1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:02,300 Well now, I have to tell you that over the last few days 2 00:00:02,300 –> 00:00:05,100 I’ve faced a little bit of a dilemma. 3 00:00:05,100 –> 00:00:07,740 We started a new series, 4 00:00:07,740 –> 00:00:12,740 entitled The Conveniently Neglected Teachings of Jesus. 5 00:00:13,600 –> 00:00:15,940 And our theme has been that Jesus, 6 00:00:15,940 –> 00:00:18,059 for us who believe, is not only Savior, 7 00:00:18,059 –> 00:00:20,780 but also Lord, and therefore Teacher. 8 00:00:20,780 –> 00:00:24,700 And so our aim has been to discover the teaching of Jesus 9 00:00:24,700 –> 00:00:27,160 and to apply it to our lives. 10 00:00:28,139 –> 00:00:30,120 And today is Mother’s Day. 11 00:00:31,700 –> 00:00:35,240 So I did a quick search 12 00:00:35,240 –> 00:00:40,240 on all the times that Jesus spoke about mothers. 13 00:00:40,540 –> 00:00:44,060 After all, we’re a congregation who loves the Bible. 14 00:00:44,060 –> 00:00:47,240 And what could be more appropriate on Mother’s Day 15 00:00:47,240 –> 00:00:49,619 in an Evangelical Church 16 00:00:49,619 –> 00:00:54,540 than to consider the teaching of Jesus about mothers? 17 00:00:55,500 –> 00:01:00,020 Well, let me run you through the list. 18 00:01:00,020 –> 00:01:01,320 And I think as I do, 19 00:01:01,320 –> 00:01:04,739 you’ll fairly quickly understand my dilemma. 20 00:01:04,739 –> 00:01:06,919 You might like to ask yourself the question 21 00:01:06,919 –> 00:01:08,860 that if you were charged with the responsibility 22 00:01:08,860 –> 00:01:09,699 of being the preacher, 23 00:01:09,699 –> 00:01:11,379 which of these sayings of Jesus 24 00:01:11,379 –> 00:01:13,260 would you preach on for Mother’s Day? 25 00:01:14,080 –> 00:01:15,300 Let me start with the first 26 00:01:15,300 –> 00:01:17,820 that’s found in Matthew’s Gospel. 27 00:01:17,820 –> 00:01:20,599 The first time in the Gospel Jesus is ever recorded 28 00:01:20,599 –> 00:01:21,760 is using the word mother. 29 00:01:21,760 –> 00:01:23,019 This is what he said. 30 00:01:23,959 –> 00:01:27,360 “‘For I have come to turn a man against his father, 31 00:01:27,360 –> 00:01:29,980 “‘a daughter against her mother, 32 00:01:29,980 –> 00:01:32,919 “‘a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.’” 33 00:01:34,220 –> 00:01:36,739 Then in the same chapter, two verses later, 34 00:01:36,739 –> 00:01:38,739 Jesus begins to speak about the cost 35 00:01:38,739 –> 00:01:41,300 and the difficulty of being a disciple. 36 00:01:41,300 –> 00:01:42,540 And here’s what he said. 37 00:01:43,500 –> 00:01:47,019 “‘If anyone loves his father or mother more than me, 38 00:01:47,019 –> 00:01:49,160 “‘he is not worthy of me. 39 00:01:49,419 –> 00:01:54,419 “‘And anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me 40 00:01:54,699 –> 00:01:56,199 “‘is not worthy of me.’” 41 00:01:57,120 –> 00:01:59,139 A little later, in Matthew chapter 12, 42 00:01:59,139 –> 00:02:00,339 we are told of an occasion 43 00:02:00,339 –> 00:02:03,019 where Jesus’ mother and brothers came to him 44 00:02:03,019 –> 00:02:04,680 and wanted to speak to him. 45 00:02:04,680 –> 00:02:07,580 They couldn’t get to him because he was with the disciples 46 00:02:07,580 –> 00:02:09,380 and deeply engaged in ministry. 47 00:02:09,380 –> 00:02:11,100 And so someone came and gave him the message, 48 00:02:11,100 –> 00:02:13,880 “‘Your mother and your brothers are standing outside 49 00:02:13,880 –> 00:02:15,220 “‘and they want to speak to you.’ 50 00:02:15,220 –> 00:02:17,919 And this is Jesus’ extraordinary reply. 51 00:02:18,100 –> 00:02:20,820 “‘And he said, Matthew 12, verse 50, 52 00:02:20,820 –> 00:02:22,199 “‘pointing to his disciples, 53 00:02:22,199 –> 00:02:25,619 “‘Here is my mother and my brothers. 54 00:02:25,619 –> 00:02:28,160 “‘For whoever does the will of my father in heaven, 55 00:02:28,160 –> 00:02:31,820 “‘he is my brother and sister and mother.’” 56 00:02:31,820 –> 00:02:33,000 They began thinking, 57 00:02:33,000 –> 00:02:35,240 maybe I should just look at some other incidents 58 00:02:35,240 –> 00:02:37,520 of the word mother in the gospels. 59 00:02:37,520 –> 00:02:39,419 And so the next one that I came up with 60 00:02:39,419 –> 00:02:40,500 was in Matthew, 61 00:02:40,500 –> 00:02:43,940 recording the story of a little girl called Salome, 62 00:02:43,940 –> 00:02:46,479 a young girl, by the name of Salome I should say, 63 00:02:46,479 –> 00:02:50,300 who you remember on one occasion enchanted King Herod 64 00:02:50,300 –> 00:02:53,039 into offering her anything that she wished 65 00:02:53,039 –> 00:02:55,479 up to half of his kingdom 66 00:02:56,440 –> 00:02:58,619 and Matthew records, 67 00:02:58,619 –> 00:03:02,339 prompted by her mother, 68 00:03:02,339 –> 00:03:07,160 she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a plate. 69 00:03:07,160 –> 00:03:08,559 By this time, I’m thinking, 70 00:03:08,559 –> 00:03:11,339 maybe we should take a break from the series 71 00:03:13,320 –> 00:03:15,020 or I should call Pastor Ted 72 00:03:15,020 –> 00:03:17,139 and tell him I’m sick on Saturday night 73 00:03:18,679 –> 00:03:22,899 or check the rate latest prices of flights back to Scotland. 74 00:03:23,820 –> 00:03:27,139 Then I thought, this is ridiculous. 75 00:03:28,259 –> 00:03:30,020 If we really believe 76 00:03:31,300 –> 00:03:35,240 that Jesus shows us the way of life, 77 00:03:36,179 –> 00:03:39,000 then it’s got to be true 78 00:03:39,000 –> 00:03:42,619 that his teaching on mothers and fathers 79 00:03:42,619 –> 00:03:46,779 and family life has more to say to us today 80 00:03:46,779 –> 00:03:49,639 than anything else we could possibly consider. 81 00:03:50,539 –> 00:03:51,660 Are there any other folks here 82 00:03:51,660 –> 00:03:53,660 who believe that, by the way? 83 00:03:53,660 –> 00:03:54,479 Thank you. 84 00:03:55,539 –> 00:03:57,240 Then something happened this week. 85 00:03:58,740 –> 00:04:01,059 We were in our usual staff prayer time on Wednesday 86 00:04:01,059 –> 00:04:02,500 and I asked, as I quite often do, 87 00:04:02,500 –> 00:04:05,960 for prayer for the services on Sunday for today 88 00:04:05,960 –> 00:04:08,399 and that prompted some discussion around the table 89 00:04:08,399 –> 00:04:10,179 and then one of the pastors said this. 90 00:04:10,179 –> 00:04:11,199 You know, Colin, 91 00:04:12,160 –> 00:04:15,000 there are many people for who Mother’s Day 92 00:04:15,000 –> 00:04:18,799 is one of the most difficult days in all of the year. 93 00:04:19,779 –> 00:04:22,179 And I began to think about that 94 00:04:22,179 –> 00:04:23,380 as to why that’s true. 95 00:04:25,059 –> 00:04:28,739 You see, there are many women who have not had children 96 00:04:28,739 –> 00:04:31,660 either because you were never married 97 00:04:31,660 –> 00:04:34,420 or because you were not given this particular gift. 98 00:04:35,640 –> 00:04:37,980 Then there are women who have lost children 99 00:04:38,000 –> 00:04:41,200 and your grief is brought into focus three times a year 100 00:04:41,200 –> 00:04:45,339 at Christmas, at birthdays and on Mother’s Day. 101 00:04:46,859 –> 00:04:50,459 Then there are the women who have found motherhood difficult. 