Honoring Moms is a Way of Life

Introduction

A little boy forgot his lines in a Sunday school presentation. His mother was in the front row to prompt him. She gestured and formed the words silently with her lips, but it did not help. Her son's memory was blank. Finally, she leaned forward and whispered the cue, "I am the light of the world." The child beamed and with great feeling and a loud clear voice said, "My mother is the light of the world." Bits and Pieces, August, 1989.

To be a mother is to be entrusted by God with the most precious of His creation – children.

Along with the fathers, you have the responsibility to train up your children in the way they should go.

Parents have the God-given duty to bring them up in the instruction and discipline of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4 NASB95

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:5–7 NASB95

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

The mothers influence is certainly of great necessity.

Today’s opportunities to impact your children for Christ may not come tomorrow.

Every day their lives must be nurtured, protected, guided, and pointed to Him.

The role of educating your children for eternity is not an easy task in today’s culture.teaching them to love Him above all else in a culture that despises Him at every turn.teaching them the absolute truth from God’s word in a culture that denies absolute truth even exists...instructing them to walk by faith and live by the principles of God’s Word in a culture that continually is motivated by that which makes you feel good.

God knows the difficulty you face in raising your children with a biblical world view when your culture labels you as bigoted, close minded, fools.

With that understanding, men, young people, kids, let’s not make their jobs harder by ignoring the biblical mandate to honor them…honoring them should be a natural part of our every day life as we each seek to please God.

Main Point: For the child of God, honoring moms is a way of life, not just a sanctified day.

Honor Your Mom Because God commands it.

It is a well documented fact that God directs children to honor and obey their parents…it is the fifth commandment.

The first four commandments are directed towards man’s relationship with God

The other six commandments are directed towards man’s relationship with all humanity

So it is not surprising that the first commandment directed towards how we relate to other people deals with the familial relationship…parent/children relationship

There are a number of Scriptures that deal with the parent/child relationship that we do not have time to examine them all…but here are a few.

Exodus 20:12 NASB95

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.

Leviticus 19:3 NASB95

‘Every one of you shall reverence his mother and his father, and you shall keep My sabbaths; I am the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 5:16 NASB95

‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the Lord your God gives you.

Matthew 19:19 NASB95

Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Ephesians 6:1–3 NASB95

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.

Colossians 3:20 NASB95

Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

Exodus 21:15 NASB95

“He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

Exodus 21:17 NASB95

“He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

Just think of where we would be as a culture if this were carried out today…one thing is for sure, our world would be less populated.

The point here is that God expects all humanity, not just His children, to treat their parents with honor.

What does it mean to honor our Mom (parents)?

OT = kabod = honor; glory; great quantity; multitude; wealth; reputation [majesty]; splendor.

NT = timao = “a valuing, a price paid or received,”

The verb form is similar to the noun form… (noun)kabod = “honor; glory; great quantity; multitude; wealth; reputation [majesty]; splendor.” Kabod refers to the great physical weight or “quantity” of a thing. Kabod often refers to both “wealth” and significant and positive “reputation” (in a concrete sense)

NT meaning of timao = noun form is “a valuing, a price paid or received,” preciousness. Verb form to honor Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 1, p. 114). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.

In our culture, we seem to have lost the ability to truly honor someone…especially parents.

A biblical understanding of honor tells us it is an internal attitude of respect, courtesy, and reverence that leads us to consider what they think and desire as something with great value, weighs heavily on the scale of decision making…with the right reverence for parents, there will be attentiveness and obedience…without obedience it is merely lip service.

Honor is at the core of biblical parenting…Kids are to be taught God is the source of honor and He must be revered above all…they are to consider God first in all things, meaning God’s pleasure should weigh heavily upon their decisions in all of life…God as the Sovereign creator laid out His creation with the concept of proper honor being given to all levels of authority with a constant flow upwards towards God.

Children are also to be taught to consider moms (the parents) wisdom and desires through the same lens…but this seems to have been lost in our culture, and sadly even in the Christian home...There are a myriad of (probably well-intentioned) reasons for this.

Parents being friends with their children instead of parents...

I think the most dominating reason for this is that many parents do not have a clue what following the fifth commandment actually should look like in our time.

How can we teach our kids to live out this fifth commandment...

Encourage your children to respond in a respectful fashion.

Don’t accept the huffs and puffs, the rolling of the eyes, whatever, etc.

These kinds of responses communicate a lack of willingness to honor a parent’s authority and wisdom.

