First Baptist Church
May 10, 2026

      • Matthew 20.20-21ESV

      • Matthew 20.22-23ESV

      • Matthew 20.24-26ESV

      • Matthew 20.27-28ESV

  • Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery
  • Jesus Strong And Kind
  • He Will Hold Me Fast

      • Mark 8.27-29ESV

  • Our Great God
  • "You know, I read somewhere that if motherhood were a paid position, the salary would be well over $160,000 a year… and that’s without overtime. Which is funny, because every mom I know works nothing but overtime — nights, weekends, holidays — and the benefits package includes things like sticky hugs, unsolicited advice from toddlers, and the occasional mystery smell in the minivan."
    "In fact, I think moms are the only people who can be sound asleep at 2 a.m., hear the faintest cough from the other side of the house, and instantly transform into a fully alert, fully functioning nurse, counselor, and cleaning crew — all before dad even rolls over."
    "Today, we’re going to talk about why that’s not just impressive — it’s holy. Because motherhood isn’t just a job; it’s a calling. A high calling. And while we’ll laugh at the chaos, we’ll also look at the sacred purpose God has woven into the heart of every mother."
    Being a woman of God means being committed to these 3 core commitments (specific to ladies that is)… 1) your marriage - being the best support you can for your husband… his help meet. 2) home management - literally as the scriptures state, keepers of the home and all that entails. 3) motherhood.… raising up children. These 3 core commitments placed inside the central commitment of being a disciple of Christ and all that it means to be a follower of Him. But being a mother is the core commitment that we want to honor today.
    It is a very high and holy and crucial calling that many of you embrace, even with little understanding about all that it entails or encouragement of what you should do from the world. In fact, we will talk about it in this message today, not only will you not get encouragement from the world for motherhood, but you will get quite the opposite. Children are an obstacle to your pursuits. They are not worth your time and are more and more being pushed to the side.
    Now that being said, I do want to state that this may be a difficult message for some.
    There are millions of single women, and many will stay single. There is a grace from God for that—a very special grace and for some.… a gift or calling. There are women who are single mothers and life can be extremely difficult. Jesus has a grace for that. There are women who are married and cannot have children. Jesus Christ our Creator and Perfecter has a grace for that as well.
    And there are mothers who weave together their mothering and their marriage and home management with part-time or full-time employment outside the home—some because they may have to (like single moms), others because they see it as part of their calling and have found creative ways to interlace schedules so as not to compromise their core commitments at home. And even there, in your crazy busy life.… there is a grace provided for you as well.
    And for some of you (the men in the room), you will never fall into these categories.… yet this message is still for you because God has required that we esteem the things He esteems, that we treasure and honor the things He honors, and that we encourage our sisters in Christ who are mothers to pursue the things most excellent in their life and to lift them up for the task that God has placed upon them.
    So my aim in this sermon is to honor motherhood and in this way glorify Jesus Christ who designed it, created it, and blessed it. And when I say honor it, I say to lift it high and by doing so encourage the many mothers in this room that what you are doing far more precious than any other thing.
    So today in our brief time surveying selected scriptures, we will look at the High Calling - what God says about Motherhood. We will look at 3 things God says about Motherhood.

    I. God’s Plan for Motherhood

    Everywhere you go, people want to talk about your children. Because of our larger than “normal” (in cultural terms) family… we are often given lots of looks and many comments.… “Are they all yours?” “Don’t you know what causes that?” At first, you can somewhat laugh at these comments or frown at them depending on who you are but these comments, in essence communicate to us… Why we shouldn’t have had them, how we could have prevented that, and why they would never do what you have done all while your children listen to every word. They communicate ultimately that children are a burden. That you should only have this many only if you really like children. And that there is no joy especially when they become teenagers.
    So that begs us to answer the question then, why do we have children. Why should women seek to be mothers.

