Mother’s Day,  May 13, 2007 - Sheepfold Ministries - Pastor Phil Roland

A MOTHER WHO FEARS THE LORD

Proverbs 31:10-

“A Godly woman who loves God, her husband and family; who remains loyal to them throughout her life is a priceless treasure.”                       Pastor Phil Roland

I. THE MOTHER WHO FEARS THE LORD SHALL BE PRAISED

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

A.  What does it mean to fear God?

1. The Hebrew word -  "YIR–A" = Tig   =   "An emotional reaction,

     terror, or to be afraid, and to have reverence, a deep respect for God."

2. Exodus 1:17, The midwives feared God and would not kill the

    new born baby boys. In Exodus 1:21 God richly rewarded them.

3. Godly fear is the result of believing in God! When you see who

    God really is it will bring about a godly fear of God.

4. True belief causes a deep reverence and respect of God.

            B. My mother taught me what it was to fear God

                        1. Wrong doing was always swiftly and liberally rewarded

2. She practiced applied psychology to the seat of learning

3. THE IMAGES of MOTHER:
                4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

    8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

    12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite

everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
    16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
    18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
    25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it.
    35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
    45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought

about it?
    65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

            C. From my mother I learned to both revere and to love God

II. THE MOTHER WHO HAS TRULY FOUND CHRIST IS MOTIVATED

          BY A REVERENTIAL FEAR OF GOD.

a. Prov. 31:10 Questions, "Who can find a virtuous woman?"

            1. Women intimidating list of virtues

                        2. Key Verse 30 - The key is Verse 30 -               

3. Putting Jesus Christ First - A  woman, a mother, will be a glory

and praise to God.

4. The mother who fears, reverences and loves God and that

            motivates all she does is a woman of virtue and power.

5. “Virtue” is translated from Hebrew, lig = (KHAH-YIL) –

strength, valiant, virtuous, one of valor, power and strength. . .

                   5. “Virtue” is translated from Greek,dunamis = (DUN-A-MIS)

                        (Septuagint = Greek Old Testament) (Power from within)

                        Eg. The Explosive power of dynamite

C. The mother that fears God will be praised.

III. THE VIRTUOUS MOTHER IS TRUSTED BY HER HUSBAND

A. Earned Trust gained by years of handling responsibility

B. Living a Christ-filled life teaches people you can be trusted

            1. Living a Godly life serves as both a testimony and example

            2. The changing power of Christ

            3. Living a sacrificial life powered by Christ’s love

            C. The Virtuous mother is wise and kind – Verse 26

1. The Source of all Wisdom – Psalm 111:10

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding

have all they that do his commandments: his praise endures for ever."

2. The effects of Finding and Living in God’s Love – 1 Cor. 13:4,5

”Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade

itself, is not puffed up; 5  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own,

is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices

in the truth; 7  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8  Love never fails.”

IV. WORLDLY FAVOR IS DECEITFUL, BEAUTY IS VAIN

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

            A. Living one's live seeking the favor or approval of others.

                        1. Living to impress others

                        2. Fine house, fine clothes, pride of possessions is deceitful

            B. Beauty is vain. The word "vain" means worthless or of no value.

            C. Addictive Behaviors – Cosmetic surgery, Obsessions about weight

                        1. Cosmetic Surgery

                        2. Obsessions about wrinkles and weight

                        3. Obsessions about size and thinness

            D. Godly responses: 1 Timothy 2:9-10

            (Let) “the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and

moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10  but,

which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.”

• Not dressing to advertise sexuality

2.  Ancient prostitutes advertised by wearing immodest clothing

            E. Fearing and Loving God is a Mother’s Life-Long Occupation

A MOTHER WHO FEARS THE LORD, Text:

Proverbs 31:10-31

10  Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

11  The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.

12  She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

13  She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.

14  She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.

15  She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.

16  She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.

17  She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.

18  She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.

19  She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.

20  She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

21  She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

22  She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23  Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

24  She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.

Proverbs 31, cont. . .

25  Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.

26  She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

27  She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

28  Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:

29  "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all."

30  Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

31  Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Your Mother Is Always With You

She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore. She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well. She's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day.

She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow or the quilt on the bed. She is Christmas morning. Your Mother lives inside your laughter, and she's crystallized in every tear drop.

A mother’s love experiences every emotion: happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy. sorrow....and all the while she hopes and prays you will only know the good feelings in life.

She's the place from which you came: your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you from her love, not time, not space...not even death!

MAY WE NEVER TAKE OUR MOTHERS FOR GRANTED!