Mothers Honoring The Word Of God

Titus 2:3-5   3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not
slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things -- 4 that they admonish
the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet,
chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God
may not be blasphemed. NKJV

Introduction
No man is poor who has had a godly mother. Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

1. Honor The Word Of God With A Mother's . . Ministry. 2:3

Introduction
How many of you would say your Mother influenced you to become a Christian. How many of you would say your mother was the greatest influence on your young Christian life? I will then rest my case that Mother's enjoy a ministry.

A. Ministry Through . . Conduct That Honors God. 2:3a
3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior,

1. This means the Mother desires to honor God.

2. On ly Time Greek Word used in N.T.

B. Ministry Through . . Conduct That Honors Self. 2:3b
". . . not slanderers, not given to much wine, . . ."

1. Her character creates a respectful woman.

2. She Does not yield to society's pressure to drink.

3. So Sad to see a drunken person, especially a woman.
a. Safest Position is Abstinence

C. Ministry Through . . Conduct That Honors Others. 2:3c
" . . . teachers of good things -- "

1. This mother desires to teach Christian Concepts.

2. This mother desires to live a dedicated life.

ILLUS:
How Unlike Some Today Who Are Willing to Be a Part until the Real Test Begins. Like the Choir Director Who One Day Was Praising His Pianist for Her Sacrifice and Example at Never Missing a Practice for the Upcoming Big Christmas Musical They Were to Perform. The Pianist Replied, "I Thought it Was the Least I Could Do, Considering the Fact That I an Unable to Attend the Performance!" Something Was Missing in this Commitment!

Illustration
Larry Lewis was the pastor of the Tower Grove Baptist Church, President of the Hannibal LaGrange Baptist College, and President of the SBC Home Mission Board, He became a Christian because a lady in the community picked he and some other children up in her car for church, and promised an ice cream cone after church.

Application

Mother Have A Ministry --Honor The Word Of God.

2. Honor The Word Of God With A Mother's . . Motivation. 2:4

A. Motivate Toward The Love Of . . Husbands. 2:4a
4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

        1. A Young Lady might need to be taught about love.

ILLUS:
Sometimes women are overly suspicious of their husbands. When Adam stayed out very late for a few nights, Eve became upset. "You're running around with other women," she charged. "You're being unreasonable," Adam responded. "You're the only woman on earth." The quarrel continued until Adam fell asleep, only to be awakened by someone poking him in the chest. It was Eve. "What do you think you're doing?" Adam demanded. "Counting your ribs," said Eve. - Source Unknown

B. Motivate Toward The Love Of . . Children. 2:4b
4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

        1. It is difficult for me to even think of a mother that does not love her children but today some
             mothers need to learn about love their children.

            ATR said: 65 Years Ago. "Some more interested in Poodles Than Children.

Their statement is saying they do not really have a preference. A parent who would say such a thing in likely not saved themselves. A parents responsibility is to teach their child about their loving God and Creator.... Think would you want to let the world, that is failing in every way....teach your children? If you do not teach them....who will. First a parent must know the Lord themselves in order to teach their children about their Creator.

You cannot teach something you do not know.

ILLUS: When Dr. R.A. Torrey was a young man, he had no faith in God or the Bible. His mother, however, was a devout Christian who constantly prayed for his conversion and often witnessed to him. One day he said to her, "I don't want to hear about my sins and your prayers; I'm going to leave and not bother you any more." With tear-filled eyes the woman followed him to the gate and pleaded with him to change his mind. But he would not be detained.

Frantically she cried, "Son, you are going the wrong way, but when you come to the end of your rope and everything seems hopeless, call upon your mother's God with all your heart and He will surely help you!" After Torrey left home, he went deeper into the ways of sin. One night in a hotel room he was unable to sleep. Weary from the problems pressing in on every hand, he decided to take the gun he kept in his dresser and end his life. Just as he reached for the weapon, he remembered his mother's last words. Convicted by the Holy Spirit, he fell on his knees and cried out, "O God of my mother, if there is such a Being, I need Your help. If You will give it to me, I'll follow You!" In a moment his darkened heart was illumined, and peace filled his soul. Later R.A. Torrey became an outstanding evangelist who led thousands to Christ! Are you discouraged because your children or teenagers aren't interested in the things of the Lord? Keep praying for them, loving them, and living a consistent life before them. Never underestimate the power of parental witness! -- Source Unknown

How long do you teach your children? All Of Your Life.

