Sermons
The MMMMMMs Of Maternity
THE MMMMMMS OF MATERNITY
Sermon Outline By Terry Siverd
Cortland Church of Christ / May 12, 2019
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you moms!!
Almost two-thousand years ago, the apostle Paul wrote to a young preacher named Timothy saying (2Tim.1:5) - -
I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your
grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
Like Timothy many of us owe a deep debt of gratitude to a few precious women.
On this particular day, I am not speaking of our wives, although we also view them as a rich blessing.
Rather, as you might expect on this special day, I am speaking of our mothers … and grandmothers.
My life has been influenced in so many good ways by five women, not counting my dear wife.
My mother and my two grandmothers and Jeannie's mother and her maternal grandmother.
Gloria … Margaret (Mawg) … Nova … Charlotte … and Audie.
Although all five of these wonderful ladies have now departed from this world, their memories linger.
The truth of the matter is that their lives still continue to impact my life, in many and varied ways.
I have a heartache that re-occurs from time to time.
I was able to attend the funerals of all of these great ladies, with the exception of my maternal grandmother.
My maternal grandmother, Margaret Enfinger, passed away on April 13, 1975. I was a junior at Harding University
and I had strapped myself with a heavy load of classes. It was the homestretch for the end of semester and
final exams were hovering. I was in school in Searcy, AR, and my grandma lived in Pensacola, FL - - it was only
a trip of 550 miles, but my old '66 Ford Fairlane was on its last legs. Jeannie and I were making final plans
for our wedding day, which was one month removed. Our cash-flow was almost non-existent and school debts
were continuing to mount. I/we couldn't make the trip. If ever could be granted a do-over, this might be my
top request. Grandma would have understood - - understanding others' situations was one of her shining virtues.
Paying our final respects isn't everything, but it is important (for our own well-being as well as for others).
This morning I want to preach about The MMMMMMMs of Maternity.
Being a good mother is a remarkable undertaking.
First, there is the MIRACLE of Motherhood.
From conception to delivery - - it is bonafide miracle. Some may argue that miracles
don't happened nowadays, but I view the birth of every child as a miracle of life.
The Scriptures declare that “children are a gift/treasure from the Lord” (Ps.127:3).
Some might tell us that this miracle of childbirth comes to us via mother-nature,
but we know better - - mother-nature is a euphemism for the work of our Almighty God.
Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before THE LORD OUR MAKER.
For He is our GOD, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand (Ps.95:6-7).
Secondly, there is the MAJESTY of Motherhood.
This word majestic speaks of something quite powerful and royal.
We know our moms are sovereign - - with eyes in the back of their heads, they are all-seeing.
They are also all-powerful - - the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
Us men may think we rule, but here again we know ... “if mama ain't happy, ain't nobdy happy.”
Ps.31:28-30, King Lemuel states: her children rise up and bless her; her husband also,
and he praises her saying, 'Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Thirdly, there is the MARVEL of Motherhood.
While she is not God, she does some truly marvelous things on a daily basis.
Mom's are the birthplace of our values - - from her we learn the importance of giving & forgiving and so much more.
Prov. 1:8b-9 admonishes us: do not forsake your mother's teaching;
Indeed they are a graceful wreath to your head and a ornaments about your neck.
There are many old saying (chimney corner Scriptures) that witness to the moral impact of our moms:
“One good mother is worth 100 schoolmasters” … “An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy”.
If we were to make a list of all of the Christian virtues we have learned from our mothers and grandmothers,
this list would be quite extensive. Think of many good things, things both taught and caught.
Fourthly, there is the MYSTERY of Motherhood.
How do they do what they do? How do they find enough hours & energy in the day to accomplish all that they do?
Here again, Prov.31:20-27, captures the indefatigable industry of our moms.
The language is from another day, but it is easily translated into actions of moms in these more modern times.
She extends her hand to the poor; And stretches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. He husband is known at the gates,
where he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies
belts to the tradesmen. Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Fifthly, there is the MONOTONY of Motherhood.
Someone has aptly noted that the most difficult aspect of discipleship is that it is DAILY.
This surely must be true of motherhood. This monotony multiplies our sense of marvel.
