The Biblical View of a Good Mother - Part 1 of 2

The Baptist Bible Hour now comes to you under the direction of Elder Lacerre Bradley, Jr. O for a thousand tongues to sing, my great Redeemer's praise! The praise of my God and King, the triumph of his grace!

This is Lacerre Bradley, Jr. inviting you to stay tuned for another message of God's sovereign grace. When we walk with the Lord in the light of his Word, what a glory he sheds on our way! What we do is goodwill, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus. But to trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, but our toil he doth richly repay. Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, but it's best if we trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus. But to trust and obey.

Then in fellowship suite we will sit at his feet, one will walk by his side in the way. What he says we will do, where he sins we will go. Never fear, only trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus.

But to trust and obey. Today we're bringing you the first part of a message entitled, A Biblical View of a Good Mother. This was preached here at Cincinnati Promotive Baptist Church on Mother's Day several years ago. But as we approach Mother's Day this year, I think it is good to be reminded of what a good mother is according to Biblical standards. A good mother, one who is a godly mother, is such a wonderful blessing to her family. And an example by which others can be encouraged to follow in the same path.

Now as we lay out some of the characteristics of a godly mother, somebody may be saying, Well, what about the duties of the father? Now I make some reference to that in this message, but deal with it in depth in another message on that particular subject. With the thinking that is prevalent in our society today, the teaching of scriptures seems to many to be irrelevant and out of step with the times. Sad to say, some Christians become influenced by that liberal thinking, the thinking that is so prevalent in this day.

And they begin to look for ways to sidestep some of the teachings of scripture with which they are not comfortable. Well, I hope that this message will be a blessing to you. We will have the second part on the air next week, but if you would like to get the complete message on CD, request it when writing the Baptist Bible Hour, Box 17037, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217. As you know, today is Mother's Day. It's a special day to honor mothers. If your mother has gone on to be with the Lord, recalling some of the happy days of childhood when you were under her care may stir some very deep emotions.

If your mother is living, it's a good time to express your love and appreciation for her while she's still with you. Now we recognize that not all mothers are good mothers. Some have neglected their duties and set bad examples. Some have shown little affection for their children and some have even abandoned them. But for any of you who feel that your mother failed you, I remind you of the words of the psalmist. When my mother and father forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. So whatever you may have lost, whatever deep hurt you may feel because of a mother who disappointed you in childhood, doesn't mean that your life is ruined.

Even those trials can be used as a means of teaching you, bringing you to greater dependence upon the Lord to find your joy and strength in Him. The dictionary definition of mother is only this, a woman who has given birth to a child. But to be a good mother involves a lot more than just giving birth. So we want today to look at what it means to be a good mother from a biblical perspective. In the book of Proverbs chapter 31, beginning with the 25th verse, Strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praiseth her. Anytime we examine the biblical pattern, whether it's for motherhood, the biblical pattern of what a father ought to be, what a child ought to be, or any disciple of Christ, we can't help but see our shortcomings because none of us have ever met that standard to perfection. But the purpose of my message is not to add burdens to a mother who is already at her stress limit, but to encourage you to think biblically, to get your perspectives in order, and to find the joy of motherhood. I hope that it will help young women think about how they ought to prepare themselves to be a godly mother. If you expect someday to have a godly husband, you want to have your thinking in order according to Scripture, and your conduct such that a godly young man will see you not only as a prospective wife, but as one who will be a godly mother for his children.

I hope that it will help young men give more thought than just physical attractiveness as to what may draw you to a prospective wife. Think about choosing someone who is indeed a godly individual and will then be a godly mother. So as we think about how the Scriptures describe a mother as to what she ought to be, first of all, we note that she has dedicated her life to the Lord. First of all, God's glory is her goal. For some mothers today, they desire to have an ongoing career and really feel that children are an interference and a burden, and feel it's far better to place them in daycare and have no qualms about being separated from them for most of the hours of the day in their young life. Some may think in terms, I want to be a good mother because I want people to be able to look at me and say, wow, there's a woman that really does a great job.

