2024-05-12 A Mother’s Day Message (Listen to this message)
Worship song: Build My Life
The Love of the Mother
From my earliest memories I have always known the Love of the Mother, growing up as a young boy I remember my mom singing this song to me “God gave the wise men their wisdom…” (click to listen)
<slide 1> (click to view photo slides)
Sitting in church I recall my mom rubbing my back with her tender touch, I felt the love of my mother, I knew the love of my mother, which I now know is an example of the love of my Heavenly Father. God has a mother’s love.
In an article by Spencer Boersma he stated “God’s love is good. Our mother’s love is good. All that is good is of God. Therefore, our mother’s love shows us God’s love. Or, God’s love is good like a mother’s love. Specifically, God loves like a mother.”; “God’s love is like the procreative (producing new life), unconditional, sacrificial, protective love of a mother. Our mother’s love points us to the love of God, and this will allow us to appreciate both God and our mothers today.”[1]
In Isaiah 66:13 the Lord says: “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.” This verse is about God’s comfort and guidance, similar to how a mother comforts her child.
Isaiah 49:15: “Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?”
<slide 2, 3, 4> Recently, the Father had shown me that I have five mother’s caring for me; my mom, my wife and our three daughters. I didn’t realize this for over 30 years and many times I would reject the “Motherly Love” of my dear wife. God has given all of these women to show me His love. (He knew I would need a lot of help!)
<slide 5> There are even more mother’s which I had growing up who have since gone home to be with Jesus, my Grandma’s Rachel Roudebush and Marian Gutwein. As a young boy growing up in church, there were so many women that invested into my life. Many of my Sunday school teachers were amazing older women. I tended to gravitate to the ladies, as I felt more comfortable around them – I believe I felt love from them. There have been so many mothers that have poured into my life over the years. I’m sure you can think of different women who have made a major impact in your life as well; in our families, churches or social settings. I encourage you to reflect on these amazing relationships.
In an article written by John Roxy, he states, “As a mother, you play an important role in your family, nurturing and guiding your children through life’s challenges with unconditional love and devotion. The Bible recognizes and celebrates the beauty and significance of motherhood, affirming the divine value and influence of mothers in our lives. Through various verses and quotes, the Bible offers wisdom, guidance, and appreciation for the selfless sacrifices and unwavering commitment of a mother.
Key Takeaways:
- The Bible emphasizes the sacred essence of motherhood.
- The role of mothers in the family structure is highlighted in the Bible.
- God’s love and care for mothers are expressed through scriptures.
- The Bible offers wisdom and guidance for mothers in their parenting journey.
- Appreciation, respect, and gratitude towards mothers are encouraged in the scriptures.
The Role of Mothers in the Bible
Motherhood is a divine gift that entails great responsibility and honor.
Throughout the Bible, we find examples of the vital role that mothers play in the family structure.
<slide 6> The book of Proverbs describes a godly mother as someone who “<She> watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:27-30 NIV).
This passage highlights the importance of a mother’s nurturing and caring role in the family, which requires diligent effort and attention to detail.
Additionally, the Apostle Paul reminds us of the influence of a mother’s faith in shaping the spiritual growth of her children, stating (to Timothy), “From infancy, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which can make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).
<share how I can relate to Timothy in having his mother and grandmother…>
As such, mothers are called to be role models and guides for their children, imparting biblical values and wisdom through their words and actions.
The Bible provides guidance and direction for mothers in fulfilling this crucial role, offering practical advice and insight to navigate the challenges and joys of motherhood. Proverbs 22:6 says “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
In summary, the Bible recognizes the vital role of mothers in shaping the lives of children and the importance of godly guidance and instruction in parenting.
As you seek to fulfill this noble calling, may you find support and wisdom in the scriptures and experience the joy and satisfaction of nurturing and raising children in the ways of the Lord.[2]
As I was reading in the book of Haggai, the Spirit led me to think on how a mother helps to build her home. He put this thought on my heart – one of the mother’s roles is to help build her house on the Lord Jesus Christ.
We read in Haggai 1:1-15 (New International Version) <A Call to Build the House of the Lord>
1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest:
2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.’”
