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motherhood as a reflection of god Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Sunday Worship Isaiah 49:14-16 May 10th, 2009
INTRODUCTION Preliminary Notes: § God is never called our Mother (like He is called Father). § Both male and female are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This means that the roles of men and women (including mothers) are created in the image or likeness of God. Each role reflects the very nature of God in a partial way. (see Romans 1:20 – God’s attributes in what He made) Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." (27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Romans 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Image bearers were meant to say – “this is somewhat what God is like.” § God is sparingly compared to a mother in the Bible (Duet. 43:11; Psa. 131:2; Isa. 49:31-15; 66:13; Matt. 23:37). § When we look at what is unique to motherhood (bearing and nurturing their own children), we see a reflection of the character of God (His image) in motherhood. § Pondering how motherhood is a reflection of God is helpful to joyful obedience and worship. § The vocation of motherhood is a sweet vocation – calling. § I address mothers, husbands and children (of all ages). § I address human beings to behold God in the Gospel.
3 Ways in Which Motherhood Reflects the Glory of God 1. Bearing Genesis 1:28 – “be fruitful and multiply” – requires mothers bearing children Unique to motherhood is child-bearing (Gen. 3:16). All human life comes through a mother (1 Cor. 11:12 – “so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God”). God is the giver of all life (Acts 17:25; 1 Tim. 6:13). All people come from mothers and “all things come from God” (1 Cor. 11:12). God “brings forth” spiritual life through the Word of God (James 1:18). Bareness in the Bible was a great source of grief to women (1 Sam. 1:4-11; Psa. 113:9). We must always see fruitfulness as a gift. Mothers have the privilege of reflecting the glory of God by bringing life into this world. How can you as a mother glorify God in your actions and attitudes as a child-bearer? 2. Sharing Mothers share of themselves to “nurture” their children. (Nurture = to feed, protect, develop, support, bring up, train) Paul uses motherhood as an example of how he nurtured and shared himself with the church (1 Thess. 2:7-9). Through the Bible God is the One who nurtures his people (feeds -Exod. 16:32; clothed – Gen. 3:21; motherly protection – Exod. 19:14; Deut. 32:11; teaching – Prov. 6:20). Acts 17:25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. We see Jesus doing this in the NT (Matt.23:37 – as a hen gathers her chicks). Mothers have the privilege of reflecting the glory of God by nurturing their children. How can you as a mother glorify God in your actions and attitudes as you share of yourself to nurture your children? 3. Caring - It is possible to share with a uncaring attitude. God refers to mothers in the Scriptures when He speaks of His loving care and compassion. Isaiah 49:13-15 – “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” Isaiah 66:13 – “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” Jer. 31:15 – No one grieves over the bareness or bereavement like a mother. Psalm 131:2 – Dave compares the comfort of a mother’s presence to the comfort of God’s presence. Mothers have the privilege of reflecting the glory of God by their loving care towards their children. How can you as a mother glorify God in your actions and attitudes through caring for your children?
3 Ways in Which Jesus Reflects the Glory of God in Relationship to Motherhood 1. Bearing 1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. 2. Sharing Jesus gave his own life to give us life (as seen above). He shares all things for the nourishment and growth of his children. He gives his Holy Spirit John 16:7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 3. Caring Thank God he cares! He sees us with compassion and has mercy on our souls. His love towards us is unmatchless. Romans 8:34-39 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (36) As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." (37) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (38) For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, (39) nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. He loves us and He is praying for us. |
