PROVERBS 31:10 etc.
NEW TESTAMENT MOMS
A mother was concerned about her only son going off to college. She wrote the following letter to the college president:
"Dear Sir: My son has been accepted for admission to your college and soon he will be leaving me. I am writing to ask that you give your personal attention to the selection of his roommate. I want to be sure that his roommate is not the kind of person who uses foul language, or tells off-color jokes, smokes, drinks, or chases after girls. I hope you will understand why I am appealing to you directly. You see, this is the first time my son will be away from home, except for his three years in the Marine Corps." --James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 376. Bible Illustrator 3.0
Erma Bombeck said - Every mother has a favorite child. She cannot help it. She is only human. I have mine--the child for whom I feel a special closeness, with whom I share a love that no one else could possibly understand. My favorite child is the one who was too sick to eat ice cream at his birthday party -- who had measles at Christmas -- who wore leg braces to bed because he toed in -- who had a fever in the middle of the night, the asthma attack, the child in my arms at the emergency ward.
My favorite child spent Christmas alone away from the family, was stranded after the game with a gas tank on E, lost the money for his class ring.
My favorite child is the one who messed up the piano recital, misspelled committee in a spelling bee, ran the wrong way with the football, and had his bike stolen because he was careless.
My favorite child is the one I punished for lying, grounded for insensitivity to other people's feelings, and informed he was a royal pain to the entire family.
My favorite child slammed doors in frustration, cried when she didn't think I saw her, withdrew and said she could not talk to me.
My favorite child always needed a haircut, had hair that wouldn't curl, had no date for Saturday night, and a car that cost $600 to fix. My favorite child was selfish, immature, bad-tempered and self-centered. He was vulnerable, lonely, unsure of what he was doing in this world--and quite wonderful.
All mothers have their favorite child. It is always the same one: the one who needs you at the moment. Who needs you for whatever reason--to cling to, to shout at, to hurt, to hug, to flatter, to reverse charges to, to unload on--but mostly just to be there. Erma Bombeck --James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 380. Bible Illustrator 3.0
Proverbs 31:10 - Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Many of us have had virtuous mothers. Some of you have not. But whether you have had a virtuous mother or not, our responsibility is to be virtuous ourselves. Whether you are a mom or a dad, a grandmother or a grandfather, or a person that hopes to be a mom or a dad some day, we need to learn some of the virtues of parenthood.
This morning I want to take you to the New Testament and talk to you about four mothers. Three of these show us virtues worth imitating. One shows us a characteristic worth avoiding.
This morning let's meet:
THE ATTENTIVE MOM - Luke 2:18-19, 2:51, John 2:1-10
THE AMBITIOUS MOM - Matthew 20:20 -23
THE ARTICULATE MOM - 2 Timothy 1:5, 3:15
THE ADOPTED MOM - Romans 16:13
THE ATTENTIVE MOM - Luke 2:18-19, 2:51, John 2:1-10
Although Mary was a sinner just like us, she was indeed "blessed among women" for being the mother of our Lord. God certainly chose a virtuous woman to be the mother of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Mary was an attentive mother. And I'm not referring to the kind of attention that puts meals on the table and clean clothes in the closets. This kind of attention is necessary, but not what I'm thinking of in Mary.
In Luke 2 the birth of Jesus was announced to the shepherds by the angels. The shepherds came to see the baby in the manger. The shepherds also told Mary and Joseph about the appearance of the angel announcing the birth of Jesus and the angel choir that said in Luke 2:14, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Notice what it says about Mary in verse 19, But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Again in Luke 2 there is a story told about Jesus' early years. Jesus had been taken to the temple when He was twelve years old. When Mary and Joseph left for home they assumed that He was with them. He wasn't. When Mary and Joseph discovered that, they returned, frantically looking for Jesus. They found him in the temple both listening to the doctors of the law and asking questions.
Vs. 48 - When Mary and Joseph finally found Jesus, they rebuked Him. Jesus gave them a classic answer.
Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
It is said of Mary in Vs. 51, Luke 2:51, but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
From the beginning Mary tried understood her child. She thought about him and His words. Mary paid attention.
It was Mary, who at a wedding feast, looked for Jesus to help when they ran out of wine. Mary understood who her son was and what He could do.
It was also Mary who stood with others at the foot of the cross and was attentive to the end!
Some might say, "Mary needed to pay attention because she had such a unique child."
My friend, no other child was or is the Son of God. However each and every child is unique.
Each child has unique abilities.
Each child has a unique personality.
Each child has unique problems.
Each child has unique deficiencies.
If we as parents pay attention, we will know what our child is capable of and not capable of.
We will know where the child needs help.
We will know when to challenge the child to use his or her talents.
We will know when to correct the child.
We will know how to pray uniquely for that child.
The worst thing we can do is expect each of our children to be exactly alike.
Both of our sons were "A" students.
Donna was a good student, but not a straight A student. Dottie and I had to work at encouraging Donna that she had abilities and talents that her brothers did not. She had to be encouraged that it was all right to be different.
When you are attentive like Mary, you will be able to help the child discover what his gifts and talents are. By encouraging the child to use those talents he or she is best at, you just might end up blessing others through your child.
When I was home from college one time I went with my Mom to the hospital to see an aunt and a grandmother. The aunt needed to be cheered up, so I kidded with her. The grandmother needed compassion, so I showed compassion. My mother, observing how I dealt with these two people, said, "You should be a minister." Now, that isn't why I became a pastor, but it was an encouragement to me, that I had some of the ability that was necessary for the job.
Be attentive to your children!
Know their abilities.
Know when their hurting.
