Godly Motherhood

22/03/2020 09:20

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Date: 19 March, 2020
Text: Luke 1:27-56
Title: Godly Motherhood
Theme: The mother chosen to mother the Son of God.
Proposition: God help us to thank you for Godly mothers, be Godly mothers, and raise Godly mothers.
Rhetorical: Do you value Godly motherhood?
Introduction:
 
Today is mothering Sunday.
 
We rightly stop and thank God for giving us our mothers?
 
Praise God that He in his wisdom gave us mother! What would life be like without mothers?
- No one to feed you and care for you.
- No one to read and sing to you.
- No one to love, teach and encourage you.
- No one to build you up and strengthen you.
- No one to patiently help you as you grow up.
exp. Dad's can try to do these things - but mothers excell at these things.
 
We are going to look this morning at a very special mother. Here name is Mary. We probably diminish Mary in our preaching because the Catholic church has put her equal with God.
 
Jesus did not exhalt and venerate Mary. Every time he was given opportunity to do that he did the opposite.
Luk 2:49  And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Matthew 12:46  While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
47  Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
48  But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
49  And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
50  For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Luk 11:27  And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28  But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
note: Jesus did honour his mother.
Luk 2:51  And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
John 19:26  When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27  Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
 exp. And so, the Lord honoured his mother as we ought to honour our mothers, but HE DID NOT VENERATE HER.
 
NOTE: That being said - consider the reality that Mary would be a GODLY MOTHER to the Lord Jesus Christ. Wow! God would entrust His Son to the care of Mary and Joseph.
 
exp. She is not a perfect example (because she was human) - but she is a premier example of motherhood. With Mary as our example of Godly motherhood.....
 
God help us to thank you for Godly mothers, be Godly mothers (if the shoe fits), and raise Godly mothers. Do you value Godly motherhood?
 
I. Godly motherhood is pure.
A. Mary was a virgin.
27  To a virgin ....
def. virgin - a maiden who was unmarried and had kept herself pure morally.
Mary's own testimony "How shall this be seeing I know not a man?"
 exp. I was shocked to read on wickepedia the statistics for premarital sex. I hesitate to reveal them lest any young person justify their sin by the disobedience of others.
- Our society is not FOR PURITY.
- Our society is promoting impurity.
1.) Hollywood
2.) Rap, Rock, and Pop Music.
3.) Through gross immodesty and nakedness.
4.) Through wicked teaching - sex education and promoting "safe" sex.
note: Godly motherhood begins with purity.
 exp. Let me say - a woman who gets saved having previously lost her virginity, is purified by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. But, they would warn every young person to guard their purity.
app. Godly motherhood is pure. That purity FOR THE MOTHER OF CHRIST was guarded from her youth. Mary guarded her virginity.
B. Mary was to be married.
....espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
exp. Engagement is an exciting time of life.
 ill. Katie and got engaged on 7 June, 1999. 
- Planned months ahead and asked God for good weather.
- KFC then up to waterfall at a country park near our home.
- Sunset - had to ask some teens for privacy
- Happy 16 months of dating (engraved music box, unchained melodies, dried rose pedals and a ring.)
We returned to my family home to be handed a phone (no mobile's back then) and told to call the relatives. What! Call everybody!
exp. Why? Marriage IS THE STRONG BUILDING BLOCK OF A FUTURE FAMILY. We rejoice when two young people get their with their purity and see the importance of marriage!
Heb 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
app. Young people ought to be looking for a pure mate who is very careful to guard their purity. Marriage ought to be highy respected by them. Godly motherhood begins with purity.
 
