Legacy City Church
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Legacy City Church
More Precious Than Jewels // Proverbs 31
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In this Mother’s Day sermon from Proverbs 31, Pastor Josh Thompson reflects on the eternal value of a woman who fears the Lord. More Precious Than Jewels highlights the strength, compassion, wisdom, and faithfulness of godly women, while encouraging families to honor the mothers and spiritual mothers who shape generations through love and sacrifice.
This message also reminds us that true fruitfulness does not come from striving harder, but from abiding in Christ and trusting Him with the future.
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If you're willing and able and want to, please stand and worship with us this morning.
SPEAKER_05I'll praise in the valley. Praise on the mountain. I'll praise when I'm sure. Praise when I'm loud. I'll praise when I'm numbered. Praise when surrounded. Praise cause you ate it. Praise cause you will then defeat the grave. I'll praise because you're faithful. Praise cause you're true. Praise us that nobody's greater than you. I'll praise us to stop it. Come on. Wasn't over till you say it's over. It's great. Oh, you took the ball. Let's watch that. One day it's I just The wave is still late. The stone is still You're still I lifted up. You're still sitting on the floor. The cross still stands. The blood still flows. The word gets fixed. Yes, you are good. In the fear of your touch. Worth is your death. Jesus. You deserve the price. Worthy is your name. Worthy is your name. Jesus. You deserve the Christ. Worthy is your name. I stand amazed in your love in life. Grace goes on and on. Worthy is your name. Jesus. You deserve praise. Worthy is your name. Worthy is your name. Jesus. You deserve the praise. Worthy is your name. Worthy is your name. You deserve the praise. Worthy is your name. Worthy is your name. Jesus. You deserve the praise. Worthy is your name. Just remember how worthy, worthy the Lord's name is so in the heavens. As your glory fills this place. You alone deserve our praise. You're the name of my own names. Be exalted now in the heavens. As your glory fills this place. You alone deserve our place. You're the name of the bone names. As you glory fills this place.
SPEAKER_00Fill our hearts as we get into your word. Bless every morning that is in the room with the heavy load and weight that we carry every day. We thank you for each and every one of us. Bless us as we work through your word and we fellowship together. We thank you in Jesus' name. Amen. Well, good morning, everybody. How are you all doing?
SPEAKER_06Would you please find your seats? Please find your seats. Good to be with you guys. Good to be able to worship once again on this Sunday. And this Sunday is a very special Sunday to all you mothers. Happy Mother's Day. We want to celebrate all you mothers. We have some special items for you today, ladies. We have uh portals that will be in the back as you exit. We also have some succulent plants, and as by special request uh from one of our staff members, uh we're gonna do 25% off all of the legacy merch for you guys. So if you want to pick up something today, you get a 25% off as well. Uh so please uh get that as you leave today. But we just want to celebrate all you moms, moms to be, and even spiritual mothers. Uh so God bless you guys and thank you for coming to church and worship with us this Sunday. Uh I have a couple of quick announcements. Um but first, uh, do we have anyone visiting for the first time? Would you raise your hand? Let us welcome you. Anyone? Okay, we got one over here. Let's welcome the church, another one over here. Let's welcome them. Thank you guys for joining us. If you can kind of keep your hand halfway raised, some of our leadership is going to come around. They just want to get a pamphlet in your hands. It has more information about the church and how you can get connected here at Legacy. Um but one way that you can get connected is um something we call pa uh coffee with pastors. Uh coffee with pastors is an opportunity for anyone and everyone in the church, whether you're brand new here or you've been here for uh months or even years, uh, that you would be able to connect with the leadership here at Legacy. And the way that we do that is we meet at a local coffee shop here in town, sit down, have a cup of coffee, and or you can have tea, whatever you like. You want a smoothie, you can get that too. Um but it's just an opportunity for us to connect, to get to know you, allow you to get to know us. Uh it's not a bunch of spiritual questions that we're gonna dive into. I mean, we can if you'd like, but uh it's really just an opportunity to get familiar with uh the leadership here at Legacy. So if you're interested in doing that, I highly encourage you to do it. Uh you can send an email to info at legacycitychurch.com. Again, that's info at legacycitychurch.com, and then we will reply back with a link that will allow you to select the time