“M-O-T-H-E-R” ---PROVERBS 1:8

INTRO: Today we honor those special ladies who have graced our lives and molded us into what we are today. Countless times each day a mother does what no one else can do quite as well. She wipes away a tear, whispers a word of hope, eases a child's fear.

Proverbs 1:8-9 Solomon writes—“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.”

I.    M-MAGNITUDE-Prov. 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”

A. THERE IS NO HIGHER CALLING. The word magnitude means “greatness or importance.”

1-MOTHERS HAVE SPECIAL PLACE IN THE WORD OF GOD.   She gives life to every living person. Genesis 3:20 tells us—“And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.”

·         Eve is the mother of all mankind. Without her none of us would be here. No matter what a person thinks of their mother they must remember that they would not be here if it had not been for her.

·         Jochebed, the mother of Moses, changed the course of history. A nation was delivered from bondage by her son. Exodus 2:1-2 says—“And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman conceived, and bore a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.” No Jochebed, No Moses!

·         Hannah, the mother of Samuel, gave Israel the greatest priest they ever had. 

I Samuel 1:20 tells us—“Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.” Without Hannah there would have been no Samuel!

·         Mary, the mother of Jesus, gave us the Saviour. Matthew 1:18-21 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

B. THERE IS NO MORE HONORABLE CALLING--Proverbs 31:10

II.        O—OTHERS-Prov. 31:13-27

A. MOTHERS LIVE A LIFE OF SERVICE. A mother is always doing for others. Someone said, Without mother how could the family survive?

·         Illustrate: A 15year-old boy came in the house and found his mom in bed. He asked if she were sick or something. He was truly concerned. Mom replied that, as a matter of fact, she didn't feel too well. The son replied, "Well, don't worry a bit about dinner. I'll be happy to carry you down to the stove."

B. MOTHERS LIVE A LIFE OF SACRIFICE. Mothers are always sacrificing to meet the needs of others. When we’re growing up we take fore granted the sacrifices our mothers made.

III.       T---THOUGHTFUL-Proverbs 31:26  “She openeth her mouth with wisdom…”

A. HER WAY IS MINDFUL. Mothers are thinkers. They are creative. They open the door of imagination to their children. I can remember “toys” mom made us out of empty tissue rolls, paper milk cartons, and egg containers.

B. HER WORDS ARE MEANINGFUL. Proverbs 31:26 This means:  She is wise and intelligent. She has not failed to cultivate her mind. The last part of  v 26 says—“in her tongue is the law of kindness.”

IV.       H---HELPER-Proverbs 31:10-12 Genesis 2:18-“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.”

A. MOTHERS ARE ENCOURAGERS. A child has no greater champion than their mother. Sensitivity is the key word. Mothers understand and offer encouragement when no one else will.  Mothers spend tear-filled hours in prayer for their children.

B. MOTHERS ARE ENABLERS. Someone said, “No job can compete with the responsibility of shaping and molding a new human being.” Proverbs 31:1-2 The word character means “to cut, to engrave, and to make a furrow.”

V.        E---EFFECTIVE-Proverbs 31:31—“Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

A. HER INSTRUCTION IS REMEMBERED. The older we become the more of the lessons we remember that our mothers taught us. But let us never think that those early lessons mothers give to their children do not impact their lives.

B. HER INFLUENCE IS REFLECTED--The word influence means “the power of persons or things to produce effects on others…One who or that possesses the power to affect others.”

VI.       R---REWARDED-Proverbs 31:28-31

A. SHE IS REWARDED WITH PRAISE. V28 tell us—“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” She is praised because of her:

·         INFLUENCE.

·         INSTRUCTION.

B. SHE IS REWARDED BECAUSE OF HER PATIENCE. It takes patience to raise children.

children she has patiently molded and instilled with a love for God?

CLOSING: I pray today that each mother is truly blessed today. I pray that if your mother is at home with the Lord today that you take time to recall all the fond memories and remember all the things she has contributed to your life. I want to close this morning with these words:

MOTHER

From seeds You watered us. As we sprouted You helped us grow With the warmth Of your radiant love. Along the way You trimmed us To keep us safe From Harm. When we grew out of Our little pods, You replanted us, Where you gave us hope And showed us faith That we may be able To do for others As you did for us. ---Jim Little