102 00:04:50,459 –> 00:04:52,299 You’ve been given the gift of children, 103 00:04:52,299 –> 00:04:55,179 but honestly you have not found it easy, natural 104 00:04:55,179 –> 00:04:58,820 or instinctive to adapt to motherhood. 105 00:04:58,820 –> 00:05:00,779 And you experienced deep inner struggles 106 00:05:00,779 –> 00:05:02,940 and many questions about yourself as a result. 107 00:05:02,940 –> 00:05:04,600 You say, what is wrong with me? 108 00:05:06,239 –> 00:05:07,339 Then there are women who feel 109 00:05:07,359 –> 00:05:10,200 that they have failed as mothers. 110 00:05:10,200 –> 00:05:12,200 And the day that was intended to honour you 111 00:05:12,200 –> 00:05:13,359 actually turns out to be 112 00:05:13,359 –> 00:05:15,059 at least in the recesses of your mind 113 00:05:15,059 –> 00:05:17,480 an occasion where you have all kinds of questions 114 00:05:17,480 –> 00:05:21,200 and maybe sometimes even regrets that come to the surface. 115 00:05:22,359 –> 00:05:25,579 Then there are all of the women and men 116 00:05:25,579 –> 00:05:27,519 who have a difficult relationship 117 00:05:27,519 –> 00:05:31,920 either with their own mother or with a mother-in-law, 118 00:05:31,920 –> 00:05:35,079 and you wonder why even in adult life 119 00:05:35,079 –> 00:05:37,799 this should be so difficult, 120 00:05:37,799 –> 00:05:40,559 and you wish that things could be different. 121 00:05:41,459 –> 00:05:42,540 There are all of those who, 122 00:05:42,540 –> 00:05:45,279 in the complexity of family life, 123 00:05:45,279 –> 00:05:46,779 of different relationships, 124 00:05:46,779 –> 00:05:49,440 of more than one person with the name of mother, 125 00:05:49,440 –> 00:05:51,959 and all of the questions that arise 126 00:05:53,500 –> 00:05:57,100 then there are those who grieve for the loss of a mother 127 00:05:57,100 –> 00:05:59,839 who is no longer able to share the day. 128 00:05:59,839 –> 00:06:01,579 And I tell you, we wouldn’t do this, 129 00:06:01,600 –> 00:06:06,600 but if we were to have an honest show of hands 130 00:06:06,679 –> 00:06:08,880 of all the folks in this congregation 131 00:06:08,880 –> 00:06:13,239 who related to one of these descriptions 132 00:06:13,239 –> 00:06:17,459 we would have a whole lot of hands raised. 133 00:06:17,459 –> 00:06:18,920 And, of course, one of the reasons 134 00:06:18,920 –> 00:06:21,200 why I think Mother’s Day is difficult for many folks 135 00:06:21,200 –> 00:06:24,160 is it’s far too easy for pastors 136 00:06:24,160 –> 00:06:25,519 to come into church and think 137 00:06:25,519 –> 00:06:26,760 they’re doing everybody a favor 138 00:06:26,760 –> 00:06:29,579 by painting this picture postcard, 139 00:06:29,579 –> 00:06:31,980 perfect picture of family life, 140 00:06:31,980 –> 00:06:34,140 you know, the sort of thing that I’m referring to, 141 00:06:34,140 –> 00:06:37,799 and it sort of rubs salt into the wound. 142 00:06:39,140 –> 00:06:41,480 While I’ve been very, very much struck, again, 143 00:06:41,480 –> 00:06:43,040 in reading the gospels by the fact 144 00:06:43,040 –> 00:06:46,320 that the teaching of Jesus is never sentimental. 145 00:06:47,200 –> 00:06:51,140 Jesus speaks to life as it is. 146 00:06:51,140 –> 00:06:54,420 You see, you watch the movies 147 00:06:54,459 –> 00:06:57,380 to escape into a world of fantasy. 148 00:06:57,380 –> 00:07:00,100 And you go off into the fantasy world of the theater. 149 00:07:00,100 –> 00:07:01,279 And you say, oh, yes, yes, yes. 150 00:07:01,279 –> 00:07:04,200 That’s how I’d like life to be. 151 00:07:04,200 –> 00:07:05,980 But when you come to the teaching of Jesus, 152 00:07:05,980 –> 00:07:08,059 you’re brought back to reality. 153 00:07:08,059 –> 00:07:09,820 And as you read the teaching of Jesus, 154 00:07:09,820 –> 00:07:12,059 time and again you find yourself saying no, 155 00:07:12,059 –> 00:07:14,859 this is my life as it actually is. 156 00:07:16,000 –> 00:07:18,179 Now, a lot of people have the idea, you know, 157 00:07:18,179 –> 00:07:20,839 that coming to church is like going to the movies. 158 00:07:20,839 –> 00:07:21,679 You know, do it. 159 00:07:21,679 –> 00:07:22,739 Christmas, Easter, and Mother’s Day 160 00:07:22,779 –> 00:07:24,640 and it gives you a little bit of sliding 161 00:07:24,640 –> 00:07:27,019 into a comfortable spiritual world. 162 00:07:27,019 –> 00:07:29,179 You know, as we go to the movies to escape, 163 00:07:29,179 –> 00:07:31,279 hey, church is a lot like that. 164 00:07:31,279 –> 00:07:34,119 Church is nothing like that. 165 00:07:35,959 –> 00:07:39,880 We go to the movies to escape reality. 166 00:07:39,880 –> 00:07:43,799 We come to church to strengthen our souls 167 00:07:43,799 –> 00:07:47,880 in the presence of God to face reality. 168 00:07:47,880 –> 00:07:51,160 And there is all the difference in the world. 169 00:07:51,160 –> 00:07:53,279 So, I think that it is wonderful 170 00:07:53,279 –> 00:07:56,559 that we have this marvelous day to honor mothers 171 00:07:56,559 –> 00:08:00,640 and to celebrate the gift of motherhood as we do. 172 00:08:00,640 –> 00:08:04,359 My prayer for today is that a healthy dose 173 00:08:04,359 –> 00:08:08,640 of the teaching of Jesus will be like a breath 174 00:08:08,640 –> 00:08:10,880 of fresh air for us all. 175 00:08:10,880 –> 00:08:14,160 And I believe that as we open the scriptures, it will be. 176 00:08:14,160 –> 00:08:15,720 So, here’s what we’re going to do. 177 00:08:15,720 –> 00:08:18,399 We’re going to take, today, in the next few minutes, 178 00:08:18,519 –> 00:08:23,119 a whirlwind tour through everything Jesus Christ 179 00:08:23,119 –> 00:08:25,359 said about motherhood. 180 00:08:25,359 –> 00:08:28,559 You will find that all that Jesus said about motherhood 181 00:08:28,559 –> 00:08:32,460 can be painted for us under five main headings. 182 00:08:32,460 –> 00:08:34,599 And if you can grasp these themes, 183 00:08:34,599 –> 00:08:37,679 you will grasp the central planks of the teaching 184 00:08:37,679 –> 00:08:40,679 of Jesus with regards to not only motherhood, 185 00:08:40,679 –> 00:08:43,039 but with regards to family life 186 00:08:43,039 –> 00:08:46,039 and these key relationships that affect us all. 187 00:08:46,039 –> 00:08:47,640 And I think that as we do this, 188 00:08:47,640 –> 00:08:51,679 we’re going to discover that this speaks powerfully 189 00:08:51,679 –> 00:08:54,919 into the realities of our lives today. 190 00:08:54,919 –> 00:08:56,460 Like to start with the first theme then 191 00:08:56,460 –> 00:08:58,539 and I hope you will follow me in your Bibles 192 00:08:58,539 –> 00:09:00,280 with the theme of obeying 193 00:09:00,280 –> 00:09:03,159 and please turn in your Bibles then to Luke 11 194 00:09:03,159 –> 00:09:05,320 and verse 27. 