II. Godly motherhood is prosperous.
 exp. We all want to prosper in that which we do.
 ill. Going agate hunting - God leading us to an area that was incredibly rich with agates. That time we came back with buckets full of beautiful semi precious stones. We rejoiced because we succeeded.
exp. Finding agates is exciting - but not essential. Prosperous motherhood is vital to the strength of our families. 
note - GODLY MOTHERHOOD IS PROSPEROUS.
A. Prosperous because of the presence of God.
28  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
 exp. Godly Mary would prosper in motherhood because THE LORD WAS WITH HER.
Ill. I haven't done much shopping since the run on the stores. I would imagine if something is still on the shelves it may be easier for me to find. I am probably a typical male which feels lost in the shop when I'm trying to find something Katie sent me to get. I don't prosper much unless I have a kid with me or a shop clerk.
 exp. Prosperity in motherhood *as with everything in life -  comes when we have the Lord with us.
ill. My Grandma Shore - known for having her prayer time out in the woods. Grandma was busy mothering, but she guarded her walk with the Lord.
app. How careful we ought to be to guard a close walk with God. Are we truly Godly? Would the angel say to us, "The Lord is with thee."
B. Prosperous because of God's favour.
29  And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
ill. Remember the story of Queen Esther
- Hamaan has got an extermination order from the king to kill the Jews.
- Esther is challenged by Mordecai to enter into the king's presence and ask for his mercy.
- Esther is scared because if she didn't get favour from the king, she would be killed.
Esther 4:11  All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
Esther 5:1  Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
2  And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
app. Praise God for goldy mothers to whom God will favour. Who walk with God.
 
 transition: Godly motherhood is prosperous, pure....
 
III. Godly motherhood is priviliged.
31  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
exp. Mary's name is common. She shared that name with 6 other women recorded in the Scriptures. Her name was common, but her privilige was incredible.
 privilige - Conceive the Son of God in her womb. (She was chosen for very sacred service.)
ill.  In the Bible - the High Priest was the man who would enter into the  most sacred place in the tabernacle or temple - called the Holy of Holies.
quote: Got Questions.org - "There is a tradition that the high priest of Israel would enter the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle or temple with a rope tied to his foot and/or with bells around his waist. Tradition says that when the high priest went into the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur during the last couple of centuries of the temple, a scarlet rope was tied to his foot. A priest in the Holy Place tended the other end of this rope, which had a purpose. If the high priest’s sins were not atoned for properly, he would die in the presence of the shekinah—the glory of God—that filled the Holy of Holies. Since nobody else could enter that part of the temple without also dying, the priests felt they needed a way to retrieve the body of the high priest, if necessary. That was the purpose of the rope—to pull the body out. The bells jingling would be the sign that the priest had fallen to the ground dead."
 exp. Mary wasn't sinless - but Mary was set apart by God for VERY sacred service. If the priests who entered into the Temple had to be clean - how clean must one be who would carry the Son of God in her womb?
- A pregnant woman is very aware that she protect not only her health but the health of her baby.
- How careful Mary would be to protect THIS MOST PRECIOUS ONE IN HER physically and spiritually!
exp. This point is gender neutral. All of us who are saved, have the privilige of having Jesus in us.
Col 1:27  Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
 transition: Godly motherhood is priviliged, is prosperous, is pure.
 
IV. Godly motherhood is powerful.
 exp. Our world doesn't like to acknowledge this - but women are the weaker vessel.
1Pe 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
note: BUT just because their sex is weaker - there is great power in godly motherhood.
A. Power to raise a godly seed.
exp. Mary would mother Jesus Christ the most powerful man.
32  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
exp. God would bless Mary and Joseph to raise the Son of God to maturity.
Luk 2:52  And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
 note: A godly mother has arguably greater influence over her children than her husband. She typically spends more time and has more focused effort upon her children.
1. Child training is a power of Godly motherhood.
Pro 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
ill. Training a rose bush - is cutting and trimming it so that it will grow a certain way. The way you train it to grow is the way you want it to grow.
 exp. A godly mother (and father) trains a child in the way HE SHOULD GO. That is the way God wants that child to go.
app. God has given Christian parents the power to raise a Godly seed by child training.
2. Child aiming is a power of Godly motherhood.
saying: If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time.
 exp. A godly mother isn't going to let chance happen to her children. She's going to help her children focus on the target God wants them to hit.
Psa 127:4  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
ill. Susanna Wesley - She was well experienced in motherhood having raised 19 children. 
She is known as the mother of methodism.
Not because she ever preached or published a book. But because she raised two great preachers - John and Charles Wesley
 app. Praise God for the power of motherhood to raise a Godly seed!
B. Empowered by God to do that which is impossible.
34  Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36  And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37  For with God nothing shall be impossible.
exp. Oh the impossible nature of the motherhood of these two women.
- Mary was a virgin who would conceive by the power of God alone.
- Elizabeth would conceive with her husband a child of their old age.
exp. What a testimony to the power of God for their motherhood.
 ill. The disciples got to see the power of God in providing food supernaturally. You'd think for the rest of their lives - they would never doubt God's ability to provide for them.
Mark 8:13  And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.
14  Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.
15  And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
16  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.
17  And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
18  Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
19  When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
20  And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
21  And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
exp. When you see the power of God demonstrated INCREDIBLY, you should not doubt His ability in time of simplicity.
app. God's power was great enough to meet the most COMPLEX problems of motherhood. Can you doubt his power to meet the SIMPLISTIC (in comparison) problems of motherhood?
 transition: Godly motherhood is powerful, priviliged, prosperous, and pure.
 