I want to be proud of my children. And so the thought is not God's glory but her own. But God's glory is to be the goal of a godly mother. Since this is the case, she is one who fears the Lord. In this 31st chapter of the book of Proverbs in which we've already read, we find numerous descriptions of what this virtuous woman, this godly woman is to be like. Verse 30 says, favor is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. If a woman fears the Lord, she recognizes the greatness of God. She acknowledges Him as being the creator, the sovereign ruler of heaven and earth, one that is to be worshipped and adored. She recognizes the authority of God. The argument is made today when women try to defend abortion. They say, well, this is my body.

I can do with it what I please. Totally rejecting the idea that God, our creator, has complete authority over us. And according to His holiness, He lays down the rules of what is right and what is wrong.

And it's not our prerogative to say, well, I'm not comfortable with that or I don't see the reason for that, so I reject it. A godly woman recognizes the authority of God. She fears the Lord and so she respects Him and honors Him. Jesus taught us to pray, hallowed be Thy name. And a woman who fears the Lord makes that her prayer.

Lord, may Thy name be praised. As I guide these children, as I think about what a privilege it is to have them under my care, help me above everything else, in every decision that's made, in every action, to remember, I want Thy name honored. In all of her planning and all of her activities, this is her primary concern. This desire supersedes the desire to be accepted or approved. Many godly women today who are seeking to serve the Lord and bring their children along in a godly way, become objects of criticism.

Sometimes it's from family members, sometimes it's from neighbors or friends. But a godly woman says, my concern is not to please everybody around me, because some of the advice that I may be given is totally contrary to scripture. My desire is to please God. God's glory is her goal. God's book is her guide. That's where she turns for the information that she needs.

Hundreds, no doubt thousands of books have been written about motherhood. You can get every conceivable opinion espoused by somebody. But the only authoritative book to which you can turn is that which is given us by divine inspiration. God's holy word. Proverbs chapter 1 verses 7 to 9, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

Where is this knowledge going to come from? Not unbelievers, not the world around you. But because of the fear of the Lord, you're going to respect His word as your guide. But fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father and forsake not the law of thy mother, for they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head and chains about thy neck. Many times young people, particularly in this day, feel like their parents are too strict. That mother has some rules laid down that are totally unnecessary. But God's word says, do not forsake the law of thy mother. God's word is her guide when it comes to the matter of discipline. Sometimes mothers are intimidated in this regard because they read that if you spank your child, it's going to be harmful to them. It's going to disrupt their personal development. But we go again to the word of God. Proverbs 13 verse 24 says, He that spareth his rod hateth his son, but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Betimes means early on. Often mothers are hesitant to spank a little child. Obviously they're precious, you love them, they're cute.

Say, how can I possibly spank this precious little one that I love so much? God's word says, if you don't do it, you hate them. And somebody will say, well, you know, they're so young, they just haven't caught on. Oh yes, they have. They've already learned how to manipulate you.

They just have that inborn talent. They know how to get you to do what they want done. And you are to intervene and make it clear early on, you are in charge. They are not.

You are. And you don't have to be intimidated about taking that position. God has authorized it. He has put you in charge of your children.

They're not the ones who are in charge. God's book being her guide, it's the source of the instruction that she's going to give. Deuteronomy chapter 6 verses 6 and 7. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children. It doesn't mean that you just mention it occasionally.

You're diligent. You teach it to them because it's God's truth, God's word and you want them to know it. Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up. I've actually had parents tell me over the years, I never discussed religion with my children. I thought that was a personal matter between them and God and I didn't want to interfere. Now to some people that may sound very noble, but that is a direct contradiction to what the word of God says. You have the obligation to talk to your children about God and His word. Talk about it when you walk by the way.

When you lie down and when you rise up. In other words, it's to be an integral part of your life on a daily basis. 2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 5, the apostle writing to this young minister says, When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois and thy mother Eunice and I am persuaded that in thee also.