195 00:09:05,320 –> 00:09:07,780 I want you to imagine the scene with me Luke 11 196 00:09:07,780 –> 00:09:09,059 and verse 27. 197 00:09:10,059 –> 00:09:12,080 Jesus has just driven a demon 198 00:09:12,080 –> 00:09:14,039 from a man who has been unable to speak 199 00:09:14,039 –> 00:09:16,380 and it was a remarkable miracle. 200 00:09:16,780 –> 00:09:17,820 He spoke for the first time 201 00:09:17,820 –> 00:09:20,659 and everyone’s amazed at the power of Jesus. 202 00:09:20,659 –> 00:09:22,299 And Christ used this opportunity 203 00:09:22,299 –> 00:09:23,900 to teach about the powers of evil. 204 00:09:23,900 –> 00:09:24,900 He made it very clear 205 00:09:24,900 –> 00:09:26,700 that if we’re to be delivered from evil 206 00:09:26,700 –> 00:09:29,239 we need the help of someone who has power over evil, 207 00:09:29,239 –> 00:09:31,380 very obvious point. 208 00:09:31,380 –> 00:09:33,960 Then in verse 27 we read 209 00:09:33,960 –> 00:09:36,039 that as Jesus was saying these things 210 00:09:36,039 –> 00:09:38,859 a woman in the crowd called out. 211 00:09:39,900 –> 00:09:41,780 So here’s a heckler perhaps 212 00:09:41,780 –> 00:09:43,580 or at least she’s trying to be more positive 213 00:09:43,580 –> 00:09:45,260 but she shouts out from the crowd 214 00:09:45,299 –> 00:09:46,719 and here’s what she says. 215 00:09:46,719 –> 00:09:50,179 Blessed is the mother who gave birth and nursed you. 216 00:09:51,460 –> 00:09:54,760 This is obviously meant as a compliment to Jesus. 217 00:09:54,760 –> 00:09:56,080 Blessed is your mother. 218 00:09:57,820 –> 00:10:00,020 It’s meant not only as a compliment 219 00:10:00,020 –> 00:10:01,580 to Jesus in his greatness 220 00:10:01,580 –> 00:10:03,840 but it’s meant as an even greater compliment 221 00:10:03,840 –> 00:10:06,159 to the mother who gave him birth. 222 00:10:07,179 –> 00:10:09,859 So she’s saying something like this. 223 00:10:09,859 –> 00:10:11,820 Your mother must be a remarkable woman 224 00:10:11,820 –> 00:10:13,159 to have a great son like you. 225 00:10:13,340 –> 00:10:14,200 You! 226 00:10:15,039 –> 00:10:17,059 You really must have a wonderful mother! 227 00:10:18,200 –> 00:10:20,320 It’s rather like our saying today, 228 00:10:20,320 –> 00:10:25,320 Behind every great man is an even greater woman. 229 00:10:25,719 –> 00:10:26,960 You know we say that today, 230 00:10:26,960 –> 00:10:29,260 I know there are variations on that particular line 231 00:10:29,260 –> 00:10:32,119 but that’s basically what this woman is saying. 232 00:10:32,119 –> 00:10:34,059 Now notice what Jesus says in reply. 233 00:10:35,000 –> 00:10:37,679 Blessed, rather, he says, 234 00:10:37,679 –> 00:10:40,599 are those who hear the word of God 235 00:10:41,840 –> 00:10:42,760 and obey it. 236 00:10:44,080 –> 00:10:45,880 Now you see what he’s saying? 237 00:10:45,880 –> 00:10:50,880 God’s blessing is found on the path of obedience. 238 00:10:54,320 –> 00:10:56,359 Now in the context, this is a remarkable statement 239 00:10:56,359 –> 00:10:59,020 because obviously, motherhood is a wonderful blessing 240 00:10:59,020 –> 00:10:59,859 from God. 241 00:11:01,219 –> 00:11:03,559 And yet, Jesus is making it clear 242 00:11:03,559 –> 00:11:05,719 that although this is a wonderful blessing, 243 00:11:06,979 –> 00:11:09,159 the person who is really blessed 244 00:11:09,159 –> 00:11:11,960 does not enter into that by childbirth. 245 00:11:13,159 –> 00:11:17,260 But rather by hearing the word of God and obeying it. 246 00:11:18,460 –> 00:11:20,419 You do not enter blessing in this life 247 00:11:20,419 –> 00:11:22,299 primarily by giving birth to children, 248 00:11:22,299 –> 00:11:24,299 but rather by hearing the word of God and obeying it. 249 00:11:24,299 –> 00:11:25,659 That’s what Jesus is saying. 250 00:11:26,559 –> 00:11:29,059 The mother who is blessed 251 00:11:29,919 –> 00:11:34,919 is the one who hears the word of God and who obeys it. 252 00:11:35,099 –> 00:11:36,460 You find the same teaching, by the way, 253 00:11:36,460 –> 00:11:38,500 in Luke chapter eight in verse 21 254 00:11:38,500 –> 00:11:39,500 where Jesus again says, 255 00:11:39,500 –> 00:11:41,099 my mother and my brothers 256 00:11:41,099 –> 00:11:42,979 are those who hear the word of God 257 00:11:42,979 –> 00:11:44,260 and put it into practice. 258 00:11:44,260 –> 00:11:45,460 It’s the same thing. 259 00:11:45,460 –> 00:11:47,020 So let’s grasp this first point 260 00:11:47,020 –> 00:11:52,020 that God’s blessing is tied to obedience, not to motherhood. 261 00:11:52,219 –> 00:11:53,880 That’s what Jesus is saying. 262 00:11:53,880 –> 00:11:55,599 And it’s very important to grasp that, 263 00:11:55,599 –> 00:11:57,700 do you see, because if we get it the other way around, 264 00:11:57,700 –> 00:12:00,200 we get into all kinds of confusion. 265 00:12:00,200 –> 00:12:02,780 That’s where you have a woman who says, 266 00:12:02,780 –> 00:12:04,260 well, I have no children. 267 00:12:05,380 –> 00:12:09,159 Why has God withheld this blessing from me? 268 00:12:10,479 –> 00:12:12,419 If only I could be a mother, 269 00:12:12,419 –> 00:12:14,859 then I would be blessed, you say. 270 00:12:16,280 –> 00:12:18,000 No, 271 00:12:18,000 –> 00:12:20,679 you are blessed 272 00:12:21,739 –> 00:12:25,020 if you hear the word of God and you obey. 273 00:12:26,960 –> 00:12:28,900 And then there’s the other woman, you see, 274 00:12:28,900 –> 00:12:30,380 who has children and says, 275 00:12:30,380 –> 00:12:32,799 well, you know, I really must have been blessed. 276 00:12:33,799 –> 00:12:35,840 Here I am, here with all my children, 277 00:12:35,840 –> 00:12:38,119 the smile of God must be upon me, 278 00:12:38,239 –> 00:12:39,780 when I have all these children. 279 00:12:41,619 –> 00:12:43,640 Jesus is saying, 280 00:12:43,640 –> 00:12:45,820 no, the way that you will be blessed 281 00:12:45,820 –> 00:12:48,059 at the deepest level as a mother 282 00:12:49,419 –> 00:12:52,140 is as you hear the word of God 283 00:12:53,659 –> 00:12:55,020 and obey it. 284 00:12:55,020 –> 00:12:56,700 And I think 285 00:12:56,700 –> 00:12:58,679 that the really astonishing thing 286 00:12:58,679 –> 00:13:00,200 about this statement of Jesus, 287 00:13:00,200 –> 00:13:03,059 actually quite staggering when you think about it, 288 00:13:03,059 –> 00:13:05,299 is that he said these words 289 00:13:05,320 –> 00:13:08,780 in response to a statement about his mother. 290 00:13:09,919 –> 00:13:11,099 The woman said to Jesus, 291 00:13:11,099 –> 00:13:14,340 blessed is the mother who gave you birth, 292 00:13:14,340 –> 00:13:16,099 the mother who nursed you. 293 00:13:17,080 –> 00:13:19,440 And Jesus says in reply 294 00:13:19,440 –> 00:13:21,640 about his own mother in effect. 