V. Godly motherhood is purposeful.
purpose - the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exist
 ill. Our family has enjoyed watching documentaries on engineering. It's amazing to see the robotic arms and robotic welders designe to do something with precision that man better than man can do it.
app. They have a purpose and they do it well. Mary demonstrates a great purpose (for all of us) and for Godly motherhood.
A. Purposed to serve the Lord.
38  And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; 
exp. Mary has just received God's revelation and it is revolutional. This is going to change her life completely. (Can you imagine?) However, her submission is immediate. She submits herself as the Lord's servant.
 question: How much do you like change? How well have you embraced Covid-19 and isolation? Have you said to God regarding these changes, "Behold the servant of the Lord?"
app. How ready are we do to submit ourselves to our Lord?
B. Purposed to obey His will.
be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Jesus - whom Mary could rightly call my Son. (Jesus was joseph's step son.)
Joh 4:34  Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
note: Success rightly defined is "finding the will of God and doing it."
 app. Do you want to succeed in Godly motherhood? Get the purpose of mary - servanthood and obedience.
transition: Godly motherhood is purposeful, powerful, priviliged, prosperous, and pure.
 
VI. Godly motherhood is personable.
  exp. We now have two mothers in our story. One is young and one is old. Both are carrying their first child in their womb. They show another wonderful truth about Godly motherhood.
Godly motherhood is personable. 
ill. Men aren't as personable as women. Guys will just glare at each other and say, "All right." Women will embrace and want to hear the details about each other's lives.
A. Making much of others and little of self.
39  And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
40  And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
exp. Mary had exciting news, but she had found out exciting news about Elisabeth. I suspect Mary was primarily heading to her older cousins house to rejoice with her in the news of her pregnancy.
ill. It is a joy to hear of a new baby on it's way. We're rejoicing with the Baines that they have a baby on the way.
ill. I told my mom recently to watch our presentation completely (because of the surprise ending.) You know she watched that thinking there might be a baby announcement at the end? (Not so.)
 app. Mary and Elizabeth were personable - making much of others and little of self. 
Phillippians 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
B. Seeking to be a blessing and being blessed.
41  And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
42  And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43  And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44  For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
exp. Again, I suspect Mary came to be a blessing to Elizabeth. As is often the case, in seeking to be a blessing she was blessed. The Spirit of God filled Elizabeth and she spoke such wonderful words to Mary.
45  And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
transition: Godly motherhood is personable, purposeful, powerful, priviliged, prosperous, and pure.
 