    A. Motherhood’s design is not a hobby; it is a Divine calling!

    1 Timothy 2:15, 5:15, Titus 2:3-5, Psalm 127:3
    1 Timothy 2:15 ESV
    Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
    This passage in Timothy is a hotly debated one. There are various interpretations that people give however the one that seems consistent with both the immediate context and the whole of scripture is this....
    Rather then abandoning their intended roles by demanding teaching and authoritative positions in the church, women will find true fulfillment through child bearing and rearing. Paul is saying God calls women to be faithful, helpful wives, raising children to love and worship God and managing the household wisely (1 Timothy 5:14; Titus 2:3–5). This is their highest calling. It their Divine prerogative.
    That’s the consistent call upon women.
    See 1 Timothy 5:15, Titus 2:3-5....
    God designed the roles and he set it all up. The reason women seek out to be mother’s is because God ordained it to be so and their is great fulfillment in living out your purpose.
    Psalm 127:3 ESV
    Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
    Let me put it this way.… You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.
    This is a really good quote from an article I read online....
    “Christian’s who are mothers carry their children in hostile territory. When you are in public with them, you are standing with, and defending, the objects of cultural dislike. You are publicly testifying that you value what God values, and that you refuse to value what the world values. You stand with the defenseless and in front of the needy. You represent everything that our culture hates, because you represent laying down your life for another — and laying down your life for another represents the gospel.
    Our culture is simply afraid of death. Laying down your own life, in any way, is terrifying. Strangely, it is that fear that drives the abortion industry: fear that your dreams will die, that your future will die, that your freedom will die — and trying to escape that death by running into the arms of death.
    The truth is that, years ago, before this generation of mothers was even born, our society decided where children rank in the list of important things. When abortion was legalized, we wrote it into law.”
    Consider with me where children rank.… in most places, children rank way below college. Below world travel for sure. Below the ability to go out at night at your leisure. Below sculpting your body at the gym. Below any job you may have or hope to get. Below everything. Children are the last thing you should ever spend your time on in the eyes of the world.
    But for God.… It is your highest pursuit, your noblest goal, your divine calling and you should fully embrace it, work for it, and by the grace of God love it. That’s not to say that it’s just so easy to love motherhood.… but it’s not so easy to follow God either. And yet as you faithfully do, God provides that love as you obey with your heart.

    B. Motherhood’s aim is not merely reproduction of good people, but of making disciples of Christ.

    "Motherhood is..… the transmission of a God-centered, Christ-treasuring vision of life to your children.” - John Piper

    -By wise teaching

    Proverbs 1:8-9, 31:1
    Proverbs 1:8–9 ESV
    Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.
    Notice the reward for the children that do hold fast to the teaching.… promise of reward.… it will be like gifts and prizes around your neck. In other words it will mean triumph and celebration and joy.
    Proverbs 31:1 ESV
    The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
    From one of the most quoted books of the entire Bible—filled with wisdom that has guided generations for thousands of years—ends in it’s last chapter by acknowledging the influence of a mother. That isn’t a coincidence. It’s divine design.
    From the very beginning, God has woven maternal influence into His redemptive story.
    This theme continues to be a re-occuring even as we considered John Mark. Where would many of the godly men be in scripture if it wasn’t for the strength, wisdom, love, and influence of their mothers. Scripture continues to remind us of their importance.

    -By compassionate/sacrificial love

    Isaiah 66:13, Titus 2:4
    Isaiah 66:13 ESV
    As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
    -The caring, comforting, and nurturing nature of a mother reflects the heart of God Himself.
    -The Lord intentionally uses the tenderness of a mother’s love to illustrate His own compassion toward His people.
    Titus 2:4 ESV
    and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,
    Give them a gospel love.… a self-sacrificial love.
    Have you given your life to your children… many Mother’s would say yes.… I’ve given up so much for them.… but have you done so resentfully? Do you tally everything you do for them and constantly hang that over them. Do you do so with frustration in your voice and bitterness in your heart.... Or do you give them life the way God gave it to us: freely? It’s something that God continues to remind us of. His goodness… maybe you’re not there yet… don’t beat yourself up for it… rather look to the cross… look to your Savior and continue to consider what He is like.
    Speaking of that, that brings us to our next task in disciple making....

    -By sincere faith

    2 Timothy 1:5
    2 Timothy 1:5 ESV
    I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
    You’ll appreciate the word sincere. If I were to transliterate the Greek term, it would read anhypocritos, or “unhypocritical”.
    “As I think of you, Timothy,” Paul is saying, “I think of a man who is unhypocritical in his Christian life. You got if from you mom. She got it from hers.”
    Listen to this, moms! Please read my words carefully. A church, a Christian school, a circle of Christian friends can deposit facts into heads (or beyond that a great amount of value). But they cannot translate truth into authentic living. Those avenues can’t make it “real”. Truth doesn’t weave itself into real fleshed-out life until it flows through you.
    Believe me, we can give them the words to say, we can convey Christian concepts until we turn a deep shade of blue, but they won’t fit reality until our young see the reality of such truths in the home.
    “The first and most important job of a parent is to fall in love with the worship of God.” — John Piper
    Then by extension, our children will learn to love the same God.

