Godly Mothers

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER

RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK

(PowerPoints used with this message are available for free. Just email me at mnewland@sstelco.com and request #305.)

A. Yes, today is a very special day! I know that for many, Mother's Day is difficult. For some it's because children weren't possible. For others, Mother is no longer physically present for you to honor, & for some, Mother wasn't the perfect picture of Christ's love in your home.

But on our journey through life nothing can compare with the impact made by our mothers. Their words, for good or for bad, are never fully forgotten, & the memory of their presence lasts a lifetime.

ILL. Abraham Lincoln said, "No one is poor who had a godly mother." And I believe he was right. The influence of a godly mother on her children cannot be overstated.

B. There are some notable examples of motherhood in scripture. But this morning I want to mention two special passages that we ought to consider. One is found in Proverbs, chapter 31. Listen to a few selected verses.

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies… She selects wool & flax & works with eager hands… She considers a field & buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard… (Proverbs 31:10,13,16)

“She sees that her trading is profitable, & her lamp does not go out at night… She makes linen garments & sells them, & supplies the merchants with sashes… (Proverbs 31:18,24)

“Her children arise & call her blessed; her husband also, & he praises her; ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’” (Proverbs 31:28-29)

And the 2nd passage was written by the apostle Paul to young Timothy, “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois & in your mother Eunice &, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5)

Whether you’re a “stay-at-home” mom like Timothy’s mother, or one who works like the mother praised in Proverbs 31, the emphasis of my message this morning has to do with a mother’s influence upon her children & her family.

And I urge those of you who have no children or whose children are far away, look around & take note of those who may be in need of a "parent figure," or a "second mom or dad." You may be just the mentor or friend that someone else desperately needs.

C. Mothers, & fathers too, I encourage you today to recommit yourselves to the task God has entrusted to you - the task of building a home according to the blueprint of Proverbs 24:3-4.

Listen to what it says, "By wisdom a house is built, & by understanding it is established; & by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious & pleasant riches."

Wisdom, understanding, & knowledge, passed on to your children so that they might build their lives on a foundation that is sufficient for all their needs.

ILL. There were once 4 scholars who were arguing over Bible translations. One said he thought that the King James Version was the best because of its beautiful & eloquent style of speech.

Another said he preferred the American Standard Bible for its accurate translation of the original text. A third preferred the New International Version because of its modern language & ease of understanding.

After thinking about it for a moment, the 4th scholar said, "I have always preferred my mother's translation." When the others expressed surprise, saying that they didn’t know that she was a translator, he responded, "Yes, she trans-lated it. She translated it into life, & that's the best translation I’ve ever seen."

D. We have already mentioned one young man who saw such a translation of God's Word in his lifetime. His name was Timothy. He lived in the 1st Century, & it is to him that Paul's New Testament letters of 1 & 2 Timothy were addressed.

Paul was Timothy's older friend & mentor. As Paul sat in a Roman dungeon, facing impending death, he wrote to Timothy to encourage him in his ministry.

But 1 & 2 Timothy are also letters filled with nostalgia. Paul draws upon his memories & recalls the examples of faith & commitment he has observed in the life of Timothy.

Particularly in 2 Timothy 1:2-7, Paul reminisces about the way Timothy's faithfulness is largely a reflection of the examples & instruction which he had received from his mother & grandmother. And, in the process, Paul pinpoints 4 contributions that they made to his life; contributions we'll consider this morning.

Listen as I read. “To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy & peace from God the Father & Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night & day I constantly remember you in my prayers.