At a recent women's conference, the main speaker made a request. She opened by saying, “The Bible teaches us to love our husbands.” Then she asked, “How long has it been since you told your husband that you loved him?” The women sat in silence. Then she asked every wife to take out their cellphones. “Text your husband, by tell them, ‘I love you.’” Then she told them to exchange phones and read their replies to each other. Pandemonium broke out! Here were some of the best replies:
1. I think you sent this to the wrong number.
2. Your mother is coming to stay with us, isn’t she?
3. Yeah and I love you too. What's wrong?
4. I thought we agreed you wouldn't drink during the day.
5. What now? Did you wreck the car again?
6. Honey, are you sick or what?
7. Don't beat around the bush; just tell me how much money you want!
Don’t be like that guy, men.
More seriously…
For many of you ladies, it was the black and white image moving silently on a sonogram that truly confirmed the news – “I am a mother.” From that point on, you have been on a roller coaster. The gravity of your position descended upon you. Many days are joy-filled days where you embrace the responsibilities and the pleasures of motherhood. Other days can be described more as duty where the grind of your responsibilities weighs on you. Now, a mother feels daily pressure for so many reasons. You work to help provide an income for your family, and then you feel guilty when you aren’t there at home. Or you’re a single Mom and there’s no one in the batter’s box to pinch-hit for you when you grow tired. Did you know: 44% of children are raised by a single parent within 1 mile of our church.
Single parents and single moms, this is a message for you. In the moments to come, I want to connect your lives to the very purpose God has for you. I want to fill your every moment with the very reason God made a deliberated decision to give you oxygen. Here is the reason you’re on this earth. This is a message for everyone – every, single person that has blood running through their veins. You don’t have to be a mother to find your purpose in life.
1. A Purpose Driven Mother
Mom, you have a purpose: “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power” (Ephesians 3:7). Not every piece of Paul’s life can be applied to us normal believers but this part certainly can be.
1.1 You are a Minister
Mom, you were made for a purpose, you were created to be a minister. I don’t mean clergy. No, I mean a minister. I don’t mean someone who wears their collar backward. Not at all. Instead, the Bible says you were made for ministry.
In the midst of the tyranny of everyday life, many moms struggle with identifying their purpose. The Bible calls on you – on all of us really – to be a minister. Behind the English word “minister” in verse 7 is the Greek word “diakonos” which also means “servant.” We get our word “deacon” from this word. It is a common word for someone who serves. Mom, you are a minister; you are a servant.
Now, there’s tremendous dignity to that role, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
1.2 Six Letters and Starts with M
A teacher gave her class of second graders a lesson on the magnet and what magnets do. The teacher spoke to her beautiful little second graders about how the word magnet had 6 letters and began with the letter “M.” The next day in a written test, she included this question to see if they were listening: “My full name has six letters. The first letter is M. Hint: I pick up things. What am I?” When the test papers were turned in, the teacher was astonished to find that almost 50 percent of the students answered the question with the word “Mother.”
This is a window into the frustrating world of a mother!
1.3 Second Graders and Mom
A group of second graders was asked what they thought about their mother. They were asked various questions about moms and their answers are fascinating.
What Ingredients Are Mothers Made Of?
God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
What Kind Of A Little Girl Was Your Mother?
I don’t know, because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy, but they did say she used to be nice.
1.4 Your Place in This World
Moms and believers everywhere, don’t forget your calling. You are a servant, a minister. You have a God-given purpose, my friend. God didn’t put you on earth to make a bunch of money. He didn’t just put you on earth to collect good grades and hang degrees on a wall. He didn’t make you just to enjoy your grandkids. He made you to minister to others, to serve others, and to love others.
1.5 Jesus a Minister
The Bible calls Jesus Himself a diakonos, a servant, a minister (Romans 15:8). So if Jesus is a servant and a minister, you have tremendous purpose and dignity and honor to your tremendous role. But when you pick her clothes up for the 1,000th time, you ask yourself, “Am I accomplishing anything, really?” When you teach them the same lesson for the 10th time that day, you wonder what your purpose is. If you’ve ever doubted your calling to ministry, consider this: God has been molding and shaping you for ministry since before you were born (Psalm 139:13-16)!