    II. God’s Value of Motherhood

    A. A Mother’s Worth Is God-Given, Not Man-Made

    Proverbs 31:10-31
    Proverbs 31:10 ESV
    An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
    We live in a world that is quick to put value on things… We assign value to things based upon a number of different factors… market (how much others are paying), rarity (how easy it is to find), and sentimentality (my my John Deere MT is probably worth around 2-3k dollars… yet because it was my grandfathers and because it is one of my favorite toys that I love to take my son on for rides… I would never accept $2-3k for it, but for the right price anybody could probably be persuaded to think twice about it).
    And yet, God wants us to reconsider our value system… what may be high on our priority list.… God would like us to switch it up.… where we might value nice homes, or better vehicles, or funny toys, or lavish vacations.… God ascribes something else much more valuable than that.… Excellent wife… sure motherhood is stated in this exact verse what the entire context screams of one who mothers her children well.
    Proverbs 31:10-31
    Solomon under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said of woman that are excellent wives, home-keepers, and mothers that they are “worth far more than rubies,” a rare and treasured gem.
    Notice something else about these verses. The value of a mother is not ultimately based on her productivity, appearance, or income—but on her character and heart before God. It never once in this text mentions that she rich, nor does it mention that she is beautiful, and the productivity that we might see in this passage could better be understood as faithfulness and a hard worker. That is what is on display… Faithfulness rather than accomplishment. That is what is to be adorned.
    And yet that hardly the way that the world gauges a good woman… they want her to be beautiful and stylish, trendy.… They want her to excel at business and be highly accomplished… they value her riches and wealth. Yet God value’s women who love Him with all their hearts and labor hard to commit themselves to fulfilling their roles He has for them. This is far more precious than jewels.
    Application: Encourage the church to see mothers through God’s eyes, and for mothers to embrace their identity in Christ—not in worldly comparisons.

    B. A Godly Mother Is Deserving of Honor and Praise

    Deuteronomy 5:15, Proverbs 31:28-29, John 19:27
    Deuteronomy 5:16 ESV
    “ ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
    What important truths do we gather from this verse....
    Honoring mothers is a command not a suggestion.
    Honoring mothers is amongst the Ten Commandments and carries a promise of blessing.
    Honoring mothers is a spiritual act that pleases God.
    Proverbs 31:28–29 ESV
    Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
    Children and husbands are called to bless and praise her—not just once a year, but continually.
    Her love, wisdom, and sacrifice are worthy of verbal and visible recognition.
    I don’t feel like honoring them. I’ve got way to much going on in my life, to much hardship to consider their small hardships. I hope that none of us think that but if we are being honest with ourselves… in our sin soaked skin… that thought is definitely possible and probable. For each of us thank are tempted to think thus, I want to share an incredibly powerful verse.
    John 19:27 ESV
    Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
    In an hour of great agony, taking upon himself the sins of mankind and bearing the full wrath of God.… in all of that massive pain and sorrow.… Christ still honors his mother! Let that sink in.
    Was it because Mary was such a superstar of a person that she deserved such treatment. No not really. Rather, it was because God designed us to treasure those that have invested so much in us and to lift them high and honor them… NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. If your a husband that is too burden with your own work to notice the labors of your wife, let this verse speak to you. If you are a child and you have failed to obey your mother’s instruction, let this verse speak to you. If you are an adult and life is too busy to reach out to your mothers, let this verse speak to you. JESUS HONORS MOTHERS AND SO SHOULD WE.
    Application: Urge families to develop habits of gratitude. A simple word of appreciation or act of kindness can speak life into a weary heart. In this way, families are strengthened and mothers thrive. The surest way to destroy a mother’s work is to repeatedly remind and overwhelm her with her failures. If we were to survey our mother’s her today… many of them would tell you that they don’t feel like they are doing a good job at mothering their children. Each of them probably feels that they aren’t doing enough. Our praise though to her is God’s special means of help in her life. Spiritual, emotional, and even physical vitamins for keeping her strong in the fight.
    I can speak with confidence when I say this, many mothers here have been energized and encouraged by the prayers and concerns by their fellow church members. Dallas has been a continual source of life to the young mothers. You will oftentimes in our Sunday night gatherings, here him pray unprovoked for the strength and faithfulness of the mothers. This has been life to their souls and honors the Lord greatly. We would all be wise to join with Dallas in honoring the Lord in this way. If motherhood is a full-time gig with lots of overtime and little sleep… than we ought to pray for mothers to stay in the fight or the fight will overtake them.
    It seems like many fathers quickly throw in the towel on tasks that mothers do with ease day in and day out. Cleaning up messes, sleepless nights, constant repetitive work… and yet for many of them, they do it without complaint.

