Rev. David Holwick R MOTHER'S DAY
First Baptist Church
West Lafayette, Ohio
May 8, 1988
Isaiah 49:15
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I. Illustrations of motherhood.
A. Example of a horrible, abusive mother.
1) Darlwin Carlisle locked in attic of abandoned building by mom.
Found by construction workers after 5 days. (Jan 1988)
Frost-bitten legs amputated.
More concerned about fate of mother than own condition.
(Mother: Darlwin Britt)
B. Example of a woman who is godly, but childless.
1) Sylvia Van Regenmorter hated Mother's Day services.
Sermons from Psalm 127:3 - "Lo, children are a heritage of
the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
"A child is a climax to a good and perfect marriage - God's
reward," said the pastor.
Childless feel inadequate.
Well-meaning but hurting remarks.
a. "It's about time."
b. "It's not Mother's Day for you. You're not a mom."
1 in 5 couples cannot have children.
Children are a blessing, but lacking them is not a curse.
Bible examples of godly childless couples:
Hannah, Zechariah and Mary.
Adopted two children, Sylvia loved them as a mother.
Later, they had a daughter. (Only 5% do)
II. Ideal of Christian motherhood.
A. Not just having children.
B. Consists of loving children.
III. Aspects of Christian motherhood.
A. Accept children as gift (and responsibility) from God.
B. Love children unconditionally.
1) Sarah - "You love me, but not when me whiny."
2) Better - "We love you always. Now stop whining."
C. Teach them the faith of Jesus.
1) Mothers are always an important spiritual influence.
a) For good - Jean Stewart's mom.
b) For bad - example of godless mother.
2) Mothers are the ones who nuture.
3) Mothers teach spiritual lessons about God no one else can.
IV. Excesses of feminist movement.
A. God:
1) God turned into neuter, "Parent."
2) De-sexed Bible.
a) NCC lectionary.
Phil 2:11 "Every tongue should confess that Jesus
Christ is Sovereign, to the glory of
God the Father [and Mother]."
b) Lord's Prayer.
"Our Father and Mother, who art in heaven..."
3) De-sexed baptism service.
(George Williamson) "I baptize you in the name of the
Parent, the Child and the divine force."
B. Jesus:
1) Jesus turned into neuter, "child of God."
2) Feminist crucifix - Jesus with breasts.
C. It is really an attempt to produce a new religion.
V. True Biblical teaching.
A. God has a maternal side.
1) Covers us with wings, like a mother bird. (Ps 17:8)
2) Comforts us like a mother. (Isa 49:15)
3) Wipes away tears as a mother does. (Rev 7:17)
4) He is compared to a woman cleaning house. (Luke 15:8-10)
B. Women, not just men, are in God's image. (Gen 1:27)
1) Mothers are somehow like God.
2) God must be somehow like a mother.
C. The maternal side of God is reflected in:
1) His nurturing.
2) His unconditional love.
3) His gentleness.
4) His acceptance of us.
D. Appreciating the maternal aspects avoids depreciating the paternal
ones.
1) Roman Catholics - the Father is stern, so go to Mary.
2) The Bible teaches God goes beyond maleness:
a) God is a sexless spirit.
b) However, male language conveys eternal truth about Him.
VI. All Christians should model and seek this side of God.
A. Example of Christian foster parents:
1) Deborah Detering.
Abused foster kid.
"God is not like a human mother or father.
- We are inadequate examples.
But we can strive to be like God."
B. How could you be more like your heavenly Father?
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