A Mother Who Follows God

I. A divine responsibility

A. Mothers bring eternal beings into this world and share a large role in preparing them for eternity.

B. The mother’s job is filled with pain and pleasure.

C. The intense pain of childbirth is quickly relieved by a glimpse of the newborn’s face and a tender brush of the hand across the baby’s cheek. The child suffers the pain of injuries, slights, and disappointments as he grows up yet the mother is there to kiss away the “ouchies” and console heartbreak. The mother suffers pain as her child grows up and leaves to become independent and start his own family, yet she has immense pride in helping prepare him to be a good Christian, citizen, spouse, and parent.

D. More than just biology

E. The above description of a mother is ideal and contingent on the mother having love and dedication to the children.

F. It is sad that some do not know this kind of mother’s love.

G. If this is true of you, you cannot change the past but you can change the future.

H. Women can determine to be godly mothers, fashioned by the biblical pattern, led by the mind of Jesus. Men can help their wives to be godly mothers and instruct their daughters on how important this relationship is.

I. Sydney Harris wisely said, “The commonest fallacy among women is that simply having children makes one a mother—which is as absurd as believing that having a piano makes one a musician.”

J. Some women bring children into the world and irresponsibly shrug their obligations and the opportunities that a child presents. Though the negligent mother may receive token affection, love of duty owed to one who brought the child into the world, she will never share the depth of love and special connection enjoyed by the mother who sacrifices so much to make a good life for her children. It is sad that so many women neglect this great privilege.

K. Women must learn to be mothers from godly mothers and divine instruction

II. A mother who follows God dedicates herself to God

III. Background of Mary, the Mother of Jesus

A. Mary was a poor woman from a lowly family living in an insignificant town in a region that Judean Jews considered inferior.

B. Angelic visit

C. One day an angel came to her and told her that she was “blessed among women.” Of all the women of the earth, both of wealth and privilege, the all-knowing God chose this simple young woman to bring His Son into the world in order to save the world.

D. Mary’s humility and servitude

E. God did not force Mary to bear His Son but told her of His plan. She said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word,” Luke 1:38. She was a woman of faith and service and obeyed this most high calling. As J.W. Mc Garvey noted that the woman who said, “Let it be according to your word” became the mother of “not my will, but Thine be done.”

F. Lesson for mothers

G. The mother who follows God must first submit to God in all things. You cannot lead someone to a place that you are not going.

IV. A mother who follows God dedicates her children to God

A. Mothers must dedicate themselves to rearing the child for God’s service.

B. Of course, we do not want to neglect the father’s important responsibility, but the mother often has more time and opportunity to teach the daily lessons of godliness to the children.

C. Hannah’s Background (1 Samuel 1)

D. In the Old Testament, Hannah was married to a fine man, Elkanah, but she did not have a child. She prayed intensely to God who opened her womb and she bore a son, Samuel. As part of her prayer, Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord.

E. When Samuel was old enough, she took him to the temple where he would stay and serve God.

F. Every year she would make a new ephod for Samuel and bring it to him. Eli, the priest, blessed Hannah for her “loan that she lent to the Lord,” 1 Samuel 2:20. She had great love for Samuel but kept her promise to God and supported Samuel in his ministry.

G. Support children in God’s service

H. Dedicate them to the Lord

I. Support them

J. Support them even if service takes them overseas. Mothers must show their children how to serve God by example and instruction.

K. Teach them

L. A mother is a teacher. Who can deny the genuine care of a loving mother. She would not instruct in a way that would endanger her children or deny them a full enjoyment of life. Proverbs 1:8-9; 6:20-22; 2 Timothy 1:5

M. Discipline them

N. Proverbs 29:15 Proverbs 31:1f – King Lemuel’s mother instructed him Children obey: Luke 2:48; Ephesians 6:1

V. Conclusion: Fathers and children should be thankful for godly mothers more than just one day a year. That thankfulness and love must be expressed in deeds as well as words. Helping the mother in her responsibilities instead of casting additional burdens upon her… Thanking God for such a wonderful blessing.