Mother’s Day May 9th, 1982
Read 2 Timothy 1:3-5; 3:14-17.
Parenthood, and in particular, motherhood, is the most sacred of privileges.
With the privilege there comes the accompanying responsibility, because Motherhood not only involves the present, but embraces the future.
Henry Ward Beecher once wrote, “The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom.”
Abraham Lincoln wrote, “All that I am or hope to be, I owe it to my angel mother.”
Napoleon Bonaparte said, “The future destiny of the child is always the work of the mother.”
Psychologists believe that the first seven years of a child’s life are the most important for the development of character.
These are the years when the child comes mostly under the influence of the mother. To be a mother and raise a child for God is one of the highest privileges given in God’s economy.
1. Raising a child for God
2. Protecting the child
Proverbs 22:6-”Train up a child in the way he should go and he will not depart from it when he is old.”
The Scriptures are clear on how children are to be raised. They are to be instructed in the ways of the Lord. There is also the thought of dedication and of discipline. Paul says children should be raised in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.” That is, they should be brought up with Christian discipline and godly counsel.
Solomon says, “Withhold not correction from the child.” Proverbs 23:13. Spare the rod—spoil the child.
A Mother’s Love
A real mother is unusual in that her love for her child goes far beyond the call of duty. The baby carried away by the eagle. Some mothers have even given their life for the child.
The Covenant of Scotland—The Brothers of Greenack.
Despite these heroic actions, a mother’s live can be measured. She did those deeds to protect her own flesh and blood, whom she had conceived and nurtured in her own body.
Let us for a few minutes compare with the highest form of human love. Divine love. God’s love reached us when we were unlovable—without strength—ungodly—sinners—enemies—Christ died for us. Romans 5.
God’s love is incomparable in that Christ died for his enemies. God’s love is inexplicable, incomprehensible, unfathomable, immeasurable—it is beyond all human thought.
“This is love that no tongue can teach—love that no thought can reach—no love like His—God it its blessed source—death never can stop its course. Nothing can stay its force—matchless it is.”
A Mother’s Responsibility
Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. Ex. 2:9
Mephibosheth was lame for life because of faulty nursing. Elizabeth—John the Baptist’s mother—He became the greatest of all prophets. Hannah, the mother of Samuel, is an example of good nursing. She gave Samuel to God before he was born. She dedicated Samuel. She nursed and trained him for God. God recognized this and later took him into His service, and he became on of Israel’s greatest prophets.
Mother, it is your privilege and responsibility to teach your children the great truths of the Word. Deuteronomy 6:6-9-read. (Australian officers)
“All we like sheep have gone astray.” Isaiah 53:6
The lost sheep found. Luke 15
Timothy was the product of spiritual training by his godly grandmother and mother. “And that from a child thou has known the Scriptures.” Quote verse 16-17. The result of their devotion to their child—a man of God.
Lord Shaftsbury said, “Give me a generation of Christian mothers and I will change the face of society.”
Present the Gospel and appeal for decisions at this point.