What Does Mother's Day Mean to You?
My Mother is:
1. My comforter 2. My protector
3. My encourager 4. My ray of light when I came home from school or my job as a young adult. There is so much I can thank my mother for, and my guess is you can do the same.
What I find it amazing is how we have a loving and heavenly Father
who has all those attributes and more.
For His children like you and me
(Ps 127:3) behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward".
(Ps 139:13-16) For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, skillfully woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.
Our Heavenly Father takes great care in His children, even before we are born. God has given Mother’s this wonderful duty to fulfill.
God used women to love and nurture His wonderful creation.
Think about the very first Created soon to be Mother.
“Eve”
1. Eve (the mother of all living) must have been a creature of unsurpassed beauty.
2. She was the crown and the pinnacle of God’s amazing creative work,
3. The last living thing to be called into existence
4. Actually fashioned directly by the Creator’s own hand in a way that showed particular care and attention to detail.
5. Adam was refined dirt
6. Eve was a glorious refinement of humanity itself.
7. She was Adam’s necessary partner who finally made his existence complete
8. And whose own existence finally signaled the completion of all creation.
Given that Eve was the perfect example before she sinned,
God has given Us another wonderful example which we can see in Proverbs 31
Turn to Proverbs 31
Interesting Note:
This final chapter of Proverbs contains two poems — the Wise King (31:2-9) and the Excellent Wife (31:10-31) — both of which are attributed to King Lemuel, whom ancient Jewish tradition identified as King Solomon, but who is otherwise unknown. If Lemuel is, in fact, Solomon, that means the mother who taught her son these wise sayings about excellent character was Bathsheba — a woman known more for scandal than virtue. Perhaps Bathsheba taught Solomon about his ancestor Ruth (Matthew 1:5-6), who had a spotless reputation, and then Solomon could have penned Proverbs 31:10-31 with Ruth in mind. After all, the passage parallels Ruth’s life in many ways.
A. Proverbs 31:10-31 becomes a glorious standard and guide for women to live a life of purity and praise
B. It is wonderful to be able to turn to God’s word which not only has rules and standards,
C. But the right ones as well as the secret of where we get our strength to keep them
D. This text presents God’s standard for all women.
John MacArthur says “one of the unique features of the bible is the way it exalts women. Far from ever demeaning or belittling women, Scripture often seems to go out of the way to pay homage to them, to ennoble their roles in society and family, to acknowledge the importance of their influence, and exalt the virtues of women who were particularly godly examples”
I want to look at the
Characteristics of "A Families Greatest Treasure"
A woman like this. The Bible says in (verse 10) ".... a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies"
Which means Her general character.
1. She is a excellent wife, a strong or virtuous wife, full of mental energy.
2. She is invaluable; her price is far above rubies
3. No quantity of precious stones can be equal to her worth.
4. She is truly a lovely wife
(Prov 19:14) House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
A prudent wife is from the Lord (means) One who has a good understanding, one who avoids complaining, though she may often have cause for it.
1) A Treasure who is Loyal (v10- v12)
3. My encourager 4. My ray of light when I came home from school or my job as a young adult. There is so much I can thank my mother for, and my guess is you can do the same.
What I find it amazing is how we have a loving and heavenly Father
who has all those attributes and more.
For His children like you and me
(Ps 127:3) behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward".
(Ps 139:13-16) For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, skillfully woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.
Our Heavenly Father takes great care in His children, even before we are born. God has given Mother’s this wonderful duty to fulfill.
God used women to love and nurture His wonderful creation.
Think about the very first Created soon to be Mother.
“Eve”
1. Eve (the mother of all living) must have been a creature of unsurpassed beauty.
2. She was the crown and the pinnacle of God’s amazing creative work,
3. The last living thing to be called into existence
4. Actually fashioned directly by the Creator’s own hand in a way that showed particular care and attention to detail.
5. Adam was refined dirt
6. Eve was a glorious refinement of humanity itself.
7. She was Adam’s necessary partner who finally made his existence complete
8. And whose own existence finally signaled the completion of all creation.
Given that Eve was the perfect example before she sinned,
God has given Us another wonderful example which we can see in Proverbs 31
Turn to Proverbs 31
Interesting Note:
This final chapter of Proverbs contains two poems — the Wise King (31:2-9) and the Excellent Wife (31:10-31) — both of which are attributed to King Lemuel, whom ancient Jewish tradition identified as King Solomon, but who is otherwise unknown. If Lemuel is, in fact, Solomon, that means the mother who taught her son these wise sayings about excellent character was Bathsheba — a woman known more for scandal than virtue. Perhaps Bathsheba taught Solomon about his ancestor Ruth (Matthew 1:5-6), who had a spotless reputation, and then Solomon could have penned Proverbs 31:10-31 with Ruth in mind. After all, the passage parallels Ruth’s life in many ways.