295 00:13:21,640 –> 00:13:25,419 Look, the thing that makes her a blessed woman 296 00:13:27,159 –> 00:13:28,599 is not so much the fact 297 00:13:28,599 –> 00:13:30,679 that she brought me into the world 298 00:13:30,679 –> 00:13:33,479 as the fact that she knows the word of God 299 00:13:33,479 –> 00:13:35,000 and that she obeys it. 300 00:13:36,140 –> 00:13:39,580 J. C. Ryle, one of the greatest evangelical writers 301 00:13:39,580 –> 00:13:41,419 on the gospels, has this comment 302 00:13:41,419 –> 00:13:42,820 that I found very beautiful. 303 00:13:42,820 –> 00:13:46,219 He said, it was a greater honor 304 00:13:46,219 –> 00:13:48,119 for the Virgin Mary herself 305 00:13:48,119 –> 00:13:50,099 to have Christ dwelling in her heart 306 00:13:50,099 –> 00:13:52,520 by faith than to have been the Mother of Christ 307 00:13:52,520 –> 00:13:54,960 and to have nursed him upon her bosom. 308 00:13:56,059 –> 00:14:00,700 Bearing children, even wonderful children, 309 00:14:01,700 –> 00:14:03,419 does not make you blessed. 310 00:14:03,419 –> 00:14:04,979 Obeying God does. 311 00:14:06,239 –> 00:14:08,099 If you want to be a mother who is blessed, 312 00:14:08,099 –> 00:14:09,260 here are two things to do. 313 00:14:09,260 –> 00:14:10,979 First, hear the word of God. 314 00:14:10,979 –> 00:14:12,659 It’s very practical. 315 00:14:12,659 –> 00:14:14,780 Don’t let the fact that you have children 316 00:14:14,780 –> 00:14:16,859 stop you from hearing the word of God. 317 00:14:18,219 –> 00:14:19,460 It might be the most important encouragement 318 00:14:19,460 –> 00:14:21,099 that could be given to a mother today, 319 00:14:21,099 –> 00:14:23,900 don’t let the fact that you have children 320 00:14:23,900 –> 00:14:26,580 stop you from hearing the word of God. 321 00:14:28,320 –> 00:14:31,520 Second, when you hear it, obey it. 322 00:14:31,520 –> 00:14:34,020 See, becoming a mother or becoming a father 323 00:14:34,020 –> 00:14:36,020 or any of these relationships of life 324 00:14:36,020 –> 00:14:37,979 will not make you less selfish. 325 00:14:37,979 –> 00:14:40,260 It will not make you more loving in and of itself. 326 00:14:40,260 –> 00:14:42,700 The only way in which you will become everything 327 00:14:42,700 –> 00:14:45,260 that God wants you to be and therefore to be blessed 328 00:14:46,299 –> 00:14:50,099 is as you hear the word of God and as you obey it. 329 00:14:50,099 –> 00:14:52,979 And that is where blessing is found for you 330 00:14:52,979 –> 00:14:57,080 and for your children and for us all. 331 00:14:58,140 –> 00:14:59,260 That’s the first thing. 332 00:15:00,080 –> 00:15:02,659 And here’s the second, loving. 333 00:15:03,580 –> 00:15:07,080 Turn to Matthew 10 and verse 37. 334 00:15:07,080 –> 00:15:09,580 Matthew 10 and verse 37. 335 00:15:09,580 –> 00:15:13,299 Here’s the second main theme in the teaching of Jesus. 336 00:15:15,059 –> 00:15:18,960 Anyone who loves his father or his mother more than me 337 00:15:18,960 –> 00:15:21,059 is not worthy of me. 338 00:15:21,059 –> 00:15:22,780 And anyone who loves his son 339 00:15:22,780 –> 00:15:26,780 or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 340 00:15:26,780 –> 00:15:27,619 Wow. 341 00:15:28,840 –> 00:15:31,380 Here is another extraordinary statement 342 00:15:31,520 –> 00:15:32,979 directly from the mouth of Jesus. 343 00:15:32,979 –> 00:15:34,500 And some of us I know will look at this 344 00:15:34,500 –> 00:15:37,059 and immediately say this is very, very extreme. 345 00:15:38,799 –> 00:15:40,460 But these are the words of Jesus 346 00:15:40,460 –> 00:15:42,239 and I want to suggest to you honestly 347 00:15:42,239 –> 00:15:44,700 as I’ve tried to search my own heart on this one. 348 00:15:45,760 –> 00:15:48,340 That this teaching is really one of the most neglected 349 00:15:48,340 –> 00:15:52,539 and probably most needed teachings for family life today. 350 00:15:53,820 –> 00:15:56,799 Perhaps the best way to understand this particular teaching 351 00:15:57,700 –> 00:16:00,479 is to turn it on its head 352 00:16:00,479 –> 00:16:02,700 and to think about the opposite. 353 00:16:03,640 –> 00:16:04,799 Now try to follow me. 354 00:16:04,799 –> 00:16:08,960 Jesus said, love me more than you love your kids. 355 00:16:08,960 –> 00:16:10,679 That’s what he said. 356 00:16:10,679 –> 00:16:15,080 Love me more than you love your kids, okay. 357 00:16:15,080 –> 00:16:16,900 Now what happens if we do the opposite? 358 00:16:16,900 –> 00:16:19,280 What happens if we turn that on it’s head? 359 00:16:19,280 –> 00:16:22,119 What if we love our children more than we love Jesus. 360 00:16:23,280 –> 00:16:28,119 See, if we love our children more than we love Jesus, 361 00:16:28,119 –> 00:16:30,580 then we love our children more than we love God. 362 00:16:31,619 –> 00:16:34,299 And if we love our children more than we love God, 363 00:16:34,299 –> 00:16:37,400 we make our children idols. 364 00:16:37,400 –> 00:16:39,140 We put our children in the place of God. 365 00:16:39,140 –> 00:16:40,559 That’s what an idol is. 366 00:16:41,739 –> 00:16:46,340 And if we put a child in the place of God, 367 00:16:46,340 –> 00:16:49,419 that child will come to think of him or herself 368 00:16:49,419 –> 00:16:52,520 as being in the place of God, and belonging there, 369 00:16:52,520 –> 00:16:55,900 and that will be the road to eternal ruin for that child. 370 00:16:56,020 –> 00:17:00,039 How will your child ever let God be God in his or her life 371 00:17:00,039 –> 00:17:02,520 if you will not let God be God in yours? 372 00:17:04,359 –> 00:17:06,939 Now when Jesus speaks of loving him more 373 00:17:06,939 –> 00:17:08,000 than father or mother, 374 00:17:08,000 –> 00:17:10,339 and you can see there in the gospels that’s what he says, 375 00:17:10,339 –> 00:17:12,280 he’s clearly not talking about a love 376 00:17:12,280 –> 00:17:14,579 that is greater in degree, 377 00:17:14,579 –> 00:17:18,260 but he’s talking about a love that is first in priority. 378 00:17:18,260 –> 00:17:19,780 In other words, he’s not saying 379 00:17:19,780 –> 00:17:24,459 if your love for God is a seven, 380 00:17:24,979 –> 00:17:27,800 make sure that your love for your kids 381 00:17:27,800 –> 00:17:31,119 is kinda pulled back and it’s not higher than a six, 382 00:17:31,119 –> 00:17:33,819 he’s not saying that, or anything like that. 383 00:17:33,819 –> 00:17:35,099 Now what he’s saying is this, 384 00:17:35,099 –> 00:17:36,500 here’s the reality, 385 00:17:36,500 –> 00:17:40,339 that loving God first is the key 386 00:17:41,719 –> 00:17:43,079 to loving your children. 387 00:17:44,459 –> 00:17:45,900 And you see the reason for that 388 00:17:45,900 –> 00:17:49,959 is that we are fallen creatures. 389 00:17:49,959 –> 00:17:52,979 And that means that our natural capacity 390 00:17:52,979 –> 00:17:55,660 is for a fallen love. 391 00:17:56,780 –> 00:17:59,180 Fallen creatures have a natural capacity 392 00:17:59,180 –> 00:18:01,739 for a fallen love that follows. 393 00:18:01,739 –> 00:18:03,479 That of course is why relationships 394 00:18:03,479 –> 00:18:05,680 are so difficult and so often dysfunctional 395 00:18:05,680 –> 00:18:06,900 in our society. 