MOTHER’S DAY
1. In 1 Thess. 2 Paul reminded the Thessalonians about the past
2. Paul said that his time with these people had not been “in vain” (verse 1).
3. Paul reminded them that he had helped teach them the truth (verse 2).
4. in verse 3 he reminded them about his motives.
5. He said that his motivation for working among them was upright.
6. All of his intentions had been honorable.
7. In verse 6 Paul said that he was not after personal prestige or honor.
8. Paul worked among these people because he wanted to help them.
9. The spirit that Paul had among the Thessalonians is more fully described in verse 7 – READ.
10. Paul compared himself to a woman.
11. He compared himself and his work to a nurse who cares for her own children.
12. Some have said that Paul was a woman hater.
13. Others have alleged that Paul treated women as second class citizens.
14. In this letter Paul compared himself to the female gender.
15. He compared his work and attitude to a “nurse” who is “gentle” and “cherishes her own children.”
A. This morning we want to look at some of the words that Paul used.
B. The word translated “cherish” is used only two times in the New Testament.
C. It
is used here and Eph.
D. Outside the New Testament this word presents us with some rather interesting illustrations.
E. In Classical Greek this word meant to “keep warm.”
F. In the LXX this word was used of a bird that kept her offspring warm with her feathers.
G. When baby birds could not protect themselves the mamma bird covered them (cherished).
H. The image of a mother bird covering her young is found in Deut. 22:6 and Job 39:14.
I. In Job 39 it is said that the ostrich “warms” (cherishes) her eggs – READ.
J. In the LXX this word is also found in 1 Kgs. 1:2, 4.
K. Some may remember that King David, in his old age, had a problem keeping warm.
L. The king got cold.
M. Since electric blankets had not been invented people came up with an alternative.
N. A young lady was selected to help keep David warm.
O. This young lady is described in 1 Kgs. 1.
P. Listen to 1 Kgs. 1:2 – READ.
16. The word translated “cherish” in 1 Thess. 2 is a word that meant tenderness, care, and comfort.
17. In the New Testament this word means to “cherish, to comfort, to foster with loving care.”
18. Paul said that this is how a mother cares for her children.
19. There are exceptions to this type of care.
20. Under normal circumstances this is how mothers function.
21. In 1 Thess. 2 Paul also said that a mother is “gentle.”
A. In Classical Greek the word “gentle” described a nurse who dealt with “trying” children.
B. This was a term that was used to describe a teacher who had difficult students.
C. Some writers used this word to describe parents who raised difficult children.
D. People were “gentle” with difficult students and children.
22. When we combine words “gentle” and “cherish” what do we have?
23. We have a picture of people (mothers) who are gentle, soft, and kind.
24. There is the imagery of tenderness, care, and comfort.
25. As a mother bird would care for her young, so these two words describe great care.
26. This great care was extended to people who were sometimes very difficult to deal with.
27. As we think about these two words we must say that Paul was exactly right.
A. Mothers render gentle care in the early stages of a child’s life.
B. There are the sleepless nights, the times of illness, and the periods of crisis.
C. The gentle treatment of the child even begins before these things are faced.
D. While still in the womb mothers generally pay careful attention to their children.
28. ALL OF THESE THINGS
ARE DONE OUT OF LOVE.
29. Notice verse 8 of 1 Thess. 2 – READ.
30. While among the Thessalonians Paul said that he was like a gentle mother who cherishes her children.
31. In verse 8 he added another point.
32. He said that he was “affectingly desirous” of the Thessalonians.
33. What motivates a mother to do what she does?
34. What causes mothers to be gentle and tender?
A. Some might say that mothers have no choice.
B. A mother has children and she must care for them whether she wants to or not.
C. In some cases this answer may be partly true.
D. The best motivation for a mother’s work is love.
E. When mothers love their children they will care for them.
F. The care will begin before birth and it will last until their dying day.
G. Paul loved the Thessalonians. For this reason he cared for them.
H. He was gentle and he cherished these people.
I. Paul said, “Our care was like a nurse who tends to her own children.”
35. About 20 years ago I entered into our nation’s military.
36. Some of the people in my unit received care packages from their mothers.
37. A high percentage of the young men who were with me received letters from home (mom).
38. A child may reach the age of 30, 40, 50, or even later and life but the love from mom doesn’t stop.
39. This was how Paul felt about the Thessalonians.
A. He was not always with this congregation.
B. Time continued to pass. Things changed for him and the members of this congregation.
C. In spite of all the changes Paul still loved this church as a mother loves her children.
D. This congregation had adults in it but Paul still tried to love and help these brethren.
40. Someone has said the following about a mother’s love.
41. It is stronger than steel and softer than down.
42. It is more resilient than a green sapling on a hillside.
43. It closes wounds, melts disappointments, and enables the weakest child to stand adversity.
44. Someone has even been bold enough to suggest that it helps us understand God’s love for man.
45. This is the kind of picture that we find in 1 Thess. 2.
A. You may or may not have heard about the park ranger who worked in Yellowstone National Park.
B. After the major fire in that park several years ago rangers were sent out to survey the damage.
C. One ranger found a rather grotesque sight.
D. A bird was at the base of a tree, standing up, and completely petrified in ashes.
E. One of the rangers took a stick and knocked over the dead bird.
F. Three tiny chicks came running out from the dead mother.
G. A mother’s love caused her to give her life for her offspring.
H. She covered her babies and allowed herself to be consumed in the fire so her babies could live.
I. Do we remember how the word “cherish” in 1 Thess. 2 is used in the LXX?
J. It was used of a mother bird who covered her offspring with her wings.
K. The Old Testament does not offer an instance of where the mother bird died.
L. In our time we have an example of that.
46. Good mothers love their children and will make painful sacrifices for them.
47. WHEN WE THINK ABOUT
MOTHERS FROM THE STANDPOINT OF 1 THESS. 2 WE CANNOT OVERLOOK THE INFORMATION IN
THE 9TH VERSE.
48. READ.
49. Paul worked on behalf of the members of this congregation.
50. He did many things to help them.
51. This thought is one more point that we may relate to motherhood.
A. Mothers begin working on behalf of the children when they become pregnant.
B. They may change their eating habits, sleeping habits, work habits, and relaxation habits.
C. After a baby is born the first couple of years can be especially busy.
D. A newborn baby requires regular feeding.
E. The messes that are made need to be cleaned up.
F. There are doctor visits that need to be made.
G. The sleep pattern for mom may be irregular for quite a while.
H. Traveling with children can be difficult.
I. The work done by moms lasts for a long time.
52. Last Friday there was something called a “Snapshot” in USA Today.
53. Snapshots are like a mini survey.
54. This survey was taken in November of 2001 and it was based upon the answers from 1,004 adults.
55. This survey was entitled “Reasons to honor mom this Sunday.”
A. People gave the following four reasons for honoring mom”
B. 50% said “She survived raising me, and that was no small feat.”
C. 22% said that mom was or still is a great role model.
D. 19% of the respondent’s said their mother had become their best friend.
E. The remaining 9% said mom always had dinner on the table and clean clothes in the closet.
56. Each of these categories describes work.
57. Moms are people who work.
58. On a day such as this it is appropriate to honor them for what they do.
59. Paul showed that a mother’s work pays a wage.
60. Notice verse 14 – READ.
61. Paul was like a mom.
62. He said that his efforts had been worthwhile.
63. The people he helped convert went in the right direction.
64. There were surely some who did not stay on the right path.
65. At least Paul knew that he had done the best he could.
66. He showed people the right way and this gave him a great sense of satisfaction.
67. In some respects Paul was like a mother and this allowed him to close this chapter in this way:
68. Verse 20 – READ.
69. Is this not how a high percentage of mothers view their children?
70. Moms look at their children with pleasure and joy.
71. Today is a day to appreciate mom.
72. One of the greatest joys a mother can have is the knowledge that their children are right with God.
73. This is not the right reason to become a Christian.
74. Being a Christian and being a faithful one is the best gift any mother could ever get.