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THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT A MOTHER CAN GIVE HER CHILDREN

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     We will often say that children are gifts from God, and this is true (Ps.  127:3).

 

Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord:  and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

 

B.     What children need to understand is that mothers are a precious gift to them.

1.       Mothers are servants.

2.       Mothers are nurses.

3.       Mothers are cooks.

4.       Mothers are counselors.

5.       Mothers are protectors.

6.       Mothers are teachers.

7.       Mothers are disciplinarians.

 

C.     Mothers play a vital role in the lives of their children.  If we were to summarize what a mother does, we could say she is a giver.

 

D.    We could talk about the many things that mothers give their children. 

1.       However, in this lesson we will only consider one thing.

2.       The title of our lesson is:  “The Most Precious Gift A Mother Can Giver Her Children.”

 

I.             SOME GOOD GUESSES

 

A.     Some might say the best gift a mother could give her child is LIFE.

1.       First, it would be difficult to argue with this for without life nothing else matters.

2.       Second, isn’t it sad that we have to mention this point?

a.       One would think that the one thing all mothers would desperately seek to give their children is life.

b.      Sadly, such is not the case. 

1)       There were 42.3 million abortions in the world last year.

2)       There were 862,320 abortions in the U.S. in 2017.

3.       Abortion will continue in the world until several things happen.

a.       God is exalted as the supreme ruler of the Universe (Deut. 10:17; Eph. 4:6).

b.      Life is deeply respected (Gen. 9:6)

c.       Man quits living ungodly, selfish lifestyles (Tit. 2:11-12).

d.      We understand that life begins at conception (Ps. 139:15-16).

e.       We acknowledge that every abortion is murder (Exo. 20:13; Prov. 6:17; Rom. 13:9).

 

B.     Another gift that mothers could give their children is proper care.

1.       A mother begins to care for her child when she learns that she is pregnant. 

a.       Many women try to eat better.

b.      There are many women who quit bad habits during their pregnancy.

c.       They are extremely careful about the medications they take.

2.       They care for their children from birth until they leave the house:  meals, hurt knees, comfort after a bad dream, helping with homework, taking them to the doctor, running them around town for all kinds of extracurricular activities, disciplining, etc.

3.       Hannah cared for Samuel even after he was dedicated to the service of the Lord (I Sam. 2:19).

 

Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

 

 

 

C.     A third gift we might feel is important is a mother’s wisdom.

1.       Mother’s sit for long periods of time with their children imparting unto them knowledge and the manner in which to use that knowledge.

2.       Proverbs 31:26

 

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

 

II.           THE MOST IMPORTANT GIFT:  A GODLY EXAMPLE

 

A.     As a minister of the gospel, the best example that I believe a mother can leave her children is a godly example.

 

B.     An example is a pattern or a model that can be followed.

1.       Jesus set Himself up as an example for His disciples (John 13:15).

 

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

 

2.       Paul told Timothy to be an example to the believers (I Tim. 4:12).

 

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers…

 

C.     One who is an example does two things.

1.       First, he tells others how to live.

2.       Second, he lives the things that he proclaims before them.

3.       Again, this is what Jesus did for His followers (Acts 1:1).

 

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.

 

a.       We said that an example teaches and does.

b.      It is probably better to turn those actions around.  It is better to do, then teach.

 

D.    This is what to do, and this is how it is done.

1.       Becoming a Christian

2.       Living a godly life

3.       Being a loyal and faithful mate

4.       Giving to others and being a servant to them

5.       Studying the Bible

6.       Praying

7.       Enjoy worshipping God in sprit and in truth

8.       Working hard and being responsible

9.       Controlling your tongue

10.   Teaching others the gospel of Christ

 

E.      Several sayings that pertain to this point:

1.       I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day.

2.       The ineffectiveness of doing as I say, but not as I do.

3.       You cannot lead by example if you are a bad example.

4.       Nothing is more confusing than people who give good advice but set a bad example.

5.       Be careful how you live; you may be the only Bible some people ever read.

6.       Children also catch a lot by way of example.

7.       A pint of example is worth a gallon of advice.

 

III.         A CONTRAST OF MOTHERS:  Which Mother Would You Desire?

 

A.     Eve the mother of all living, or, Mary the mother of Jesus?

1.       Eve was a mother who was easily deceived and yielded to her selfish desires (Gen. 3:6).

2.       Mary was a woman who was selected by God to bring Jesus into the world by means of a virgin birth (Luke 2:30-31).

