In Praise Of Godly Mothers
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Interestingly, motherhood is often discussed in contemporary news and commentary outlets. In 2005 Newsweek actually had the courage to say “Mother matters” and pointed out that according to Salary.com, “Stay-at-home moms, if compensated for all the hours they work, would net $131,471 a year” (Newsweek Staff, “Survey: Mother Matters”).
The article went on to say,
71 percent of wives say their husbands get on their nerves more than do their children.
50 percent of women say their mom is their best friend.
94 percent of dads say moms are as sexy as ever!
Additionally, many working women are reevaluating who they are and what they want out of life. While there remains a great deal of confusion, a significant debate seems to be taking place. Consider, for example, the 2004 Time story, “The Case for Staying Home: Why More Moms Are Opting Out of the Rat Race.” The article points out,
Most women who step out of their careers find expected delights on the home front, not to mention the enormous relief of no longer worrying about shortchanging their kids. (Wallis, “The Case for Staying Home”)
Motherhood, they find, provides both joy and fulfillment if it is not drowned out by other responsibilities.
Alternatively, the February 21, 2005, cover story from Newsweek chose to highlight the stressful side of motherhood. In “The Myth of the Perfect Mother: Why It Drives Real Women Crazy,” Judith Warner addresses the tendency of many moms to take responsibility for everything in their house and home on themselves. This burden ultimately robs moms of the joys that come with being a wife and mother.
Contrary to Newsweek’s title, though, “the perfect mother” is no myth. There is a magnificent portrait of her in Proverbs 31:10-31.
Transition To Body- Mother speaks in Proverbs 31:1-9
Transition To Body- Mother speaks in Proverbs 31:1-9
1 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
2 What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?
3 Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Why mama can speak to the king the way she does?
Why mama can speak to the king the way she does?
Body- Mother
Body- Mother
This Woman is Invaluable
This Woman is Invaluable
10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
invaluable- extremely useful; indispensable, valuable beyond estimation : priceless
Excellent
Excellent
noble character, strong character, worthy person
NIV- noble
NKJV- virtuous
{
{
This Woman is Invaluable
This Woman is Invaluable
}
}
This Woman is Industrious
This Woman is Industrious
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
industrious- constantly, regularly, or habitually active or occupied : diligent, skillful, ingenious
Illustration: Katie Bush & Maxwell calls it “This Woman’s Work”
dresses herself with strength...
she perceives- discovers by experience
11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
{
{
This Woman is Invaluable
This Woman is Invaluable
This Woman is Industrious
This Woman is Industrious
}
}
This Woman is Indulgent
This Woman is Indulgent
20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
indulgent- willing to allow excessive leniency, generosity, or consideration : indulging or characterized by indulgence
not be confused with self-indulgent- given to or marked by excessive gratification of one's desires
This Woman takes Care of the Poor (v20a)
This Woman takes Care of the Poor (v20a)
This Woman takes Care of the Needy(v20b)
This Woman takes Care of the Needy(v20b)
This Woman takes Care of her Family (v21)
This Woman takes Care of her Family (v21)
When cold weather comes, she sees that her family is ready, clothed with the finest quality garments she can provide (scarlet according to the Masoretic Text, or double according to the Septuagint).
When tough times come, she does not lower the bar.
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
This Woman takes Care of Herself (v22)
This Woman takes Care of Herself (v22)
{
{
This Woman is Invaluable
This Woman is Invaluable
This Woman is Industrious
This Woman is Industrious
This Woman is Indulgent ( takes care of others, her family, & herself)
This Woman is Indulgent ( takes care of others, her family, & herself)
}
}
This Woman is Illustrious
This Woman is Illustrious
23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
Makes a her husband a better person
Makes a her husband a better person
illustrious- notably or brilliantly outstanding because of dignity or achievements or actions :
well known, respected, and admired for past achievements.
A wise woman when she opens her mouth
A wise woman when she opens her mouth
A Blessed and Praised woman!
A Blessed and Praised woman!
Illustration: John Jenkins, Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Maryland often praises his wife this way..
Transition To Close- A God Fearing Woman is a woman honored by the LORD!
Transition To Close- A God Fearing Woman is a woman honored by the LORD!
Woman, girls, You ought aspire to be a Godly woman!!!!
Woman, girls, You ought aspire to be a Godly woman!!!!
29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
This woman possesses godly perspective i.e. she is god-centered
This woman possesses godly perspective i.e. she is god-centered
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
In the midst of all you do mother’s, don’t forget to be Mary
In the midst of all you do mother’s, don’t forget to be Mary
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of....
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of....
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
and his children will have a refuge.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.
This woman receives Godly praise
This woman receives Godly praise
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Let your light so shine...
Let your light so shine...
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Close- This woman can also be a personification of the church in relation to Jesus Christ & the world
Close- This woman can also be a personification of the church in relation to Jesus Christ & the world
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
Christ is wisdom from God!
Christ is righteousness!
Christ is sanctification!
Christ is redemption!
To God be Glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus!
To God be Glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus!
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.