Lessons From The First Mother

Introduction

As we celebrate mother’s today, I want to share a little bit about my Mom.

Being home schooled, my mom taught me many lessons. But there are a few that are especially precious to me.

Growing up it seemed like no matter how early we woke up, mom was already awake and spending time in prayer and reading the Bible.

From her I learned the importance of putting the Lord first. Of being disciplined to spend time with Him.

I also learned how to laugh at myself from my mom. In so many situations I can remember mom laughing when others might have gotten upset or angry. This has given me the ability to never take myself too seriously.

All of us have learned lessons from our mothers. For some these were not pleasant lessons. For others it wasn’t your biological mom.

No matter your experience, this is a day we celebrate moms and we want to raise up and honor what God has designed motherhood to be.

Today we examine three lesson learned from the life and example of Eve.

As we practice these lessons we strengthened to live for Christ in a hostile world.

Eve was the first mother. She reveals to us some vital elements of motherhood.

Lesson #1…

1. Motherhood Is God’s Design 1:27-28

gives us the account of creation. This is how everything that exists came into being.

Look at v. 27.

God created mankind, humankind in His image. Both man and woman are made in the image of God! Men and women were brought into existence by the direct creative act of God.

Verse 28 get’s into part of God’s purpose. But before we get there, turn to chapter 2. Here we get the details around God’s creation of the man and the woman. This is not a second creation account. This God detailing how specific events of chapter 1 were accomplished.

2:7 gives us God’s creation of the man.

In v. 15 God puts Adam in the garden and gives him a task, in v. 18 God reveals that it is not good for man to be alone. He needs help.

Look down at vv. 21-24. According to and Jesus is the one who created all things (S).

;

Hebrews 1:2 NKJV

has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

Colossians 1:16 NKJV

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Why do I bring this up?

Women were made by the creative act of Christ himself. They were made because the man was not able to accomplish his God-given task on his own.

Now look back at 1:28.

God’s original design for the man and the woman was for them to be parents.

What does this tell us? It tells us that motherhood is God’s design!

This is a vital message for our world.

We live in a culture that sends negative messages about motherhood. Motherhood is an inconvenience. Motherhood is something to be avoided at all costs. Motherhood is a last resort. Motherhood is only for when you “feel ready.”

That is not the view of motherhood that we see in Scripture.

Motherhood was designed, ordained, and instituted by an almighty, infinite, holy, all-powerful, all-knowing ,Sovereign God!

The God of Eternity has chosen motherhood to be His means of multiplying the human race and shaping the lives of future generations.

Now. Some of you here are not mothers. Some of you had earthly mothers who were not what a mother should have been. Let me take this lesson and apply it to all of us.

You have been specifically and uniquely designed by God.

Let me prove that to you. Turn to (p. 718).

(p. 718)

Psalm 139:13–16 NKJV

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.

God formed you in the womb. He created and fashioned you for a purpose. Paul declares that he was set apart for God’s purpose before he was even born ()! God said the same thing about Jeremiah in (S).

Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Just like God has designed and ordained motherhood, God has designed and ordained you.

Our sovereign God is working behind the scenes of our lives. He has a plan and purpose and when we submit ourselves to Him, we get to see amazing things happen.

That brings us to our next lesson. Lesson #2…

2. Motherhood Is God’s Solution 3:15

Before we read this verse let’s review what has happened.

Genesis ch. 1, God creates everything. In 1:31 He pronounces all things very good.

In ch. 2 we learn that God put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to take care of it. He gave them dominion over the earth and told them to multiply and fill it.

When God placed Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden He gave one prohibition. There was only one tree in all of the garden that they were not supposed to eat from.

In the beginning of chapter 3, they eat the fruit of the forbidden tree.

What we are about to read is said while God is explaining the consequences of their actions.

In the middle of a list of negatives comes a shining light here in verse 15.

READ 3:15

Revealed here is God’s solution to Adam and Eve’s sin. God’s solution to their sin is that Eve will become a mother. She will have a child and this child will deal with sin once for all!

Fast-forward through Biblical history and we arrive at the home of a young woman engaged to be married.

Turn to (p. 1177).

(p. 1177)

Luke 1:28–33 NKJV

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 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. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

God’s plan didn’t change! Through thousands of years it remained the same. Here, once again, we see that God’s solution to the problem of sin was a mother giving birth to a son.

Christianity would not exist without motherhood.

The first mother, Eve, is given a promise, through her will come the one to crush the serpents head.

This is God's solution to the problem of sin, the birth of Jesus Christ.

Motherhood is what God used to bring Jesus into the world. Motherhood changes everything.

Saved in childbearing

This solution has not changed. It is still God’s plan to change the world through godly, Christ-honoring mothers!

We see evidence of this in several places in Scripture. Let me just give a few quick examples.