ILLUS:
One pastor wrote. As we began to pastor our first church, my wife, Lori, and I found we were going to have a third child. Several weeks later, Lori was going through her clothes, which no longer fit. Watching her, our 5-year-old son asked, "Mom, now that you're going to have a baby, are you going to have to wear 'eternity' clothes?" -- Rev. Bill McKibben, Woodlake, Cal. "Kids of the Kingdom," Christian Reader.

Application

Mothers Have A Motivation To Teach and Be godly -- Honor The Word Of God

3. Honor The Word Of God With A Mother's . . Mannerisms. 2:5
5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

A. The Manners Of . . Sensibleness. 2:5a
5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

        1. This represents sensible thoughts and actions.

        2. This represents wise thoughts and actions.

B. The Manners Of . . Purity. 2:5b
5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

        1. This refers to personal purity.

        2. This refers to personal goodness.

        3. This refers to Good Housekeeping.            
                a. Cleanliness is next to godliness.

ILLUS: Too many times women are made to feel that they should apologize for being mothers and housewives. In reality, such roles can be noble callings. When I was on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania, there were gatherings from time to time to which faculty members brought their spouses. Inevitably, some woman lawyer or sociologist would confront my wife with the question, "And what is it that you do, my dear?"

My wife, who is one of the most brilliantly articulate individuals I know, had a great response: "I am socializing two homo sapiens in the dominant values of the Judeo-Christian tradition in order that they might be instruments for the transformation of the social order. "And what is it that you do?" the other person's "A lawyer" just wasn't that overpowering. -- Anthony Campolo, The Power Delusion -- James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 380.

ILLUS:
When the will of Henry J. Heinz, wealthy distributor of the famous "57 Varieties" line, was read, it was found to contain the following confession:

"Looking forward to the time when my earthly career will end, I desire to set forth at the very beginning of this will, as the most important item in it, a confession of my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I also desire to bear witness to the fact that throughout my life, in which there were unusual joys and sorrows, I have been wonderfully sustained by my faith in God through Jesus Christ. This legacy was left me by my consecrated mother, a woman of strong faith, and to it I attribute any success I have attained." -- James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 381.

C. The Manners Of . . Submission. 2:5c
5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

        1. Help Your Man Be A Man.            
                a. A leader, A Man of authority.

MacArthur
Paul applied it first to the wife. The command is unqualified, applying to every Christian wife, no matter what her own abilities, education, knowledge of Scripture, spiritual maturity, or any other qualifications might be in relation to those of her husband. The submission is not the husband's to command but for the wife to willingly and lovingly offer.

ILLUS: A golden anniversary party was thrown for an elderly couple. The husband was moved by the occasion and wanted to tell his wife just how he felt about her. She was very hard of hearing, however, and often misunderstood what he said. With many family members and friends gathered around, he toasted her: "My dear wife, after fifty years I've found you tried and true!" Everyone smiled approval, but his wife said, "Eh?" He repeated louder, "AFTER FIFTY YEARS I'VE FOUND YOU TRIED AND TRUE!" His wife harumped and shot back, "Well, let me tell you something--after fifty years I'm tired of you, too!" -- James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 333.

D. The Manners Of . . Success. 2:5c
5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

MacArthur
When Christians claim to believe God's Word but do not obey it, the Word is dishonored. Many have mocked God and His truth because of the sinful behavior of those who claim to be Christians. Cf. Matt. 5:16; 1 Pet. 2:9.

        1. Christian Mother You can bring great honor to the Word of God, Or cause it to be
            blasphemed.       

Mothers Honoring The Word Of God