A Christ-Centered Mother
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
In 1865, William Ross Wallace published a poem originally entitled What Rules the World. That title may not sound familiar, but you may have heard the refrain. The full poem goes like this:
“Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.”
“Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother's first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow—
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.”
“Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.”
“Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky—
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.”
What is clear from this poem is that poet praised motherhood and believed it to a significant force for change in the world.
But then, we live in a day where the title mother has been subverted to “birthing parent” and the notion of mothers actually guiding and training their children is not fashionable. We have come devolved to the point where there are many mothers who were left to their own devices in childhood, and in adulthood, and thus don’t even know how to raise their children were they so inclined.
Transition
Fortunately for us, our Bible has illustrations of good motherhood when our culture fails to produce them.
Illumination
We find such an example in a woman named Dorcas. Her story is found in Acts chapter 9.
A Christ-Centered Mother Finds Her Purpose in Christ
A Christ-Centered Mother Finds Her Purpose in Christ
Most people desire a full life. We know life is supposed to mean something. Though Luke’s description of her is brief, it is still informative.
36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.
Dorcas was a disciple (of Jesus), a follower and student of Christ.
She was a doer.
Her name (Tabitha to her Jewish friends and Dorcas to her Greek friends) means “gazelle” (both names mean gazelle).
Her name seems to have fit her personality...probably bouncing around, doing God’s work, leaping ahead to whatever God put in her path to do.
There are usually two kinds of doers:
The person who adds things to their life in order to make their lives feel fuller. This never works…this busyness will leave you feeling empty
The person who has a full life and adds things to their life in order to share that fulness with others. This always works…this busyness will leave you feeling fuller
When it comes to finding purpose in being a doer for Christ, you must remember that you don’t add Jesus to your life; He must become your life. Dorcas understood this truth: the fullest life is the one most centered on Christ.
A Christ-Centered Mother Finds Her Mission in Christ
A Christ-Centered Mother Finds Her Mission in Christ
37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
This idea of mission is closely related to the idea of purpose. Once Dorcas had died, the people in the church, especially the widows, missed her and had tangible evidence of the things that she did. It was her mission to provide for the needs of others.
A Christ-Centered Mother Finds Her Witness in Christ
A Christ-Centered Mother Finds Her Witness in Christ
The gravitational pull of Dorcas’ life was toward Christ
The people she cared for were a part of, or became a part of, the church in Joppa
The church at Joppa was pulled by her death to summon Peter. It is unclear what they expected him to do, but it is clear they expected him to do something. What was Peter known for? Bold preaching, if nothing else. In her death, she could be a witness for Christ through Peter’s words.
Peter decided that a resurrection was better than a funeral
40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. 43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.
After her resurrection, her witness only intensified and many more people believed on the Lord.
A Christ-Centered Mother Finds Her Hope in Christ
A Christ-Centered Mother Finds Her Hope in Christ
As a result of her own faith, Dorcas' hope for life and living and even dying was in Christ. That hope came to pretty dramatic fruition when she was resurrected. But that drama was consistent with the faith that she already had and the hope it already gave her. I imagine that her faith and resulting hope only increased after her resurrection.
We may not experience resurrection like she did, but God has promised in the Bible that believers will all experience resurrection.
The reality of this faith and hope are clearly seen in how the early church described death: they generally equated death to sleep. Death seems permanent but sleep does not. And for the believer death is not permanent.
Conclusion
In a few short verses, Dorcas illustrated four important principles:
A Christ-Centered Mother finds her Purpose in Christ
A Christ-Centered Mother finds her Mission in Christ
A Christ-Centered Mother finds her Witness in Christ
A Christ-Centered Mother finds her Hope in Christ
If you have listened, or read, our text carefully, you may be wondering how I know Dorcas was a mother when it does not clearly say she was. The truth is, I assume she was, but it doesn’t matter if she was or not.
The reason it doesn’t matter is because the principles her life illustrated apply to ever believer, regardless of their relational title. They apply to Fathers. They apply to Children. They apply to Orphans and those who are childless…they simply apply to all believers.
Just substitute whatever name or title you self-identify with and go!
Application
The people in Dorcas’ life knew of her because of what she had done for them. The challenge for us this week is to do something for someone else because of how much Christ has done for you. There are always opportunities to do…find one and do something for no other reason than blessing as you have been blessed.
Nothing may come of your effort, but that isn’t really the point. And, you never know when something may come of it and a door to share your why will present itself.