Introduction:

   At this time, we wish to honor mothers.  Our topic is entitled:  “The influence of Mothers.”  Speaking of mothers:   

My mother taught me LOGIC – like, “If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can’t go to the store with me.” 

My mother taught me about HEALTH – like, “If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they’re going to freeze that way.” 

My mother taught me ESP – like, “Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold?” 

My mother taught me TO MEET A CHALLENGE – like, “Where’s your brother and don’t talk with food in your mouth.  Answer me!” 

My mother taught me HUMOR – like, “When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.” 

My mother taught me to HEED ADVISE – like, “Don’t go swimming until you learn how to swim.   

Why, my mother even taught me to PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES – like, “Be sure to put on clean underwear, just in case you are in an accident.  

   Seriously, prominent men of history have acknowledged the significance of motherhood.   

   Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States, readily acknowledged, “All that I am and can ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” 

   Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American writer of the 19^th Century, wrote, “Men are what their mothers make them.” 

   Napoleon Bonaparte, who conquered most of Europe some two centuries ago, admitted, “The destiny of the child is always the work of the mother.”  

   Of course, there are other influences upon us other than our mothers; but surely, the influence of our mothers is great!  The first mother was called “Eve” because she was the mother of all living.  The Bible has much to say about the responsibilities and rewards of motherhood. 

   A very vivid description of a good woman as a wife and mother is found at:  Proverb 31:10-31. 

Discussion: 

I.                   MARRIAGE AND HAVING CHILDERN IS GOD’S WILL FOR THE HUMAN RACE.

A.     To the first man and woman here upon earth, God instructed them to, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth,…” (Gen. 1:28).

1.      Their first three children were sons – Cain, Abel and Seth.  And the scripture reveals at Genesis 5:4 that they had other sons and daughters. 

B.    In the New Testament at First Timothy 5:14-15, “I will therefore that younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.  For some are already turned aside after Satan.”

                     1. But someone may say, “But that passage refers to young widows!” -- This is true; however, the principle involves young women in general.

2.      There is another passage that definitely refers to young women in general. 

At Titus 2:4-5, instructions are given to older women to “…teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands that the word of God be not blasphemed.” 

II.                BUT NOT ALL WOMEN DESIRE TO HAVE CHILDREN.

A.     Some social butterflies do not want to be bothered with having and raising children.

1.      Some of these women are afraid that their figures will be “hurt” if they do have children.

2.      Still others postpone having children.  There is the possibility that they may wait until it is too late for them to physically have a child. 

B.     Just being a biological mother has not completed their responsibility.

1.      Some mothers and fathers have actually abused their children.  There have been some parents who have actually murdered their children. 

C.     Many young ladies look forward to a career in the business world rather than to bearing and rearing children. 

III.             BUT THANKS BE TO GOD THAT THERE ARE STILL YOUNG LADIES WHO LOOK FORWARD TO MARRIAGE AND HAVING CHILDREN.

A.     In the Capitol of the United States there stands a 12 foot high statue of Abraham Lincoln.

1.      His mother Mary Hanks Lincoln gave birth to a baby boy on February 12, 1809 and named him Abraham.

2.      Many plays and books have been written about Abe. 

B.   Some women truly who want children are not able to have them.

                           1. Sarah – Isaac (Genesis 21).

                           2.  Hannah – Samuel (Shiloh, Elkanah, Peninnah).

                           3.  Rachel pleaded, “Give me children lest I die.” (Genesis 30:1).  Jacob – Joseph & Benjamin.

                           4.   Medical help.

                           5.   Adoption may be the answer. 

IV.              GODLY PARENTS ARE A BLESSING TO THEIR CHILDREN.

A.     Timothy was molded by a mother and grandmother who recognized the one true God. 

2 Timothy 3:15, “…from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures,…” 

2 Timothy 1:5, “…I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice;…”

                 1. Without Martin Luther’s mother there might not have been a Reformation.

                 2.  Without the mothers of such men as Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell, there might not have been a Restoration.

                 3. Without George Washington’s mother, he would not have been the father of our country. 

Conclusion:  And if it had not been for the influence of two women in my life, I would not be preaching today.  Those women are my wife Charlotte and my beloved mother who departed this life more than thirty-seven years ago. 

   It is my prayer that there are young mothers, as Christians, who will influence their sons to become elders, deacons, song leaders, and gospel preachers in the church of our Lord.  There is a need for mothers who will teach their daughters to live good moral lives as Christian. 

--Dub Mowery