Mother's Day

I want to invite you to open your bibles with me to genesis chapter 1.

I want to give due attention today to honoring not only the moms, but all the women in our midst. Pastoring sometimes require us to be aware of struggles many have within our midst who have and are struggling through heartbreaking years of infertility, and then coming to church on Mother’s Day is never easy for families with that struggle. To be honest, I know I’ve talked to many couples who would say emotionally, they would almost want to avoid the day altogether. I don’t want any woman—or man, for that matter—to ever think that way about any day gathering together with the church. Mother’s Day is obviously a joyful day in many ways, but it’s also a hard day for many people and I always want to be sensitive to that. This morning I want to honor all women. And my hope is that by the time we get to the end of the message today, youn would be encouraged to see yourself in a different way. In all honesty, the way the Bible talks about womanhood is so different from the way the world around us today talks about womanhood. And especially with men too, there’s this perception to how a man should be, and a woman should be in this world. When I think of messages like this, I always like asking this question, who his greater, man or woman? And the answer is this, man is far more superior than a woman, at being a man. And a woman is far more superior than a man, at being a woman. And its true, God has created man and woman in his image, to reflect his glory, and his mercy and his grace, in unique ways, that are specific to their genders. And that is the beauty of what we see in Genesis chapter 1.

Look with me… Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the sea and over the birds of heaven, and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on earth. So, God created man in his own image, and in the image of God, he created him; male and female he created them. When I read this verse, one of the very first things that I am usually zeroed in on the fact that God uses this word created, three times. It’s this Hebrew word Called, Bara… it means to be shaped and created. It’s as if, God is making a point here. He created, he created, he created them.. So I hope you hear and understand what the texts is saying… you’ve been a shaped and created by God. Think about the Psalms for a moment.. Pslam 139 verse 13 says, For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. So we ask, For what purpose? And why? I think that’s one of the most amazing questions in life… why was I created. Well, in the midst of this creation, you’ve been created in the very image of God. And the word says, he blessed them. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you as a woman, you are a blessing. Not as an hindrance. You’re not a created being, that has no calling or purpose or part in God's divine plan.. you’re been created and noted and you are a blessing.

And so, the first stop on our journey today is for us to know this: You are uniquely honored, blessed and created in the very image of God. You’re honored , blessed and created in the image of God. And that’s such an important point to make to all women listening today because that means theres an identity that has been created within your image as a woman, that is valuable, and honored, and loved, and cherished. You’re dignified. You deserve a place of honor. And lets just take a moment to let that sink in… You’re not dignified by what the world says about you as a woman. You’re dignity is not dependent upon your career, or martial status or any other woman's or mans opinion - and even your own opinion for that matter. Because lets be honest, our own opinion of ourselves can be harsh and untrue. Right? could it be possible….. that you do not see yourself as a honored woman of God? I would say, yes. It is possible. Theres so many perspectives out there in this world trying and competing for your attention, and often times we can believe what others say…. But the truth from God’s perspective is that, you are created by God , and God says, you are to be blessed because of the image you bear. Because you are made, in his image. In the very image of God, who created you.

What a blessing that is to know. And, yet I am saddened. Because I know this world has such a horrible thought, and image of what a woman should be, and shouldn’t be. The world goes to so much effort to make you believe that you’re only worth something if you’re physically beautiful, and our culture is screaming in thousands of ways, buy this and do that to enhance your image. Thousands of dollars and thousands of hours by businesses and the entertainment industry go into making sure they convince woman of all ages their need for esteem and fulfillment and significance is to look and feel a certain way. Just a year or so ago, I remember watching the national news and Miss USA resigned her position because they were subjecting her to things that were against her own morals and standards. And SO the world says, physical beauty is to be honored, or promiscuousness is desired. And when you’re neither of those things, the world would claim that you are undesirable. But that has nothing to do with what Gods word says about women.. God’s word in proverbs 31 lays out this amazing, I dunno.. Maybe road map… or glimpse, or maybe encouragement to live up to about a Woman's image that is honoring, and loving and cherishing, and faithful.. and the weird thing, is that in this proverb for women, it mentions nothing about beauty. I’ve asked one of our women to come up and read for us these verses… and I would like for all of us, even men, to Listen to what this proverbs says that a good honorable woman looks like. Have Mary Read:

