2024-05-12 - Mothers Day (A Mothers Handfull)

Intro: A mother put her son to bed on the eve of his fifth birthday. She was trying to communicate that birthday idea to him. "Kevin," she said, "this is the last night of your fourth night. Do you understand that?" Kevin was ready to communicate with his hands. For a full year, he had shown people four fingers for his four years, and now he was ready to add a thumb. Seeing his four fingers, his mother nodded, and said: "When you go to sleep tonight, you'll still be 4-years-old. But do you know how old you'll be in the morning, when you wake up?" Kevin nodded enthusiastically, added his thumb to his four little fingers and said, "Tomorrow, I'll be a handful!"

Link: For all the mothers who have had their hands full, we celebrate Mother's Day.

I. A mother called by God, submits completely to Gods will.

Luke 1:30-38 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

In Verse 32, for the angel to say, “Will be called the Son of the Highest”, the term “Highest” can be translated, “THE MOST HIGH GOD.” Thus to say that Jesus will be called the Son of the Highest is essentially to say that Mary’s son Jesus would be equal to the Most High God.

A. Mary was anxious with God’s plan

Do you ever get anxious with God’s plan?

What can we do about it?

Focus on God’s Word.

Pray about it.

Talk to a trusted Christian friend or Godly leader about it.

B. Mary was committed to God (…I am the maidservant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.)

ILL#1 Great Great Grandma Elizabeth Smith praying for Great Grandpa Chuck

ILL #2 Hudson Taylors’ mother prayed for his Salvation, when he got saved in the barn he went in to tell his mom once she was home and she already knew. She had been praying for Hudson.

II. A mother called by God does not have to be perfect.

ILL#3 I once heard a parent tell their grown child, raising you wasn’t always easy, sometimes I made right decisions for you and sometimes I made wrong decisions for you. But even in those wrong decisions, I made them out of love and was doing my best.

At times when we do our best, we mess up, even when we are sincere, we sometimes mess up.

A. Mary messed up at the temple. Luke 2:41-48 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother[l]did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

B. Mary messed up at the Canaanite wedding: John 2:1-5 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

(Sometimes it’s the child that messes up, not the mom. FOR YOUR LAUGH!)

ILL: A little boy had attended his first wedding. After the wedding his mom asked her son, “Do you know how many women a man is allowed to marry?” The boy replied, “Yes, 16!” Shocked, the mother asked her son where he came up with that number. It’s easy he said, all you have to do is add it up like the pastor said at the wedding today. 4 richer, 4 poorer, 4 better, 4 worse, that adds up to 16.

III. A mother called by God, never relinquishes the title.

John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

Jesus mother Mary

Jesus aunt (probably) Salome

Mary mother of James & Joses

Mary Magdalene

When you go through tough times God surrounds you with support as he did with Mary the mother of Jesus.

Whether your child is 1 or 61

Whether your child is living for God or not living for God

Whether your child happy and healthy or sick and unhealthy

No matter the situation, God wants you to know that your title is still Mom, you are still called to:

Support your children through

Pray,

Encourage,

M O T H E R acronym

Model Christ’s Love & Compassion

Offer Grace Unconditionally

Teach God’s Word

Honor Truth

Encourage Your Children

Reflect Godly Character

Conclusion:

Mary had a chance to see Gods entire plan played out.

She suffered through the crucifixion, celebrated the resurrection and even was part of the small group that witnessed the powerful presentation of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Mary Was a Mother that:

Acted selflessly

Gave Abundantly

Was Praiseworthy

But most of all

LOVING

You can be too!

Never give up on being a mom, never give up on your kids.

Hand out Mother’s Day gifts.