Today is mother’s day. This morning when I woke up the Holy Spirit began to bring scriptures to my mind regarding mothers in the bible. As we look at some of these mother’s stories, we can learn from their life experiences and spiritual journey trusting God.
I am going to talk about this in more detail in a few minutes but to begin by confirming your position in the family of God as individuals. You see we are going to talk about Mothers today but we all need to know where we stand in relationship to God the Father through Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:14-18
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
***The 1st point of the Message today: All believers are Children of God, heirs and joint-heirs with Christ
While we are in Romans and in light of the fact Pastor Stan is here from Israel I want to remind the Church how Paul described the Jewish people’s relationship to God the Father vs the Gentile Believers’ relationship to the Father God. You see their can be confusion about status or ranking in the family of God depending on biological ancestry. Pastor Founder was sharing a powerful truth yesterday at our day of Prayer and Fasting here at the church about Rahab and Ruth and Boaz and King David. God purposely brought in people who were not direct descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob into the linage of Christ.
Also in my reading yesterday morning in the Book of Ezekiel chapter 47 I was surprised to see the provision God made for Land to be transferred for an inheritance strangers that sojourners in the land. Let’s look at this together:
Ezekiel 47:20-23
20 The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This is the west side.
21 So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.
22 And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
23 And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord God.
This is a powerful principle of God to provide part of the land for an inheritance with the tribe the stranger was sojourning with.
***The 1st point of the Message today: All believers are Children of God, heirs and joint-heirs with Christ
Lets dive into Romans 11 Together and see what Paul is explaining to the new believers at Rome about God’s relationship to the Jewish People and plan for reconciliation.
Romans 11
1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,
3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
*** Point #2 of the Message this morning: God has not cast off Israel but rather allowed them to fall in order to bring salvation to the Gentiles
12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Point #3 of the Message this morning. God has a plan for the reconciliation of Israel and you are included in God’s plan.
33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
***The 1st point of the Message today: All believers are Children of God, heirs and joint-heirs with Christ
*** Point #2 of the Message this morning: God has not cast off Israel but rather allowed them to fall in order to bring salvation to the Gentiles
Point #3 of the Message this morning. God has a plan for the reconciliation of Israel and you are included in God’s plan.
Let’s talk now specifically about Mothers:
Mary is singled out as someone very special. Someone highly favored of God and that she was.
Luke 1:26-38
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Just remember even Many struggled to believe her place in the Devine story of redemption. She hears Gabriel tell her she is going to be the mother of the Jesus. She responds at first how can this be?
A phrase that many moms have said over the years. How can this thing be?
But God did not have Gabriel say, that’s it you doubted, you lose. God did not condemn her question he had Gabriel explain and then Mary responded embracing the promise. Be it unto me as those has said.
****Point #4 of the message today: It is okay to ask God questions but we must receive his answers in faith.
Some moms in here just said in their hearts yeah, I would have loved to raise the perfect child….all my children are poster child for original sin. The Bible’s says we were born in sin and shaped in iniquity. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 15:22
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Remember Jesus and Mary had their disagreements as well. Remember when Jesus hid from his mom under the clothes rack at Kohls department store…….actually that was my daughter Crystal when she was 3….Jesus stayed in Jerusalem for three days in the temple after his family went home……
Luke 2:49
49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
Or what about the time when Mary says Jesus they are out of wine……Jesus responds mother my time has not come……Mary says in faith to the servants whatever he says to you do it.
Later Mary comes with his brothers to see Jesus at a place he is ministering and desires to use her mom access to get to talk to Jesus. Jesus responds to her request in a way people may be perceived as disrespectful, when in reality Jesus needed to show his mother and his brothers his spiritual position of authority and savior that transcends earthily and family relationships.
***Lets read the story here in:
Matthew 12:46-50
46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Jesus also knew that in the future religious traditions and teachings of man would try to elevate Mary to a place that she was not. Jesus level set this discussion and concept when he said who is my mother? …who is my brothers is? Those who do the will of my father.
You and I are not saved because of who are earthly family are……what can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus……..
It was there at the cross Jesus made provision for his mother. He recognized that moms need children not just to care for but also to be cared by.
John 19:26-27
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
***The 1st point of the Message today: All believers are Children of God, heirs and joint-heirs with Christ
*** Point #2 of the Message this morning: God has not cast off Israel but rather allowed them to fall in order to bring salvation to the Gentiles
Point #3 of the Message this morning. God has a plan for the reconciliation of Israel and you are included in God’s plan.
****Point #4 of the message today: It is okay to ask God questions but we must receive his answers in faith.
***The 5th and Closing point of the message today: God loves it when we pray like a mother.
Anna was in the temple daily serving the lord. Was she a mother? You bet she was. Weather she had children or not she was a mother to everyone who walked in that temple. Most of Anna’s adult life was in the Temple. The bible says she was a prophetess of God 84 years old when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus. We do not know what she ever did before but when Mary and Joseph brought in Jesus to present him to the Lord she became part of the Gospel story recorded in Luke 2.
Luke 2:36-39
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Samuel’s mother, Hanna wanted a son so bad. She was praying in the temple in Judges ———-the old Priest, Eli say get out of here drunk woman….Mothers are often misunderstood. Their actions can be full of emotions particularly when it comes to their children but a mother’s prayer can move heaven. Hanna said I am not drunk I am praying for a baby. Let’s quickly read the story together.
1 Samuel 1:10-18
King James Version
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.
11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth.
13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.
16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
By faith she was praying a mother’s prayer for the mother she would become.
Jesus in Luke 18 uses the example of the prayer of importunity the mother wearing down the unjust judge.
Luke 18:1-9
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
***What is Jesus saying to us today in this passage: Pray Like a mother. Intercede for your family like a Mother. God has put inside each woman the attitude to Mother someone or something.
In Titus Chapter 2 Paul said let the older women teach the younger women…..be a mentor, at any age.
Psalm 68:5
5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
God left the place of Mothers to female humans
***The 1st point of the Message today: All believers are Children of God, heirs and joint-heirs with Christ
*** Point #2 of the Message this morning: God has not cast off Israel but rather allowed them to fall in order to bring salvation to the Gentiles
Point #3 of the Message this morning. God has a plan for the reconciliation of Israel and you are included in God’s plan.
****Point #4 of the message today: It is okay to ask God questions but we must receive his answers in faith.
***The 5th and Closing point of the message today: God loves it when we pray like a mother.