Going Deeper: The One Who Unites

INTRODUCTION
The Holy Spirit is the One who unites. What’s the big deal about being united, anyway?

The Un-united state of Oregon?
When I think of uniting or being united, I think about the United States of America. Each state is unique. Oregon is not California. But they are united as one nation. There are fifty states in the United States. (Unless, of course, you count the state of ignorance and the state of confusion.) Imagine if we weren’t united. Imagine if instead of living in the state of Oregon you lived in the nation of Oregon. We would be a small, little nation. Our president would be Ted Kulongoski. We wouldn’t have much of an Olympics team. We would certainly not be considered a superpower. And we would probably be invaded by the aggressive nation to our south, the nation of California.

The point is we enjoy tremendous benefits as a nation from being united together. In the same way, there are tremendous benefits from being part of a united group of believers, the Body of Christ.

In the last days of His earthly ministry, this is the very thing Jesus prayed for:
John 17:20-21 (NKJV)
20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Comparing to marriage
“…That they all may be one…” All (meaning ‘many’ or ‘more than one’) may be one. How can this be? It invokes nearly the same language as the marriage wording, “the two shall become one flesh.” But in this case it is not only two becoming one but all being made one.

Look around. How would you like to be married to all these people? Kind of scary, huh? Imagine the fights over the remote. Brutal!

Relax, we are not talking about marriage. But we are talking about many becoming one – being united. And we’re talking about a God who is able to make it happen. He wrote the book on unity. It’s called the Bible. He is three that are One. He takes two, a man and a woman, and makes them one in marriage. He makes a whole lot of different people – from different backgrounds, racial groups and ideologies – and makes them one people, one nation, one family, one body. How? By the miracle of His Holy Spirit.

So, what’s the problem? What gets in the way? When it comes to unity, there is one dirty little four-letter word that is always getting in the way:

Dirty little four-letter word: self

From this little word we get big phrases, like: selfish, self-centered and self-absorbed. And that is typically the way of things. Superman’s arch-enemy is Lex Luthor. The arch-enemy of unity is self. Wherever unity shows up, self will be there to cause trouble.

THE GIVE AND TAKE OF COMMUNITY
I think one of the greatest portions of scripture on unity is in Ephesians, chapter four. This whole chapter reinforces the importance of community and what it is supposed to look like. Let’s look at the ‘give’ and ‘take’ of community from this chapter. What is your ‘take’ on community, and what do you expect to ‘give’ to community?

1. What is your take on community?

The biblical community is commonly called ‘church’, and there are many different takes on this community. The Apostle Paul was writing to a church community in Ephesus when he wrote these words:

Ephesians 4:1-6 (NKJV)
1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Notice how Paul picks up Jesus’ theme. Jesus said, “I pray that they may be one.” Paul says, “There is one body, one Spirit, one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all…”

 Community is not an option.

According to this passage, community is not an option but part of the calling with which you were called. The word ‘calling’ here speaks of purpose. That purpose involves other people. How do I know? “Lowliness… gentleness… longsuffering… bearing with one another in love…” Those things are only possible in community.

Let me tell you a little secret: Lowliness is easy as long as no one else is around. Humbling yourself when there is no one to humble yourself to is a totally different thing than humbling yourself to the person next to you. Especially if the person next to you is someone that you are actually quite superior to. Especially if the person next to you is someone who looks different than you, acts different than you, thinks and believes different than you. All of a sudden, humility is quite humiliating.

Gentleness is the easiest thing in the world as long as there is no one nearby with whom you may be tempted to be harsh. It’s totally different in community.

Longsuffering, or patience. Many mornings I may drive to the church thinking I’m the most longsuffering man on the planet. I had a wonderful drive in and my blood pressure is good.
Those are the days when there was no one else on the road. But, when someone else, especially someone slow, has the audacity to use my road when I want to use it and drive ahead of me… well, then I see how much patience I really need.

You are called to fulfill your purpose in the context of community. It is not an option.

 Community is often inconvenient.

Notice the key word in verse 3: “endeavoring.” It says, “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” It is an endeavor, like climbing Mt. Everest. It is going to be inconvenient at times, and difficult at times. Well, then, when it is inconvenient, and doesn’t meet the needs of self, then let’s just forget about it. And many people do.

BUT, what did we just say? It’s not optional. If it were optional, I would bounce in and out according to its convenience to me. Only when I understand that it is not optional – that even when community is inconvenient it is still part of the purpose and calling that God has placed on my life – only then

 Community can be messy.