What they are really saying at that moment is “stop talking me, I am not interested in your opinion, etc.”

Train them to respond with “Yes, Ma’am, cheerful “okay mom”

this communicates they have heard the instruction or commands and that they understand.

the expectation is that they should stop what they are doing, if in visual contact, look you in the eyes and respond correctly.

Parents are not to be considered friends or peers, but rather as a God ordained authority .

Never allow them to call you by your first name…they should always address you as Mom (and Dad)…

In this present culture with myriads of blended families there still needs to be a respect and honor given to those who occupy the position of honor established by God in the role of a parent (just because they did not have a role in your physical birth, does not mean they are not your authority)…communicate in that situation what would be an appropriate title.

By the way, the parent who is considered by the child as their authority needs to establish very quickly and very clearly that their spouse is an equal authority and deserves respect and honor.

Children should call their parents by their titles of “Mom, and Dad”, not by their first names. In a situation of step-parents, the parties involved can work out appropriate titles; a step-parent still occupies a position of honor.

Teach and model for your children the need to address other adults by their appropriate titles, such as, “Dr.” or “Mr./Mrs.”

Ask the individual how they want to be addressed especially from your children.

It is extremely obvious that respect and honor for those in authority positions or positions worthy of honor is lacking in our culture.

Adults need to respect other adults and model giving honor to those whom honor is due…we do that by addressing people with appropriate titles.

When children address adults by their first names or derogatory nicknames communicates a thinking level that rejects the other person as someone worthy of respect.

Encourage children to show affection, attentiveness, and respect to their parents in public.

Public displays of honor, respect, and love between parents and children are often the most powerful testimony a Christian family has.

None of us are in the position to demand respect because we are better morally or because we sin less than our children. We teach our children to give the respect commanded by God as a stepping stone to helping our children respect all authority, especially God’s.

One last point in this is the practice of honoring moms when they are old

Proverbs 23:22 NASB95

Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.

Children have the biblical responsibility to care for their parents when necessary.

1 Timothy 5:3–4 NASB95

Honor widows who are widows indeed; but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

Honor Moms Because Of What they Do.

The most creative job in the world involves fashion, decorating, recreation, education, transportation, psychology, romance, cuisine, literature, art, economics, government, pediatrics, geriatrics, entertainment, maintenance, purchasing, law, religion, energy and management. Anyone who can handle all those has to be somebody special. She's a homemaker. Richard Kerr quoted in Homemade, February 1989.

They love and care for their children.

Isaiah 66:13 NASB95

“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; And you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”

1 Thessalonians 2:7 NASB95

But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.

God wants his people to view him as one who cares deeply for them so he uses moms as an illustration of caring.

Paul wants his readers to think of his ministry to them in the same manner they think about their mothers…as one who tenderly cares for her children…think about all the sacrifices mom has to make for you...

Sacrifice of comfort and sleep to care for you when you are sick…(dads that includes you when you can’t handle being sick)

Sacrifice of time to be your taxi service, your homework advisor, your relationship counselor, your fashion coordinator, your cook, your cleaner, your ______________

Sacrifice of money she could spend on herself for whatever reason to make sure you had what you needed…or wanted

They teach their children right from wrong

Moms and dads share the responsibility to teach their children diligently.

Deuteronomy 6:7 NASB95

“You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

Proverbs 1:8 NASB95

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction And do not forsake your mother’s teaching;

Proverbs 6:20 NASB95

My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;

Proverbs 31:1 NASB95

The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:

2 Timothy 1:5 NASB95

For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.

All throughout Scripture we see the important role moms have in raising their children to be godly…Lois and Eunice, grandmother and mother, played a significant role in teaching and developing young Timothy to be Paul’s right hand man...

2 Timothy 3:15 NASB95

and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

How would Timothy know the Scripture from childhood?…His grandmother and mother taught him.

Proverbs 31:26 NASB95

She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

A London editor submitted to Winston Churchill for his approval a list of all those who had been Churchill’s teachers. Churchill returned the list with this comment: “You have omitted to mention the greatest of my teachers—my mother Green, M. P. (Ed.). (1989). Illustrations for Biblical Preaching: Over 1500 sermon illustrations arranged by topic and indexed exhaustively (Revised edition of: The expositor’s illustration file). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

They endure the foolishness of their children

The mother of three notoriously unruly youngsters was asked whether or not she'd have children if she had it to do over again. "Yes," she replied. "But not the same ones." David Finkelstein, Reader's Digest.

