Illustrate Fact: In 1907 Ana Jarvis, from Philadelphia, began a campaign to establish a national Mother’s Day. Ms. Jarvis persuaded her mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia to celebrate Mother’s Day on the second anniversary of her mother’s death, the 2nd Sunday of May. By the next year Mother’s Day was also celebrated in Philadelphia. Ms. Jarvis and her supporters began to write to ministers, businessman, and politicians in their quest to establish a national Mother’s Day. It was successful as by 1911 Mother’s Day was celebrated in almost every state. President Woodrow Wilson, in 1914, made the official announcement proclaiming Mother’s Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the 2nd Sunday of May.
Illustrate Humor: WHAT MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME
My mother taught me RELIGION: When I spilled grape juice on the carpet, she instructed, "You better pray the stain will come out of the carpet."
My mother taught me LOGIC: From her decisive words, "Because I said so, that¡¦s why."
My mother taught me FORESIGHT: "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you¡¦re in an accident."
My mother taught me IRONY: "Keep laughing, and I¡¦ll give you something to cry about."
My mother taught me about STAMINA: "You¡¦ll sit there ¡¦til all that spinach is finished."
My mother taught me about WEATHER: "It looks as if a tornado swept through your room."
My mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE: "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION: "Stop acting like your father!"
My mother taught me about ENVY: "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don¡¦t have a wonderful Mom like you do!"
THANKS, MOM!
Sermon Study 292 - GODLY WOMAN
Key Scripture: Titus 2:3-5 -- Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. [4] Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, [5] to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
SEVEN LESSONS FOR A GODLY WOMAN
1. Love your husband
~ Prov 31:10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. [11] Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. [12] She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
2. Love your children
~ Psa 127:3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
3. Be self-controlled
~ 1 Pet 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
4. Be pure
~ 1 Tim 2:9-10 - I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
Note: In the Ephesians church ¡V this fashion was common for Temple prostitutes ¡V Paul is saying to be different¡K you must also look different.
~ 1 Peter 3:3-4 - Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. [4] Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
5. Be busy at home
~ Prov 31:15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. [16] She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. [17] She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. Prov 31:27-28 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness (joblessness). [28] Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
6. Be kind
~ Ephes. 4:32 - Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
7. Be subject to your husbands
~ Ephes. 5:22 - Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
~ Col. 3:18 - Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
~ 1 Peter 3:1-2 - Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, [2] when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.
Final Illustration: Letter from God to women,
When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When
I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But
you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man
because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come
over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to
sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity. From one bone,
I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man’s life. I chose the
rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are
meant to do. Around this one bone, I shaped you....I modeled you. I
created you perfectly and beautifully. Your characteristics are as the
rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the
most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his
being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself
to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as
the rib cage supports the body. You were not taken from his feet, to be
under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were
taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side.
You are my perfect angel.....You are my beautiful little girl. You have
grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see
the virtues in your heart. Your eyes......don’t change them. Your
lips-how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose, so perfect in form.
Your hands so gentle to touch. I’ve caressed your face in your deepest
sleep. I’ve held your heart close to mine. Of all that lives and
breathes, you are most like me. Adam walked with me in the cool of the
day, yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could only
feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I
fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my
protection and support. You are special because you are an extension of
me. Man represents my image, woman my emotions. Together, you represent
the totality of God. So man...treat woman well. Love her, respect her,
for she is fragile.