What a blessing. This young man's father was not a believer, but his mother and his grandmother not only were believers, they were faithful women and they taught Timothy that faith that was in them. Not that you can give another person faith, but because of their faith they were diligent in doing what God said they were to do and then leaving the results in God's hands. So in 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 15 Paul then says, And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. There is a lot of trivial information that may be passed on to children and quickly absorbed by children that is of no benefit. Now you might know the batting average of all of the hitters that play for the Cincinnati Reds.

You might know a lot of details about the standings of various teams and there can be a place for that as a hobby on the side. But when it's all said and done, is any of that information of such tremendous value that it's going to bless a young person for their entire life? A lot of information that you could do without. That which God says we are to be teaching our children is of tremendous value throughout life. The only thing that also carries on information and truth about eternity from a child. Think about a child who is exposed to biblical teaching early on. Their little minds are like a sponge.

They can absorb so much. They can learn so much. Verses that they memorize when they are very young.

It sticks with them for a lifetime. Do you take time to talk to your children? To teach them God's Word? Makes them wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. So when we are talking about instruction, we are not talking about just lessons on how to be polite. That's a good one to teach which some young people have obviously missed in this day and time. It's good to talk to them about good manners and how to get along with people and all of those things. But if you are teaching God's Word and teaching them which makes them wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus, you are going to be talking to them about Jesus. A lot of things little folks can't fully grasp.

But it's amazing sometimes as to how much they do. As some of you young folks know, periodically I've been a little fearful that maybe some of the young ones were distracted. Not that that never occurs to older people but I'm maybe a little more reluctant to approach them. But I'll come up to some of these young folks and say, What did I preach on today? And from having observed them in the audience, I thought they wouldn't have any idea whatever.

And they will astound me as to how much they heard, how much they got out of the message. And that's being taught at home. And then sometimes I've seen children that obviously have been taught some things at home and then the preacher gets to preaching on it and they look at mother and the church and say, We know all about that. That's a lesson we've had at home. They like that.

They're hearing it both places. And then you get in the car going home after church and you talk to them then about the message about Jesus Christ. So, since this godly mother is dedicated to the Lord, God's glory is her goal. And God's book is her guide and God's grace is her strength. A godly mother needs strength.

All you mothers here today can relate that there's some time you are just worn out. You just wonder, How can I keep going? Isaiah chapter 40 verse 29, He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might. He increaseth strength. Even the youth shall faint and be weary and the young men shall utterly fall. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint. The strength that you so desperately need, physical strength, mental strength, spiritual strength.

God has promised to give it. One mother wrote to Ann Landers some time ago and said, I'm tired of people who come up to my husband and ask him if his wife has a full time job or if she's just a housewife. Here's my job description. I'm a wife, a mother, a friend, a confidant, personal advisor, lover, referee, peacemaker, housekeeper, laundress, chauffeur, interior decorator, gardener, painter, wallpaper, dog groomer, veterinarian, barber, seamstress, bookkeeper, personal secretary, teacher, disciplinarian, entertainer, nurse, dietitian, baker, chef, fashion coordinator, and the letter writer for both sides of the family. Now when the mother wrote this letter in 1988, she estimated that the cost would be $75,000 a year to replace her.

And I'm sure that by today's standards, the figure would be much higher. Again, to think about all the things that mothers do, you understand why sometimes they get tired. In fact, any of you men that have had the occasion when your wife was sick or for whatever reason you were in charge for a few days, you couldn't wait to go back to your job. You say, this one is tough, it's difficult. But when that commitment is made to the Lord and the discouragements come and there's weariness, you find your strength in the Lord. Philippians 4.13, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry, everything to God in... In considering the biblical view of a good mother, we have noted today that she has dedicated her life to the Lord. So God's glory is her goal. God's book is her guide. And God's grace is her strength. Certainly there are many challenges that a godly mother faces today.

And there can be times when she feels particularly weak and unable to carry the load. But as the apostle said, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. She finds her strength in the Lord to give that wonderful testimony of being a godly mother. I hope that you will write us and until next week at this same time, may the Lord richly bless you all. The Baptist Bible Hour has come to you under the direction of Elder LeSaire Bradley Jr. Address all mail to the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217. That's the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Then we find a friend so faithful, Blue will all our sorrows share. Jesus Christ.