1.6 Serving with a Purpose
But you don’t simply serve for no purpose. Verse 7 doesn’t just simply say, “Be a servant. Be a minister.” No, it says “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power” (Ephesians 3:7). You serve for the purpose of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Circle the words “gospel” and “minister” in verse 7 and draw a line between the two. See the great connection between the gospel and minister.
The gospel is the story of Jesus and how He came to reconcile enemies. He came to make us friends of God rather than enemies of God through the cross of Christ. Moms, you are serving your family to introduce them to the gospel. You reinforce the gospel with your family – you keep the gospel of Jesus central. From the bedtime stories when you tuck them in at night to the prayers said over the breakfast table, you serve for a gospel purpose. No, yours isn’t an aimless, purposeless, thankless service. You are driving your family to the throne of God Himself. You are moving your family to be ambassadors for the gospel. …to be young and women who are disciplers of the next generation.
Everything piece of clothing you pick up, every meal you prepare, and every check you bring home is for the purpose of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every load of laundry, every trip to the grocery, and every homework assignment is for the purpose of training up a generation of young minds for gospel-centered living. Don’t forget your purpose, moms! Don’t forget your purpose, believers! You are commissioned with a purpose! You are to raise the next generation to find their greatest hope in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is your purpose! This is why you serve! Your life is more than diapers and runny noses. You are more than a paycheck and nurse. You are a minister of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!
But let me extend this one step further.
1. A Purpose Driven Mother
2. A Hidden Agenda
God has an agenda for you: “To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things…” (Ephesians 3:8-9).
Jesus clearly understood His life mission on earth. Around age of twelve years of age, Jesus said, “I must be about my Father’s business," and 21 years later, dying on the cross, He said, “It is finished” (Luke 2:49, John 19:28). Like bookends, these two statements frame a well-lived, purpose-driven life. He completed the mission the Father gave him. And like Jesus, every one of His followers has a purpose. And mothers, it’s so critical that you understand your purpose. And studies show how moms are doing this. Many of you (single moms and married moms) are the spiritual centers of your home.
2.1 Household of Faith Study
A recent 2019 Households of Faith report finds that mothers — more often than fathers, or anyone else in the household — are seen as the confidants, providers of support, and drivers of faith formation. This report says teenagers are most often to talk about God and their faith with their mother. They are more likely to pray with their mother. Over 80% of teens tell us that they are most likely to speak to their mother about questions about their faith. Moms are the go-to person for teens for questions about the Bible, politics, and things that bother you. Mothers are the main spiritual coach for their teenagers. Moms are the number one person to encourage their teens to go to church, talk about God’s forgiveness, and teach you about the Bible.
2.2 The Roles of a Mother
Have you ever thought about all of the roles that your mother filled while you were growing up? I just jotted down a few this week - and this list is by no means exhaustive. Nurse, counselor, spiritual advisor, educator, nutritionist, accountant, transportation center, maid, peacemaker, entertainer, and I came up with those in just a few minutes. Mom, the Lord put you on this earth for a purpose. I want to tie all those small roles you fill into one big celestial, heavenly role for why you are here.
Moms, you have a Great Commission purpose for breathing. You need to send out your adopted children and your biological children to the people of this world with a passion for Jesus Christ. Believers in Christ, the Lord put you on this planet for a reason.
2.3 Evangelize the Nations
“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things…” (Ephesians 3:8-9).
You are here to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. God is at work in the world, and He wants you to join Him.
2.3.1 Ministry vs. Mission
Now, this assignment is called your mission, and it is different from your ministry. Your ministry is your service to believers in the Body of Christ, while your mission is your service to unbelievers in the world.
God created you for both.