    C. Motherhood is connected to the Glory of God and His Word.

    Titus 2:4-5
    Titus 2:4–5 ESV
    and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
    Motherhood is so important to God that He connects His reputation to it.
    How you mother your children is a powerful witness to the unsaved world of who God is and what He does. It’s so interwoven with the gospel and with who God is.

    III. God’s Blessings & Fruit of Motherhood

    Many mothers spend their days doing countless things that go unseen—early mornings, late nights, meals prepared, tears wiped, prayers whispered. In a world that praises public success, a mother’s quiet labor can feel invisible. But the Bible assures us: God sees it all.

    A. God Sees What Others Miss, Never forgets a Mother’s love

    Matthew 6:4, Genesis 16:13, Hebrews 6:10
    Matthew 6:4 ESV
    so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
    Jesus teaches that what’s done in secret is by the Father. seen 
    Many mothers work tirelessly behind the scenes, without applause or recognition.
    If we struggle to believe this is true, then let the words of Hagar be an encouragement to you.… through all her struggles and all her pains of trying to be a good servant and mother.… it felt as if nothing she did mattered.… yet God provided for her and this is what she said...
    Genesis 16:13 ESV
    So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”
    Why should God see and never forget what mother’s do. Because it is based in the character of our great God.
    Hebrews 6:10 ESV
    For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
    God is just. And because He is just, He won’t forget the love moms show as they serve their families in His name. This is a promise. A guarantee. And it is a joy.
    Therefore you should remember that every sacrifice that you give is seen and it matters to Him.
    Application: Encourage moms to live for an audience of One. God sees every diaper changed, every meal prepared, every prayer whispered. Lift up the idea that even when others overlook a mother’s service, God writes it all down. Their work is being recorded in heaven.

    B. Don’t Grow Weary— God promises your harvest Is Coming

    Galatians 6:9, 2 Timothy 3:14-15
    Galatians 6:9 ESV
    And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
    The Bible encourages us to keep doing good, even when we feel tired or unnoticed.
    God promises a harvest “at the proper time”—the fruit may not be immediate, but it will come.
    Think of Timothy.… burdened and tired by ministry and what does Paul use to encourage him.
    2 Timothy 3:14–15 ESV
    But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
    Paul uses the character of Timothy’s godly mother as a great incentive to hold fast to the scriptures.
    In other words, for Timothy, one of the ways—not the only way—one of the ways that he was strengthened in his your faith and encouraged to persevere through hard times and not give up on the scriptures is to remember who introduced you to word of God and the way of salvation. Remember your mother, and your grandmother.
    Doesn’t that speak powerfully to the early work of Timothy’s mother. She at those early moments would have never guessed that the little faithful things she did for Timothy when he was young would be used in his life as an adult to push him to persevere and to trust the Word of God. That’s powerful, that’s impactful, and that’s a reminder to all the ladies her today that your harvest is coming… and you never know what it will accomplish.
    You have a calling that can become the long-remembered ground of faith, not just for your children—mark this—but for the untold numbers who will be affected by your children. And that’s in addition to all the other thousands of ripple effects of faith in your life.
    Application: Speak to the tired mom who wonders if her work is making a difference. Remind her that spiritual fruit grows slowly but surely.

        • 1 Timothy 2:15ESV

        • Psalm 127:3ESV

        • Proverbs 1:8–9ESV

        • Proverbs 31:1ESV

        • Isaiah 66:13ESV

        • Titus 2:4ESV

        • 2 Timothy 1:5ESV

        • Proverbs 31:10ESV

        • Deuteronomy 5:16ESV

        • Proverbs 31:28–29ESV

        • John 19:27ESV

        • Titus 2:4–5ESV

        • Matthew 6:4ESV

        • Genesis 16:13ESV

        • Hebrews 6:10ESV

        • Galatians 6:9ESV

        • 2 Timothy 3:14–15ESV

        First Baptist Church
        howardcitybaptist@gmail.com
        2319374809
        https://fbcohc-howard-city.faithlifesites.com
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