Honor Thy Mother

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This is a sermon preached on Mother's Day 2012. It is based on the Fifth Commandment in Exodus 20:12 and the words of Jesus in Matthew 15:4, and Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians 6:1-3.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

Why do we have Mother’s Day?

Is it really important to have a day that we give an extra effort to honor those who have nurtured us and guided us from birth through childhood and into adulthood? Some would undoubtedly say a resounding, “YES!” Others, of the more skeptical or pessimistic bent, would proclaim, “It’s only another gimmick dreamed up by the greeting card industry and other commercial enterprises to sell more products and make more money.”

Well, I certainly would agree that there are those in our society that have taken advantage of a decent idea, and have reduced it to nothing more than another way to make a dollar. Yet, I for one, believe that it is entirely appropriate for us to set aside a day to give honor to those we affectionately call, “Mom.”

Granted, moms should be honored every day; not just on the second Sunday of May! When God gave Moses the Commandments, and when Jesus reiterated the command, they were not talking about May 13^th (or whatever date the special day may fall on). They were talking about a lifestyle of honor.

During the remainder of our time this morning I want to give some insights regarding the Lord’s command to honor our moms.

I. What does it mean to honor someone?

Well, some of you might remember when I did a series of sermons on the Ten Commandments, I shared some of these thoughts back then when I talked about the 5^th Commandment.

In the O.T. the Hebrew word “honor” literally means, “make heavy; or to make weighty.” The point was that someone that was “weighty” had influence and respect. We often say that some individuals “carry a lot of weight around here.” We simply mean that they have a lot of influence and are highly respected.

So the command to honor our mothers is a command for us to do everything within our power and ability in order to increase the influence and the respect that our mothers have in the neighborhood and the community. This not only applies while we are growing up and still living at home, but it also applies (perhaps even more so) when we are adults living away from our parents.

The NT word for honor has a different emphasis.

(Wuest) In the Ephesians 6 passage (verse 2), the Greek word that is translated “honor” is a word that literally means: “set a price on,” “estimate,” or “value.”  It literally emphasizes the financial worth or value of something and then figuratively refers to dignity or esteem that one deserves.

(Wuest) “To honor someone therefore is to evaluate that person accurately and honestly, and treat him with the deference, respect, reverence, kindness, courtesy, and obedience which his / her station in life or character demands.”

II. How do we teach our children to honor their mothers?

A. By principles and precepts.

That means by explaining to them the kind of things that I have just explained, and then enforcing it.

Part of the problems in our society today stem from the fact that too many parents have allowed their children to view them as their peers and equals rather than their parents. Too many parents have allowed their children to talk to them and treat them as they would some other kid on the block.

I actually have deep respect and fond memories of my parents who would not put up with any disrespect or sass or backtalk from me when I was growing up. (Although I will admit that my memories are much fonder now than they were back in the day…) Today I am grateful for a father who would not tolerate any kind of talk or behavior that disrespected my mother.

B. By modeling appropriate respect in front of our children.

My observation has been that some children treat their mothers as poorly as they do because they are mimicking the treatment she receives from her husband.

Fathers, if you want your children to grow up knowing how to respect and honor their mothers, then you must model that kind of behavior for them. If you want your children to treat their mom like a lady, then you must do it. Like a queen… like a person of value and dignity… then you must do it too.

C. By treating our children with respect.

I have to acknowledge that a big part of the problem in our society today is that so many parents are treating their children so badly the kids have no respect for the parents and cannot find it in their hearts to give kindness, respect or obedience. I am heart-broken over some of the names that parents call their children; some of the abuse that parents give; etc.

I am here to testify that it is possible for parents to exercise control and discipline without demeaning, abusing or insulting the child and causing them to become bitter. My parents did it, and I believe my wife and I succeeded in doing it, and I know a host of other parents who have done it.

Conclusion:

We have a small gift to give out to each of the mothers that are in the service today. After you receive your gift and return to your seats, I would like to offer a special prayer for all our mothers.

At the end of my prayer I want to read a prayer that was written by a woman especially for all those who do not experience great joy on Mother’s Day because of various reasons – abuse from mothers; mothers are deceased; unable to conceive; have a child that is deceased; etc.

Laying a Firm Foundation - Judgment & Mercy

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This sermon is part XII of a series of messages on the Sermon on the Mount. This message is based on Matthew 7:1-6.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

We have been doing a series of messages concerning the Sermon on the Mount. Today we are ready to begin the third and final chapter where Jesus’ sermon is recorded. We are also trying to connect the topics of His sermon with the lesson at the end regarding the wise man and the foolish man.

Today’s topic is judgment and its opposite quality – mercy. Jesus wants us to understand that having mercy and showing mercy is necessary in order for us to build a solid foundation that will help us survive the fiercest storms in life. William Barclay states that when Jesus spoke these words recorded here in verses 1-5 He spoke words that were very familiar to the Jewish people who were listening, for they would have repeatedly heard sayings like this from the Rabbis and teachers in Judea.