Proverbs 29:15 NASB95

The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

Proverbs 10:1 NASB95

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish son is a grief to his mother.

Proverbs 17:25 NASB95

A foolish son is a grief to his father And bitterness to her who bore him.

Parental grief is often experienced more deeply by the moms because of the more intimate role they play in raising the children.

Proverbs 15:20 NASB95

A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.

Proverbs 19:26 NASB95

He who assaults his father and drives his mother away Is a shameful and disgraceful son.

you can also replace he with she and son with daughter...

The point in all of this is that many times our mothers have to endure the hardship we cause them through our foolishness…and then for us to not show them honor and respect is a disgrace. It is not fitting for the child of God!

Dads you are just as guilty of dishonoring mom when you don’t correct your children’s behavior or when you yourself dishonor and disrespect the mother of your children.

Honor them Because they Fear the Lord

No man is poor who has had a godly mother...Abraham Lincoln.

I cannot tell how much I owe to the prayers of my good mother. I remember her once praying, "Now Lord, if my children go on in sin it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold on Christ and claim Him as their personal Savior." ...Charles Spurgeon.

Dads you must lead the way in honoring moms because you are the one most benefited when she fulfills her role in the Lord. You honor them…your children will follow your lead.

Prov 31:10-31 congregation turn.

The wife and mom that honors God first is worthy of special honor in the Christian home. As a result of seeking to please God, she is filled with spiritual and practical wisdom as well as being an example of moral excellence.

The woman who fears the Lord is to be honored because...

She is trustworthy (11-12)

You benefit from her efforts.

Husbands/Dads have no need to be jealous over her or keep his treasures locked up because she displays impeccable loyalty to him and her thriftiness adds to his wealth.

She is industrious (13-19)

(13) She gathers what is needed to clothe her family.

(14) She goes to great distances to secure the best food for her family

(15) She rises early to make sure her family is cared for today.

(16) She applies wisdom and resourcefulness to the finances

(17) She becomes strong by virtue of her work

(18 -19) Her labors become profitable because she is diligent to maintain a schedule to care for her household, which is the greatest priority of her life

She is a blessing to many (20-24)

Her efforts to care for her family result in fruitfulness for many:

(20) The poor and needy are helped by her.

(21) Her own household is blessed because she was able to anticipate the needs of her family.

(22) She herself experiences honor from others

(23) Her husband is well respected by others because of her contributions to his success and his home.

(24) Somehow, after faithfully discharging her other responsibilities, she finds time to add to the financial status of the family.

She is a woman of proven character (25-29)

(25) Inwardly she is clothed with divine wisdom that gives her confidence to face the unexpected challenges of the future.

(26) When she teaches, she is full of wisdom and mercy

(27) She is a skilled manager of the home because she refuses to be lazy

(28-29) She is praised by her family

She is a woman pursuing righteousness (30-31)

The woman who fears the Lord will pursue true holiness and virtue and that of itself commands a respect and affection that ought to be permanent.

Even though she receives praise and blessings from her family and others, the greatest measure of success as a heart of holiness that is evident to more than just her family.

Dr. G. Campbell Morgan had 4 sons and they were all preachers. Someone once came into the drawing room when all the family was there. They thought they would see what Howard, one of the sons, was made of so they asked him this question: "Howard, who is the greatest preacher in your family?" Howard had a great admiration for his father and he looked straight across at him and then without a moments hesitation he answered, "Mother." A. Edersheim, Sketches of Jewish Social Life, Eerdmans, p. 139.

Lesson for Life — Make Honoring Mom a Way of Life.

Husbands/Dads — it starts with you…the best parent you can be is to be the best partner you can be...

Children — You show your love for God by giving your mom praise, honor and respect simply for the fact that God established her as your mom.

It doesn’t matter whether she is being godly or not…God’s image is still in her…she is still a God-ordained authority in your life.

Moms — make pleasing God the priority in your life and pursue righteousness and He will empower you to fulfill your God-given role.

Everyone —Honoring Moms needs to be a way of life for the child of God. think about it…none of us exist without a mom…I recognize that not everyone has a favorable relationship with their mom, I also recognize that sadly some moms have fallen way short of God’s intended purpose of motherhood…but regardless of all that, the child of God will rise above all the negativity, the imperfections, and failures and will choose to be person of grace and forgiveness that views the way they honor mom as a way to please God.