Mother's Day

Mother’s Day

May 9, 2010

Introduction

Today is Mother’s Day, and where do we begin? I’m sure most of you have heard the history of Mother’s Day. Let me just recount a brief history of Mother’s Day: It was 1876 and the nation still mourned the Civil War dead. While teaching a Memorial Day lesson, Mrs. Anna Reeves Jarvis thought of mothers who had lost their sons. She prayed that one day there could be a "Memorial Day" for mothers. The prayer made a deep impression on one of Mrs. Jarvis's eleven children. Young Anna had seen her mother's efforts to hold the war-split community and church together. As she grew into adulthood, the younger woman kept Mrs. Jarvis's dream in her heart. On the day of her mother's death, Anna was determined to establish Mother's Day in her honor.

On May 12, 1907, a local observance was held which later spread to Philadelphia. On May 8, 1914, President Wilson designated the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day "for displaying the American flag and for the public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of the country."

Almost 100 years after the first “official” national celebration of Mother’s Day, things may have changed a bit. Hopefully part of the war memories has been replaced with most of us just remembering our mothers.

The most universal aspect of motherhood is that we all have, or have had a mother at one time. Many of us today have lost our mothers. For some, that has been rather recently. There are the young ladies who hope to become mothers some day. There are those who cannot be mothers by nature, and we are sorry for those in such situations, so this morning, we will confine our thoughts to thinking in terms of motherhood, and what it means to all of us.

Body

I There have been many great mothers.

A I hope all of you have a mother that you love very much.

B Timothy had a great mother and grandmother.

1. Paul told of the great faith that had been given to Timothy.

(2 Tim 1:5 NKJV) when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

2. There is no greater gift than passing on a spiritual heritage.

(Deu 6:6-7 NKJV) "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. {7} "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

C Some of our national leaders have credited their mothers with making them the great men they were.

1. Many of you have heard Abraham Lincoln’s statements about his mother.

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother." -- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." -- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

2. George Washington had similar praise for his mother.

"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her." -- George Washington (1732-1799)

II We are to honor our parents.

A. Scripture teaches us to honor and obey our parents.

(Eph 6:1-3 NKJV) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. {2} "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: {3} "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."

“To ‘honor’ is to obey, to reverence, to speak kindly to, to speak and think well of.” – Albert Barnes

1. Ironically, we must teach our children honor and respect.

2. We like to be our children’s friends and playmates, but they also need a healthy respect for us which sets us apart from their friends.

3. The honor we are talking about today goes beyond cards and gifts exchanged today. It must be everyday.

B. Parents must bring up their children to honor them and others.

III. Parents have a great responsibility to bring their children up to fear the Lord.

(Eph 6:4 NKJV) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Training is essential for their well being.

(Prov 19:18 NKJV) Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.

B. Will we “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord?”

It is so important that we can have a hope of seeing our children in the world to come.

James Dobson always told his children to live so they could all meet again in the world to come.

IV. Motherhood also means guidance.

A. Blessed are those who have a loving mother who teaches the truths of God’s word.

1. It’s taking time read a Bible story.

2. It’s taking time to say your prayers with your children, and listen to their prayers.

3. Timothy was blessed to have a mother like that.

(2 Tim 1:5 NKJV) when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

B. Mothers are there to guide us in learning how to get along with others, including our brothers and sisters.

V. Children’s responsibilities to their mothers.

A. Children are to obey and honor their parents.

(Eph 6:1-3 NKJV) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. {2} "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: {3} "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."

B. Honoring includes providing for their needs in old age.

1. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for not caring for their parents.

(Mat 15:3-6 NKJV) He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? {4} "For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' {5} "But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God"; {6} 'then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.

Conclusion

I. Mothers are such an important part of home.

It is an awesome task and responsibility.
It does take Love, Sacrifice, Care, Softness. Guidance, Support, Encouragement, and Acceptance.
It does take a mother committed to God to be all she can be.

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