Sometimes the bond of peace snaps and the result can be very messy. Did you know that sometimes people get upset at each other? Even wonderful people. I don’t want to shock you, but did you know that people sometimes misunderstand each other? Is that news to you? Did you know that sometimes people do things they shouldn’t do, say things they shouldn’t say and think things they shouldn’t think? This leads to all kinds of mess. When the mess threatens to drive you out, I refer you back to the first truth: Community is not optional, no matter how messy it gets.

So, here’s my take on community: It is inconvenient at times. It is also definitely messy, too. But it is not an option for me. It is a worthwhile endeavor, like climbing Mt. Everest.

2. What is your give to community?

Let’s read more from the fourth chapter of Ephesians:
Ephesians 4:7 (NKJV)
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Verses 8-10 talk about Christ ascending and descending, from which I remind you that His community definitely has its up’s and down’s. Now verse eleven:

Ephesians 4:11-16 (NKJV)
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

 You have strengths to bring.

“Every part does its share.” Oh, if only that were true. If only, as intended, every part of the Body of Christ did do its share. How amazing that would be. That is Christ’s intention.
You have a part to share. You may say, “Well, I’m not sure if this is the church that I’m supposed to be in.” Get sure and get involved, or (get lost) get to where you are supposed to be. And be quick about it. Every part needs to be doing its share.

You may say, “But I’m not even a Christian yet. I’m not part of the Body of Christ.” Get to it. What are you waiting for? You have a purpose, a calling, a part to play. Surrender your life to Jesus so He can fully use you. Jesus died on a cross and shed His blood for you so that you could live with peace and with purpose.

 You have messes to bring.

You’ve got issues of your own. You’re not perfect either. A Christ-Centered, Holy Spirit empowered community says, “We’ll not just take your strengths, but your weaknesses, too.” We’ll take your strength and your stress.

Ephesians 4:20-32 (NKJV)
20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

From what I can tell from this passage, these people in Ephesus were: corrupt, deceitful, lustful, liars, had anger issues, were thieves and foul-talkers, dealt with bitterness, wrath, gossip and unforgiveness. That’s what I call church! But God was transforming them, in community, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Unity.

Insecurities R Us
In 1 Chronicles 19 there is a picture for us of how, often-times, relationships go awry.
A friend of King David in a neighboring kingdom, a king who had been very kind to David, died. When this neighboring king died, his son took his place as king. David wanted to show kindness and respect, so he sent a group of messengers to bring comfort to the new king.

Once David’s men arrived, some people came to the new king and said, “Do you really think that David sent these men to show comfort? No, they are spies. They are spying out the land so that David can come and overthrow it. Don’t fall for that one! He can’t do that to you! You better get him first and show him who’s boss.” So they took the messengers from David, shaved them (which was a great insult to men from Israel), cut their clothes off half-way exposing their bottoms (which would probably be a cool fashion statement now, but not then), and sent them back disgraced.

When David heard about what happened, he sent the army and captured the land.
David could have been the greatest ally to this new king, but his own suspicions made David his enemy. He thought, “I better hurt David before he hurts me.”

How many relationships go up in flames for this same reason? Either a gesture is misinterpreted and then reacted against, or fear causes a ‘pre-emptive strike?’ Admit your own insecurities. Maybe he didn’t really mean what you thought he did. Accept the insecurities of others. Maybe she was acting out of fear when she said those things.

Overcome the insecurity and vulnerability of relationships through trust in the Holy Spirit, and “…forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you…”

3. Living in true community.

Let me use these last items on our outline for a practical summary:

 Is the only way to live for God.

and

 Requires the Holy Spirit.

CONCLUSION
Going deeper in the transforming work of the Holy Spirit and His purpose and calling for your life means going deeper in biblical community.

Going Deeper: The One Who Transforms

No intention to buy in
A friend and I were walking down a street in Honolulu, when we were stopped by a guy who somehow guessed we were tourists. (I can’t imagine how he could tell.) He asked us if we were interested in going to a well-known luau absolutely free. We were already planning on attending this particular luau and it was going to cost quite a bit, so we were interested. All we had to do was attend a time share sales presentation and we would get four tickets. We told him we had no intention of buying a time share. It didn’t matter. Just attend the presentation and the luau was ours.

So, we scheduled it and showed up at the appointed time for the presentation. We made it clear to everyone we had no intention of buying anything. We were ushered back to the salesman who went through his entire spiel. He showed graphs. He had pictures and documentation. He really poured it on.

