The Apostle Paul calls us Jars of Clay (2 Corinthians 4:7). As followers of Jesus we must allow the Word of God to fill us with it's message of Truth and Grace. In this way, we become a "vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21).

Monday, May 15, 2017

Fixing Their Eyes on Jesus - May 14, 2017; Mother’s Day sermon


By Pastor Greg

Little Johnny opened his birthday gift from Gramma.  It was a water pistol!  He squealed with delight and headed for the nearest sink.  His mother was not so pleased.  She turned to Gramma and said, "I'm surprised at you, getting him a water pistol!   Don't you remember how we used to drive you crazy with those?"  Gramma just smiled: "Yes...I remember."
Raising Children is not easy.  Any parent would make that confession.  And it doesn’t help when grandparents make it even harder.  In fact, according to recent statistics, it’s far more challenging to raise a child today than it was in the 70’s and the 80’s. [1]
          Things have changed.  The pressures facing today’s mother is nothing like what parents faced years ago.  Dr. Spock used to be THE prominent authority on raising children.  However, when he wrote his book back in 1946, had no idea what today’s mothers would be facing.  Back in 46, a mother wasn’t fighting alone.  Back in 1946, she had the school on her side, society on her side, and even the government on her side.  But today, if a mother, especially a Christian mother, is trying to raise her child with a sense of morals and decency, she usually is on her own.  Society, in general, is offering no help at all.  If anything, society seems to be working against mothers; trying to undo all that she has done; sometimes teaching her children the exact opposite of what she had been teaching at home.
          Now, these are not my opinions.  Many parents are feeling this frustration.  Today’s Parent asks, “Are we the worst generation of parents ever?”[2]  Now, you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Thanks so much for sharing that Pastor Greg.  While you’re at it, why don’t you give me a nice paper cut and pour lemon juice on it”.  But believe me; I know these statistics are depressing.  They can leave a mother feeling worthless and hopeless.  But hopeless and depressed is not where I want to leave you this morning.
          Have you ever heard the story of Naomi?  She was a widow who lived a long time ago.  At one point, everything was going right in her life.  She was married and had two sons.  And even though the family had to move because of a shortage of food, her two boys met some lovely girls, and they were married.  Sure, they were miles from home, but it just seemed that God was watching over them.  Then tragedy struck the family.  Naomi’s husband dies.  Both her son’s die.  She is left alone.  With nowhere else to turn Naomi decides to go back home to Bethlehem.  The one daughter-in-law goes back to her own family, but the other, Ruth, decides to travel with her mother-in-law.  Ever hear this story?  It’s a remarkable testimony to Naomi’s godly influence.  While facing the death of her family, Naomi apparently demonstrated faith in God; a faith so real that Ruth exclaims “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”[3] (Ruth 1:16-18).  “Your God will be my God.”  Amazing.  I believe Ruth was drawn to God because she saw the Lord living in the heart of Naomi.
          In the darkness, Ruth saw a beacon of light, and it changed her life forever.
          What is a mother to do in today’s society?  How can she overcome the negative influences that bombard her children day and night?  Although a mother does not have society on her side, she does have Christ.  And I believe that regardless of what problems a mother might face, with Christ she becomes a beacon of light.  I believe that a mother has a better chance with Christ in her life than without.  I am convinced of this; no child would be able to miss the stark contrast between a mother whose love reflects Christ and a society which reflects hopelessness, sinfulness, and pain.
          In the darkness, a child can see a beacon of light, and it can change their life forever.

          With Christ in her life, a mother can have a godly influence on her children’s lives.  With Christ, a mother can help her children see beyond this world.  With Christ in her life, a mother can help her children fix their eyes on Jesus and set their minds on the things of God.  If a mother want’s her children to overcome the influences of this world, then she must first “Set (her) mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” [4] (Colossians 3:2).  When a mother allows the life of Christ to fill her, her children will feel the gentle and loving Spirit of God in her embrace; in her tender kiss upon a bruised knee or her soft words spoken to a broken heart.  A mother, who is first filled with Christ, becomes a beacon of light that guides a child toward God, especially while living in a dark and sinful world.
          Is it harder to raise a child today than it was 20 or 30 years ago?  I think we would all agree that it is.  But in spite of this, I see an opportunity for a mother who has Christ in her life to really stand out in today’s society.  Godliness is much easier to see among sinfulness.  The light shines brightest in the darkness.
          To raise a godly child whose faith overcomes the world, a mother must first realize that she needs Jesus.  As John the Apostle reminds us, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” [5] (1 John 5:4-5).  Mother’s, you overcome the influences of this world when you express faith in Jesus Christ.  And you help your children to overcome this world when you assist them to fix their eyes on Jesus, the Author, and Perfecter of their faith.
Now, before I finish, there is something about those statistics that really bother me.  The research indicates that 66% of middle-aged women (age 50-64) say that today’s mothers are doing a worse job at raising children.  And more than two-thirds of white evangelical Christians (68%) say moms are doing a worse job today when compared with mothers 20 or 30 years ago.[6]  Now I’m not saying you are one of those critical middle-aged women who complain about young mothers.  But the research alarms me.  And it just seems to me that instead of sitting back and criticizing young mothers, perhaps a seasoned mother or grandmother could get involved in the lives of younger mothers.  Be an example and an encourager.
It really makes no sense to sit back and criticize.  That’s not what a Christian woman is supposed to do.  In Titus chapter two, Paul says, “teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.” [7] (Titus 2:3-5).  Did you hear that?  Paul says “Teach,” not “criticize.”  He tells the older women to be a beacon of light; to live in a way that honors God.  By doing this, an older woman might forever change the life of a younger woman.
          Mothers, I want to encourage you to not just raise good children, but raise godly children.  And to do this, you’re going to need Jesus.  There’s nothing wrong with admitting that.  Fix your eyes on Jesus first, and then you’ll be better equipped to help your children see Jesus.  And for the rest of us in this place, get involved and help.  Don’t merely criticize; offer helpful advice, godly counsel, and above all fix your eyes on Jesus.  This is the most important things young parents and young children today need from you; to look at you and see Jesus reflected in your words and in your deeds.


[1] https://www.barna.com/research/6-tech-habits-changing-american-home/
[2] https://www.todaysparent.com/family/are-we-the-worst-generation-of-parents/
[3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Ru 1:16–18). Carol Stream, IL
[4] New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Col 3:2). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[5] New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (1 Jn 5:4–5). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[6] http://www.people-press.org/2007/05/02/motherhood-today-tougher-challenges-less-success/
[7] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. (3rd ed.) (Tt 2:3–5). Carol Stream, IL

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