396 00:18:06,900 –> 00:18:09,959 Our love has a great deal of self interest in it, 397 00:18:09,959 –> 00:18:13,459 it is easy to love those who we find attractive 398 00:18:13,459 –> 00:18:15,520 and those who make us feel good. 399 00:18:16,760 –> 00:18:18,880 But you don’t have to go very far in this life 400 00:18:18,880 –> 00:18:20,760 before you run into situations 401 00:18:20,800 –> 00:18:23,439 where fallen love runs dry. 402 00:18:25,000 –> 00:18:27,359 What happens to fallen love 403 00:18:29,119 –> 00:18:32,719 when you are tired of a mother’s routine? 404 00:18:34,500 –> 00:18:36,719 What happens to fallen love 405 00:18:36,719 –> 00:18:39,400 when you’re frustrated by thankless children? 406 00:18:40,959 –> 00:18:42,359 What happens to fallen love 407 00:18:42,359 –> 00:18:44,540 when you’re embarrassed by a rebel son 408 00:18:44,540 –> 00:18:47,599 or ashamed by a profligate daughter? 409 00:18:47,599 –> 00:18:49,359 What happens when God calls you 410 00:18:49,359 –> 00:18:52,479 to love in the hard places of life? 411 00:18:53,760 –> 00:18:55,800 Fallen love won’t take as far then. 412 00:18:57,359 –> 00:19:00,140 See, there is only one way to do that, 413 00:19:00,140 –> 00:19:02,939 the stuff of the real world, 414 00:19:02,939 –> 00:19:07,020 and that is to be filled with another kind of love, 415 00:19:07,020 –> 00:19:11,719 an unfallen love that comes from the heart of God. 416 00:19:14,479 –> 00:19:16,199 Don’t know if you’ve ever tried drinking 417 00:19:16,199 –> 00:19:18,560 a soda with someone else. 418 00:19:18,760 –> 00:19:20,199 Two drinking at the same time. 419 00:19:21,219 –> 00:19:24,040 Perhaps this is a uniquely Scottish idea. 420 00:19:24,040 –> 00:19:26,319 You know, the waiter says, 421 00:19:26,319 –> 00:19:27,280 would you like a drink? 422 00:19:27,280 –> 00:19:31,040 Yes, I’d like a lemonade and two straws, please. 423 00:19:31,040 –> 00:19:32,400 You know, if there are two people 424 00:19:32,400 –> 00:19:33,800 drinking through two straws 425 00:19:33,800 –> 00:19:35,520 out of one lemonade at the same time, 426 00:19:35,520 –> 00:19:39,280 it is amazing how quickly the glass becomes empty, 427 00:19:39,280 –> 00:19:40,599 especially if it’s half full of ice 428 00:19:40,599 –> 00:19:42,119 in the first place, of course. 429 00:19:43,119 –> 00:19:46,479 And it’s so easy for a marriage to become like that. 430 00:19:47,479 –> 00:19:48,839 And if you add in a few kids 431 00:19:48,839 –> 00:19:51,680 so that there are four or five or six straws in the glass 432 00:19:51,680 –> 00:19:54,579 and everyone sucking at the same time, as it were, 433 00:19:55,560 –> 00:19:58,400 it’s not long before the glass becomes empty 434 00:19:58,400 –> 00:19:59,819 as everybody gathers around 435 00:19:59,819 –> 00:20:01,699 and tries to fill themself up on it. 436 00:20:03,280 –> 00:20:06,400 Someone needs to fill the glass. 437 00:20:07,520 –> 00:20:09,839 And there’s only one person in all the universe 438 00:20:09,839 –> 00:20:11,099 can do that. 439 00:20:12,260 –> 00:20:14,119 The glass is not filled 440 00:20:14,339 –> 00:20:15,640 with fallen love. 441 00:20:17,920 –> 00:20:20,959 The glass is filled from the hand of God 442 00:20:20,959 –> 00:20:24,339 who pours out his love into our hearts, 443 00:20:24,339 –> 00:20:26,540 the scripture says, by the Holy Spirit 444 00:20:26,540 –> 00:20:28,459 whom he has given to us. 445 00:20:29,420 –> 00:20:31,300 So you look to your husband, to your wife, 446 00:20:31,300 –> 00:20:33,459 to your son, or to your daughter to fill you up 447 00:20:33,459 –> 00:20:35,599 and you will run dry. 448 00:20:37,180 –> 00:20:39,040 But when you come to love God 449 00:20:40,319 –> 00:20:41,859 and to walk with him, 450 00:20:41,859 –> 00:20:44,239 he will pour his love into you! 451 00:20:46,420 –> 00:20:48,239 And as the love of God flows into you, 452 00:20:48,239 –> 00:20:51,660 your capacity to love will be stretched, 453 00:20:51,660 –> 00:20:54,780 it will be expanded, it will go beyond the range 454 00:20:54,780 –> 00:20:56,239 of fallen love. 455 00:20:57,140 –> 00:20:58,400 Will reflect his love. 456 00:21:00,900 –> 00:21:03,640 His love for you creates the capacity 457 00:21:04,739 –> 00:21:08,239 to go on loving those God has placed next to you. 458 00:21:08,479 –> 00:21:12,959 Now, all of us as parents fail in so many ways, 459 00:21:13,920 –> 00:21:16,319 but you know, where the Word of God has central place 460 00:21:16,319 –> 00:21:19,020 in your life and the love of God is established 461 00:21:19,020 –> 00:21:22,300 in your heart, your children will see that 462 00:21:23,199 –> 00:21:25,160 and they will be blessed. 463 00:21:25,160 –> 00:21:27,760 I have to tell you, reflecting with thankfulness 464 00:21:27,760 –> 00:21:31,459 on my own life, I say where has the blessing come? 465 00:21:33,099 –> 00:21:35,319 One of the greatest blessings of my own life 466 00:21:36,260 –> 00:21:38,780 has come through a father and a mother 467 00:21:38,780 –> 00:21:42,839 who loved what it is to model God first. 468 00:21:42,839 –> 00:21:45,219 I grew up seeing and knowing that the 469 00:21:45,219 –> 00:21:47,719 Word of God mattered to them, 470 00:21:47,719 –> 00:21:50,859 that it was central to their lives, 471 00:21:50,859 –> 00:21:52,300 so it ought to matter to me. 472 00:21:53,300 –> 00:21:55,900 That they loved God, that they saw the relationship 473 00:21:55,900 –> 00:21:58,219 that they had with Him as their first priority, 474 00:21:58,219 –> 00:22:02,660 that was true for them, it spoke volumes to me. 475 00:22:03,599 –> 00:22:05,520 Loving. 476 00:22:06,699 –> 00:22:08,319 Ready for the next one? 477 00:22:08,319 –> 00:22:10,619 Number three, leaving. 478 00:22:10,619 –> 00:22:12,459 Oh, boy, leaving on Mother’s Day, 479 00:22:12,459 –> 00:22:13,900 I mean, can you believe it? 480 00:22:13,900 –> 00:22:18,900 Jesus hits all the big issues of a mother’s life, leaving. 481 00:22:20,219 –> 00:22:22,500 Matthew Chapter 19 in Verse 5, 482 00:22:22,500 –> 00:22:24,219 for this reason Jesus said, 483 00:22:24,219 –> 00:22:26,000 quoting the words of the Old Testament, 484 00:22:26,000 –> 00:22:30,819 a man shall leave his father and mother 485 00:22:30,959 –> 00:22:33,719 and be united to his wife 486 00:22:33,719 –> 00:22:36,280 and the two shall become one flesh. 487 00:22:36,280 –> 00:22:37,180 And then a little later 488 00:22:37,180 –> 00:22:40,839 in the same chapter, Matthew 19 in Verse 29, 489 00:22:40,839 –> 00:22:44,319 everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, 490 00:22:44,319 –> 00:22:49,319 father, mother, or children, or fields, for my sake, 491 00:22:49,339 –> 00:22:51,439 will receive a hundred times as much 492 00:22:51,439 –> 00:22:54,099 and will inherit eternal life. 493 00:22:54,099 –> 00:22:56,119 Talk about the big issues of a mother’s life, 494 00:22:56,119 –> 00:22:57,219 here it is right here. 495 00:22:58,140 –> 00:23:01,719 Children leaving. 