3.3.23 5.8.2022 The Elect Lady Mother's Day 2 John

Start

Entice:

Kittens.

By now you all know that this spring we have had kittens in the Parsonage on the Hill. Miss Georgia and I frequently exchange the remark "what a good mother!" Of course, for cats the maternal instinct is just that--instinct. The next natural step will be the process of separation Some of y'all will benefit as you have a new addition to your home.

The corollaries between human and feline maternal instinct are similar, but not the same. Mama cat and kitten may have a bond, but it is not something that is deep, reflective, and evolving as is our experience of our own mothers. The parenting process for humans is complex, likely reflecting more accurately the relationship between humanity and God. Motherhood is the deepest expression of nurturing that we know.

The relationship between cat and kitten and the deeper relationship between mother and child (for which reason Mother's Day exists) leads us to a consideration of our mother, the church, for if the Church is the Bride of Christ, then each of us born into Her bosom through Baptism surely have her for our Mother.

A famous figure from Church History put it this way

He can no longer have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his mother. Cyprian

This seems kind of harsh to us. It is an unfashionable idea in an age marked by individualism and self-expression. Yet it is essential.

It is no more possible to be a Christian without the Church than it is to be a human being without a mother. Or a kitten w/out mama cat.

Today as we take a break from Revelation we will examine what John says about our Mother the Church.

Engage:

2 John 1 ESV

1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth,

I think that John learned symbolic language from Jesus. Of course the Revelation, being visionary literature was the perfect canvas for symbolic and allusive language. It was obviously not the only place John wrote that way.

Expand: This is one of the principle passages from which our understanding of the Church as the "mother of the faithful" comes from. Though it is more embryonic than fully developed it is still a powerful image. And much of that power comes from our universal experience of each one of us being nurtured by our own mother.

Excite: I think this scripture deserves our attention on a day dedicated to our relationship with our mothers.

Explore:

A faithful, mother nurtures faithful Christians.

Explain: Three foci of that faithful, nurturing behavior.

Body of Sermon: First, Our mother offers us

Provision.

2 John 1–3 ESV

1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Abiding Truth

Grace

Mercy

Peace

Our mother offers us

Protection.

2 John 4–11 ESV

4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

The Church protects us by teaching us to...

Walk in the Truth 5

Walk in Love 6

Walk with Care. 7,8

Walk with Integrity. 9-11

Last of all, Our mother offers a

Promise

2 John 12–13 ESV

12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your elect sister greet you.

Complete Joy.

Common Journey.

Shut Down:

Mother's Day, though collectively celebrated, is a highly individual holiday. The relationship between a mother and child is unique, even that between a mother and siblings.

In this relationship there are sometimes

disagreements,

disillusionment,

even

despair.

This is not due to something wrong with motherhood or childhood in general but the particular facts of the fall. I know that for some of you Mother's Day is bittersweet. I know that some of you became extraordinary mothers because of your own negative experiences.

This reality also impacts our relationship with our nurturing mother, the Church. Many of us have had disagreements, faced disillusionment, or experienced despair in the Church. It is not a design flaw nor is it in some way Jesus' fault. It is just the reality in a fallen world, where even the faithful get hit by the shrapnel of sin.

It is still the best plan. God's plan. The only plan. Our mother promises a relationship with similarly situated forgiven sinners. If we pay attention she protects us from doctrinal and behavioral error. She provides the nurture we need to grow lovingly and fully into the image of Christ. That is the hopeful message of Gods Word for us today.