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The rare beauty of gospel-adorned mothers Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Mother's Day Worship Service 1 Peter 1:3-4; 1 Timothy 1:11 May 8th, 2011
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear-- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. (1 Peter 3:1-4 ESV) Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. (Titus 2:3-5 ESV) Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with 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. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: (Proverbs 31:25-28 ESV)
INTRODUCTION This sermon is different than a normal sermon based on one main passage of Scripture. I am addressing mothers directly, especially mothers with kids in the home – which we have many. However, this sermon is for all mothers, fathers…people. This is what I want to do this morning:
This rare beauty is important for mothers, but is not unique to mothers or woman…
MOTHERHOOD There is a lot to say about mothers and motherhood. I want to talk about what the Bible says about the calling of mother, the nature of this calling and the impact of the calling.
Motherhood is a calling of a wife to help her husband bring up their kids in the nurture and discipline of the Lord. Calling = vocation: by God rooted in the creation mandates. Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. (Genesis 2:18-20 ESV) Calling to help her husband: “I will make him a helper fit for him.” He is given the calling to be fruitful and multiply. Ephesians 6:4 – He is called to bring up his children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Exceptions to this: · Single mothers (out of wedlock pregnancy, divorce, death, separations) · Affect of sin in this world (not necessarily the direct sin of the woman) · God gives grace to single women as they take up the responsibility to raise the kids in the Lord.
Mothers are called as helpers – this usually includes much of the mundane, daily, “non-spiritual feeling” stuff of life. We must not think of “helper” as a degraded and less in value role. This is a title given to the Holy Spirit. It is true that usually the helper is in a place of less recognition and more gritty work – This is true of the Holy Spirit in the fact that He is also seeking the glory of another – the Father and Son. But the nature of motherhood is servant-hood. This is not to say that husbands are not called to serve. In fact, their authority and leadership should be characterized in Christ-like sacrifice and service. They are also called to serve and HELP their wives. But mother are put into a role that has the unique challenge of being behind the scenes in the nitty-gritty of life. This isn’t just cultural. Paul instructs Titus: Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. (Titus 2:3-5 ESV) Motherhood is hard. It is filled with loneliness, hard work, dirty work, daily work, futile-feeling work, unimportant-feeling work, worldly-culture attacking work, but noble, intelligent, meaningful work.
Proverbs 22 The call to helping in the daily and mundane is a massive part of the upbringing of future men and women. The impact of mothers is massive. They are shaping a culture and attitude in the home that cannot be measured. One way or another they are shaping their kids. They are shaping them in healthy ways or distorted and sick ways.
THE RARE BEAUTY OF MOTHERHOOD With this in mind I want to challenge and encourage mothers to a rare beauty that is commended in Scripture. This is meant to bring great encouragement because it is grace not burden.
What it is not:
All attributes that are important but may still lack this rare beauty What it is: JOYFUL CONTENTMENT IN GOD 1 Peter 3:3 – “quiet spirit” Philippians – Joy, rejoicing evermore, learned to be content “If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy” I am talking about joy, gladness, happiness that is far beyond a personality trait or circumstances that are good. Have you seen this before? A glad heart! This type of person is refreshing, encouraging, and fruitful. Advice from the Pipers to Molly.
Where it is not found? · In outward circumstances – good times and success · Schedules and organization · Husbands · Obedient children · Breaks – me-time · Career opportunities Where it is found? IN THE RICH MOUNTAINS OF THE GOSPEL OF GOD. It is found in the gospel! Sounds kind of like a Christian answer but it is so true. However, I think we often miss a very important point of the Gospel of God. The Gospel is the reality that God saves us from our sin, contrary to what we deserve, because of Jesus. The Gospel says that that we have been adopted as Children of God and that means He is our Father. The Gospel says that God is for us. The Gospel says so much more. in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. (1 Timothy 1:11 ESV) “The happy God” The gladness of God.
Moms who are in Christ – do you know that God is really happy with you? In many cases we don’t think of it this way. We think God is irritated and we have to keep towing the line or else he will get really angry.
God is a happy God and He is happy with us!
There is more gladness in God and it is towards us than we could ever imagine. He is our Father. When we come to Him his face lights up! He is for us! This is absolutely liberated. This is the only true source of lasting joy and contentment for mothers, fathers, people.
CONCLUSION We are commanded to be glad in God. We are commanded to be happy. Psalm 37 Here and receive this Gospel of grace! Ecclesiastes 9
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