Jesus-First Motherhood
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· 7 viewsThe highest aim of every mom is Christ because the highest call of every woman is Christ.
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Introduction
Introduction
Raise your hand if you’ve had a mom or if you know someone who has had a mom. (Did someone actually not raise their hand?)
Some will want to jump ship at the beginning of the message. Hang on till the end.
The highest aim of every mom is Christ because the highest call of every woman is Christ.
Motherhood is a gift from God.
Motherhood is a gift from God.
Motherhood is a gift from God because children are a gift from God.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.
Motherhood is a gift from God because a mom is a gift from God.
Role of motherhood is a gift and a vital part of God’s plan to write his story of salvation.
ILLUST - my mom
I’ve shared in the joy of watching my wife cuddle and care for our own children.
Role of motherhood is a gift and a vital part of God’s plan to write his story of salvation.
Sarah
What was she thinking allowing Abram to sacrifice Isaac?
Hannah
For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.
Naomi and Ruth
The faith of Naomi was given to Ruth (not her natural daughter) and Ruth became an ancestor of Jesus
Mary
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke
Mary allowed God’s plan to supersede her own plans
What was the thing your mother always told you to do when you received a gift? Say thank you.
Honor your mother - the Bible doesn’t say to honor your mother if YOU think she did a good job.
The mission of motherhood is tied to the mission of God.
The mission of motherhood is tied to the mission of God.
Mothers, your job is to chase Jesus first - and bring your kids with you.
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, 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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
Paul traces Timothy’s faith back to his mother and his mother’s mother. Paul, the great evangelist, gives mothers the credit for frontline of evangelism for Timothy.
Moms, your children look to you for truth. You are quick to teach them truth about the way that life works, what is best for them, give them the best. You know each child’s needs.
**What are the spiritual needs of your children right now? What are you doing to meet them?
**Church, what are we doing to support the moms in our faith family to accomplish this task?
Motherhood is messy.
Motherhood is messy.
No, I’m not talking about dirty laundry, tossed carrots, messy diapers, etc.
I’ve prayed with women as they suffered the effects of their previous abortions.
I’ve held my wife as she sobbed after our fourth miscarriage.
I held my wife’s hand after we had been told we would likely not have children.
I cried with a mom as she cradled her dying 18-yr-old son after his car accident.
I’ve prayed with mothers as they weep over their children who have spurned their guidance and teaching and have chosen a life of sin apart from Christ.
I’ve held children as they came to the realization that their own mothers have lied to them, abandoned them, injured them.
Sin has made motherhood messy.
If sin is the problem, then there is hope - Jesus is the cure.
Jesus redeems those things sin attempts to destroy.
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Your mess can become your ministry
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you
To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you
To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you
To those who experienced loss through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you
To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.
To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you
To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you
To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we sit with you
To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you
To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experience
To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst
To those who are single and long to be married and mothering your own children – we mourn that life has not turned out the way you longed for it to be
To those who step-parent – we walk with you on these complex paths
To those who envisioned lavishing love on grandchildren -yet that dream is not to be, we grieve with you
To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you
To those who placed children up for adoption — we commend you for your selflessness and remember how you hold that child in your heart
And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you
Do you know a mom in the middle of the mess of motherhood? Walk together with them.
The highest call of every woman is Christ.
The highest call of every woman is Christ.
The call of Christ and your identity to be found in Christ is eternally greater than any role and any label you have in life.
The highest call is to follow Christ and that places and that prioritizes and redeems all other calls on our lives.
Your worth and value is found in Christ alone.
Some things are intrinsically valuable and some are pragmatically valuable.
ILLUST - my folder of drawings from my kids.
The highest call is to follow Christ and that places and that prioritizes and redeems all other calls on our lives.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matt 6:
Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.
There is never any higher calling than to live faithful to Christ in the spaces and places HE has called you.
You cannot fail as a mom if you follow Christ and point your children to Christ
You cannot fail as a woman as you chase Jesus in the calling he has placed on you.
Your mess can become your ministry
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
*For every woman - what are you doing to make Jesus-first in your life? What is the next step you are working on right now?
Conclusion
Conclusion
Men - Honor your mother.
- Honor and support your wife in her role as a mother
- Honor every woman in your life and support them in knowing, finding, cultivating, and, at times, redeeming their role as a Christ-follower - a woman in Christ.
Women - Find your worth in Christ, not in motherhood. (Don’t let children become your idol) Your worth as a woman is found in Christ, not in your role as a mom. Let your supreme worth be found in Christ and your secondary task be motherhood.
- Let Jesus redeem your wrecks and let your messes become your ministry (what Satan meant for evil, God meant for good)
CONCL - men stand and commit to supporting women (‘amen’ if we will find their worth in a follower of Christ)
- Lay hands and pray