are met.

v. He knows that she is committed to the family and to making sure all the physical needs will be met.