Samuel is one of my favorites. Hannah was married to Elkanah and she couldn’t have children. She prays, meets Eli the priest, and is promised children. She has Samuel and dedicates him to the Lord. She brings him back to Eli so that he can serve the Lord. In Samuel we find a respectful, well behaved child who grows into a godly man. He was instrumental in some of the most major events in Israel’s history. I believe that Samuel became the man he was because of the influence of his mother.

Timothy is another example. We are explicitly told that his faith and dedication to the Lord came from his mother and grandmother. They taught Timothy the Word of God! Look at ; (S).

;

2 Timothy 1:5 NKJV

when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

2 Timothy 3:15 NKJV

and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

God used the influence of this mother and grandmother to raise a faithful man of God!

We live in a world that seems to be growing spiritually darker on a daily basis.

What we need is faithful followers of Jesus. Faithful followers of Jesus must be made. We need godly mothers (and fathers) to raise up godly children.

If you don’t have children start the process of discipleship with someone! Paul had a “mother” who just sort of adopted him. He mentions here in .

The point is that our culture and world are going to be changed by young boys and girls being trained and discipled to become godly men and women.

Faithfully invest in others and God will use that to change the world.

We are God’s solution. These cracked clay pots are the containers God has chosen.

What Eve teaches us here is that even though we are marred by sin, God will still use us.

God still uses Eve to be the mother of all living! God uses us in ways that go beyond our imagination. Eve’s descendant, Jesus Christ, defeated death! Look at what tells us (S).

Ephesians 3:20 NKJV

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

He does exceedingly, abundantly, above all we ask or think!

God can and will use you and me to transform lives. God’s solution for this world is the Church.

Lesson #1 - Motherhood is God's design. Lesson #2 - Motherhood is God's solution. Lesson #3…

3. Motherhood Requires Faith 4:1, 25-26

READ 4:1

This is one of those times that English translations kind of miss the point. Eve believes Cain to be the man from the Lord. The man promised in 3:15.

Eve believed the promises of God!

God said her seed would crush the serpents head. So when she has a son, she assumes this is the fulfillment of the promise!

I love her faith. Unfortunately, the story plays out in horrifying opposition to her expectation.

Adam and Eve have a second son and the boys grow up. Abel tends sheep and Cain is a farmer. They bring offerings to the Lord and Cain’s is rejected. In anger he kills Abel and is then banished by God.

What heartbreak this must have been for Eve!

The first time they ever saw death was when an animal was killed by God to clothe them.

Then Abel offered a lamb to God.

Now Cain has murdered Abel.

The one Eve believed to be the fulfillment of God’s promise has become a murderer! He has been cast out!

It is at this point that many would despair. God’s promise must not be true. God word must be about to fail!

That is not how Eve reacts.

Turn to 4:25-26 READ

Eve still believes God’s promise! Her faith has not wavered!

Though

Even though disaster has struck, Eve believes that God will keep His Word.

Seth - child if promise?

Every parent knows that it takes faith to raise children.

We have to believe that God will do what He has promised. That if we bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, there is a higher chance of them turning out right.

Here’s the important point. Eve could trust the promises of God because she knew what they were.

It was the promises of God that sustained her through heartbreaking circumstances!

The trials and the difficulties we face can only be endured as we seek the Lord and follow His direction. We must know His promises, know His Word. That is what will sustain us.

Faith in the Word brings the strength to endure.

This is something we see over and over again in the want to look at just one instance in (p. 709).

(p. 709)

Psalm 119:141–144 NKJV

I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth. Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights. The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live.

No matter what we face, God’s Word can provide comfort and strength to endure!

However, Faith is required to believe what Scripture reveals.

Eve was a woman, a mother, of faith.

She believed the promises of God even when it was difficult to do so.

What about you and me? Will we believe?

Will we believe God’s promises when family falls apart? Will we believe when jobs are lost? Will we believe when when our hopes and dreams are dashed to pieces?

Our lost, dying, and broken world needs to see faithful men and women of God standing firm on His Word.

Conclusion

Motherhood is God’s design.

If you are here today and you are a mom, know that God has chosen you for this role.

Though it may be overwhelming at times, God has not given you more than you can handle. When you depend on Him you will find that He has great things in store.

For the rest of us here who are not mothers, here’s what we need to walk out of here with.

You are designed by God. He made you. He has a purpose for you.

Motherhood is God’s solution.

Mother’s, you have been chosen by God to help raise and train the next generation.

God doesn’t make mistakes. You can do it. With His help.

God’s solution for this world is the body of Christ living like Christ.

God will use you to accomplish incredible things.

Motherhood requires faith.

When things go wrong, trust the Lord. When everything seems to fall apart, trust the Lord. When you feel like a failure, trust the Lord.

He will get you through this. He will show Himself strong. He will never let you down.

For the rest of us.

Know God’s promises. Believe God’s promises. Live in obedience.

We have been designed by God to be His solution in a sinful world. May we trust Him and live out the truth of His Word.

; ; ,

Genesis 1:26–28 NKJV

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Genesis 3:15 NKJV

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

Genesis 4:1 NKJV

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.”

Genesis 4:25 NKJV

And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.”