B.     Elisabeth who gave birth to John the Baptist, or, Herodias who had John put to death?

1.       The Bible tells us that Elisabeth and her husband were righteous before God, walking in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless (Luke 1:6).

2.       Herodias took advantage of her daughter’s pleasing dance before Herod and asked for John’s head in a charger (Matt. 14:8).

 

C.     Lot’s wife who looked back, or, Eunice the mother of Timothy?

1.       Lot’s wife looked back upon the city of Sodom that was being destroyed and committed an act of disobedience to God (Gen. 19:17, 26. Luke 17:32).

2.       Timothy’s mother was a Jewess who became a Christian and instilled that faith into her son Timothy (II Tim. 1:5).

 

D.    Hannah the mother of Samuel, or, Jezebel the mother of Athaliah?

1.       Hannah prayed for a son, received him of the Lord, and dedicated him to the service of God (I Sam. 1:10-11, 27-28).

2.       Jezebel was the wicked wife of Ahab who worshipped Baal and had many innocent individuals slain, including prophets of God (I Kings 16:31; 18:4).

 

E.      Ruth the mother of Obed, or, Job’s wife who encouraged him to curse God and die?

1.       Ruth was the Moabitess who left her homeland and returned with Naomi having a desire to serve her God (Ruth 1:16).  She also gave birth to Obed who was in the lineage of Jesus (Matt. 1:5).

2.       Job’s wife suffered many things at the hands of God and exhorted her husband Job to curse God and die (Job 2:9).

 

IV.         THE MAIN EMPHASIS OF YOUR EXAMPLE:  Joy in the Christian Life

 

A.     Having our children put on Christ in the waters of baptism is of great importance.  It is the place wherein our children will experience the grace of God (II Tim. 2:1) and salvation from sins (II Tim. 2:10).

 

B.     But, we want our children to remain faithful to the Lord.  We want them serving in His kingdom for the rest of their lives.  If they are going to do this, they need to see the joy that we have in Christ and the joy of living the Christian life.

1.       Don’t teach them it is just an obligation.  Teach them that it is a privilege.

2.       Don’t teach them it is a burden.  Teach them that it is an honor.

3.       Don’t show them a bad attitude about Christianity.  Show them deep gratitude for the blessings that are showered upon us each day.

4.       Don’t show them how to “get by” in service to God.  Show them how to make their lives a living sacrifice unto God.

5.       Don’t gripe and complain about daily service to God.  Teach them to sing psalms as they labor in the vineyard of the Lord.

6.       Don’t find fault with your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Teach your children to look for the good in others that can be emulated by your children.

7.       Don’t flirt with sin and regret that you cannot participate in it.  Teach your children that godliness with contentment is great gain.

 

C.     Do as Paul instructed the church at Philippi to do (Phil. 4:4).

 

Rejoice in the Lord always:  and again I say, Rejoice.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     It is God who put mothers into the home.  He knows exactly how important they are.  He knows the kind of gift they can be to their children.

 

B.     We have seen that mothers are givers.  They give time, wisdom, energy, money, yea, they give all of themselves to rear their children properly.

 

C.     In this lesson, we have exhorted mothers to give a godly example to their children.                   

1.       Teach them.  Yes.

2.       But, also show them by your example.

a.       It is a second way of teaching.

b.      It is also the way in which you show them the sincerity of the things you teach.  They are important enough that you live them out in your own personal life. 

 

D.    Henry Miller once said:  “Example moves the world more than doctrine.  The great exemplars are the poets of action.”