2.3.2 A Hidden Purpose
But your English version hides your purpose. Whenever you see the word “preach” you think of someone like me. But this is hiding your purpose, moms.
“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to [evangelize] to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things…” (Ephesians 3:8-9).
The original word behind the word “preach” in verse 8 is the word “evangelism.” Mom, the reason you draw breath is to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Mom, you are placed her on earth for the purpose of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Your children need to hear how God wants peace with all of humanity and sent His Son Jesus Christ for that very purpose.
What is your mission? Your mission is introducing people to God and to Jesus Christ! The Bible says in effect that Christ has changed us from enemies into His friends and gave us the task of making others His friends also. Your mission has eternal significance. It will impact the eternal destiny of other people, so it’s more important than any job, achievement, or goal you will reach during your life on earth. The consequences of your mission will last forever; the consequences of your job will not. Nothing else you do will ever matter as much as helping people establish an eternal relationship with God.
The clock is ticking down on your life mission, so don’t delay another day. You share the gospel with your little chicks and then you sent them out with the message that God wants to be friends by the cross of Jesus.
2.3.3 All Races
“Gentiles” in verse 8 is every nation that isn’t Israel. You may be a Hispanic Gentile, African American Gentile, Caucasian Gentile, or an Asian Gentile but if you’re not Jewish - a Gentile you are. So we’re multi-colored Gentiles here today unless you’re Jewish.
“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to [evangelize] to the [nations] the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things…” (Ephesians 3:8-9).
All the people of the earth were made to hear the good news of Jesus.
2.3.3.1 Operation Desert Shield
In 1990 many of you will remember the United States responded to Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait.
He had in the previous year invaded the nation of Kuwait and brought great destruction and damage to that little country. The Iraq army sought to devastate that little country. Saudi Arabia knew it could be next on Saddam’s hit list. The President at that time was President H. W. Bush. President Bush called the nations of the world together in a coalition to fight Saddam. Nearly 700,000 American men and women to meet on the shores or in the Gulf to respond to this invasion. The entire effort was known as Operation Desert Shield and it was a unique event. President Bush called together forty countries or nations into what he called, the “Coalition of the Willing.” Because people who had very little in common, Arabs, joining the U.S. along with the French, Canadians, the British, people from Turkey, and all around the world who had very little in common came together. All these people drew a “line in the sand” if you will tell Saddam to get out of Kuwait. Of course, many of you know that in little more than two days the war was over. That’s because this mystery of people from diversion backgrounds, diversion cultures, diversion classes, decided to form an allied coalition. They decided to overrule their differences in favor of a common purpose. And of course, the common purpose was addressing the aggression of Saddam Hussein.
2.3.3.2 No Divisions
This scenario is not too much unlike what Paul is discussing in the Book of Ephesians: “To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to [evangelize] to the [nations] the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 3: 8-10).
He is discussing how God has marvelously created this mysterious entity called the church. Last time we looked at how Jews and Gentiles arch-enemies, arch-rivals. The Jews would call the Gentiles dogs, feeling that their only existence was to be born in order that they might die and fuel the fires of hell, were now brought together in one family called the church. This awed Paul and it should awe us. That God would cut through years of racism and prejudice and classism and culturalism and bring people together in this common bound bond of the family of God.
2.3.3.4 Scud Missiles
You may recall that a great effort was put forth in an attempt to split up the coalition by scud missiles that were shot into Israel. Saddam hoped to draw Israel into the war and then he would put the other Arabs in a “catch 22.” Would they fight against another Arab brother if Israel joined in the war? Of course, that’s also when the heroes of the war showed up, Patriot missiles. And they disarmed the scuds in what I like to call heavenly places. They brought the scud missiles down. Their coalition held intact. They would not be divided.