on one of the calendars of the pastors uh to be able to get a free cup of coffee and a good conversation. So I encourage you to do that. Okay. Uh another announcement we have is uh we are going to be collecting ballots. A lot of you have received your your local ballots in the mail. Uh if you are looking for a place to drop those off, you can bring them to church up until May 31st. Uh they will be collecting them as you exit. There'll be a table there. You can drop your ballots off, and you can be sure that they will be dropped off and delivered securely. So just wanted to put that on your radar as well. Uh we also will be having a prayer and worship night coming up on May 16th. Uh so May 16th at the barn is a prayer and worship night. Yes. All of you that clap better be there. Uh stop clapping real quick, huh? No, just kidding. No, it's it's a great time of fellowship, especially if you're newer to the church. It's a great way to connect with people, uh, to be bonded together in prayer and and as we worship the Lord together. Uh, but this will take place in Sherman Oaks at the barn. Um so that will be at 7 p.m. Uh on the 16th. It's another great way to fellowship. So if you need more information uh or directions, you can email us at that same email info uh address, info at legacycitychurch.com. And then again, as a reminder, uh next week we will have one service. Uh it'll be at 10 a.m. and we will be outdoors. Uh this gym will be under construction as they renovate the floor. Uh they're gonna replace the floor with uh a different floor, so for that time while they're working on it, uh we will be meeting outdoors, so plan on that uh next week. We will have one service at 10 a.m. So that will be uh on the calendar, it's locked in, and then we will be doing that for the next few Sundays. So just kind of be aware of that. We will have one service at 10 a.m. And then lastly, if you would like to continue to worship this morning uh through the giving of tithes and offerings, uh you can do so one of three ways. You can scan the QR code on the screen, uh, or you can use the envelope in the seat in front of you, or you can scan the QR code on that seat as well. Uh that will take you to our online give page. If you use the envelope, you can drop it in the welcome center. Uh there's an offering box there, you can drop that in. Um but if you're visiting, please don't feel any obligation to give. This is just a reminder for those of you who would like to uh continue to worship that way. Um so with that, uh that's the end of announcements. And before uh Pastor Josh comes out to share this morning, uh we have a special video. So would you guys please uh turn your attention to the screen?
SPEAKER_01What makes your mom happy?
SPEAKER_02Flowers. When I listen, wanna be good or something? Uh-huh.
SPEAKER_01What makes your mom sad?
SPEAKER_02When I don't listen, oh I gonna get hurt.
SPEAKER_01What's something that your mom does every day? What's something your mom always says to you?
SPEAKER_02I love you guys my kids. Go clean the room. Behave. Don't let the dog upstairs do not bother mom when while she's sleeping.
SPEAKER_01How old is your mom?
SPEAKER_02I think five, twelve. That's a very, very tricky question. I know she's um a half and something seventy.
SPEAKER_01What's your mom's favorite thing to do?
SPEAKER_02Play with me. Sit in the chair, date night, shop, shopping, go shopping. This is shopping every day. She's always wants to go shopping. Then I get tired.
SPEAKER_01Where's your mom's favorite place to go?
SPEAKER_02Chinese restaurant and animal shelter. Go to the restroom.
SPEAKER_01How are you and your mom the same?
SPEAKER_02Our hair, our eyes will have the same bummer. We're really flexible. We both have long tongues, but my sister and my dad don't really.
SPEAKER_01How are you and your mom different?
SPEAKER_02Our eyes are different because I'm brown and she's tame. Mom has curly hair and I have straight hair. I do have better abs.
SPEAKER_01What's your favorite thing about your mom?
SPEAKER_02That she doesn't like to be away from us when she gets down the foil and the screen. She's a really good teacher. I like her face. Her smile. When she lets me put on her makeup that I can cuddle with her at night. She has rose special. She's really, really, really, really, really nice.
SPEAKER_01How do you know that your mom loves you?
SPEAKER_02She prays and she kisses me and she says, I love you. She's in my family. Oh, she takes care of us by making breakfast through my laundry. She helps me get me to all the things I do after scratching. Please kids with socket. Play bubbles. One of us in her lap. We watch movies, we get our nails painted. Take a scrapbook, fish outside cookouts and bonfies. She spends time with us, not all by herself. She's patient with us. She does everything with me. Because she says it every day. Kisses me every night. All kinds of stuff. I just know that she loves me because she says, I'll always love you. She's awesome. She loves me no matter what. Like God. I love you, mommy. Happy Mother's Day.
