Series: “VOICES.” - Part 1: “VOICES CONNECTED TO MOTHERHOOD”

THIS IS WHY WE MUST BE SURE WE ARE LISTENING TO THE RIGHT VOICES OR THE RIGHT VOICE! WE NEED TO HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD! WE NEED TO SO IMMERSE OURSELVES IN THE BIBLE AND IN PRAYER TO THE POINT WHERE WE HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD CLEARLY ABOVE ALL OTHER VOICES!

“VOICES CONNECTED TO MOTHERHOOD.”

1. The Voice of Question -

Proverbs 31:1-2 - “The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: What are you doing my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing son of my vows?” ESV

2. The Voice of Direction -

Proverbs 31:3-9 - 3 Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, 5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; 7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. 8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. ESV

1) Don’t be a womanizer…or a fornicator.

2) Don’t allow a woman to use influences to manipulate you authority.

3) Be careful who you allow to influence you…some people want to destroy kings.

4) Don’t allow alcohol to control your life and your decisions.

5) Remember what is right…the laws of the land…and do not ignore the afflicted.

6) Care for those who are dying or in bitter destress.

7) Speak up for those who cannot - the mute and all who are in poverty.

8) Always judge righteously…defend the rights of the poor and needy.

This mother…the mother of a child to become a King…gave important words of advice…words of direction and guidance that prepared him to be King. We may not be preparing a son to be a king…BUT WE ARE TO PREPARE OUR CHILDREN TO SERVE A KING - JESUS!

YOUR CHILDREN ARE YOUR CHILDREN!!!!

3. The Voice of Example -

The great value of an excellent wife/mother.

She wants what is best for her husband…her actions builds him up instead of putting him down! thus his heart can trust in her…he will experience gain (v11)…she does him good and not harmall the days of her life(v12) …because of her actions her husband has a place of status among other elders at the gate (v23) )

She wants what is best for her family. Displayed by her labor and care of her family! (v13) ILL: She is like merchant ships delivering what is needed for her family! (v14) Early mornings…late nights…producing what is needed so she doesn’t have to fear for her family due to weather or other situations. (verses 15, 18, 21-22, 24) She laughs at future concerns because of her faith and her actions. (v25b) She wears strength and dignity like clothing. (v25a) She shares wisdom and teaches her family about kindness. (v26) Instead of wasting time, she looks well to the needs of her household. (v27) She cares for the poor and needy also! (v20))

The first two “voices” we considered today were made up of words…and such words are important…asking questions and giving directions. BUT THE VOICE OF EXAMPLE MUST NOT BE MINIMIZED! OUR CHILDREN NEED TO NOT ONLY HEAR WHAT WE SAY…THEY NEED TO SEE WHAT WE DO!

4. The Voice of Appreciation -

Proverbs 31:28-31 - Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. ESV

The first three “voices” today were FROM the role of motherhood. This last “voice” is TO the role of the godly mother!

Children should RISE UP and BLESS their mother!

The Husband should also BLESS and PRAISE his wife! verse 28"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

GOD HIMSELF through the Scriptures GIVES THE VOICE OF APPRECIATION for the role of motherhood that HE HIMSELF ESTABLISHED! “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” But lasting results come from a woman who fears the Lord and raises her family in the fear of the Lord…SHE HAS AN ONGOING LEGACY AND SHOULD BE PRAISED!

MAY 7TH 2023

Attendance …213

Giving … $6,410.02

YTD Received… $ 144,595.36

YTD Required… $ 157,479.03

Designated Giving

Women’s ministry… $ 115.00