After about an hour and a half, he took a breath long enough to ask, “So, it looks pretty good, huh? How would you like to buy?” “No, thanks,” we said, “we’re not interested.” “Why not? Obviously you’re interested in buying a time share or else you wouldn’t even be here.” “Well, that’s not true,” we told him. “We just want the free gift.” When he saw that we were a waste of his time, he sent us on our way (with our gift).

Why are you here?
This is where I ask you: Why are you here? What is your interest in learning more about the Holy Spirit? Is it for a long-term commitment that’s going to cost you something, or is it for the gifts?

When it comes to going deeper in things of the Holy Spirit, some people think, “I’ve heard about the gifts of the Spirit, they sound really cool, so I want some of that.” Others are just the opposite, “I’ve heard about the gifts, they kind of scare me, so I’m not interested in the presentation.”

It’s not about the gifts. The gifts are for a purpose. The purpose is transformation.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (NKJV) 1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, [in other words, “Go deeper”] just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:

Your sanctification
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” Not “your amusement.” Not “your amazement.” Not “your platform.” Not “your engrandizement.” Not “your sense of supernatural power.” Not “your ability to wow your friends and neighbors.” Not “your division.” Not “your superiority over other people in the church.” Not “your spiritual high.” These things are not the will of God or the purpose of the Holy Spirit’s activity in your life. The purpose is “your sanctification.” You and I are in need of sanctification.

Sanctification is a process of change. It means to make something sacred or pure. It involves, then, taking something that is less sacred or less pure and making it that way. You could also say ‘saint-ify’, to make someone a saint. This word here in the text comes from the Greek word ‘hagiasmos,’ meaning ‘to make holy.’ One of the clearest places to see this in scripture is in

Ephesians 5:25-27:
Ephesians 5:25-27 (NKJV) 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify [‘saint-ify’, make holy] and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

Can something, or someone, who is not holy or pure or saintly be made that way? Yes. Can they do it themselves? No. It is a transformation process known as sanctification. This is the will of God – your sanctification; your transformation.

This is why I say that:

Spiritual experience or activity without transformation is carnal spirituality.

If my goal in being filled with the Holy Spirit is to have a prophetic word for someone, and that’s it… If my purpose is to speak in tongues more than someone else… to have special gifts of knowledge or wisdom or healing or miracles without personal transformation, then I have missed the boat entirely. It is first and foremost about my sanctification.

Carpet time
From time to time an emphasis on supernatural manifestations will circulate. I remember years ago a church in Springfield was experiencing incredible things within their youth group. I heard about how they would come together, start praying for each other and many would end up just layed out on the floor. It came to be known as ‘carpet time.’ “We’re having wonderful carpet time.” That’s all well and good, but the important question is: What happens when you get up from the carpet? Are you changed? Are you sanctified? Are you transformed? Do you get up from the carpet, go home and still treat your family harshly? Are you still going on-line looking at pornographic websites? Is there a difference? If not, then so what?

Simon of Samaria
If my reason for ‘going deeper’ isn’t personal transformation, if it is for a supernatural experience or power, then I am no better than Simon, the sorcerer of Samaria (Acts 8:9-24). When he say Peter laying hands on people and those people being filled with the Holy Spirit, he said, “Cool! I want to be able to do that. I’ll pay you for that power.” Peter said, “Man, you don’t get it at all. The Holy Spirit isn’t a trick. And you don’t need to be praying for others, you have your own issues. You are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity. You need transformation yourself.” It has to start inside.

This passage now goes on to describe more fully this work of sanctification or transformation. Let’s pick up now where we left off:

that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. 9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

Notice how verse eight is a turning point for this entire passage. The verses before talk about personal, inward issues. Verse eight is about God giving us the Holy Spirit. The next verses talk about how we are to act towards others. Keep that progression in mind.

3-D TRANSFORMATION
Let’s take a look at this transformational process.

1. Deal with your hang-ups.

We talked about this two weeks ago. The Holy Spirit is the One who releases us from our hang-ups. I encouraged you to watch the door for temptations; not to entertain the unwanted guests of sin; and to evict long-term habits in your life.

There has always been a super easy way to get around the challenges of dealing with these tough issues: “I can’t.” We just say, “I can’t.” “I can’t live that way. I can’t be holy. I just can’t seem to overcome those things so there is no reason to deal with them.”
We don’t have that excuse anymore.

1 Thessalonians 4:8 (NKJV) 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

Because of the Holy Spirit, we cannot say that we lack the
- Prompting, or the
- Power for transformation.