VII. Godly motherhood is prayerful.
 ill. Praise God for mother's who know how to prayer. 
Hudson Taylor's mum - away on a trip - getting in a private place and interceding for him to be saved determined not to leave her knees until God answered - God did answer - Hudson read a tract and received Jesus as His Saviour. He told his sister and swore her to secrecy so that he could tell his mum on her return. She said, "I know." The Spirit of God had revealed it.
exp. Praise God for women of prayer. 
NOTE: LET'S JUST HIGHLIGHT THE PRAYER OF MARY.
A. Praising God.
46  And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
exp. Mary was like the Son in Elizabeth's womb who said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." 
 app. She gave God ALL the praise.
B. Rejoicing in God.
47  And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
exp. God her Saviour, was the Son of God in her womb. She rejoiced in Him.
C. Humbled before God.
48  For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
exp. Mary felt unworthy of the high calling of God. What a testimony of her preparedness for her sacred duty!
D. In awe of God.
49  For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50  And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51  He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52  He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
exp. Mary marvelled at God's MIGHT, HOLINESS, MERCY, PROVIDENCE.
 She stood in awe of Almighty God.
E. Trusting God with gratitude.
53  He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54  He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55  As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
exp. God has done what God said he would do - and Mary rejoiced in Him with gratitude.
 question: This world has much for which to thank women of prayer.
ill. James Stewart - used of God for revival in Europe before Hitler's invasion in WW2.
- Autobiography - I Must Tell.
- Brought home by an enthusiastic group of friends (football popularity and success) "What's wrong mother? I asked, "The people ar thrilled and why can't you be, too?" Her eyes met mine. "I offered you to God for His service before you were born," She replied. "It was never for this that He gave you to me. There is only one thing that matters, being one hundred percent fo Jesus Christ."
 
"Now began the great battle for my soul. My mother said, "It is now or never, Jim. You must surrender all to the claims of Jesus Christ now."
 
"The Spirit of God now seemed to put strong pressure on my mother in agonizing intercession. For many nights she would kneel quietly by my bedside and claim me for Christ. She reisted Satan in the all-conquering Name of the risen, triumphant Lord. Somteimes she woudl awaken me out of my sleep and plead with me with tears rolling down her cheeks to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. It was surely God's time to answer prayers for my soul and life."
exp. Mary is a young woman but she is a mature woman of prayer.
 
Conclusion:
56  And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
 
Praise God this mothering Sunday for Godly mothers. 
 
May God help us to thank him for Godly mother, 
be Godly mothers, 
and raise Godly mothers.
 
Mothers who are...
 
pure (guarding their purity)
prosperous, (with God and favoured by God)
priviliged, (carriers of Christ)
powerful, (Because with God all things are possible.)
purposeful, (submitted and obeying God)
personable,
Prayerful (knowing how to go to God in prayer.)
 
 
 

 

 

Date: 19 March, 2020

Text: Luke 1:27-56

Title: Godly Motherhood

Theme: The mother chosen to mother the Son of God.

Proposition: God help us to thank you for Godly mothers, be Godly mothers, and raise Godly mothers.

Rhetorical: Do you value Godly motherhood?

Introduction:

 

Today is mothering Sunday.

 

We rightly stop and thank God for giving us our mothers?

 

Praise God that He in his wisdom gave us mother! What would life be like without mothers?

- No one to feed you and care for you.

- No one to read and sing to you.

- No one to love, teach and encourage you.

- No one to build you up and strengthen you.

- No one to patiently help you as you grow up.

exp. Dad's can try to do these things - but mothers excell at these things.

 

We are going to look this morning at a very special mother. Here name is Mary. We probably diminish Mary in our preaching because the Catholic church has put her equal with God.

 

Jesus did not exhalt and venerate Mary. Every time he was given opportunity to do that he did the opposite.

Luk 2:49  And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

Matthew 12:46  While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

47  Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

48  But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

49  And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

50  For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Luk 11:27  And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28  But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

note: Jesus did honour his mother.

Luk 2:51  And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

John 19:26  When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

27  Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

 exp. And so, the Lord honoured his mother as we ought to honour our mothers, but HE DID NOT VENERATE HER.

 

NOTE: That being said - consider the reality that Mary would be a GODLY MOTHER to the Lord Jesus Christ. Wow! God would entrust His Son to the care of Mary and Joseph.

 

exp. She is not a perfect example (because she was human) - but she is a premier example of motherhood. With Mary as our example of Godly motherhood.....

 

God help us to thank you for Godly mothers, be Godly mothers (if the shoe fits), and raise Godly mothers. Do you value Godly motherhood?

 

I. Godly motherhood is pure.

A. Mary was a virgin.

27  To a virgin ....

def. virgin - a maiden who was unmarried and had kept herself pure morally.

Mary's own testimony "How shall this be seeing I know not a man?"

 exp. I was shocked to read on wickepedia the statistics for premarital sex. I hesitate to reveal them lest any young person justify their sin by the disobedience of others.