Lam.3:22-23 records: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness.
We know that for most of our moms (especially those with little ones) the newness of every day must some-
times grow thin. There's a drudgery that accompanies motherhood that has the capacity to spawn depression.
Every day - - diapers to change; clothes to wash; dishes to scrub; baths to orchestrate; groceries to buy;
homework to supervise; discipline to oversee; peace-making to broker; errands to run; a house to tidy up;
Etc., etc. You do it every day and tomorrow you get up and do it all over again.
I was impressed (although not surprised) that Haley Wildman's favorite song is Blue Skies And Rainbows.
For Haley I suspect that this is more than just aspirational. She's learning how to make lemonade out of lemons.
Sixthly, there is the MYTH of Motherhood.
We might be inclined to think that being a good mother comes easy or naturally.
The truth is that good mothering requires great discipline. It is never accomplished without a steep price.
Training up a child in the way he/she should go (Prov.22:6) is the most difficult undertaking in the world.
Motherhood requires education. Watching other moms can help. Reading good books can also provide
Helpful insights. Sermons and Bible class can also provide nourishment and learning. But the bottom line is
that your task is enormous and it will require sacrifice, diligence and determination to accomplish your work.
Godly motherhood demands that you personally keep on seeking the things above and that you die to self (Col.3:2-3).
And seventh (and last of all), there is the MINISTRY of Motherhood.
In Ps.139:13-14, David acknowledges God's as His maker - -
You formed my inward parts and wove me in my mother's womb...I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
The new life that God has sparked has been placed in your arms to cultivate and nurture to maturity.
It is a breath-taking assignment.
Motherhood is not for sissies and there is no room for whimps.
Motherhood is very much akin to pottery-making.
It demands lots of shaping and re-shaping. Lots of molding. Lots of time in the kiln (heat/discipline).
Prov.7:6-7 records: At the window of my house I looked out through my lattice,
and I saw among the naive, I discerned among the youths, a young man lacking sense...
Prov.29:15 reminds us - - the rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a child left to himself (who get his own way) brings shame to his mother.
In a church one Sunday morning (it must have been rather large or perhaps the preacher was still new, or maybe
His mother lived far away and only made rare appearances), a church usher greeted an elderly lady upon her entry
into the worship assembly. In trying to assist her, he asked if she had a preference as to where she'd like to sit.
She said that she'd like to sit on the very front row. “You don't want to do that”, he said, “our preacher tends
to be boring.” “Do you know who I am?”, the elderly lady asked the usher. “I am the preacher's mother!”,
she proudly declared. “Do you know who I am?”, the embarrassed usher asked the elderly lady?”
“No, I don't she said.” “Good”, said the usher, as he quickly disappeared from sight.
Your children are in constant need of guidance.
Even when they grow older they still need to see you front and center in their lives.
For moms, and parents in general, it could be rightly said, “your work is never done.”
Motherhood is a lifelong endeavor. Matriculation or graduation is really not part of the deal.
You have been chosen to be not only your child's greatest fan for life but also his/her lifelong instructor.
Sometimes nuggets of truth and words of wisdom (perhaps even words of rebuke and correction)
spoken by our elderly moms can impact us for good in ways that no others can.
When we stop and consider the source, it makes this ongoing tutoring all the more precious.
Would you please rise and join with me in prayer as we thank God for blessings of our mothers.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for our ever-so-precious mothers (and grandmothers)
We are so grateful for the untold hours and energy they have poured into our lives,
to shape us and mold us so that we might grow up to be not only good citizens but, most
importantly, to be faithful and devout followers of Jesus and worshippers of You as our God.
Dear Father - - continue to bless our mothers - - help them to always shine forth as they show
us how to live, often in the midst of hardships. Grant them peace of mind as they continue to occupy
that special place in all of our hearts. Continue to clothe them with grace and kindness as they persist in
helping to guide us and nurture us, even as we as children grow older and somewhat independent. Help us to
honor our mothers; to cling to her teachings; to follow in her steps as she sought to live a life pleasing to You;
to cherish her presence while she is yet with us and to relish her memory long after she has departed this life.
Through Christ our Lord & Savior, who loved and honored His mother, we pray. Amen.