Thank You Mary. So many great things. But yet, nothing about physical beauty. but we do read She about being a good cook, Amen, right? and a good manager of her home, and how wonderful she is with being a good wife. She’s a homemaker, and cares for her kids, She gets up before everyone, and never lets the lamp burn out, and she’s confident and humble, and a servant leader. She’s strong, and even a good business woman, making deals and buying property for the benefit of her family. And on top of all of that.. she’s compassionate, and gives to the poor. Doesn’t this woman sound like wonder woman? Like when I read this I go, man, this woman must be a super woman. Like who can compete with a woman like that? Or most would say, she’s all that and a bag of potato chips?… hahaha… But heres the thing.. I can only imagine, a woman, reading or hearing this list of what a good, and godly christlike woman who’s made in the image of God, and blessed and honored is to be like, and thinking, how perfect this woman is…. And then I would read or listen to that and go, how in the world is that possible for me. There is no way I can be like that. And think about it, you can read this passage and be more discouraged or tempted to say, I will never become worthy of being a godly woman, because the requirements are impossible. And then, I think of the men listening and reading it… because. single men can look upon this verse and have almost an unrealistic perception on what a woman should be like. So, On one hand, you may have a woman saying I can never be that kind of perfect woman, and on the other hand, have a man saying, “I want to find a wife whose perfect like that. And so it’s like you have two people so far apart because they both are looking in the wrong direction for love. One feels unequipped and not enough, and another setting a high standard that could be unachievable, and both looking in the wrong direction for identity. Then I think of married men and woman.. On one hand, a married woman can look at all of those characteristics and go, “I don’t even know how that is even possible.” I think of Alicia saying…. I have three kids, and two dogs, and 9 ducks, 16 chickens and four ungodly looking turkens to care for, and on top of that, I have a husband and three teenagers to care for. How in the world do I find time to be this woman? Sometimes she might not get to all the laundry, or cleaning, or anything.. and maybe sometimes she may go, “I feel like I’m failing as a wife.” Where would I even begin?, so that I too can be a proverbs 31 perfect wonder woman? I just wonder if married women would read this and say, I feel like its impossible in todays culture. Especially for woman that work to provide a second income for the family. And then on the other hand, married men can so easily look upon this verse and say, “I wish my wife was like that. I wish she was this perfect woman who loved me and our family just like this woman in proverbs 31. And the truth to whether or not your single or married, man or woman, … we know all, that both of these circumstances of being single or married are actually an unhealthy responses to this picture of womanhood in God’s word. Because this proverb isn’t about a woman pursing perfection and a man seeking a woman that’s living in perfection, as much as its about giving us a picture of what we often lack when it comes to perfection. Right? We’re not perfect people. Amen? Maybe someone needs to hear that. Regardless of what you think.. no one is perfect. So Listen, you are imperfect. You have sinned against God. Paul tells us in Romans, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, There’s an imperfection in your life. There’s an marred identity that you have been born with. Its called original sin. And sin not only clouds and hinders, and subjects us to imperfections within our identity that we have in Christ, but it also, makes us feel lost in who we are. And because of this sin, you are separated from God as a result. Men and woman alike, you are imperfect, and God in his infinite perfect love is pursuing you. Like a husband pursues a wife, Christ loves and pursues the church. And I always find it amazing that Jesus never seeks the perfect bride at first, have you ever thought about that? IN all of his glory, and majesty and royalty as our King, he seeks a bride, and he doesn’t seek physical beauty, or what the world says to seek, he seeks the most imperfect bride to begin a relationship with. It’s like he looks to his bride and says, its not who you are now, but who you will become when we are together. Look at what Paul says, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Did you catch that? Christ 'gave himself up for her' - He initiated the relationship with His sacrifice. He cleanses us, washes us, transforms us. The church starts imperfect but becomes radiant and blameless through His love. That's the beauty of the gospel - He doesn't wait for us to clean ourselves up. He meets us in our mess and makes us beautiful. And To think, Christs loves me… in my imperfections, and he pursues me with all my quirks and shortcomings and failures. He loves me. That encourages me. Jesus calls me to himself. And I become a part of the church which is made up of imperfect men and woman seeking a perfect Christ together. That’s why Jesus went too the cross. Perfection needed to start somewhere. And it begins with the love that was shown by Jesus on the cross’s and us coming to him by faith. Friends, our imperfections are made perfect in Christ who becomes the author and perfecter of our faith. Isn’t that what hebrews teaches us? Hebrews 12:2 says, ” fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Right, so when we read proverbs 31, it’s ok to recognize your imperfection. I think its a very core part of our salvation.. realizing that we have flaws. As follower and lovers of Christ, we don’t look to Christ and go, Man, I’m so discouraged by His perfection. No, we’re encouraged! Thats what we desire as holy people… we say boldly, we treasure Christ. We don’t go, I will never be like Jesus… No, we look to Christ and we go, each day, I pursue less of me, and more of him in my life. Im going to live this day presenting myself as a Holy sacrifice. And so what I’m saying is this, we’re not perfect, but were being perfected in Christ. It’s a journey that requires a relationship. We come along side of Paul and say, If there is any good in me its Christ in me. And so, I guess what I am saying is this.. proverbs 31 isn’t about what you do to be a perfect woman, but who you look to who’s perfecting you from the inside out. And so ladies, who are you looking to? Y0ou’re husband? Your children? Other women? The world? Or to Christ, the living word who is the perfecter of your faith?