SPEAKER_08Isn't that great? I'm not crying. You're crying. Happy Mother's Day to all you moms. We want to honor all of the uh moms today. With all you moms, grandmas, any great grandmas here today, would you all stand up? We would love to honor you. Please would you stand up? We'd love to honor you. Moms, grandmas, great grandmas. Uh would you stay standing? Please stay standing. See, they don't want to stay standing. This is classic. Uh we want to pray for you, we want to pray a blessing over you, we want to honor you, and really that's what this day is all about. Uh that's what this talk's all about today. And uh we want to bless you. We want to pray that God would bless you and continue to strengthen you and carry you and encourage you, and we're grateful for all that you do uh in the secret place, in the hidden places uh that no one sees, uh, but you you go above and beyond, you continue to do so, and so we want to honor you. If you have a mom near you, would you reach your hand towards them? We want to pray a blessing over all of them here today. Father, we thank you for these moms, for these grandmas, or for these great grandmas, and we thank you for the work that you have done in their lives, and we thank you that you are carrying them. And Lord, you have created through them beautiful children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and we believe, God, that they are leaving a legacy for your glory. And just as the moms would pray, I know their heart, that you would bless their children, that you would keep them, that you would help them to walk with you and come close to you. God, we want to pray for these moms, that you would strengthen them today, that they would feel encouraged and blessed. They would feel special. And Lord, that you would continue to keep your hand a blessing upon them, that you would carry them through life as they carry the burdens of their family. We lift them to you, Lord. But we pray a special blessing on them today. We want to honor them in this place. We thank you, God, for the moms. We love them. We pray your blessing upon them. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Love you, ladies. We're grateful for you. Happy Mother's Day. We're gonna be in Proverbs 31 today. If you want to turn there, Proverbs chapter 31. And the title of this message is More Precious Than Jewels. More precious than jewels. You know, Exodus 20, verse 12 says, Honor your father and mother that your days may be Belong in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Honor your father and mother. Happy Mother's Day to every mom, grandmother, spiritual mother, future mother, adoptive mother, foster mother, single mother, every woman who has poured her life into others with the love of Christ. We honor you today. We thank God for you. Today in Proverbs 31, I want to preach a message titled More Precious Than Jewels. It's found in verse 10. It says, An excellent wife who can find her worth is far above jewels. Love that. This is the theme of the passage. The value of a godly woman cannot be measured. Not by money, not by social status, not outward beauty or applause, not size of their platform, how clean the house is, not even by whether their children behave perfectly in public or not. A godly woman is worth more than jewels because her life carries eternal value. She builds, blesses, she teaches and strengthens, sacrifices and prays, loves and serves, and above all, she fears the Lord. And I'm so grateful to have a godly wife who loves the Lord. She, of course, gives endlessly for our kids and myself. Would have never been able to lead this church without her. She's led with me for 12 years now. And uh I look back on it and I reflect on this journey. Wow, we'll be married 15 years this year. And uh it no doubt is working out because my wife puts up with me, but she leads with me. She makes me a better man, father, husband, and pastor, and really true, an excellent wife who can find more precious than jewels. This becomes more and more true as life goes on. I see that it wasn't necessarily finding that in the beginning, but I'm noticing the longer that we continue on in this partnership together and this marriage and this union of trying to love and serve these kids and do life together and help lead the church. Um, it is a priceless investment. Um, there's no way to measure. No one sees, but God sees, you know, all that she has done and all that she does in our lives. I'm forever grateful. And really that, I believe, is what a lot of us are feeling in our hearts towards our moms or towards our wives or towards the women around us. They they give from the secret place, they give endlessly, and um they don't get the praise often that they deserve. They don't get the honor oftentimes that they deserve. Um this chapter is not necessarily about critiquing a woman at all. It is honestly meant to honor the woman and to bless her. It's not a hammer, it's a crown, Proverbs 31. And it's not God saying, try harder, or maybe one day you'll measure up. It's God saying, look at the beauty of wisdom in the life of a woman who fears the Lord. And this is this woman's not perfect, but she is faithful, and that's what we celebrate today. Amen. We're going to chip through the text together. So instead of reading all of Proverbs 31, uh, we will just work together. I've got like seven points. So what do you say we just dive right in and get after it? We generally stand for the reading of God's word, but instead of reading the entire chapter, figure we will come, we will comb through it together. Oh, you guys are ready. You want to do it anyways. Okay, let's do it. All right, you guys want to rock and roll? All right, let's do this. Okay, we don't mess around here at Legacy. They are so trained they tell the pastor what to do. It's like, no, we're gonna stand for the reading of God's word. It's like, all right, let's do it. You ready? Proverbs 31, verse 1. The words of King Lemuel, the oracle under which his mother disciplined him in the Legacy Standard Version. The word discipline is to teach, not to punish, never, always to teach. Verse 2, what, O son? And what, O son of my womb, and what, O son of my vows? Do not give your excellence to women, or your ways to that which blots out kings. It is not for kings, O Kim Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, lest the drink he drink and forget what is decreed, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those whose soul is bitter. Let him drink and forget his poverty, and he will not remember his trouble any more. Open your mouth for the mute, for the justice of all those passing away. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and render justice to the afflicted and needy. An excellent wife who can find her worth far more above pearls. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack. She deals bountifully with him for good and not for evil all the days of her life. She searches for wool and flax and works with her hands, and in delight she is like a merchant ship, she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is still night, and she gives food to her household a portion to her young women. She makes plans for a field and buys it from the fruit of her hand. She plants a vineyard, she girds herself with strength, and makes herself her arm strong. She senses that her gain is good, and her lamp does not go out at night. She stretches out her hands in the distaff, and her hands hold fast to the spindle. She excels her hand to the poor, she stretches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She makes covering for herself, her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, and when he sits with the elders of the land, she makes linen garments and sells them and gives belts to the tradesmen. Strength and majesty are her clothing. She smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the instruction of loving kindness on her tongue she watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her. As for her husband, he also praises her, saying, Many daughters have done excellently, but you have gone above them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Yahweh shall be praised. Give to her from the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. Let's pray. Father, we thank you for this instruction, for this encouragement, wise words from a mother to a son. We pray, God, that you would speak to us today. We pray, God, that the ladies who would feel blessed and encouraged and uplifted and honored, strengthened in this place, bless us as we study your word. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen. You can be seated. Point number one, if you're taking notes, her words are precious. Her words are precious. Proverbs 31 begins this way: the words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him. Before Lemuel was king, he was a son. Before he wore a crown, he heard his mother's voice. Before he ruled the nation, he was shaped in his home, and that is powerful. A mother's words can shape a child for a lifetime. Some of us still hear our mother's voice, huh? Don't forget your jacket. Make good choices. Tell the truth. Be kind. Did you pray about it? And of course, the classic motherly saying, Because I said so, right? Mothers have a way of planting deep truth into the soul. A child may roll his eyes when he's young, but years later he often finds himself repeating the very words he once resisted. Verse 2 says, What, O son, and what, O son of my womb, and what, O son of my vows? Sounds like a mother, doesn't it? What are you doing, my son? What are you up to? She's not nagging because she hates him, she's warning because she loves him. She's right there with him. Verse 3, she teaches him purity. Do not give your strength to women or your ways to that which wipes out kings. She warns him. Verse 4 and 5, she teaches him wisdom and self-control. It's not for kings to lemuel, it's not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire strong drink, lest they drink and forget what is the creed. So don't lose your mind. Stay sober. Stay focused. You're a great leader. You have to stay focused. If you lose your judgment, you lose everything. Then in verse 8 and 9, she teaches him righteousness and compassion. Open your mouth for the mute, for the justice of all who are passing away. Open your mouth, judge righteously, render justice to the afflicted and needy. What a mother. She's not merely raising a polite boy, she's raising a godly man. And moms, don't underestimate your words. They are powerful. The bedtime prayers matter. The whispered scripture matters. The loving connections matter. The sentence spoken through tears matters. The encouragement given at just the right moment really does matter. The reminder we serve the Lord in this house, that matters. The steady refrain, tell the truth, trust God, do what is right. All of this stuff matters. You may think your words are small, but God often uses ordinary words to form extraordinary faith. You hear endless stories about the greats. Talk about how their mother andor father shape them. Your words have great impact. You are shaping them regardless. And so you get to choose what you say. Deuteronomy 6, 6 and 7 says, These words which I am commanding you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons, and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up. And that's motherhood. It's truth in the morning, truth in the evening, grace at the table, prayer before bed, wisdom in the car, correction in the hallway. It's instilling faith in our children as we're passing along the way. A godly woman is more precious than jewels because her words will echo for generations. Her words are still there. Even if she steps into eternity, the words are still there. Those words will be passed on and to those grandchildren. Charles Spurgeon once said, Never could it be possible for any man to estimate what he owes to a godly mother. So good. Point number two, her faithfulness is precious. Look at verse 10. It says, An excellent wife who can find her worth is far above jewels. The value. And I'm discovering this as Kitty and I get deeper and deeper into marriage and into relationship, is that her value, it just keeps going up. The longer we're in this together, the value goes up. It's because I, geez, when I look at my kids, I mean, men, brothers, okay, uh, we are blockheads when it comes to children, okay? We we think we know, but we actually have no idea. Women have intuition far above us, immediate intuition. It's unbelievable. Dad's kind of just standing there with the fur. It takes three kids for me, I mean, to even start to figure it out. You know, now kind of get babies a little bit, you know. But it's just like the intuition is so high, and the investment is so deep, and the endless working is unbelievable. And it's like if they were just left with me, like what in the world would even happen? You know, it's like uh we we I need and that that's that's an understatement to say I need my wife, need a good mom, uh, need someone to make keep