2.4 A Great Commission Purpose
Mom, you are a minister for the purpose of the gospel. You are a servant for the Great Commission. What Paul said of himself can be said of every believer here today. What Paul said of himself should be the banner over every mother. Mom, you have a Great Commission purpose. Mothers, you are raising up an intelligent and emotionally balanced generation of disciples to communicate the good news of Jesus to every nation. Mom, you are a minister for the purpose of the gospel. You need to teach the next generation that red, yellow, black, and white – they are all precious in His sight.
God sends you to evangelize the nations. The mission that Jesus had while on earth is now our mission since we are the Body of Christ. What Jesus did in His physical body, we are to continue as His spiritual body - the church. What is that mission? Introducing people to God! The Bible says Christ changed us from enemies into His friends and gave us the task of making others His friends also.
You have a purpose. You are a minister of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are to bring the gospel to all peoples. You are to raise the next generation the reconciling message of the cross where former enemies of God are now His friends. The nations of the earth were created to savor the goodness of Jesus Christ.
1. A Purpose Driven Mother
2. A Hidden Agenda
3. A Resolute Matter
This will cost you just as it did Jesus. Remember Jesus prayed, “Not my will be done, but your will be done, Father” (Luke 22:42). Doing the will of God will cost you.
“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to [evangelize] to the [nations] the unsearchable riches of Christ…” (Ephesians 3:8).
Maybe you’re here and you think this last part about the gentiles is optional. It’s not really that important. Paul sees it as His very calling. This is the very reason He’s drawing breath.
3.1 God’s Plan & Paul’s Prison
I want you to connect the dots between verse 1 and verse 13 in Ephesians 3 with me: “So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory” (Ephesians 3:13). “For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles…” (Ephesians 3:1)
Why was Paul thrown in prison? While Paul is in prison many times in the New Testament, he’s always running afoul of the Roman authorities, there’s one time when … … Paul was thrown into prison for supposedly bringing gentiles into the Temple of Jerusalem (Acts 21:27-22:21). The Temple complex in Jerusalem had these courts where Jewish women were to congregate and gentiles were permitted.
Here’s what Paul said to a mob that sought to kill him for bringing the gospel to non-Jews: “And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” 22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live” (Acts 22:20-22).
He intentionally says to the rioting crowd, “I was sent to the Gentiles.” No right-minded political operative would send anyone in front of a rioting crowd with a message like this. We would advise Paul, “There’s no need, to tell the truth now. We need to save your life. Tell them the truth in a text message later. Right now, we have to get you out of here.” Paul was courageous and truthful with God’s will for His life. One of the reasons Paul was imprisoned was for sharing Christ with the nations. You and I should copy and paste Paul’s behavior in our lives.
3.2 Optional Features
Paul didn’t feel the gospel to all nations and all races was an “add-on feature” that could be omitted like power windows on automobiles. Bringing the races together around the gospel isn’t a “power windows” option to the gospel. Bringing all races together in Christ isn’t an optional accessory to your car. Instead, it’s more of a transmission – it’s not optional equipment but an essential part of the gospel. Paul was willing to risk a rioting mob to communicate the power of God to save any and all people.
Mothers, you must be courageous in God’s calling on your lives. This is a must for you. It’s a must for all of us.
3.3 Starting Simple
Mom, does every one of your children know the story of how you embraced Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? Do they know your testimony? There are so many other roles that our mothers fulfill each and every day. Have you taught them to love every race of people in order to introduce them to the gospel? Have you considered a mission trip with your children to the nations to share the gospel? Would you have the courage to suggest it to them?
3.4 Prayer for the Next Generation
Do you pray that the next generation would be committed to personally sharing the gospel? Do you pray they take mission trips to other places around the world? Do you persistently pray that your biological family would make an impact on the nations?
Closing
This is your purpose. The secret of being blessed by God is to participate in His agenda for the world - to be a part of what He is accomplishing on earth. Instead of praying, “God bless what I want to do,” pray this instead, “God help me to do what you’re blessing!” Each morning pray something like this, “Father, I know you’re going to doing some amazing things in the world today, and I’d like the privilege of being included in some of them. Turn me away from wanting any other plan for my life than your plan. ”
