Will the Real Mother Please Stand Up 824
Intro 1) This is not your usual Mother’s Day text so please pay bear with me.
2) 1 Kings 3:16-28 READ
3) QUITE A CLASSIC STORY … but not usually read on Mother’s Day
4) Do you know the problem with classic Bible stories?
a) We know it so well we fail to examine it closely.
b) This story shows that wisdom comes from God … of course.
c) But … this story also provides MORALS OF MOTHERHOOD … from an unlikely source.
5) Notice … with me … a few additional … “Subliminal Lessons”
I. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT MOTHER.
A. I don’t say this to drag mothers down but to build them up.
1. No one needs to be treated with more tenderness than our mothers. 2. No one is more caring and conscientious than our mothers. 3. Sometimes we’re too hard on them.
Sometimes they’re too hard on themselves.
B. The two mothers in this story were prostitutes!
1. Their babies were evidently conceived under sinful circumstances.
2. Suddenly … you’re wondering why I’m talking about this
3. Hey … it happens … it happens a lot …
… and this circumstance produces a Mom as well as a child
C. Why did Solomon, king over God’s chosen people,
even take the time to worry with two prostitutes?
1. These women, and the sinful men who paid for their services,
were obviously living outside of God’s will.
2. So … why show any concern at all?
3. SOLOMON WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THEM …
BECAUSE GOD WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THEM!
4. I don’t have to convince you
that the church should stand for moral purity.
5. But the church should also stand for forgiveness and restoration!
D. These women were not living up to God’s ideals …
1. Yet He still loved them!
2. If any of us has to be sinless before God love us …
… we would all be out of luck!
E. Mothers want so badly to Walk right & Talk … Sing … Pray right …
1. I know this … because … I know them … I watch them …
2. They take their responsibilities seriously
3. They’re hard on themselves when they make a mistake
4. And they wonder how God feels about them …
F. God Loves You … He understands what you’re going through
1. Psalm 103:8-14
2. Children are the most precious …
… and yet most exasperating creatures in the universe …
3. But when they’re born … the instant they are born …
… they are placed in Mother’s arms.
4. God knows what you’re up against … and sympathizes …
5. But He also knows that you’re up to the task …
… even though you’re not sinless and perfect …
… He gave you the job because He believes in you.
II. GOD HAS ANSWERS FOR A MOTHER’S PROBLEMS.
A. Don’t look for stress-free motherhood, it doesn’t exist.
1. From the pains of giving birth
to the empty nest
to grandchildren and beyond
motherhood is stressful.
2. Once again, this is not mentioned to discourage anyone.
a. There is good news!
b. God is willing and able to assist moms in their problems
B. God didn’t give Solomon wisdom …
so folks would stand around the palace to "ooh" and "ahh".
1. He gave Him wisdom for a purpose.
2. You see … God not only loved those two mothers …
He also greatly loved the little baby.
3. God dispatched His wisdom to Solomon to save the child.
C. God still has wisdom … and to spare … for parenting responsibilities.
D. He can guide and provide for mothers in all kinds of life situations …
single moms, adoptive moms, step-moms,
moms with special needs children … you name it!
E. Truth is … ALL Kids today have special needs.
That’s okay. God has the wisdom to give you for the task.
He can teach you what to do and what to say in every situation.
Like the mom who was tucking her small boy into bed
one summer night during a violent thunder storm.
She was just about to turn out the light
when he asked with a tremor in his voice,
"Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?"
The mother smiled and gave him a reassuring hug.
"I can’t, Dear," she said, "I have to sleep with your daddy."
A long silence was broken at last by his shaky little voice: "That big sissy."
III. THERE’S NOTHING LIKE A MOTHER’S LOVE!
A. The real mother in this story
would rather see another woman raise her child
than see her baby harmed in any way.
B. You have to be willing to give up some things to be a good mother.
1. Personal sacrifice is a pivotal part of motherhood.
2. It begins by sacrificing your own body
to carry the child in your womb … for nine months.
No mother’s child ought to forget that sacrifice!
3. Our mothers fed us …
nourished and protected us with their own bodies
before we even saw the light of day …
Before they even knew us.
C. But a mother’s sacrifice doesn’t end there.
1. They keep on giving.
2. They give up sleep for the “wee-hour” feedings.
3. They give up personal goals so their children can achieve theirs.
4. How many times did you get something new while she went without?
5. How many times has she given you the last helping at supper.?
Concl 1) We honor moms for all the giving they do.
2) They remind us of God who is sacrificial and giving.
3) He gave His only Son for a world of wayward children.
4) That kind of love should not go unnoticed and unappreciated.
Respond to moms with great love and appreciation.
And respond to the God who created motherhood the same way.