Sermon Tone Analysis

Sermon Text: , and compare

The Mother

MOTHER — the female parent of a household.

In the Hebrew family, the mother occupied a higher position than that enjoyed by women in many other nations.

The mother’s duties were primarily domestic, but she was held in high regard by her family and Hebrew society.

The concept of mother was sometimes used in other, more figurative ways.

Nations were sometimes thought of as mothers.

The prophet Ezekiel used mother as a metaphor for Israel.

After being nurtured and cared for by their “mother,” the “princes of Israel” brought shame upon her by their idolatrous practices ().

(1) A brief history of Mother Day

How Mothers Day Started

Anna M. Jarvis (1864–1948) first suggested the national observance of an annual day honoring all mothers because she had loved her own mother so dearly.

At a memorial service for her mother on May 10, 1908, Miss Jarvis gave a carnation (her mother’s favorite flower) to each person who attended.

Within he next few years, the idea of a day to honor mothers gained popularity, and Mother’s Day was observed in a number of large cities in the U.S. On May 9, 1914, by an act of Congress, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

He established the day as a time for “public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.”

By then it had become customary to wear white carnations to honor departed mothers and red to honor the living, a custom that continues to this day.

Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002).

(3) Others things Mothers may want

They want their children to show RESPECT.

A Chinese proverb says, “Respect for ones parents is the highest duty of civil life.”

says, “Each of you must show respect for your mother and father, and you must always observe my Sabbath days of rest, for I, the Lord, am your God.” (NLT)

Your mother wants your AFFECTION too.

One of my favorite examples of affection in the Bible is in .

Elisha was happy to go, but first he wanted to kiss his parents goodbye.

He wasn’t in such a hurry to get on with the rest of his life that he couldn’t show his mother some affection.

Your mother also wants to know that you LEARNED the things she tried to teach you.

says, “Listen, my child, to what your father teaches you.

Don’t neglect your mother’s teaching.”

(NLT)

Your mother wants you to be WISE.

says, “A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.”

(NLT)

Your mother wants you to show GRATITUDE.

“Some people curse their father and do not thank their mother.”

(NLT)

Finally, your mother wants you to be GODLY.

says, “The father of godly children has cause for joy.

What a pleasure it is to have wise children.

So give your parents joy! May she who gave you birth be happy.”

(NLT)

(2) Mothers use as symbol in Scriptures

“As a mother comforts her son, so I will comfort you, and you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”

(HCSB)

This verse is undoubtedly the greatest compliment Mothers could receive.

When God wanted to use a metaphor to explain the compassion He has for His people, He compared Himself to Mothers.

We meet virtuous women and scandalous ones.

Yet, given those extremes, God chose motherhood as a metaphor for His love and care for His people.

Motherhood is used in Scripture to illustrate the relationship between God and his people, to describe certain aspects of Israel and also to explain the difference between the two covenants.

God’s tender care for his children is like a mother’s

God’s care like that of a mother bird ; pp

God never forgets his children

Becoming a Christian is like birth

The believer trusts God as a weaned child trusts his or her mother See also ;

Israel pictured as a mother

See also ; ; ; ; ,;

Mothers as symbols of the old and new covenants

 Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).

Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).

(4) Mothers must be honored

“Every one of you shall reverence his mother and his father, and you shall keep My sabbaths; I am the Lord your God.” (NASB)

says, “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, And do not forsake your mother’s teaching;” (NASB)

Good mothers are worthy of honor for providing for their children.

says, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.”

(NASB)

(5) The influence of mothers

I. MOTHERS SHOULD INFLUENCE WITH PRAYER, LIKE HANNAH.

1. Hannah was childless; , .

2. Hannah prayed for a child; , .

3. Hannah’s prayer was answered; , .

II.

MOTHERS SHOULD INFLUENCE WITH DEVOTION, LIKE RUTH.

1.

She was devoted to Naomi; , .

2. She gleaned in Boaz’s field; .

3.

She was rewarded for her devotion; , , .

III. MOTHERS SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN THE WORD, LIKE MARY.

1.

She heard the Word at Jesus’ feet; .

2. She chose a good part in loving the Word; .

3.

She saw the Word in action; , .

IV. MOTHERS SHOULD INFLUENCE BY DECISIONS, LIKE REBEKKAH.

1.

Her decision was the right decision; .

2. Her decision proved a blessing; .

3. Her decision was for life; .

V. MOTHERS SHOULD INFLUENCE BY FAITH, LIKE THE QUEEN OF SHEBA.

1. Through faith she heard; .

2. Through faith she came; .

3. Through faith she witnessed; .

VI. MOTHERS SHOULD INFLUENCE WITH AN OPEN HEART, LIKE LYDIA.

1.

Her heart was open to a prayer service; .

2. Her open heart heard the gospel; .

3. Her open heart opened her home; .

VII. MOTHERS SHOULD INFLUENCE IN WORSHIP, LIKE THE WOMAN OF CANAAN.

1.

She worshipped the right person; .

2. She worshipped in a time of need; .

3.

She was rewarded for her worship; .

Billy Apostolon, Preach the Word, Dollar Sermon Library Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1966), 91.

(6) What does the Bible say about Christian mothers?

Several things are commanded of Christian mothers in God’s Word:

Availability—morning, noon, and night ()

Involvement—interacting, discussing, thinking, and processing life together ()

Teaching—the Scriptures and a biblical worldview (; ; )