Now, For you men.. Can I just side step here and say something to you… I know were here to honor women today, but I just want to mention you for a moment. I don’t want you to listen or read proverbs 31 and go.. yeah, you need to be this christlike wonder woman… because proverbs 31 isn’t a Scripture just for women, but for men as well. Its true… why would this be in the Bible? Not just for woman’s Bible study or retreats…. This proverbs is for men as well. This proverb should enougrage you to say, I want to lead my wife and nurture her into being a christlike wife, or woman like that. And I think its so easy for men to read something like proverbs 31 and say things like, well hunny, you better get to work, because you are far form being a proverbs 31 woman. And that kind of language is not God honoring, nor is it woman honoring.Men, do you know what the Bible says about nurturing your wife??? It says, in I peter 3:7, to show honor to your wife? You are to honor your wife. I try to stay away from language that dishonors Alicia. Things like, she’s my old ball and chain. As if my life would be any better without being tied down to her.. no! Without her I wouldn’t be complete. She competes me, because through Christ, and sin Christ, we have been married to become one. Think about it… I chose to be married to her as she chose to be married to me. When Paul says, ”Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, Right off the bat, what is required? love is. And I’m not talking about the lustful love where its conditional. I’m talking about the agape love. The unconditional love only available through Jesus Christ. Why are you called to love your wife and Christ loved the church. Because Christ is going to verse 26, 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. I love this language. A husband that honors his wife, loves her as Christ would, and then seeks to point her to Christ. You’re role as a husband is to point her to Christ. SO when you see her imperfections, its not to be used as fuel to win arguments, but her imperfection are to be a means to desire to love her in such a way that you lead her to Christ in a lovingly way. And young men.. those of you unmarried. You’re role at this moment is not to find a perfect proverbs 31 woman, or even to find a woman and begin leading her.. you’re role right now, is to keep pursuing Christ yourself. You will never lead a woman if you’re not being led by Christ first.