our family on track and and keep a home where we can raise and create this beautiful place of rest. Really, what is life in the end of it? Is it really building business and all these giant buildings and doing all who really cares? Uh in the end, it is relationships. You think about the closest relationships to you in the end of life. Sure, the successes were great, sure the money made was great, but who really cares if we don't have the closest relationships to us? I don't really care. You hear billionaire after billionaire saying they would give it all up just to restore that relationship, have the kids close, they don't really care, it doesn't matter anymore. More precious than jewels. High value. Jewels are rare, they're valuable, they're treasured, they're protected, they're passed down. But the writer says a godly woman is worth more. Jewels may sparkle, but they can't pray, huh? Jewels impress the eye, but they can't comfort the soul. Jewels can sit in a safe, but they cannot make the family feel safe. Oftentimes, you know, I think it's too many repetitions. When the kids fall down, you know, they say, come on, you're fine, let's go, you know. Like, I'm running to mommy. They want to hug. They want to feel warm, they want to feel close, they want to feel safe and connected. You know, I didn't have a mother growing up. My mom passed when I was six years old. And so I kind of watched grandma try to mother us, and I'm learning about motherhood through my wife. I'm watching this in real time. I'm growing in the understanding of all of it. What it means to be compassionate and gentle and sweet and kind. Those are not natural things within me. So if I've rubbed you the wrong way, I'm sorry. It's my natural bend. I just I run around with dudes and just rough them up, you know? And so um, it's been a learning curve, but a beautiful thing to enjoy and discover through my wife. Godly women, a godly woman is more precious than jewels. Because a godly woman will go back to the Lord over and over and over again, no matter what. And in the end, that's what you want. Because that wife will produce forgiveness, that wife will produce grace, that wife will produce unconditional love. Why? Because she's learning it from him, she's learning it from the creator, and that is the value. Who can find it says? It's really special. So, brothers, if you have one, cherish her. Praise God for her. Take care of her. Make her feel special. If I can sum up trying to trying to win in marriage for the brothers, I'm gonna give it to you, brothers, in one line, okay? This is the best I can do. I'm sorry it's ambiguous, but it's the best I can do. Make her feel special. What does that mean? I don't know, you gotta figure it out. That's the point. Whatever it is, if you have that jewel, treasure. Verse 11 says, the heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. There is trust in the home, her husband knows she is for him. Verse 12 says, She deals bountifully with him for good and not for evil all the days of her life. That is a beautiful phrase. She brings good into the home, she strengthens where things are weak, she encourages when spirits are low. She helps carry the heavy load. She blesses in ways that no one sees, loves with consistently, not emotion. Again, you go interview people on the street. You say, Who do you love more, mom or dad? It's just it's almost lights out. My mom, of course. And I think because the the love of a mother, you know, she carries the child, she has the child, she takes care of the child very intimately, very closely, at least for the first two years, and then obviously this lifelong journey of um, like what like what the video said, it's it's um I'm gonna love you no matter what. And that's the love of a mother. I'm gonna love you no matter what. Not always like that with the dads. There's a performance thing amongst the dads. They want something, they want to see. To put that down and to have full unconditional love is not easy, but there is an inner connection from mother to child in which I'm never I'm gonna love you no matter what. Millions will, millions, even non-believers, will make that testimony. And this is where we listen, brothers. Proverbs 31 is not telling women how to live, it's telling men what to value. Uh if God has given you a faithful wife, praise her. Don't wait until Mother's Day or an anniversary or a funeral or say it now. Thank you for loving our family. Thank you for praying, working so hard. Thank you for making this house a home. Thank you for doing me good. Thank you for loving Jesus. Those are really valuable things on this earth. If you have it, you don't want to take that for granted. Proverbs 18, 22, he who finds a good finds a good thing and obtains favor from Yahweh. It is a part of his favor upon your life. If he's blessed you with a godly woman, dude, you got the favor of God. A godly wife is not an accessory to a man's life, she's a gift from the Lord. Amen. Vague appreciation is not enough. We got to get specific. You're so wonderful. Why? Tell me more. Ah, you look beautiful today. What do you mean? What is it? Guys do this, they have these general ways of saying things. You know, we've got to get specific, brothers. Thank you for being patient with the kids yesterday. Thank you for making dinner when you were exhausted. Really appreciate that. Thank you for keeping our family close. Thank you for being faithful when no one else noticed. Thank you for loving the Lord. Praise is not weakness, brothers. Praise is leadership. A husband who honors his wife strengthens his children. A son who honors his mother learns gratitude. A daughter who sees her mother honored learns what godly value looks like. Her faithfulness is precious. Many brothers are like, well, I think those things about her, but I just forget to tell her. Little tip. Just say it. Text it. As awkward as it is, as soon as you think of it, don't wait, just do it Nike. That connects with the brothers. The ladies are like, Nike. Just do it, Nike. Do it now, brothers. Don't wait, do it now. Matthew Henry wrote, The woman was made out of a rib out of the sight of man, not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to trample, be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, near to his heart to be beloved. Point number three, her work is precious. Proverbs 31, 13, verse 13, 14, 15 says, She seeks wool and flask, works with her hands in delight. She is like a merchant ship. She brings her food from afar. She rises while it is still night and gives