- Our society is not FOR PURITY.

- Our society is promoting impurity.

1.) Hollywood

2.) Rap, Rock, and Pop Music.

3.) Through gross immodesty and nakedness.

4.) Through wicked teaching - sex education and promoting "safe" sex.

note: Godly motherhood begins with purity.

 exp. Let me say - a woman who gets saved having previously lost her virginity, is purified by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. But, they would warn every young person to guard their purity.

app. Godly motherhood is pure. That purity FOR THE MOTHER OF CHRIST was guarded from her youth. Mary guarded her virginity.

B. Mary was to be married.

....espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

exp. Engagement is an exciting time of life.

 ill. Katie and got engaged on 7 June, 1999. 

- Planned months ahead and asked God for good weather.

- KFC then up to waterfall at a country park near our home.

- Sunset - had to ask some teens for privacy

- Happy 16 months of dating (engraved music box, unchained melodies, dried rose pedals and a ring.)

We returned to my family home to be handed a phone (no mobile's back then) and told to call the relatives. What! Call everybody!

exp. Why? Marriage IS THE STRONG BUILDING BLOCK OF A FUTURE FAMILY. We rejoice when two young people get their with their purity and see the importance of marriage!

Heb 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

app. Young people ought to be looking for a pure mate who is very careful to guard their purity. Marriage ought to be highy respected by them. Godly motherhood begins with purity.

 

II. Godly motherhood is prosperous.

 exp. We all want to prosper in that which we do.

 ill. Going agate hunting - God leading us to an area that was incredibly rich with agates. That time we came back with buckets full of beautiful semi precious stones. We rejoiced because we succeeded.

exp. Finding agates is exciting - but not essential. Prosperous motherhood is vital to the strength of our families. 

note - GODLY MOTHERHOOD IS PROSPEROUS.

A. Prosperous because of the presence of God.

28  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

 exp. Godly Mary would prosper in motherhood because THE LORD WAS WITH HER.

Ill. I haven't done much shopping since the run on the stores. I would imagine if something is still on the shelves it may be easier for me to find. I am probably a typical male which feels lost in the shop when I'm trying to find something Katie sent me to get. I don't prosper much unless I have a kid with me or a shop clerk.

 exp. Prosperity in motherhood *as with everything in life -  comes when we have the Lord with us.

ill. My Grandma Shore - known for having her prayer time out in the woods. Grandma was busy mothering, but she guarded her walk with the Lord.

app. How careful we ought to be to guard a close walk with God. Are we truly Godly? Would the angel say to us, "The Lord is with thee."

B. Prosperous because of God's favour.

29  And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

ill. Remember the story of Queen Esther

- Hamaan has got an extermination order from the king to kill the Jews.

- Esther is challenged by Mordecai to enter into the king's presence and ask for his mercy.

- Esther is scared because if she didn't get favour from the king, she would be killed.

Esther 4:11  All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

Esther 5:1  Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

2  And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

app. Praise God for goldy mothers to whom God will favour. Who walk with God.

 

 transition: Godly motherhood is prosperous, pure....

 

III. Godly motherhood is priviliged.

31  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

exp. Mary's name is common. She shared that name with 6 other women recorded in the Scriptures. Her name was common, but her privilige was incredible.

 privilige - Conceive the Son of God in her womb. (She was chosen for very sacred service.)

ill.  In the Bible - the High Priest was the man who would enter into the  most sacred place in the tabernacle or temple - called the Holy of Holies.

quote: Got Questions.org - "There is a tradition that the high priest of Israel would enter the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle or temple with a rope tied to his foot and/or with bells around his waist. Tradition says that when the high priest went into the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur during the last couple of centuries of the temple, a scarlet rope was tied to his foot. A priest in the Holy Place tended the other end of this rope, which had a purpose. If the high priest’s sins were not atoned for properly, he would die in the presence of the shekinah—the glory of God—that filled the Holy of Holies. Since nobody else could enter that part of the temple without also dying, the priests felt they needed a way to retrieve the body of the high priest, if necessary. That was the purpose of the rope—to pull the body out. The bells jingling would be the sign that the priest had fallen to the ground dead."

 exp. Mary wasn't sinless - but Mary was set apart by God for VERY sacred service. If the priests who entered into the Temple had to be clean - how clean must one be who would carry the Son of God in her womb?