A. Proverbs 31:10-31 becomes a glorious standard and guide for women to live a life of purity and praise
B. It is wonderful to be able to turn to God’s word which not only has rules and standards,
C. But the right ones as well as the secret of where we get our strength to keep them
D. This text presents God’s standard for all women.
John MacArthur says “one of the unique features of the bible is the way it exalts women. Far from ever demeaning or belittling women, Scripture often seems to go out of the way to pay homage to them, to ennoble their roles in society and family, to acknowledge the importance of their influence, and exalt the virtues of women who were particularly godly examples”
I want to look at the
Characteristics of "A Families Greatest Treasure"
A woman like this. The Bible says in (verse 10) ".... a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies"
Which means Her general character.
1. She is a excellent wife, a strong or virtuous wife, full of mental energy.
2. She is invaluable; her price is far above rubies
3. No quantity of precious stones can be equal to her worth.
4. She is truly a lovely wife
(Prov 19:14) House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
A prudent wife is from the Lord (means) One who has a good understanding, one who avoids complaining, though she may often have cause for it.
1) A Treasure who is Loyal (v10- v12)
A. She is trusted by her husband
B. She has her husband’s happiness in view constantly.
C. She recompenses all his kindness to her in beneficent acts. For kind words she returns kind deeds.
D. Her good is pure; she will do him good. and not evil.
E. Her good is not inconsistent; it is constant and permanent, while she and her husband live.
(Gen 2:18) And the LORD God said “ it is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him”
F. This is her general characteristic of a virtuous wife an “excellent mother” who is loyal to her husband
His heart safely trusts in her, for she will do him good all the days of her life.
(Prov 3:15) She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Second Point
2) A Treasure of Labor (v13- v24)
A. She is gifted with her hands (v13)
(Ruth 2:2) And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, "Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor." And she said to her, "Go, my daughter."
B. She collects the best for her family (v14)
C. She labors hard for her family (v15)
B. She has her husband’s happiness in view constantly.
C. She recompenses all his kindness to her in beneficent acts. For kind words she returns kind deeds.
D. Her good is pure; she will do him good. and not evil.
E. Her good is not inconsistent; it is constant and permanent, while she and her husband live.
(Gen 2:18) And the LORD God said “ it is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him”
F. This is her general characteristic of a virtuous wife an “excellent mother” who is loyal to her husband
His heart safely trusts in her, for she will do him good all the days of her life.
(Prov 3:15) She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Second Point
2) A Treasure of Labor (v13- v24)
A. She is gifted with her hands (v13)
(Ruth 2:2) And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, "Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor." And she said to her, "Go, my daughter."
B. She collects the best for her family (v14)
C. She labors hard for her family (v15)
D. She is resourceful (v16 - v19)
(Exo 35:25) And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen
E. She helps others (v20)
(Prov 22:9) Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
G. She anticipates the seasons, and prepares for them (v21)
H. She makes clothing for herself (v22)
I. She sells things from her handy work (v24)
This characteristic that Solomon speaks of is a mother...
1. Who does all these things,
2. All this work for her family
3. She does all of it with a heart of gladness.
“Fruits for her labor”
The praise and success she labored to bring to her
Family
Community
Will be her praise
Third Point
3) A Treasure of Character (v25 - v26)
A. She is full of wisdom (v26)
(Eph 4:29) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Let no corrupt communication. What is rotten.
Anything that will demoralize others.
Obscene, immoral thoughts, or immoral language is forbidden. All that the Christian speaks should be that which is good to the use of edifying building the hearers up in Christ.
B. She is full of kindness (v26)
(Prov 16:24) Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
(Exo 35:25) And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen
E. She helps others (v20)
(Prov 22:9) Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
G. She anticipates the seasons, and prepares for them (v21)
H. She makes clothing for herself (v22)
I. She sells things from her handy work (v24)
This characteristic that Solomon speaks of is a mother...
1. Who does all these things,
2. All this work for her family
3. She does all of it with a heart of gladness.
“Fruits for her labor”
The praise and success she labored to bring to her
Family
Community
Will be her praise
Third Point
3) A Treasure of Character (v25 - v26)
A. She is full of wisdom (v26)
(Eph 4:29) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Let no corrupt communication. What is rotten.
Anything that will demoralize others.
Obscene, immoral thoughts, or immoral language is forbidden. All that the Christian speaks should be that which is good to the use of edifying building the hearers up in Christ.
B. She is full of kindness (v26)
(Prov 16:24) Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
C. She is a skilled manger of her home (v27)
(Titus 2:4-5) That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
I think one of the biggest responsibilities is an organized home.
That is hard, hard work.