food to her household. This woman works hard. She's diligent, resourceful, creative, strong, alert to the needs around her. This is poetry, though. It's not saying every woman must sew clothes, buy land, plant vineyards, run a business, cook every meal, and never sleep. That's not what it's saying. The point is not that every woman must do everything this woman does. The point is wisdom works with love. A godly mother's love is practical. It does, it makes lunch, it washes clothes, it remembers appointments, and notices when a child is quiet, prays in the car, finds the lost shoe, it will stretch the budget, it turns the house into a home. It keeps going long after the applause has stopped on Mother's Day, two weeks from now, three weeks from now, two months from now, four months from now. It continues on. One funny Mother's Day illustration tells of a counselor who said to a woman, you spend 50% of your energy on your job, 50% on your husband, 50% on your children. I think I see your problem. You see, that's motherhood. Mom somehow gives 150%, still wonders if they're doing enough. Always worried, always being expected by everyone else to do more. Do more, do more, do more, do more. But God sees the unseen. He sees the early mornings and the late nights, the tears wiped away. He sees the quiet prayers over sleeping children, the dishes, laundry, grocery runs, schools, school stuff, emotional labor, the sacrifices, the moments when you want to quit, but you keep on going. God sees, and God calls faithfulness. Beautiful. Verse 16 says, She considers a field and buys it from the fruit of her hands. She plants a vineyard. This woman is wise. She thinks ahead, she builds. She builds in multiple different ways. Trying to figure out ways to help her family, be through business or school rhythms or peace in a difficult home, financial weight, emotional weight, caring for aging parents, young children at the same time. Doing more than anyone knows. Galatians 6.9. Let us not lose heart in doing good. Do not grow weary in doing good. For in due season you will reap if we do not give up. Galatians 6.9. First Corinthians 15 58, therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and movable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Ladies, remember your work is in the labor of the Lord, and it's not in vain. Your labor in the Lord is not wasted. You're planting seeds. You may not see the harvest today, but you just keep watering, you keep praying, keep trusting the Lord, keep loving and sowing, and in due time it will bring fruit. Elizabeth Elliot said, This job has been given to me to do, therefore it is a gift, therefore it is a privilege, therefore it is an offering that I may make to God. It's my offering to Him. Society is pushing that away and saying there is way higher things to achieve in life. The Bible says the opposite, that this is the highest level. And sadly, it's trying to be pushed out of our society, but we know women for thousands of years, the matriarchs and the women who have led the families and raised godly children and then invested in their grandchildren and then invested in their great-grandchildren, are all time. Top of the food chain, queens and their family, because they've given so much. And it's sad that it's trying to be removed from our society. Remember, what the Lord says is true, and the dividends pay out unbelievably at the end of life. We go the other route and say, yeah, you know, family is, you know, just a burden and a waste of time, and nobody wants any of that. I don't see people when they're dying say anything like that. They say the opposite. Learn from the old, learn from the wise, learn from the word of God. Is it difficult? Oh yeah. It's the highest highs and the lowest lows, no doubt. But the highest highs. Better than anything on the planet. At this point in life, I mean, I ultimately almost trade anything just to go spend time with my family and hang out. I kind of don't care anymore about all the great experiences anymore. I've done a lot of cool things, been fun. But it's just, it doesn't matter buying stuff and having more success in something or going and having a great experience over here and going, you know, travel to that place or do that thing. I just, I just, it doesn't, it doesn't do it like being with the family. It doesn't do it like my wife and the kids. There's just nothing like it. I can't explain it. Um and I'm grateful for that revelation now. I think maybe because I hear it from old men a lot. I hear it from old people a lot. I hear it from people in hospitals a lot, I hear it from people in counseling a lot, uh, that they want this peace, they want this rest. So you can you can walk out these doors and build anything and success and and scrape in the money and do all the things, but it just you can see it's like, aren't you stoked you made a million bucks? Like, yeah, it's cool. What? Like you you were so bent on it, though. You spent so much time trying to do it. I kind of just want peace, and I wish I had a good wife and you know some kids. And really? Yeah, you know, or I messed up my marriage, you know, early on, and I kind of wish I would have fixed that thing, you know, and I wish I would have spent more time with my kids and not building my business. I missed their whole childhood. I hear all that stuff. And I'm telling you, you know, the we make this an offering to God now. It's not a burden. We make it an offering, and I believe the Lord will bless you. Point number four, if you're taking notes, her compassion is precious. Verse 20 says, She extends her hand to the poor, she stretches out her hands to the needy. This woman is not only focused on her own household, her heart is open to others. A mark of a godly woman. She's not merely busy, she's compassionate. And her children see mercy in her life, they watch generosity in action. They hear her pray for hurting people. They see hospitality at the table. Whatever it may be, forgiveness offered, meals delivered, kindness extended, and burdens carried of other people. Learning to love is not just a word, it's actually something that we do in action. Our children are watching. Children learn theology by watching their moms, not through catechism alone. Memorization. Isn't that the worst, though? You memorize all the scriptures, but then there's no action behind it. When mom forgives, they learn grace. When mom prays, they see dependence. When they see mom serve, they learn humility. See mom worship, they are learning what matters most. Mom