As I contemplated these words, I too felt that these might be some of the most familiar words of the Bible. At least, it seems like this phrase “judge not that you be not judged” is quoted almost as often as John 3:16 or some other well-known text. So with the help of the Holy Spirit, I want to explore the meaning of Jesus’ command that introduces the final chapter in this Sermon on the Mount.

As I have read and re-read these verses this week, I think I would characterize this text as the “Golden Rule” in regards to judgment and mercy. Judge others as you would have others to judge you. Be merciful as you would have others to be merciful to you.

Let us analyze these words of Jesus to discover His truth for our spiritual growth and benefit.

I have to admit, that I had a tough time trying to put this passage into some sort of logical outline that could help us remember its message. So, here’s what I’ve come up with.

I.          The Command Against Judging Others

II.         The Reasons for the Command

III.       An Unexpected Application of the Command

I.          The Command Against Judging Others

Jesus says to those listening to His message that they are not to engage in the business of casting judgment on others. The word judge has various uses and applications that stem from its root word. It emphasizes the existence of a divine law and the consequence of retribution and punishment for those who violate the law.

A. Judging others is wrong essentially because it is a task that ultimately belongs to God.

Over and over throughout the Bible, God is portrayed as the righteous Judge who will finally judge everyone without bias or prejudice. Jesus himself stresses the fact that He will judge the wicked and the righteous. (see John 5:18-30) John seems to be emphasizing that Jesus is in fact equal with God because He will be the one that performs the role of judge over the righteous and the wicked.

B. This command does not mean that Christians or disciples of Jesus must condone wicked and ungodly behavior.

There are plenty of other references in the NT that give instructions to the church and believers on how they should handle those in the church that are blatantly disobeying the Word of God. Those who often quote this verse do so because they do not want anyone telling them that they are in violation of God’s law. They want to live their lives as they please without any guilt or condemnation. That may be possible and they might achieve their goal of not having anyone point out their sin. But that doesn’t mean they will avoid the judgment of God in the end.

II.        The Reasons for the Command

A. Judgment given becomes judgment received.

As I stated at the beginning, I believe that Jesus is stressing the Golden Rule in regards to judgment and mercy. (See Matt 7:12) Jesus seems to be telling them that however they treat others will be the way others treat them in return. Those who are hard and harsh toward others will generally receive harsh judgment in return. Those who are kind and merciful toward others will generally receive kindness and mercy in return.

B. We are unqualified to judge.

We are partial, prejudiced and biased, but God isn’t. (John 5:30) We are blinded by our own errors. When we have “beams” in our own eyes, we are completely unqualified to take “splinters” out of anyone else’s eye. In this context Jesus defines hypocrisy as the practice of trying to straighten out the errors of others while ignoring the blatant errors in our own lives. There are a lot of professing Christians that would have far less time to examine the faults of others if they would simply focus on their own faults and failures and seek God’s divine grace and remedy.

III.       An Unexpected Application of the Command

v. 6 – Do not give that which is holy to dogs…  Do not cast pearls to the pigs…

Many writers believe that Jesus may have been speaking about specific holy things such as the emblems of communion. Early church fathers are quoted as applying this quote in guarding the purity of the sacrament of communion.

In any case, the point is obvious that some “judging” and distinguishing must be done in order for His disciples to follow this instruction. I would use another biblical term to describe what Jesus seems to be telling them – they need “discernment.” “When seeking to help another, one must exercise care to do what is most helpful.” (Bible Background Commentary)

The consensus seems to be that some people are simply unable or unfit to receive or understand sacred truth.

(Barclay) “It may be that their minds are shut; it may be that their minds are brutalized and covered over with a film of filth; it may be that they have lived a life which has obscured their ability to see truth; it may be that they are constitutional mockers of all things holy; it may be, as sometimes happens, that we and they have absolutely no common ground on which we can argue.”

Do we then decide that they must be abandoned to their sin and condemned to the judgment of God? No. We can still live a life of Christian holiness and love before them in hopes that their minds will become open.

Conclusion:

If I could summarize the truth of this message today, it would be that we simply need to live like Jesus. We need His tenderness; His mercy; His love.

We also need His righteousness and holiness in our lives. Let’s not worry so much about how others are measuring up; but let’s seek to bring our own lives into alignment and agreement with His teachings and His example.

Let us sing the old hymn: “Oh, to Be Like Thee” 

Laying a Firm Foundation - Confidence [32mb]

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This sermon is part XI of a series of messages on the Sermon on the Mount and is based on Matthew 6:25-34.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

Worry - to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; fret; to be or cause to be anxious or uneasy, especially about something uncertain or potentially dangerous (Dictionary.com)

Worry… is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere. (Source Unknown.)

Worry pulls tomorrow's cloud over today's sunshine.                (C. Swindoll, Questions Christians Ask,  p. 18.)

Worry is wasting today's time to clutter up tomorrow's opportunities with yesterday's troubles.  (Source Unknown.)

Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.      Swedish proverb.

During this series of messages we’ve been talking about laying a foundation for our lives that will provide stability even in the midst of the severest storms or circumstances. Today we are examining the next subject that Jesus presented in His Sermon on the Mount – worry, or its opposite concept – confidence and trust.