D. She makes wise use of her time and is not idle (v27)
"Idleness" (means) sluggishness, laziness
(Prov 14:1) The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.
Fourth Point
4) A Treasure of Great Blessing (v28 - v31)
A. She is greatly respected by her children (v28)
(2Tim 1:5) I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
His grandmother and mother had been converted before him,
and he had followed them into the kingdom.
Abraham Lincoln says “no man is poor who has a godly mother”
(Prov 22:6) Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
B. She is praised by her husband (V28)
(Titus 2:4-5) That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
I think one of the biggest responsibilities is an organized home.
That is hard, hard work.
D. She makes wise use of her time and is not idle (v27)
"Idleness" (means) sluggishness, laziness
(Prov 14:1) The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.
Fourth Point
4) A Treasure of Great Blessing (v28 - v31)
A. She is greatly respected by her children (v28)
(2Tim 1:5) I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
His grandmother and mother had been converted before him,
and he had followed them into the kingdom.
Abraham Lincoln says “no man is poor who has a godly mother”
(Prov 22:6) Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
B. She is praised by her husband (V28)
1. Praises her the due respect that she deserves
2. Praises her for her hard work
3. Praises her for her faithfulness
4. Praises her for her loyalty
What this verse is saying
Her husband is so fulfilled with her conduct
1. Towards himself
2. His household,
3. His business, and their children,
4. That he praises her.
He shows himself wise of her excellence, and encourages her, in her work,
by the compliments he praises her with. (verse 23-24)
Paul mentions the importance of a healthy family
(Eph 5:25-31) Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of His body. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
Here is a grand rule
According to which every husband is called to act love your wife as Christ loved the Church.
But how did Christ love the Church?
He gave himself for it, He laid down his life for it. So then husbands should, if necessary,
lay down their lives for their wives, and Paul finishes the chapter with a reminder to husbands
(Eph 5:33) However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
As Peter says in his epistle:
(1 Peter 3:7) Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
1. Show them tenderness
2. Give them honour
Both in heart, in word and in action because we are Joint heirs of the same eternal life
What her husband say (Prov 31:29) "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
And most important of all these characteristics or attributes
2. Praises her for her hard work
3. Praises her for her faithfulness
4. Praises her for her loyalty
What this verse is saying
Her husband is so fulfilled with her conduct
1. Towards himself
2. His household,
3. His business, and their children,
4. That he praises her.
He shows himself wise of her excellence, and encourages her, in her work,
by the compliments he praises her with. (verse 23-24)
Paul mentions the importance of a healthy family
(Eph 5:25-31) Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of His body. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
Here is a grand rule
According to which every husband is called to act love your wife as Christ loved the Church.
But how did Christ love the Church?
He gave himself for it, He laid down his life for it. So then husbands should, if necessary,
lay down their lives for their wives, and Paul finishes the chapter with a reminder to husbands
(Eph 5:33) However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
As Peter says in his epistle:
(1 Peter 3:7) Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
1. Show them tenderness
2. Give them honour
Both in heart, in word and in action because we are Joint heirs of the same eternal life
What her husband say (Prov 31:29) "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
And most important of all these characteristics or attributes
Fifth Point
5. She is a God fearing woman (v30)
(Prov 1:7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Great Example:
Mary the chosen mother who meet the requirements to carry the Messiah
(Luke 1:30) “.... Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God”
The fear of the Lord is the condition of all woman,
as well as of all men, excellence
(Luke 1:46--50) And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.
Conclusion
Mother’s are a families greatest treasure
Why? Because God has set guidelines for Mother’s
(Prov 1:7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Great Example:
Mary the chosen mother who meet the requirements to carry the Messiah
(Luke 1:30) “.... Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God”
The fear of the Lord is the condition of all woman,
as well as of all men, excellence
(Luke 1:46--50) And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.
Conclusion
Mother’s are a families greatest treasure
Why? Because God has set guidelines for Mother’s
A. Mother who is Loyal to her family
B. Mother who is a labor’s with a joyful heart
C. Mother who is full of wisdom
D. Mother who is kind to many
E. Mother of godly character
F. Mother who is respected and greatly appreciated by her family
As this letter finishes
(verse 30-31) Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for His sake in serving the saints, as you still do.. (Heb 6:10)
Ruth Graham " As a mother, my job is to take care of what is possible and trust God with the impossible"
Do you have a Mother like that? I hope you do.
B. Mother who is a labor’s with a joyful heart
C. Mother who is full of wisdom
D. Mother who is kind to many
E. Mother of godly character
F. Mother who is respected and greatly appreciated by her family
As this letter finishes
(verse 30-31) Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for His sake in serving the saints, as you still do.. (Heb 6:10)
Ruth Graham " As a mother, my job is to take care of what is possible and trust God with the impossible"
Do you have a Mother like that? I hope you do.
Lets Pray
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