3 Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”
5 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord. 9 “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. 11 I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”
12 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord.
13 Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with you,” declares the Lord. 14 So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month.
In the Life Application Study Bible commentary on verses 2-15 “Haggai encouraged the people to finish rebuilding the temple. Opposition from hostile neighbors had caused them to feel discouraged and to neglect the temple, and thus neglect God. But Haggai’s message turned them around and motivated them to pick up their tools and continue the work they had begun.”[3]
We do get sidetracked in our lives at times as well…
A question we need to ask ourselves is, “Are we tending to our own house and neglecting the house of God?”, “Are we taking care of the house of God, like we do our own homes?”
From Haggai verse 1-15, let me read for you, the words that are quoted as “what the Lord Almighty says”:
“These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.’”
“Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”
“Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
“Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”
“I am with you,”
Are we tending to our house and neglecting the house of the Lord?
- Will we obey the voice of the Lord?
- Will we fear the Lord?
- Will we answer his call and be dedicated to the work of building His House?
Let us not neglect tending to God’s house! We need to be building up the Church and take care of it. We all have a unique and special role in doing this. We need to take care of God’s house so the Body of Christ has a safe haven to come to – a place to be rescued, a safe place to be cared for and tended to.
Is this house that type of place? A place where the hurting and broken may come and be loved on like a mother loves on her newborn child.
From the Life Application Study Bible commentary on verses 3-6 it states “God asked his people how they could live in luxury when his house was lying in ruins. The temple was the focal point of Judah’s relationship with God, but it was still demolished. Instead of rebuilding the temple, the people put their energies into beautifying their own homes. However, the harder the people worked for themselves, the less they had, because they ignored their spiritual lives. The same happens to us. If we put God first, He will provide for our deepest needs. If we put Him in any other place, all our efforts will be futile. Caring only for your physical needs while ignoring your relationship with God will lead to ruin.”[4]
This reminds me of the Pearl Challenge, realizing the importance of taking care of your relationship with your Heavenly Father. If we are not healthy, how can we help anyone else that is in need of assistance, we will become a burden and others will have to pour their resources into us. We all go through seasons of life where we need help, but when we are there we need to recognize our need and allow others to come along side us and accept the help they willing to provide.
If you need help, reach out to the Elders. Don’t allow your pride to keep you from receiving the help. The Church is God’s design for helping those in need. Being the Body of Christ and caring for others in need is a work of the Church as we represent Jesus to the world around us.
Jennifer and I were married for ten years, I had been busy building our house – we started a family, I had worked two jobs at times & Jennifer was doing in-home childcare daily along with working evening shifts at various stores. God got a hold of me! He interrupted our lives, showing me that He needed us to start taking care of His house. There was a plan and a purpose He had for our lives that had everything to do with Him. I was called to be a follower of Jesus, a man of God, a Godly husband, father, neighbor, co-worker and friend. We were called to start building God’s house and that led us here today as we follow Jesus and “live the way He has taught us to live”. “To live the way He has taught us to live” is a sweet reminder of how my Grandma Roudebush would always end her prayers.
Will you take this directive from God serious? Will you start building His house so that others can find a safe loving place to discover Jesus and be brought into the light? People are dying every day without knowing the love of Jesus.
<slide 7> As followers of Christ we are called to go and share; to go and make disciples. Matthew 28:18-20 says, “…Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””
As you go, whether man or woman, go in love and in Christ with the message of hope that is so needed today. Bring people to the House of God that we are all a part of building. So when others come, they will discover the God that loves them and gave up everything for them.
<ask an Elder to do an alter call>
[1] “The Motherly Love of God: Theological Reflections on Mother’s Day” https://spencerboersma.com/2015/05/27/the-motherly-love-of-god/
[2] 22 Bible Verses About a Mother (And Tips for Applying Them to Your Life), John Roxy; https://christianityiq.com/bible-verses-about-a-mother/
[3] Taken from the Life Application Study Bible commentary on verse 2-15, pages 1903
[4] Taken from the Life Application Study Bible commentary on verse 3-6, pages 1903-1904