keeps going, they learn faithfulness, right? Colossians 3.12, so as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on the heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Titus 2.3 says, Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may instruct the young woman in sensibility, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be slandered. The older women teaching the younger these truths, spiritual moms, spiritual women. Oh, how needed. What a great word to the church. Mother's Day is not only about biological mothers, we need spiritual mothers as well. We need women who teach younger women who pray for the next generation, encourage the weary, will disciple, comfort people whose hearts are broken. Women will say, follow me as I follow Christ. Some women may not have children in their home, but they have many children in the faith. Praying for, encouraging. And that's precious to God. A godly woman's compassion cannot be measured. It's more precious, again, than jewels. Amy Carmichael said, you can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. Love that. That's what a woman does is they give love, they keep loving, they keep giving, they keep giving of themselves over and over and over. And I do believe that's a satisfied woman from within. Even though it is exhausting, and even though you're giving away of yourself, that that is where true blessing and peace is found. Point number five, her strength is precious. Her strength is precious. Verse 25 says, Strength and majesty are her clothing. She smiles at the future. Love that. She smiles at the future. What a picture. Clothed with strength and dignity. Not because life's easy, and not because she never struggles, and not even because she has everything under control. She smiles at the future because she trusts God who holds the future. And he's smiling, isn't he? God doesn't have a mad face on anymore. Did you know that? He was mad at the cross. He poured out his wrath on Christ, his son. And now he has one, he has victory. His kingdom is flourishing. And he said, he gave a decree, go make disciples of all nations, baptize him, and teach him. To observe all I've commanded. Lo, I'm with you always at the end of the age. The enemy has truly been defeated. The earth is the Lord's in the fullness of it. C.S. Lewis would say Satan is a chain, like a dog. He's on a chain like a dog. Can only do what God allows. God is ultimately accomplishing his purposes. And that's why this woman can smile at the future and laugh about it. Mothers know how heavy the future can feel, especially when they think about their children, their faith and safety, friendships. When they're healthy, their purity, their future spouse, the pain they'll go through, the decisions they have to make, their walk with the Lord. If you try to carry all of that alone, it'll crush you. But the woman who fears the Lord can smile at the future because she knows the Lord is already there. She lifts it to him. Psalm 46, one, God is our refuge and strength, the very present help in trouble. Isaiah 41, 10. Do not fear, God says, Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be anxious, looking about, for I am the Lord your God. I will make you mighty. Surely I will help you. Surely I will withhold you with my righteous right hand. Fear not, for I am with you. Not bitterness or criticism, fear or shame, loving kindness. That doesn't mean she never corrects. She does correct, but even in a correction, it's covered in love. Moms, your tongue is powerful. Your words can build and encourage. You can shape identity in your children. Speak life over them. You are this. You're a good boy. You're a good girl. You love God. You love your family. You work hard. You stay diligent. You love the Lord. You speak life over them. Or you can speak death. You can program your own mind in what you say. As you speak, so your mind is. You speak life. You speak the word of God. You walk in that and watch the flowers come. You're planting seeds. I know it's difficult, even for me, too. You self-correct. Keep trying to honor the Lord and watch, watch his spirit chip away at you and bring you into this beautiful person. Build, encourage, shape identity, speak scripture in fear. Pray. Honor the giftings that you see in your children. Encourage them. I see this in you. This is who you are. They should never step into the world wondering who they are. I see you. I know who you are. You are this. You are that. You are this, you are that, you are this. Confidently strengthen them and let them know who they are. They didn't need to go into the world to discover who they are. We already know who they are. We've been with them for 18, 20 years. We know who they are. You speak life into them. You speak, you speak that godly, truthful, positive reinforcement in their life. You bless them. Your children need to hear you belong to the Lord. You are loved. We love you. You tell them the truth. Tell them they can tell the truth. You can always tell the truth. You don't have to be scared. You can always turn to the Lord. You're forgiven in Jesus' name. It's okay. Everything's okay. I think it's probably an oxymoron for my kids sometimes, but I will discipline them and then immediately hug them. Pick them up and hug them. And it's like I feel this waver like in my spirit. It's unbelievable. My kids break the law. They're hitting and hurting each other. I have to discipline them. They're in tears. Because why? If I don't, if I will not allow you, I'm not, I'm not going to allow you to be looked down on by all of society and be such a terrible person. I love you too much. I have to teach you. And I want you to know I am for you a thousand percent. Everything is fine in the relationship. I just have to teach you. Praying for your kids. Tell them I'm proud of you. Tell them you did it. And keep telling them that Jesus is the best thing on the earth. Godly Mother Strength is not harsh, it's wisdom wrapped in love. Corey Tamboon said, Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. Point number six, her fear of the Lord is precious. Verse 30 says, Charm is deceitful, beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. That's the foundation, not charm or outward beauty, personality, productivity, perfection. Nope. The foundation is the fear of the Lord. Charm fades, beauty fades, energy runs out, children grow up, seasons shift. But the woman who fears the Lord grows more beautiful with time. Isn't that interesting? That the godliness, the inner beauty can outgrow any beauty