- A pregnant woman is very aware that she protect not only her health but the health of her baby.

- How careful Mary would be to protect THIS MOST PRECIOUS ONE IN HER physically and spiritually!

exp. This point is gender neutral. All of us who are saved, have the privilige of having Jesus in us.

Col 1:27  Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

 transition: Godly motherhood is priviliged, is prosperous, is pure.

 

IV. Godly motherhood is powerful.

 exp. Our world doesn't like to acknowledge this - but women are the weaker vessel.

1Pe 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

note: BUT just because their sex is weaker - there is great power in godly motherhood.

A. Power to raise a godly seed.

exp. Mary would mother Jesus Christ the most powerful man.

32  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

exp. God would bless Mary and Joseph to raise the Son of God to maturity.

Luk 2:52  And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

 note: A godly mother has arguably greater influence over her children than her husband. She typically spends more time and has more focused effort upon her children.

1. Child training is a power of Godly motherhood.

Pro 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

ill. Training a rose bush - is cutting and trimming it so that it will grow a certain way. The way you train it to grow is the way you want it to grow.

 exp. A godly mother (and father) trains a child in the way HE SHOULD GO. That is the way God wants that child to go.

app. God has given Christian parents the power to raise a Godly seed by child training.

2. Child aiming is a power of Godly motherhood.

saying: If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time.

 exp. A godly mother isn't going to let chance happen to her children. She's going to help her children focus on the target God wants them to hit.

Psa 127:4  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

ill. Susanna Wesley - She was well experienced in motherhood having raised 19 children. 

She is known as the mother of methodism.

Not because she ever preached or published a book. But because she raised two great preachers - John and Charles Wesley

 app. Praise God for the power of motherhood to raise a Godly seed!

B. Empowered by God to do that which is impossible.

34  Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36  And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37  For with God nothing shall be impossible.

exp. Oh the impossible nature of the motherhood of these two women.

- Mary was a virgin who would conceive by the power of God alone.

- Elizabeth would conceive with her husband a child of their old age.

exp. What a testimony to the power of God for their motherhood.

 ill. The disciples got to see the power of God in providing food supernaturally. You'd think for the rest of their lives - they would never doubt God's ability to provide for them.

Mark 8:13  And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.

14  Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.

15  And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

16  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.

17  And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?

18  Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

19  When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.

20  And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.

21  And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

exp. When you see the power of God demonstrated INCREDIBLY, you should not doubt His ability in time of simplicity.

app. God's power was great enough to meet the most COMPLEX problems of motherhood. Can you doubt his power to meet the SIMPLISTIC (in comparison) problems of motherhood?

 transition: Godly motherhood is powerful, priviliged, prosperous, and pure.

 

V. Godly motherhood is purposeful.

purpose - the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exist

 ill. Our family has enjoyed watching documentaries on engineering. It's amazing to see the robotic arms and robotic welders designe to do something with precision that man better than man can do it.

app. They have a purpose and they do it well. Mary demonstrates a great purpose (for all of us) and for Godly motherhood.

A. Purposed to serve the Lord.

38  And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; 

exp. Mary has just received God's revelation and it is revolutional. This is going to change her life completely. (Can you imagine?) However, her submission is immediate. She submits herself as the Lord's servant.

 question: How much do you like change? How well have you embraced Covid-19 and isolation? Have you said to God regarding these changes, "Behold the servant of the Lord?"

app. How ready are we do to submit ourselves to our Lord?

B. Purposed to obey His will.

be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Jesus - whom Mary could rightly call my Son. (Jesus was joseph's step son.)

Joh 4:34  Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

note: Success rightly defined is "finding the will of God and doing it."

 app. Do you want to succeed in Godly motherhood? Get the purpose of mary - servanthood and obedience.

transition: Godly motherhood is purposeful, powerful, priviliged, prosperous, and pure.