Respond to them with understanding.
THE ATTENTIVE MOM - Luke 2:18-19, 2:51, John 2:1-10
THE AMBITIOUS MOM - Matthew 20:20 -23
Read Matthew 20:20-23
Here comes a lady with an agenda!
She wants her boys to be preeminent in Christ's kingdom.
The boys, James and John, by the way, wanted the same thing.
Was this more than a little pushy?
You bet it is!
Was this a proper request? The answer is simply, "No"!
In this same passage of Scripture Jesus points out that those that are truly great serve, rather than seeking to be served.
Matthew 20:27 - And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
As we have already said, it is good for parents to motivate their children to use their talents and abilities.
It is wrong to push children into areas of prominence just because they're your children. Sometimes parents become blinded, thinking their children should have the best and thinking that they should always be first.
You see it the Little League parents who are always pushing the coach to play their kid.
You see it the mother who thinks her child should always have the lead in the school musical production.
You see it in the parent who always thinks their child should be first chair in the orchestra.
There are also parents who push their children into a particular profession, such as a doctor, lawyer, professional ball player, or actor or actress. Sometimes these parents push their children, because the parents didn't succeed in a particular area, and they want children to succeed in their places.
Many a child has been pushed by his or her parents into a profession, or a sport, or musical accomplishment when the child only did it to please his or her parents.
My Dad pushed for all his kids to go to college. Which was fine for three out of four of his children.
But Don didn't want to go to college and went anyway.
One semester - he flunked out.
Was Don dumb? No!
He got in with the Phone Company, spent four years in the Air Force, and today makes much more money than I do working for Verizon in Pittsburgh.
We want what is best for our children.
But let's not be over ambitious for our children.
By the way, in spite of an over ambitious Mom, James and John turned out fine! James was the first apostle who gave his life as a martyr for Jesus. John evidently lived longer than any other apostle, was persecuted for his faith, and became the "Apostle of love". He wrote the Gospel of John, the 1,2, and 3rd John, and the Book of Revelation.
THE ATTENTIVE MOM - Luke 2:18-19, 2:51, John 2:1-10
THE AMBITIOUS MOM - Matthew 20:20 -23
THE ARTICULATE MOM - 2 Timothy 1:5, 3:15
2 Timothy 1:5 - When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
Timothy was a godly young man who served as an assistant to Paul. In this letter to Timothy, Paul is reminding him of his heritage.
Timothy's grandmother, Lois, was a woman of faith.
Timothy's mother, Euncie, was a woman of faith.
It was Timothy's mother and grandmother that taught him faith!
2 Timothy 3:15 - And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Timothy was taught the Scriptures, in this case, the Old Testament Scriptures.
Who taught Timothy the Scriptures?
His grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice, taught Timothy the Scriptures. They articulated the Word of God to their boy!
It is likely, too, that Timothy was in synagogue regularly, also learning the Scriptures.
When and where should a child first hear the words to such songs as "Jesus loves me"? At his mother's knee from infancy!
When and where should a child first hear the great Bible stories such as David and Goliath and Jesus feeding the five thousand?
He should hear them from his mom and dad starting when they may seem even too young to understand.
Where should a child be on Sunday Morning?
In Sunday School!
Where should a child be on Wednesday Night?
In Good News Club, and later in youth group!
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: [7] And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
You are diligent to potty train your children.
You are diligent to teach your children to read and write or to see that they learn it.
You are diligent to teach your children some manners.
You are diligent to feed your children good food and to teach them proper hygiene.
You are diligent to take your child to the doctor and dentist, and if necessary, the eye doctor.
Be more diligent to teach your children about Jesus!
Be more diligent to teach your children the way of salvation!
Be more diligent to teach your children the Word of God.
Many a godly parent has raised many a godly child.
Your child has the advantage of being born into a Christian home.
Take full advantage of the child's advantage.
Articulate to him, the Word of God.
THE ATTENTIVE MOM - Luke 2:18-19, 2:51, John 2:1-10
THE AMBITIOUS MOM - Matthew 20:20 -23
THE ARTICULATE MOM - 2 Timothy 1:5, 3:15
THE ADOPTED MOM - Romans 16:13
Romans 16:13 - Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
Paul is handing out greetings to the church in Rome.
He says "Greet Rufus and his Mom, who is also my Mom!"
Was this lady really Paul's mom?
No, she wasn't his birth mom.
She had probably adopted him or he had adopted her.
This lady probably treated Paul like his own son.
Paul probably respected her as his own mother.
There was a godly woman in New Jersey, who Dottie was mothered by. Her name was Joetta Justice. Joetta treated Dottie as she would her own daughter.
Our daughter, Donna, has a best friend in New York, named Kari. Donna calls Kari's mom, Alphie, "Mom". Donna is an adopted daughter!
The Lord just might put a younger person in your path that can use a little extra encouragement. Love that person as you would your own child.
The Lord just might put an older person in your path that cares for you as he or she would their own child. Accept that love as from an adopted mom or dad.
When I was stationed in Fort Gordon, Georgia, I spent many a weekend in the home of Colonel and Mrs. Alvin Adams. The Colonel was retired, but they took me in and treated me as a son. They were my adopted Mom and Dad in Georgia.
Give thanks for adopted parents!
Strive to be an adopting parent! Stretch out your influence, farther than just to your own kids.
THE ATTENTIVE MOM - Luke 2:18-19, 2:51, John 2:1-10
THE AMBITIOUS MOM - Matthew 20:20 -23
THE ARTICULATE MOM - 2 Timothy 1:5, 3:15
THE ADOPTED MOM - Romans 16:13