496 00:23:01,719 –> 00:23:03,939 It says, Jesus, there will come a time 497 00:23:03,939 –> 00:23:08,339 when your son or your daughter will leave the mother. 498 00:23:09,719 –> 00:23:11,680 They will form another relationship 499 00:23:12,920 –> 00:23:15,260 and it will be closer than the relationship 500 00:23:15,260 –> 00:23:16,319 they had with you. 501 00:23:18,079 –> 00:23:20,160 Then Jesus speaks of another situation 502 00:23:20,160 –> 00:23:22,660 in which a son or a daughter is called 503 00:23:22,660 –> 00:23:25,839 to serve the Lord in another part of the country 504 00:23:25,900 –> 00:23:28,140 or perhaps even another part of the world 505 00:23:28,140 –> 00:23:30,380 and the mother is faced with the pain 506 00:23:30,380 –> 00:23:33,060 of letting go someone who leaves 507 00:23:33,060 –> 00:23:34,920 for the sake of the gospel. 508 00:23:36,680 –> 00:23:39,239 And in the dedication service this morning, 509 00:23:39,239 –> 00:23:42,060 parents acknowledge that a son or a daughter 510 00:23:42,060 –> 00:23:45,800 is a gift from God, that as parents, 511 00:23:45,800 –> 00:23:48,959 we are stewards, trusted with the privilege 512 00:23:48,959 –> 00:23:51,800 of raising children who belong to God. 513 00:23:53,099 –> 00:23:54,239 And at some point in the journey, 514 00:23:54,239 –> 00:23:55,719 that means that we will be faced 515 00:23:55,719 –> 00:23:58,540 with the challenge of releasing them 516 00:23:58,540 –> 00:24:01,079 back into the hands of the God 517 00:24:01,079 –> 00:24:04,640 who gave them to us in the first place. 518 00:24:04,640 –> 00:24:05,900 So here’s the third principle 519 00:24:05,900 –> 00:24:08,079 from the teaching of Jesus. 520 00:24:08,079 –> 00:24:12,880 Children belong to Christ and not to us. 521 00:24:12,880 –> 00:24:17,660 Children belong to Christ and not to us. 522 00:24:17,660 –> 00:24:19,359 Now you know, that is why it’s so important 523 00:24:19,359 –> 00:24:23,959 that a family never becomes an end in itself. 524 00:24:23,979 –> 00:24:28,000 See, everything in this world exists for a purpose 525 00:24:28,000 –> 00:24:30,680 and everything exists for something 526 00:24:30,680 –> 00:24:33,300 that is bigger than itself 527 00:24:33,300 –> 00:24:34,979 and something within all of us 528 00:24:34,979 –> 00:24:37,479 cries out to know that purpose. 529 00:24:37,479 –> 00:24:38,979 What is a family for? 530 00:24:39,959 –> 00:24:41,599 What am I for? 531 00:24:41,599 –> 00:24:43,739 What is this world for? 532 00:24:46,000 –> 00:24:48,760 A family, if you want a simple description, 533 00:24:49,680 –> 00:24:54,680 is a cradle in which children are nurtured 534 00:24:54,780 –> 00:24:57,280 in the knowledge and the love of God 535 00:24:57,280 –> 00:25:01,239 so that each member 536 00:25:02,079 –> 00:25:05,739 can discover and fulfill their place in God’s purpose. 537 00:25:06,560 –> 00:25:10,520 It’s a cradle in which children are nurtured 538 00:25:10,520 –> 00:25:12,760 in the knowledge and in the love of God 539 00:25:12,760 –> 00:25:14,020 with this purpose 540 00:25:14,859 –> 00:25:16,400 that each member of the family 541 00:25:16,560 –> 00:25:18,920 may be able to fulfill their rule, 542 00:25:18,920 –> 00:25:21,660 their place in the purpose of God. 543 00:25:23,020 –> 00:25:26,219 If we understand God’s central purpose for a family, 544 00:25:26,219 –> 00:25:29,619 there can be no greater joy for a family 545 00:25:29,660 –> 00:25:33,660 than to see that purpose accomplished 546 00:25:33,660 –> 00:25:37,459 as a son or a daughter finds his or her place 547 00:25:37,459 –> 00:25:38,800 in the purpose of God. 548 00:25:39,859 –> 00:25:41,560 If you have a son or a daughter 549 00:25:41,560 –> 00:25:44,699 who wants to count for the Kingdom of God, 550 00:25:44,699 –> 00:25:46,739 give thanks to God for that 551 00:25:46,739 –> 00:25:48,180 because that is what the family 552 00:25:48,180 –> 00:25:49,619 was all about in the first place. 553 00:25:49,619 –> 00:25:51,760 This was why h gave them into your charge, 554 00:25:51,760 –> 00:25:53,040 that you would be the cradle 555 00:25:53,040 –> 00:25:55,579 in which that desire would be formed within them. 556 00:25:56,739 –> 00:25:59,300 This was the purpose for which they were given to you, 557 00:26:01,300 –> 00:26:03,939 that’s why John the Apostle writes, 558 00:26:03,939 –> 00:26:06,000 with the spirit of a father when he says, 559 00:26:06,000 –> 00:26:09,000 I have no greater joy than to see 560 00:26:09,000 –> 00:26:13,599 that my children are walking in the truth. 561 00:26:14,739 –> 00:26:16,280 Whatever that will take them, 562 00:26:17,380 –> 00:26:19,739 whatever that will cost them, 563 00:26:20,900 –> 00:26:25,119 this is what a family is for. 564 00:26:26,339 –> 00:26:30,819 So obeying, loving, leaving. 565 00:26:31,979 –> 00:26:32,800 Two more. 566 00:26:34,380 –> 00:26:35,459 Dividing. 567 00:26:36,560 –> 00:26:37,640 Would you believe it? 568 00:26:38,599 –> 00:26:42,119 But it’s there, and it’s there in reality too. 569 00:26:43,099 –> 00:26:44,500 Look at the words of Jesus 570 00:26:44,500 –> 00:26:46,099 if you would for a moment. 571 00:26:47,579 –> 00:26:50,239 Luke’s Gospel, chapter 12 verse 53. 572 00:26:51,739 –> 00:26:52,839 Jesus says, do you think 573 00:26:52,839 –> 00:26:55,300 that I’ve come to bring peace on earth? 574 00:26:55,300 –> 00:26:58,400 No, I tell you, but division. 575 00:26:58,400 –> 00:27:00,959 From now on there will be five in one family 576 00:27:00,959 –> 00:27:02,459 divided against each other. 577 00:27:02,459 –> 00:27:05,239 Three against two and two against three, 578 00:27:05,239 –> 00:27:07,520 so here’s the divided family. 579 00:27:07,520 –> 00:27:09,579 They will be divided father against son, 580 00:27:09,579 –> 00:27:12,140 son against father, mother against daughter, 581 00:27:12,219 –> 00:27:13,239 and daughter against mother, 582 00:27:13,239 –> 00:27:15,140 mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, 583 00:27:15,140 –> 00:27:17,219 and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law. 584 00:27:17,219 –> 00:27:20,640 See, the teaching of Jesus speaks to the reality of life. 585 00:27:22,260 –> 00:27:24,319 The reality of life is that not every home 586 00:27:24,319 –> 00:27:26,599 is like this picture-perfect postcard. 587 00:27:28,680 –> 00:27:30,979 And the point of Jesus here is very, very obvious, 588 00:27:30,979 –> 00:27:33,500 that Christ’s claims caused division. 589 00:27:34,619 –> 00:27:36,380 Now this sounds strange to us, of course, 590 00:27:36,380 –> 00:27:38,060 because we know that the whole point of the gospel 591 00:27:38,060 –> 00:27:38,979 is to bring peace. 592 00:27:38,979 –> 00:27:41,219 When Jesus was born the angels sang glory to God 593 00:27:41,219 –> 00:27:43,339 the highest in peace on Earth. 