Let me start off by giving you the three main points that I wish to discuss in this message.

I.    The Lord forbids His disciples to worry.

II.   The Lord exposes worry with rhetorical questions.

III.  The Lord explains how worry is conquered.

I.    The Lord forbids His disciples to worry.

First of all, let’s talk about what Jesus means and does not mean when He gives the command “do not worry.”

Worry – KJV, “take no thought;” Gk. merimnan, worry anxiously; some older translations (pre-KJV) use the word “careful,” meaning to be full of care.

(Barclay) Jesus is not advocating a shiftless, thriftless, reckless, thoughtless, improvident attitude toward life; he is forbidding a care-worn, worried fear, which takes all the joy out of life.

There are three places in our text where Jesus says, “Do not worry…” (v. 25, 31, 34)

All three occurrences include the word, “therefore;” linking the commands to previous points He had made.

v.25 – therefore, if you are a slave to God and not to money or material possessions (v.24), then do not worry about material possessions.

v.31 – therefore, if God takes care of the animals and the plants (v.30), He will also take care of me.

v.34 – therefore, if your heavenly father knows your needs and your heart is seeking God’s kingdom priorities first (v.32,33), then He will take care of everything else.

II.   The Lord exposes worry with rhetorical questions.

If you remember, a rhetorical question is the kind of question that doesn’t need to be answered because the answer is so obvious. These are the kind of questions Jesus asks His disciples about worry.

A. Is not life more valuable than that which sustains it? (v. 25b)

Some writers believe that this question focuses on the truth that since God has granted life, isn’t it logical to conclude that He will also sustain it?

B. Do not humans have higher value than animals or plants? (vv. 26b, 28a, 30)

There is no way that anyone can agree with the point Jesus is making here and still believe all the propaganda that we are currently being fed in our society about the environment.

There are laws being written these days and regulations being enforced in our nation that explicitly promote the idea that the environment has equal or more value than human beings.

If we have more value, and God takes care of them, will He not take care of us?

This passage of scripture is illustrated beautifully with the song: “Consider the Lilies”

C. Can anxious worry add length to one’s stature (life)? (v.27)

Now here’s a point I can relate to! (Since I'm only 5'4")

“Stature” – this Grk word is also translated “age.” The meaning seems to be “length of life.”

Some writer has pointed out... In relation to one’s life a cubit would be a little measure, but in relation to one’s height, a cubit (18 in) would be a huge addition.

Actually, anxious worry has the opposite effect. Physicians and health researchers repeatedly have told us that worry, anxiety etc will cause adverse consequences to our health. Worry doesn't extend life; it shortens it.

III.  The Lord explains how worry is conquered.

A. Seek first; concentrate upon the kingdom of God. (v.33)

What does that mean?

Romans 14:17 …kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Context is discussion regarding concern for weaker brother.)

In other words, the kingdom is not made up of tangible, material things, but spiritual realities.

v.31-32 Why be so focused on the material needs. When we are, we act like the Greeks (the unbelievers, those who have no faith).

In contrast to those who have no faith, we should demonstrate our faith by seeking His kingdom first and trusting Him for our needs.

When the Psalmist was prone to fret and worry, he remembered what God had already done for him.

Ps.42:6 “O my God, my soul is cast down within me.” And then he goes on: “Therefore I remember thee, from the land of Jordan, and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.”

When he was up against it, he comforted himself in the memory of what God had done. (Barclay)

B. Live one day at a time. (v.34)

There are enough concerns today to occupy our thought without worrying about the future.

Conclusion:

It is impossible for confidence and trust in God to co-exist with anxious worrying. The real solution then, is to take all steps necessary to increase our faith and trust and confidence in God. When we do, then worry will be driven out of our minds and hearts.

This point is illustrated by this story…

 (I had heard this before, but not as it is applied here.)

GETTING RID OF THE RODENT  Years ago, in the pioneer days of aviation, a pilot was making a flight around the world. After he had been gone for some two hours from his last landing field, he heard a noise in his plane, which he recognized as the gnawing of a rat. He realized that while his plane had been on the ground a rat had gotten in. For all he knew the rat could be gnawing through a vital cable or control of the plane. It was a very serious situation. He was both concerned and anxious. At first he did not know what to do. It was two hours back to the landing field from which he had taken off and more than two hours to the next field ahead. Then he remembered that the rat is a rodent. It is not made for the heights; it is made to live on the ground and under the ground. Therefore the pilot began to climb. He went up a thousand feet, then another thousand and another until he was more than twenty thousand feet up. The gnawing ceased. The rat was dead. He could not survive in the atmosphere of those heights. More than two hours later the pilot brought the plane safely to the next landing field and found the dead rat.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, worry is a rodent. It cannot live in the secret place of the Most High. It cannot breathe in the atmosphere made vital by prayer and familiarity with the Scripture. Worry dies when we ascend to the Lord through prayer and His Word.                          -- Clovis Chappell, Questions Jesus Asked

How does one increase in faith? According to Romans 10:17, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Let us conclude the service today by singing a hymn of trust and faith… ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus