Faith, Purpose, and the Influence of Mothers
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone, and Happy Mother's Day! Today, we gather to celebrate the faith and influence of mothers, as well as to reflect on the significance of our lives and the purpose God has for each of us. The term "church" comes from the Greek word "Ekklesia," which means the assembly of believers. This assembly is not just about gathering but about living a life of purpose and faith.
We often celebrate days like Mother's Day and Father's Day to remind us of the lives lived and the purposes fulfilled. There is nothing sadder than a life without purpose or a life lived with the wrong purpose. I recall a time in Bible college when I misunderstood an assignment despite working hard on it. This experience taught me that effort without clarity of purpose is futile. Similarly, our lives need to be aligned with God's purpose for them.
As we study Scripture, starting from Genesis, we see our life stories written out. We see the lives of people from beginning to end, what they held onto, and what was important to them. Hebrews 11 lists the heroes of faith, including three women whose lives exemplify faith. These women are Sarah, Jochebed, and Rahab.
Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is often remembered for her lack of faith when she laughed at the promise of having a child in her old age. However, Hebrews 11:11 tells us that through faith, Sarah received strength to conceive. Her faith walk was not perfect, but she trusted God’s promise. This teaches us that faith is a journey, and even when we falter, God remains faithful.
Jochebed, the mother of Moses, is another example. She defied Pharaoh's orders to kill Hebrew male infants and hid Moses for three months. Her faith was so strong that she is often remembered more for her actions than her name. Jochebed's story teaches us the importance of faith in action, even when it means going against the world's commands.
Rahab, the harlot, is perhaps the most surprising inclusion in the list of heroes of faith. Living in Jericho, she hid the Israelite spies and helped them escape. Her faith was so significant that she is included in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Rahab's story shows us that no matter our past, faith can transform our future.
As we partake in communion, we remember that it symbolizes our oneness with Christ. Just as a family is united, we are united with Christ through His sacrifice. Communion is a celebration of this unity and a reminder of the faith we share.
In conclusion, let us be people of faith, trusting in God's promises and living lives of purpose. Whether we are mothers, fathers, or children, let us influence those around us with our faith. Let us not doubt in the darkness what we have seen clearly in the light. God has a plan for each of us, and it is never too late to be a part of His plan.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Purpose: Living a life without purpose or with the wrong purpose is one of the saddest things. Our lives need to be aligned with God's purpose, and we must seek clarity in what He has called us to do. This alignment brings significance to our actions and decisions. [33:41]
2. Faith is a Journey: Sarah's story teaches us that faith is a journey. Despite her initial doubt and laughter at God's promise, she eventually received the strength to conceive because she judged God faithful. This reminds us that our faith walk may have ups and downs, but God's promises remain steadfast. [39:35]
3. Faith in Action: Jochebed's story exemplifies faith in action. She defied Pharaoh's orders and hid her son Moses, trusting God to protect him. This teaches us that true faith often requires us to take bold actions, even when it means going against societal norms or commands. [50:39]
4. Transformation Through Faith: Rahab's inclusion in the heroes of faith shows that no matter our past, faith can transform our future. Her actions in hiding the spies and her declaration of faith in God led to her being part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. This teaches us that faith can redeem and transform any life. [01:00:39]
5. Communion as a Celebration of Unity: Communion symbolizes our oneness with Christ and with each other. It is a celebration of the unity we have through His sacrifice. As we partake in communion, we remember that we are part of a larger family of faith, united in purpose and love. [01:08:27]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[09:29] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[25:46] - Significance of Purpose
[33:41] - The Importance of Purpose
[39:35] - Sarah: A Journey of Faith
[50:39] - Jochebed: Faith in Action
[01:00:39] - Rahab: Transformation Through Faith
[01:08:27] - Communion: A Celebration of Unity
[01:11:21] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 11:11 - "Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised."
2. Exodus 2:1-3 - "And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink."
3. Joshua 2:1, 9-11 - "And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there... And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath."
### Observation Questions
1. What was Sarah's initial reaction to God's promise of a child, and how did her faith journey evolve? ([39:35])
2. How did Jochebed demonstrate her faith in action when faced with Pharaoh's decree? ([50:39])
3. What significant role did Rahab play in the story of Jericho, and how did her faith impact her future? ([01:00:39])
4. What does the term "Ekklesia" mean, and how does it relate to the purpose of the church? ([33:41])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Sarah's story illustrate the concept that faith is a journey with ups and downs? What can we learn from her eventual trust in God's promise? ([39:35])
2. In what ways does Jochebed's defiance of Pharaoh's orders exemplify "faith in action"? How can this inspire us to act boldly in our own faith? ([50:39])
3. Rahab's past did not prevent her from being included in the lineage of Jesus Christ. What does this teach us about the transformative power of faith? ([01:00:39])
4. How does the celebration of communion symbolize our unity with Christ and each other? What significance does this hold for our daily lives? ([01:08:27])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt purposeless or misaligned with God's purpose. How did you seek clarity, and what steps can you take now to ensure your life aligns with God's purpose? ([33:41])
2. Sarah's faith journey had moments of doubt and laughter. Can you identify a promise from God that you initially doubted? How did you eventually come to trust in that promise? ([39:35])
3. Jochebed took bold actions to protect her son, Moses. Is there a situation in your life where you need to take a bold step of faith? What might that look like? ([50:39])
4. Rahab's faith led to her transformation and inclusion in Jesus' genealogy. How can you allow your faith to transform your past mistakes into a testimony of God's grace? ([01:00:39])
5. Communion is a celebration of our unity with Christ. How can you foster a deeper sense of unity with your church family and with Christ in your daily life? ([01:08:27])
6. The sermon emphasized not doubting in the darkness what we have seen clearly in the light. Can you think of a time when you doubted God's plan? How did you overcome that doubt? ([43:31])
7. The influence of mothers was highlighted in the sermon. How can you, regardless of your role, influence those around you with your faith? What specific actions can you take this week to be a positive influence? ([35:44])
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning with God's Purpose
Our lives need to be aligned with God's purpose, and we must seek clarity in what He has called us to do. Living a life without purpose or with the wrong purpose is one of the saddest things. This alignment brings significance to our actions and decisions. Just as the speaker shared a personal story of misunderstanding an assignment despite working hard on it, we too can find ourselves expending effort in the wrong direction if we lack clarity of purpose. It is essential to seek God's guidance and align our lives with His divine plan to ensure that our efforts are meaningful and impactful. [33:41]
Proverbs 19:21 (ESV): "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to seek clarity on God's purpose for your life? How can you ensure that your daily actions align with His divine plan?
Day 2: Faith is a Journey
Sarah's story teaches us that faith is a journey. Despite her initial doubt and laughter at God's promise, she eventually received the strength to conceive because she judged God faithful. This reminds us that our faith walk may have ups and downs, but God's promises remain steadfast. Sarah's journey of faith was not perfect, but it was marked by growth and trust in God's faithfulness. We too may experience moments of doubt, but we can find encouragement in knowing that God remains faithful and His promises are sure. [39:35]
Hebrews 10:23 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you doubted God's promises. How did you see His faithfulness come through in the end? How can you strengthen your faith journey today?
Day 3: Faith in Action
Jochebed's story exemplifies faith in action. She defied Pharaoh's orders and hid her son Moses, trusting God to protect him. This teaches us that true faith often requires us to take bold actions, even when it means going against societal norms or commands. Jochebed's faith was not passive; it was demonstrated through her courageous actions to protect her child. We are called to live out our faith through actions that reflect our trust in God, even when it requires taking risks or standing against the world's expectations. [50:39]
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: What bold action is God calling you to take today that requires you to trust Him fully? How can you demonstrate your faith through your actions?
Day 4: Transformation Through Faith
Rahab's inclusion in the heroes of faith shows that no matter our past, faith can transform our future. Her actions in hiding the spies and her declaration of faith in God led to her being part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. This teaches us that faith can redeem and transform any life. Rahab's story is a powerful reminder that our past does not define us; our faith in God can lead to a transformed and redeemed future. No matter what we have done or where we come from, God can use our faith to bring about His purposes in our lives. [01:00:39]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you need transformation. How can you invite God to work in that area and bring about change through your faith?
Day 5: Communion as a Celebration of Unity
Communion symbolizes our oneness with Christ and with each other. It is a celebration of the unity we have through His sacrifice. As we partake in communion, we remember that we are part of a larger family of faith, united in purpose and love. Communion is not just a ritual; it is a profound reminder of our connection to Christ and to one another as believers. It is a time to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus and the unity we share as His followers. [01:08:27]
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
Reflection: As you prepare to take communion, reflect on your relationship with Christ and with fellow believers. How can you strengthen your sense of unity and purpose within the body of Christ?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Let me encourage you not to doubt in the darkness what you've seen clearly in the light. Let me encourage you that God has a plan for your life. Listen to what the Bible says in Hebrews chapter number 11 verse number 11. Through faith Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed. When? When the Bible says she was past the age of conceiving seed. Genesis 21 verse number 1. The Lord visited Sarah as he had said and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bare Abraham a son in his old age. Numbers chapter 23 verse number 19. Here's our hope. The Bible says God is not a man that he should lie neither the son of man that he should repent. Hath he said and shall he not do it? Hath he spoken and shall not he make it good? Let me encourage you to do this mom. Let me encourage you to do this dad. Keep on trusting the Lord. Keep on loving. Keep on praying. Keep on trying to influence your children and be influences for your children. Don't give up." [44:02]
2. "You can do one of two things. You can just try to make it. Hey man, I'm trying to make it. You're trying to make it. Hey. When I was over in India and I had Bruce and I had this fellowship. We had fellowship with people who lived in a thatched hut, but you could probably put two of them on this platform right here. Happier and more content than many people I know. You know what none of them said? Oh man I'm trying to make it. None of them said that. Hey man, we're glad to have you. Come on in. Listen, it's not about the stuff you have. But I will tell you what will make a difference in your life. Faith. Faith and where you put it. Someone said it like this. Doubt sees an obstacle. Faith sees a way. Doubt sees the darkest night. Faith sees the day. Doubt dares to take a step. Faith soars on high. Doubt questions. Who believes? Faith answers. I." [01:10:12]
3. "And so, I remember when I was in Bible college, we received an assignment. And I worked really hard on this assignment. And we got there. Everyone at one at a time was presenting their work. And it became very clear to me about the third person that I had misunderstood the assignment. And that when it became my turn, it would be obvious to everybody. That it wasn't that I didn't work hard. It was that I wasn't clear regardless of how much effort I put into it, to what was supposed to be done. And what God does is He, as we're studying through, all the way through Scripture, beginning in Genesis, we started here at the first of the year and we're really going to have to hurry up because it's almost halfway through the year and we're still in Genesis. But what we're doing is we're seeing our life story. Written out in Scripture." [34:11]
4. "What is it that you would tell your children of the three most important things for them to do in their life? What would you tell them? Have you even thought it through? A lot of times I'll say, hey man how you doing? How's your day going? And people say things like, well I'm just making it. Sometimes I'll say, making what? What are you making? Another day? Now that I'm half a century old, I'm like, man we had better figure out what it is that this life is about and how it's supposed to work." [36:17]