594 00:27:44,540 –> 00:27:46,819 That’s wonderfully true in the coming of Jesus 595 00:27:46,819 –> 00:27:49,380 there is the offer of peace. 596 00:27:49,380 –> 00:27:52,540 And Christ gives peace to all who will receive it, 597 00:27:52,540 –> 00:27:54,420 but when people reject his peace, 598 00:27:54,420 –> 00:27:57,579 his peace becomes a cause of division. 599 00:27:59,119 –> 00:28:02,020 Now, this is a special burden for Christian parents. 600 00:28:02,020 –> 00:28:03,300 I think those who do not believe 601 00:28:03,300 –> 00:28:05,239 cannot begin to understand this. 602 00:28:05,239 –> 00:28:07,760 But for someone who loves Christ, 603 00:28:08,699 –> 00:28:11,339 and you built your life from the word of God, 604 00:28:12,459 –> 00:28:15,359 and you pour your life into a son or a daughter 605 00:28:15,359 –> 00:28:18,520 but they do not see the glory of Christ nor follow him. 606 00:28:19,660 –> 00:28:21,920 There is a special pain that comes with that. 607 00:28:23,079 –> 00:28:25,880 And the reality is you discover in your experience 608 00:28:25,880 –> 00:28:29,479 that however deep the love on either or both sides, 609 00:28:29,479 –> 00:28:32,979 there is something that separates you from them. 610 00:28:33,900 –> 00:28:35,920 Because they cannot share what lies 611 00:28:36,099 –> 00:28:38,000 but they are at the very core of your being 612 00:28:38,000 –> 00:28:40,479 and you wish with all your heart that they could. 613 00:28:42,500 –> 00:28:44,920 In some cases you find that someone you love 614 00:28:44,920 –> 00:28:47,459 may even become antagonistic towards you 615 00:28:47,459 –> 00:28:50,640 because of your love for Christ. 616 00:28:50,640 –> 00:28:53,619 Many examples of that even within this congregation. 617 00:28:55,079 –> 00:28:56,880 And it’s encouraging I think to remember 618 00:28:56,880 –> 00:29:00,859 that this happened even to Jesus within his family. 619 00:29:02,380 –> 00:29:04,119 Mark chapter three and verse 21, 620 00:29:04,239 –> 00:29:08,619 there was a time recorded when the family of Jesus 621 00:29:08,619 –> 00:29:11,500 heard about his ministry and went to intercept it 622 00:29:11,500 –> 00:29:13,959 and to pull him back. 623 00:29:13,959 –> 00:29:16,439 They said they went to take charge of him 624 00:29:16,439 –> 00:29:17,680 the scripture tells us, 625 00:29:17,680 –> 00:29:20,359 because they said he is out of his mind. 626 00:29:20,359 –> 00:29:22,780 So there was tension in the family of Jesus 627 00:29:22,780 –> 00:29:24,300 over his ministry. 628 00:29:25,839 –> 00:29:28,359 And we may not like this, but we cannot change it. 629 00:29:30,400 –> 00:29:31,479 Unless of course we’re ready 630 00:29:31,479 –> 00:29:33,739 to turn away from Christ ourselves. 631 00:29:34,839 –> 00:29:36,959 But this is surely one of the hardest callings 632 00:29:36,959 –> 00:29:37,800 in all of the world 633 00:29:37,800 –> 00:29:38,640 let me read a comment 634 00:29:38,640 –> 00:29:40,380 that I found very, very helpful 635 00:29:40,380 –> 00:29:43,119 again from JC Ryle this week. 636 00:29:43,119 –> 00:29:43,979 He says this, 637 00:29:43,979 –> 00:29:48,719 it is a heavy cross to disagree with those we love 638 00:29:48,719 –> 00:29:51,839 and especially about spiritual things. 639 00:29:51,839 –> 00:29:55,040 But if that cross be laid upon us 640 00:29:55,040 –> 00:29:57,300 we must remember that firmness 641 00:29:57,300 –> 00:30:00,640 and decision are true kindness. 642 00:30:01,719 –> 00:30:03,900 Thousands of Christians he explains 643 00:30:03,939 –> 00:30:06,900 will bless God on the last day 644 00:30:06,900 –> 00:30:09,260 that they had relatives and friends 645 00:30:09,260 –> 00:30:11,400 who choose to displease them 646 00:30:11,400 –> 00:30:14,079 rather than Christ. 647 00:30:14,079 –> 00:30:16,619 That very decision was the first thing 648 00:30:16,619 –> 00:30:20,060 that made them think seriously 649 00:30:20,060 –> 00:30:25,060 and led finally to the conversion of their souls. 650 00:30:25,300 –> 00:30:27,300 Let me give this word of encouragement. 651 00:30:28,380 –> 00:30:32,180 If you are the only Christian in your family 652 00:30:33,099 –> 00:30:35,959 then thank God that he placed you there. 653 00:30:37,280 –> 00:30:40,939 You are a light in a dark place. 654 00:30:42,079 –> 00:30:47,060 Thousands of families in this world are in total darkness 655 00:30:47,060 –> 00:30:52,060 but where even one person knows Christ a light is shining. 656 00:30:53,020 –> 00:30:54,219 You are the candle. 657 00:30:55,880 –> 00:30:57,359 It is a painful thing to love Christ 658 00:30:57,359 –> 00:31:00,439 and see someone that you love going the other way 659 00:31:00,439 –> 00:31:03,780 but remember this, your love for Christ, 660 00:31:03,780 –> 00:31:06,479 your prayers, your testimony 661 00:31:06,479 –> 00:31:09,140 are the light of that person’s life. 662 00:31:10,079 –> 00:31:11,900 God has placed that light in you 663 00:31:12,859 –> 00:31:15,020 and who knows whether in His goodness and mercy 664 00:31:15,020 –> 00:31:16,859 He may cause that light also 665 00:31:17,739 –> 00:31:20,900 to be put in others who are near to you. 666 00:31:22,239 –> 00:31:26,780 And then here’s the last thing, honoring, honoring. 667 00:31:26,780 –> 00:31:31,319 Jesus of course clearly endorsed the 5th commandment. 668 00:31:31,319 –> 00:31:33,880 He did so in Luke chapter 18 in verse 20. 669 00:31:33,880 –> 00:31:35,959 Remember the rich, young ruler came to him 670 00:31:35,959 –> 00:31:37,459 and asked about the commandments 671 00:31:37,459 –> 00:31:39,099 and Jesus endorsed them. 672 00:31:39,099 –> 00:31:40,780 You know the commandments, he said, 673 00:31:40,780 –> 00:31:42,560 you do not commit adultery, 674 00:31:42,560 –> 00:31:43,979 do not murder, do not steal, 675 00:31:43,979 –> 00:31:45,760 do not give false testimony. 676 00:31:45,760 –> 00:31:48,359 Honor your father and your mother. 677 00:31:48,359 –> 00:31:50,939 And so here in the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, 678 00:31:50,939 –> 00:31:52,479 there’s great principle. 679 00:31:52,479 –> 00:31:56,699 Mothers and fathers are to be held in honor. 680 00:31:56,780 –> 00:31:59,180 You find the same thing in the teaching of Jesus 681 00:31:59,180 –> 00:32:01,359 against the Pharisees in this funny rule 682 00:32:01,359 –> 00:32:03,140 that they had called korban, 683 00:32:03,140 –> 00:32:05,099 which was a way of stashing money away 684 00:32:05,099 –> 00:32:06,560 for religious purposes, 685 00:32:06,560 –> 00:32:08,939 and then making the excuse that you had none left 686 00:32:08,939 –> 00:32:10,199 to help your family. 687 00:32:10,199 –> 00:32:12,660 Jesus said that’s not on. 688 00:32:13,020 –> 00:32:15,140 You find it clearly later in the New Testament. 689 00:32:15,140 –> 00:32:16,540 1 Timothy 5, 8. 690 00:32:16,540 –> 00:32:18,619 This could hardly be a stronger statement. 