First Baptist Church of Hoquiam
Sunday Worship, May 10, 2026, Mother's Day

  • Excellent

    Philippians 4:8 ESV
    8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
    Today we turn our attention to the words of a mother, recorded in scripture, that we might know what is excellent.
    Proverbs 31 ESV
    1 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: 2 What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows? 3 Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, 5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; 7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. 8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. 10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. 14 She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. 15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. 16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. 19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. 20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

    Who is this for and from whom did it come?

    Proverbs 31:1 ESV
    1 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
    Ultimately it is a mothers wisdom given to her children. Directly to the sons and indirectly to her daughters.

    Warnings:

    1. Don’t go after women
    2. Don’t go after the distraction of drink
    Proverbs 31:2–7 ESV
    2 What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows? 3 Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, 5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; 7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

    Challenges:

    1. Defend the powerless
    2. Find a Great wife (Be a great wife)
    Proverbs 31:8–9 ESV
    8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

    An Excellent wife

    (The wife men should look for and the wife a woman should aspire to be)
    Proverbs 31:10 ESV
    10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

    She is a treasure, rare and valuable.

    1. She seeks the good of her husband 11-12
    2. She stewards what she has 13
    3. She brings good things into her home 14
    4. She takes care of the whole household 15
    5. She seeks prosperity for her home 16
    6. She makes herself strong for her family 17
    7. She is prosperous 18
    8. She works to take care of her home 19
    9. Good things flow from her home 20
    10. She provides good things for her home 21-22
    11. Her husband is honorable and she honors him 23

    Who is this woman

    Proverbs 31:24–28 ESV
    24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
    1. She is industrious, strong, and dignified
    2. She is wise and kind
    3. She serves her home and is not lazy
    4. She is honored by her children and her husband

    What makes her an excellent woman?

    Proverbs 31:29–31 ESV
    29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
    1. She fears the Lord
    2. She honors Him with her work.

    What do we learn from the wisdom of this mother?

    This seems like it is impossible or out of reach. To find this kind of wife or to be this kind of woman. Where do I begin?

    The focus is not on the external accomplishments but on character that leads to a life of integrity:

    For the sons:

    1. Don’t go after women. Avoid porn and guard your eyes and your heart from women who are not your wife and who are not worthy to be called excellent.
    2. Don’t chase distraction and escape
    3. Look out for those who cannot look out for themselves.

    For the daughters:

    1. Fear the Lord. Be what He called you to be. Don’t chase what the world says a great woman is. Chase after Gods design and high calling for women.
    2. Be who God created you to be and grow into the best version of the woman he designed you to be. Trust that God knew what he was doing and lean into your strengths, your personality, and your talents. Don’t compare yourself to other women but set the bar of honoring God and your husband before you.
    This is Wisdom from Gods word that came from a loving mother. To all the moms who encouraged us to be godly and to do what’s best, thank you.

      • Philippians 4:8ESV

      • Proverbs 31ESV

      • Proverbs 31:1ESV

      • Proverbs 31:2–7ESV

      • Proverbs 31:8–9ESV

      • Proverbs 31:10ESV

      • Proverbs 31:24–28ESV

      • Proverbs 31:29–31ESV

First Baptist Church of Hoquiam
fbchoquiam@outlook.com
3605324887
http://fbchoquiam.com
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