 

VI. Godly motherhood is personable.

  exp. We now have two mothers in our story. One is young and one is old. Both are carrying their first child in their womb. They show another wonderful truth about Godly motherhood.

Godly motherhood is personable. 

ill. Men aren't as personable as women. Guys will just glare at each other and say, "All right." Women will embrace and want to hear the details about each other's lives.

A. Making much of others and little of self.

39  And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

40  And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

exp. Mary had exciting news, but she had found out exciting news about Elisabeth. I suspect Mary was primarily heading to her older cousins house to rejoice with her in the news of her pregnancy.

ill. It is a joy to hear of a new baby on it's way. We're rejoicing with the Baines that they have a baby on the way.

ill. I told my mom recently to watch our presentation completely (because of the surprise ending.) You know she watched that thinking there might be a baby announcement at the end? (Not so.)

 app. Mary and Elizabeth were personable - making much of others and little of self. 

Phillippians 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

B. Seeking to be a blessing and being blessed.

41  And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

42  And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43  And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44  For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

exp. Again, I suspect Mary came to be a blessing to Elizabeth. As is often the case, in seeking to be a blessing she was blessed. The Spirit of God filled Elizabeth and she spoke such wonderful words to Mary.

45  And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

transition: Godly motherhood is personable, purposeful, powerful, priviliged, prosperous, and pure.

 

VII. Godly motherhood is prayerful.

 ill. Praise God for mother's who know how to prayer. 

Hudson Taylor's mum - away on a trip - getting in a private place and interceding for him to be saved determined not to leave her knees until God answered - God did answer - Hudson read a tract and received Jesus as His Saviour. He told his sister and swore her to secrecy so that he could tell his mum on her return. She said, "I know." The Spirit of God had revealed it.

exp. Praise God for women of prayer. 

NOTE: LET'S JUST HIGHLIGHT THE PRAYER OF MARY.

A. Praising God.

46  And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

exp. Mary was like the Son in Elizabeth's womb who said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." 

 app. She gave God ALL the praise.

B. Rejoicing in God.

47  And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

exp. God her Saviour, was the Son of God in her womb. She rejoiced in Him.

C. Humbled before God.

48  For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

exp. Mary felt unworthy of the high calling of God. What a testimony of her preparedness for her sacred duty!

D. In awe of God.

49  For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

50  And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

51  He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52  He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

exp. Mary marvelled at God's MIGHT, HOLINESS, MERCY, PROVIDENCE.

 She stood in awe of Almighty God.

E. Trusting God with gratitude.

53  He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

54  He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

55  As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

exp. God has done what God said he would do - and Mary rejoiced in Him with gratitude.

 question: This world has much for which to thank women of prayer.

ill. James Stewart - used of God for revival in Europe before Hitler's invasion in WW2.

- Autobiography - I Must Tell.

- Brought home by an enthusiastic group of friends (football popularity and success) "What's wrong mother? I asked, "The people ar thrilled and why can't you be, too?" Her eyes met mine. "I offered you to God for His service before you were born," She replied. "It was never for this that He gave you to me. There is only one thing that matters, being one hundred percent fo Jesus Christ."

 

"Now began the great battle for my soul. My mother said, "It is now or never, Jim. You must surrender all to the claims of Jesus Christ now."

 

"The Spirit of God now seemed to put strong pressure on my mother in agonizing intercession. For many nights she would kneel quietly by my bedside and claim me for Christ. She reisted Satan in the all-conquering Name of the risen, triumphant Lord. Somteimes she woudl awaken me out of my sleep and plead with me with tears rolling down her cheeks to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. It was surely God's time to answer prayers for my soul and life."

exp. Mary is a young woman but she is a mature woman of prayer.

 

Conclusion:

56  And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

 

Praise God this mothering Sunday for Godly mothers. 

 

May God help us to thank him for Godly mother, 

be Godly mothers, 

and raise Godly mothers.

 

Mothers who are...

 

pure (guarding their purity)

prosperous, (with God and favoured by God)

priviliged, (carriers of Christ)

powerful, (Because with God all things are possible.)

purposeful, (submitted and obeying God)

personable,

Prayerful (knowing how to go to God in prayer.)

 

 

 

 

 

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