691 00:32:18,619 –> 00:32:21,780 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, 692 00:32:21,780 –> 00:32:24,819 and especially for his immediate family, 693 00:32:24,859 –> 00:32:27,260 he has denied the faith, wow, 694 00:32:28,099 –> 00:32:30,540 and is worse than an unbeliever. 695 00:32:30,540 –> 00:32:35,260 So the high respect in which parents are to be held, 696 00:32:35,260 –> 00:32:37,339 the honor that is to be given 697 00:32:37,339 –> 00:32:39,060 towards a mother and a father 698 00:32:39,060 –> 00:32:42,880 is a clear, clear principle of Scripture. 699 00:32:42,880 –> 00:32:43,760 Of course, the problem is 700 00:32:43,760 –> 00:32:47,739 that not all fathers and mothers are honorable. 701 00:32:47,739 –> 00:32:50,280 But Jesus confirms the fifth commandment 702 00:32:50,319 –> 00:32:53,939 and calls us to hold father and mother in high respect. 703 00:32:56,119 –> 00:32:58,599 By the way, the way that we 704 00:32:58,599 –> 00:33:02,400 as parents speak about our parents 705 00:33:02,400 –> 00:33:05,800 will almost certainly be a predictor 706 00:33:05,800 –> 00:33:06,640 of the way our children will speak 707 00:33:06,640 –> 00:33:09,500 about us one generation from now. 708 00:33:11,680 –> 00:33:13,920 There aren’t any perfect parents, of course, 709 00:33:15,239 –> 00:33:17,420 but if your relationship with a father 710 00:33:17,420 –> 00:33:19,280 or a mother has been difficult 711 00:33:19,420 –> 00:33:21,180 and you struggle with this issue, 712 00:33:21,180 –> 00:33:24,439 what does it mean to honor a father and a mother? 713 00:33:25,560 –> 00:33:28,300 Let me just suggest as we come towards a close 714 00:33:28,300 –> 00:33:31,660 that the place to begin is Philippians chapter four 715 00:33:31,660 –> 00:33:32,599 in verse eight. 716 00:33:33,640 –> 00:33:36,640 Whatever is true, whatever is noble, 717 00:33:36,640 –> 00:33:38,780 whatever is right, whatever is pure, 718 00:33:38,780 –> 00:33:41,680 whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, 719 00:33:41,680 –> 00:33:44,439 if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, 720 00:33:45,760 –> 00:33:47,640 think about such things. 721 00:33:48,599 –> 00:33:51,099 See, that’s what we do when somebody dies. 722 00:33:52,479 –> 00:33:55,439 We intentionally call to mind everything 723 00:33:55,439 –> 00:33:57,260 that we could that was good. 724 00:33:58,439 –> 00:34:01,479 Jesus says, however difficult a relationship, 725 00:34:01,479 –> 00:34:04,520 that’s the way to live. 726 00:34:04,520 –> 00:34:09,520 Whatever is good, choose to bring that to mind 727 00:34:09,679 –> 00:34:13,020 and use it as something that you can honor 728 00:34:14,000 –> 00:34:15,679 and hold in high regard. 729 00:34:16,620 –> 00:34:19,040 So there’s the teaching of Jesus. 730 00:34:19,040 –> 00:34:21,360 Quick fly right through the Gospels. 731 00:34:21,360 –> 00:34:23,360 Think that relates to family life today? 732 00:34:25,080 –> 00:34:25,939 Obeying. 733 00:34:26,919 –> 00:34:31,919 Blessing is found in the path of obedience. 734 00:34:32,020 –> 00:34:33,919 Don’t let the fact that you have children 735 00:34:33,919 –> 00:34:35,520 keep you from the word of God. 736 00:34:37,179 –> 00:34:38,159 Loving. 737 00:34:38,159 –> 00:34:42,760 Loving God first is the key to loving your children. 738 00:34:43,719 –> 00:34:47,260 Don’t make your child an idol 739 00:34:47,260 –> 00:34:50,399 or he or she will grow up thinking 740 00:34:50,399 –> 00:34:52,239 that he or she is God. 741 00:34:53,760 –> 00:34:54,919 Leaving. 742 00:34:55,860 –> 00:34:59,760 Children belong to God, not to us. 743 00:34:59,760 –> 00:35:01,780 They’re trusted to us for a purpose, 744 00:35:01,780 –> 00:35:04,520 let us grasp that purpose and pursue it 745 00:35:04,520 –> 00:35:06,560 so that they will find their place 746 00:35:06,560 –> 00:35:07,860 within the purpose of God. 747 00:35:09,719 –> 00:35:12,320 There will be disappointment, there will be division. 748 00:35:13,500 –> 00:35:15,959 There will be pain, not everyone will walk 749 00:35:15,959 –> 00:35:18,719 in the way of Christ and, where that is the case, 750 00:35:18,719 –> 00:35:21,760 thank God that you are a light in their life 751 00:35:21,760 –> 00:35:23,459 and that light shines still. 752 00:35:25,360 –> 00:35:27,679 Never underestimate what God may yet do 753 00:35:28,760 –> 00:35:29,760 as a result of it. 754 00:35:31,439 –> 00:35:32,959 And honoring. 755 00:35:32,959 –> 00:35:35,459 Honor your father and your mother. 756 00:35:37,280 –> 00:35:39,139 This is how Jesus says we’re to live. 757 00:35:40,060 –> 00:35:43,179 Let’s pray for his grace that we may do it together. 758 00:35:46,139 –> 00:35:50,280 Father, in this world of such great brokenness 759 00:35:50,280 –> 00:35:52,899 and so many wounds, how much we need the teaching 760 00:35:53,860 –> 00:35:57,439 and the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 761 00:35:58,500 –> 00:36:01,159 Put his spirit within us, give us a great hunger 762 00:36:01,159 –> 00:36:03,179 and a great love for your word. 763 00:36:04,100 –> 00:36:07,000 Help us to love you, we pray. 764 00:36:07,320 –> 00:36:11,040 From our love for you to fill our families 765 00:36:11,040 –> 00:36:12,860 with a love that is a reflection 766 00:36:12,860 –> 00:36:14,719 of the unfallen love of the Father. 767 00:36:16,280 –> 00:36:19,300 Grandfather, that when the difficulties of leaving come, 768 00:36:19,300 –> 00:36:21,620 we may have that clarity as to what 769 00:36:21,620 –> 00:36:24,419 a family was for in the first place. 770 00:36:24,419 –> 00:36:27,919 And therefore find joy in the fulfillment of a given purpose. 771 00:36:28,979 –> 00:36:31,219 Where there is the pain of division and children 772 00:36:31,219 –> 00:36:33,699 who do not follow in the path that we would choose, 773 00:36:33,699 –> 00:36:36,060 thank you that we have been able to be the light 774 00:36:36,100 –> 00:36:38,959 and to plant the seed and let us trust you, 775 00:36:38,959 –> 00:36:42,120 we pray that you do all things well. 776 00:36:43,340 –> 00:36:45,199 And that what we see now is not 777 00:36:45,199 –> 00:36:47,459 the last snapshot of the frame. 778 00:36:49,100 –> 00:36:51,540 And Father, grant for each of us 779 00:36:51,540 –> 00:36:55,300 that we may be a blessing to those 780 00:36:55,300 –> 00:37:00,300 who have given us birth as long as we should live. 781 00:37:01,959 –> 00:37:05,939 That in a world of increasing brokenness, 782 00:37:05,939 –> 00:37:08,459 we may model that which is different, 783 00:37:09,360 –> 00:37:11,199 which glorifies Christ 784 00:37:12,320 –> 00:37:16,679 and brings light and blessing and joy and peace. 785 00:37:17,580 –> 00:37:18,959 And so we ask for your blessing 786 00:37:18,959 –> 00:37:21,500 to be upon every mother today, 787 00:37:22,479 –> 00:37:25,479 and then in an extended way upon every one of us, 788 00:37:25,479 –> 00:37:27,699 that we may walk in your blessing. 789 00:37:29,280 –> 00:37:32,919 For these things we ask, in Jesus’ name, amen.