on the planet. And again, that's the opposite of our culture today, huh? The fear of the Lord means she lives with reverence before God. She trusts him, worships him, obeys him, depends on him. Everything in Proverbs 31 flows from this. She speaks with wisdom because she fears the Lord. She works diligently because she fears the Lord. She cares for the poor because she fears the Lord. She smiles at the future because she fears the Lord. She fears the Lord. Fear of the Lord is the root. Proverbs 31 is the fruit of her fearing the Almighty. Proverbs 9.10 says, The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Ladies, you don't become this woman by trying harder in your own strength. You become fruitful by abiding in Christ. Never forget, John 15, 5, I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he, she will bear much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. We keep trying to become this lady, trying to become this girl, trying to become this wife, trying to become this mother. No, no, no. You abide in him as you attach to him and his word and prayer with him and communion with him. Your heart changes, your mind changes, everything changes, and fruit starts to pour from your life. Apart from Christ, Proverbs 31 just becomes pressure. Apart from Christ, it sounds like condemnation. In Christ, it becomes an invitation. Apart from Christ, it says, do more. In Christ, it just says, come closer, and this is what's going to happen to your life. Jesus is your strength. He is your wisdom, your peace, your righteousness, your rest. You don't have to be the savior of your children. Did you know that? Jesus is. He will be that for you. You don't have to be the Holy Spirit. God is, He will comfort. And so pray, teach, love, serve, correct. But trust in the Lord and trust in Him for all of the results. Cling to Him. A.W. Tozer wrote, What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. Is it I got to do a bunch of stuff? Or is it he's already done it? I just need to cling to him. It's the secret of the universe. They blink and said, No man is poor who has a godly mother. You're rich. Proverbs 31, 28. Her children rise up and bless her, her husband also praises her. Many daughters have done excellently, but you have gone above them all. Verse 31. Give to her from the fruits of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. That means we should not let a godly woman's work go unnoticed. Honor each other, bless each other. Don't hesitate to say good things to each other. Well, I don't want to I don't want to pump them up too much, or I don't it's gonna be awkward, you know, if I say that. Just send it, man. Do it. Honor each other, you know. Don't hesitate to bless each other with your words. You you never know if you're you're about to send the text. Make the phone call. Send the email, praise them, bless them. Just go heavy on that side. They're trying to get something from me, I think. Stop worrying about all that stuff and get back to celebrating and honoring each other. We should not let her sacrifices go unnamed. We should not let her love go unthanked. So today, children, bless your mother. Husbands, bless your wife. Church, honor the mothers among us, and moms receive the grace. Your love because God is gracious, your value because you belong to the Lord. And when a woman fears the Lord, her value cannot be measured. She is more precious than jewels. Remember, jewels may shine for a moment, but a godly woman shines into eternity. Her prayers outlive her. Her words echo after her life. Her faith marks generations. Her love builds her home. And so you've got to praise her in the gates. You say, thank you, moms. Thank you, grandmas, spiritual mothers, you women of God. We see you. God sees you. We love you. We're thankful for you. Keep running. Keep enjoying. Keep smiling. Girls just want to have fun, huh? Have fun today. Enjoy your day. The Lord loves you and is for you. And He's gonna carry you through to the very end. You don't have to worry. You never have to worry. He's got everything under control. It's your superpower. Let your love and your peace and your joy change your household. Mama ain't happy, nobody's happy. But when Mama is happy, everyone's happy. And you are happy women because you know the Lord. And you have a wonderful community around you. We honor you today. I want to pray a blessing over all of us. Father, we turn to you now. We thank you for all that you have done. And I thank you for all these amazing women in this place. They love you. And that is more valuable than jewels. The most valuable thing. We have them here with us already now. We choose to honor them and celebrate them now. And God, we pray for all of the things that they carry, including all of the performance of trying to be everything for everyone else. We pray that they would rest in your performance. And they just be grateful for all that you have done. Thank you that you have saved us. Thank you, God, that you have brought us close to you. We pray, God, that you would now bless us, fill us with your spirit, give us another week to smile and to be joyful, and to enjoy all the That you have given us. We bless you, Lord. We pray a special blessing on all the ladies. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Let's all stand up. Is that all right? Not too bad. Yay. Happy Mother's Day. You ladies, you deserve the highest praise, no doubt. You're raising the next generation. You deserve the highest pay. You should just pay mothers. It's the most difficult job in the world and the most important job in the world. You're raising the next generation. And so we do. We give you the highest praise. We bless and honor you, moms. Over here to my left, your right is Martin and Lucia. We would love to pray for you. We'd love to give you a Bible. We'd love to answer any questions you might have today. Okay? We're going to sing, praise God from whom all blessings flow, huh? As we leave this place. And I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day as we leave. Let's sing together.
SPEAKER_07It goes like this Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures. He below. Praise him above yeaven. Praise Father, Son and Holos. Amen.
SPEAKER_08Father, we bless you in this place and we praise you from for all the blessings in our lives. We praise you for the mothers in our lives, and we pray your blessing on them as they leave this place. We pray it in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Love you guys. God bless you. Happy Mother's Day.