My other favorite part about this verse is this, Jesus presents her to himself as a radiant church. Get this.. She’s a part of the body of the church. Gods words doesn’t give a woman any less honor than man. Both are made in the image of God, but yet, both must pursue Christ together. And its only through this pursuing Christ together, is when a couple can truly love one another…

Thats the church. Listen, you and I can never truly love one another unless we come to church pursing, and worshipping, and adoring Christ together. Because holiness isn’t rules and regulations, its relationship. Holiness is lived out within the body of Christ where the imperfect body of Christ worships a perfect Christ together. But Look at what Paul says, verse 28, Why do we love Christ together? 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Did you hear that? husbands if you’re looking to love yourself, it begins by loving Christ, which in turn, he gives you the ability to love your wife. Remember, Hebrews 12 says, Let us keep looking to Jesus. And so men, don't stop looking to Jesus. Make Him your prize... Make Him your desire. When you treasure Christ above all else, you'll find the capacity to love your wife the way Christ loves the church - imperfections and all.

I want to end todays message by leading you ladies with three applications to becoming a proverbs 31 woman… The first one is this: Choose God’s ways at every opportunity. What I love about this is that it requires a person to walk in God presence. In the book of 1 John 1:7, we read, "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” Its looking to Jesus, trusting him and walking with him. Thats faith. Faith is stepping out into the unknown and trusting God. Even in those moments when you recognize your imperfections, remember that grace is sufficient for you. Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” This verse requires a two step process. Our part is to stop and acknowledge God along the way, and His part is to direct our paths. Its the same with Peter walking on water. His part was to keep his eyes on Jesus. That’s it. The waves, and the impossibilities around him, that was Jesus job to direct the path so that Peter could make it to him. The only thing Peter needed to do, was keep his eyes on Jesus.

Secondly, Commit yourself to God daily. Our devotion to God is strengthened when we offer Him a fresh commitment each day. I try to make it a habit to begin my day by laying my hand on my heart while in bed before I get out and saying, God, you’re welcomed here today. I learned that from another pastor friend of mine. A mentor of mine. Each morning what I’m doing is this, Im giving my life to God. I challenge you to do this. And heres the thing…. I guarantee it, it will be hard for you. For years you have taught yourself to lay in bed, dreading getting up, thinking about work and what the day holds, getting up and doing your routines… I guarantee it, it will be a hard habit to break. But what if you began each day by laying in bed and saying, God you’re welcome here. Today is going to be a day full of blessing and opportunity. I will bring you’re joy to others. Nurture the habit of placing the day before the Lord, and saying, it’s yours, place the things in your life in God’s loving hands to do with them what He will. Andrew Murray was helpful to me when we wrote those words: “God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.”

Lastly, Cultivate a hot heart of burning affection for God. A godly woman pursues to have a heart burning with adoration and affection for God. One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the Emaous road encounter. The woman came back and said Jesus has risen, and they didn’t believe. The men came back and said, he was not there, and they didn’t believe. There hearts were cold and Luke warm to the good news of the resurrection. And so, They were indifferent and unemotional to what what being said to them. So they turned and walked away. And in this walking away, Jesus comes up and walks with them but yet hey do not recognize him. A heart that is cold and even Luke warm wont recognize the presence of God. Ands, what these two people were doing was practicing self belief. They were not Christ centered. They had fallen into the trap that we all fall into sometimes.. A self centered hope. And so, Jesus comes up and begins telling them in the word of God, that points to him… Many times thats what needs to happen to many of us, to have a heart burning for affection for Christ, we need to be pointed to Christ by others seeking Christ. Because, listen, becoming holy as Christ is Holy can only go as far as we’re willing to surrender and focus on Jesus Christ. They were not making much of Jesus. And when they started to focus on Jesus.. they said to one another.. Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us? And did you know where they went? Back to the church. Back to the group, the body of Christ. I wanna believe, that when Jesus broke bread with them, he was reminding them of the body. You need to be with the body. You need to be with you’re brothers and sisters so that this affection can be fanned into flames… and it was… when they arrived, they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”

And so, fanning into flames the faith and hope we have is first centered on Jesus, and then fanned by being in assembly together, where we encourage one another.

I pray, ladies, center yourself on Christ. Make much of being a part of the body of Christ. And become a woman, that is after God’s heart. And thats where you’ll find perfection. Amen? *