5. "I want to tell you today that the simple life that God has given us to live and that simple impact that you can have on somebody's life is important. Here's a woman who just had this faith that just existed. This faith be. In the hardest times of my life, I can remember thinking in my childhood if I could just get home. If I could just get off that cruel bus get to the house. If I could just get in that front door. Dad probably wouldn't be there but mom would be there and everything would be okay." [53:22]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Through faith Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed. When? When the Bible says she was past the age of conceiving seed. Genesis 21 verse number 1. The Lord visited Sarah as he had said and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bare Abraham a son in his old age. Numbers chapter 23 verse number 19. Here's our hope. The Bible says God is not a man that he should lie neither the son of man that he should repent. Hath he said and shall he not do it? Hath he spoken and shall not he make it good?" [44:02]
2. "And then here's this woman. She's defined as Rahab, the harlot. And yet she's in the heroes of the faith. Why? Because she had a faith conspiring. She didn't know. She was living in the land of Canaan in the first city that was to be destroyed. The Bible says that this woman, when the spies came in to spy out the land of Jericho in Joshua chapter 2. By the way, we see her in chapter 11, verse number 31. By faith, the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not. Does that tell you? There was one that believed and there was some that believed not. That this harlot Rahab believed. She had faith. She perished not with them that believed not." [01:00:39]
3. "And so here with Mother's Day, we have these cliches and these things we say about mothers and here in Hebrews you have this list of what is often called the heroes of the faith. These people who in the Old Testament were these patriarchs and matriarchs of the faith and they showed how life should have been lived and there are three women here that are mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11 that I want to point out with you." [35:14]
4. "What is so significant about Sarah's life? If you were to think about mothers of faith in Scripture, would Sarah be one of the first ones that come to your mind? Because it wouldn't be the first one that comes to my mind. Abraham and Sarah. Right? Sarah had so much faith that she was going to have a child, that when she couldn't have a child, she told Abraham, take my handmaid and have a child with her instead. Does that sound like faith to you? That's not a great step of faith. And us, I'm sure that you have in your own family and in your own life seen things that you as a person who want to be a person of faith and are following the Lord that you have seen problems of faith in your own heart and life. And yet the Bible says Sarah was a person of faith when told in her old age she was going to have a child. What did she do? Laughed." [39:01]
5. "And then here's this woman. She's defined as Rahab, the harlot. And yet she's in the heroes of the faith. Why? Because she had a faith conspiring. She didn't know. She was living in the land of Canaan in the first city that was to be destroyed. The Bible says that this woman, when the spies came in to spy out the land of Jericho in Joshua chapter 2. By the way, we see her in chapter 11, verse number 31. By faith, the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not. Does that tell you? There was one that believed and there was some that believed not. That this harlot Rahab believed. She had faith. She perished not with them that believed not." [01:00:39]
6. "And so we see Jochebed, the brother of Moses. And lastly, I'm going to give you this name and you're going to give me what you think or what you've heard the title of this person. Rahab, the harlot. Rahab, the harlot. Rahab, the prostitute. In the heroes of the faith. So much so, I mean, listen, that is her title in scripture. As you read about this lady, that is her, that is her title all through the scripture. Rahab, the harlot. What? You see, there was this one lady who her, she was this woman of faith, Sarah. She was in this founding family of God, this founding family of Israel. We know Sarah. But sometimes we miss her faith because it was just this grind of faith. And then we hear Jochebed. We see her faith is just so pronounced that sometimes we even forget her name. It's just like, you know those people? You just think, does that person's feet even touch the ground? Just such an example of faith." [59:27]
7. "And my mom, when I was waiting or during the procedure would sing, I don't know how many of y'all ever watched Captain Kangaroo, my mom would sing Mr. Green Jeans. Mr. Green Jeans, do you see there's a horse in striped pajamas? No, that's not what it is at all. That's an animal people call a zebra. You see? Here's this man coming with a scalpel. But something about just the voice of mom. Still I can get sick today and my mom will say, you need me to sing Mr. Green Jeans? I'm like, no. I mean, if you want to. But here's just this faith being here we have in verse number two, this faith bonding. Notice what happens. Verse number two. She conceived and to bear a son. When she saw it was a goodly child, what'd she do? She hid him three months. When she could no longer hide him for every second she could she just held on to Moses. She just held on to him. Just held on. There's nothing in this world wrong with a mom just holding on. Just holding on. Mom will always be mom and the kids will always be the kids and there is nothing in this whole world wrong with that." [55:07]
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