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THE ROLES OF A MOTHER

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    Every year we celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May.

 

B.      As I thought about “Mother’s Day,” I thought of many other days that mothers might think of as true “Mother’s Days.”

1.      The day their child was born.

2.      The day their child took his first steps.

3.      The day their child made their first homemade Mother’s Day card.

4.      The day their child went to school.

5.      The day their child graduated from school.

6.      The day their child got married.

7.      The day their child gave them a grandchild.

 

C.     This is a day of honor and celebration for the mother, or, mothers, in our lives.

 

D.    Mothers are hard workers.  In fact, it is difficult to list all of the roles they fulfill.  In this lesson, let’s talk about a few of their roles that bring blessings to their children.

 

I.                   A MOTHER IS A NURSE

 

A.    Some of the things she does as a nurse.

1.      She prevents bad things from happening.

2.      She nourishes her children with food.

3.      She provides care in times of sickness and injury.

 

B.      Hannah was a mother who exhibited the qualities of a nurse to Samuel (I Sam. 1:23b).

 

So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

 

1.      The picture here is of a nursing mother.

2.      She made certain that her child was properly nourished until he had grown and matured so she could take him to the temple to dedicate him to the Lord.

 

C.     Mothers do so many things as nurses for their children:  feeding, holding, rocking, wiping tears, changing diapers, on watch while they are sick.

 

II.                A MOTHER IS A TEACHER

 

A.    A teacher’s role is filled with responsibilities:  instills knowledge, trains for life events, motivates, inspires, encourages, and sets the proper example.

 

B.      Timothy had a mother who was a teacher.

1.      II Timothy 3:14-15

 

But continue in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

2.      The one who had taught him these things was his godly mother named Eunice (II Tim. 1:5).

 

When I call to remembrance the unfeign faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

 

C.     Good mothers teach their children all of the time:  the kitchen table, the bedroom, the living room, the playground, in the car.

 

III.             A MOTHER IS A DISCIPLINARIAN

 

A.    Good mothers know the importance of rules, commandments, and boundaries.  They understand the need for expectations and accountability.  When needed, they are not afraid to discipline their children.

 

B.      John the Baptist was a remarkable individual.

1.      He may have subscribed to the Nazarite vow.

2.      He was a prophet’s prophet.

3.      He was bold and courageous in his preaching God’s Word.

4.      He was the forerunner of Jesus.

5.      He was willing to play “second fiddle.”

6.      He was faithful to his God.

 

C.     We have some insight into the reasons for such stalwart qualities in Mark 1:5-6.

 

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias of the course of Abia:  and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.  And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

 

1.      Elisabeth understood the need for obedience to the commands of God.  She walked in them.

2.      She instilled this same need into her son, John.

 

D.    Moms have rules in their homes.  They teach their children the law of God.  They expect their children to obey the rules at home, at school, in the community, and in their service to God.

1.      Her children know “the look.”

2.      Her children know “the voice.”

3.      Her children have experienced the corner and the paddle.

 

IV.             A MOTHER IS A COUNSELOR

 

A.    Children know that mothers are approachable.  They know their mother will listen.  They know they have empathy.  They know they also have good advice that can be safely followed.

 

B.      One of the best counseling mothers in the Bible was a woman named Naomi.

1.      She raised two sons, but lost them both to death.

2.      But, she became a mother to her daughter-in-law named Ruth.

a.      She encouraged Ruth to stay in the field of Boaz to glean therein (Ruth 2:22).

b.      She instructed Ruth to go to the threshing floor and speak to Boaz about his being her near kinsman (Ruth 3:3-4).

c.       She told Ruth to “sit still” until they knew how all of the matters with Boaz would work out (Ruth. 3:18).

d.      When her grandchild was born, she became a caregiver to the child (Ruth 4:16).

 

And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became a nurse unto it.

 

C.     Mothers who have raised children have a storehouse of knowledge to impart to their children (See Proverbs 31:26).

1.      They know about children.

2.      They know about husbands.

3.      They know about the home.

4.      They know about cooking.

5.      They know about finances.

6.      They know about friends.

7.      They know about work.

8.      They know about sickness and medications.

9.      They know about loneliness, depression, and anger.

 

V.                A MOTHER IS A SECURITY GUARD

 

A.    We could have said that mothers are like momma bears.  They are extremely protective of their children.  They do not want anything to harm them emotionally or physically.

 

B.      A mother that was protective of her child was Bathsheba.

1.      Her protection given her son was done after he was a grown man.

2.      The example:

a.      Adonijah the son of Haggith tried to usurp the throne and become king (I Kings 1:5).

b.      At the counsel of Nathan, Bathsheba approached David about the matter (I Kings 1:15).

c.       She reminded David of what he had promised (I Kinga 1:17-18).

 

And she said unto him, My Lord, thou swarest by the Lord thy God unto thine handmaide, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.  And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not.

 

d.      Her words, along with those spoken by Nathan gave the kingdom to Solomon.  In fact, he was made king that very day (I Kings 1:38-40).

 

C.     Mothers want what is best for their children.  They do not want to see them suffer.  They will go to great lengths to make certain their children are protected and receive the best.

 

VI.              A MOTHER IS A SURVIVOR

 

A.    Mothers are often placed in very difficult situations on behalf of their children.

1.      There are long days and sleepless nights.

2.      Plans are often put on hold.

3.      They give and give up for their children.

4.      Mothers sacrifice, endure patiently, and are extremely diligent on behalf of their children.

 

 

B.      When I think of a sacrificial mother in the Bible, I think of Mary the mother of Jesus.

1.      When the angel came to tell her about the birth of her firstborn child, he said:  Hail, thou art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee:  blessed art thou among woman (Luke 1:22).

2.      Some 33 years later, Mary may have wondered about those words.  She stood at the foot of the cross and saw her Son executed as a criminal (John 19:25).

 

C.     Mothers give up so much for their children, but they survive.  They come out on the other side of the struggle worn, tired, and beaten, but stronger and better because of the experiences.

 

VII.          A MOTHER IS A HUMAN BEING

 

A.    Children see their moms as superhuman.  They are put on a pedestal.  Often, they are viewed as being perfect.  But, all mothers know that they are humans.

 

B.      Mothers struggle with

1.      Painful emotions

2.      Temptation and sin

3.      Weaknesses

4.      A lack of knowledge

 

C.     A mother who exhibited being human was Eve.  When tempted by Satan, she did not withstand him, but yielded (Gen. 3:6).

 

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that is was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

 

1.      The woman was deceived.

2.      The woman was caught in the transgression.

3.      The woman stood guilty before God.

 

D.    Every mother knows her imperfections and shortcomings.  Godly women seek help and strength at the foot of the throne of God in prayer.

 

E.      NOTE:  Grown children must learn that parents are not perfect.  They will make mistakes.  They will stand in need of their forgiveness from time to time. 

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Mothers are nurses, teachers, disciplinarians, counselors, security guards, survivors, and human beings.

 

B.      Those of us who have had good mothers know that we are blessed, and, today, we rise up and call you blessed (Prov. 31:28).

 

C.     We also want to give you another card that says:  “Happy Mother’s Day!”