The bad news is that God has totally taken away my excuse. Now that I have been given the Holy Spirit, I can’t really say that I don’t know what kind of lifestyle I should live, because He let’s me know (“He will guide you into all truth” John 16:13). I also can’t say I’m unable to live that way, because God has given us His Holy Spirit (“You shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” Acts 1:8).

You have resources to deal with your hang-ups. Will you deal with them?

2. Delight in the Spirit’s work within you.

This sanctification process is a delightful one. It’s not easy, but along the way there are opportunities to take joy in the change that is taking place.

Alarms
Don’t you hate alarms? They are so alarming. I remember laying in bed in my dorm room in college early one morning and the fire alarm went off. These drills were a regular occurrence. Nobody moved. You just bury your head and try to ignore it. After a couple of minutes this morning I did hear someone get out of bed. I could hear their door open, some fumbling around in the hall, and then the muffled sound of an alarm with a pillow held over it.

Unfortunately, we get used to ignoring alarms.
What if every time an alarm goes off in your head because you are about to do something that you know you shouldn’t do (you know what alarm I’m talking about), you make a choice to respond to the Holy Spirit and, using His power, you win the battle? Then, instead of the guilt of another failure you enjoy the delight of the victory of transformation! Alarms become celebrations of victory. Wouldn’t that be great?

Quote from Going Deeper, page 88-89
Delight in the fruit of the Spirit within you.
Delight in His ability to help you restrain the angry words you want to spew at yourself or others.
Delight in the courage He gives you to open up when you want to shut down.
Delight in His ability to reveal the source of the pain that drives your compusions.
Delight in His kindness to expose the lies you’ve believed, and to lead you into freedom.
Delight in His ability to heal the traumas you can’t even remember.
Delight in the energy and perseverance He provides to endure grueling seasons of chronic stress.
Delight in the patience He gives you for others…

Be delighted! His incomparably great power is consistently working in you, dramatically transforming you in ways that will leave His imprint on your generation.

These are things to be delighted about!

3. Decide to be a generation changer.

These verses go from an inward transformation outward to the way we deal with people. It is only after an inward transformation, done by the Holy Spirit, that we can decided to be generation changers. It must start on the inside and then flow to the outside. It’s not all about you, but it needs to start in you.

As He is changing you, He is changing the story that your children, and grandchildren, and great grandchildren will tell. You can’t help it. Your change affects others.

§ Real inner transformation has outward expression.

Jesus told His disciples, “Wait in Jerusalem. You will be filled with the Holy Spirit and then you will be sent out to the rest of the world.” There were about one hundred and twenty of them at that time. (Acts 1:15) On the day of Pentecost, fifty days from the day of Passover when Jesus was crucified, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they became a generation changer. You can be a generation changer, too.

Conclusion
What is the transformation that God wants to do in you first and then through you, by the Holy Spirit?

Mother's Day: Something to Smile About

Introduction
Mom and the Hampster
The kids had been begging for weeks, so their mother finally gave in and bought them a hamster. But just as she had feared, she was the one who wound up taking care of it. One evening, exasperated, she asked her kids, "Why did you even want that thing? How many times do you think it would have died if I hadn't been looking after it for you?"
"I don't know," her son said. "Once?"

Happy Mothers Day
Today we celebrate Mothers Day. It is certainly a time for celebration. Scripture says to give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7). Mothers are due honor. Today is all about you, Mom.

Mothers Day Trivia
Shortest Interval Between Two Children
Jayne Bleackley is the mother who holds the record for the shortest interval between two children born in separate confinements. She gave birth to Joseph Robert on September 3, 1999, and Annie Jessica Joyce on March 30, 2000. The babies were born 208 days apart. (Less than 7 months)

Longest Interval Between Two Children
Elizabeth Ann Buttle is the mother who holds the record for the longest interval between the birth of two children. She gave birth to Belinda on May 19, 1956 and Joseph on November 20, 1997. The babies were born 41 years 185 days apart. The mother was 60 years old when her son Joseph was born.

Highest Recorded Number of Children
The highest officially recorded number of children born to one mother is 69, to the first wife of Feodor Vassilyev (1707-1782) of Shuya, Russia. Between 1725 and 1765, in a total of 27 confinements, she gave birth to 16 pairs of twins, seven sets of triplets, and four sets of quadruplets. 67 of them survived infancy.

Background
For our Mothers Day message today we are going to look at the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel chapters one and two. Hannah was the wife of a man named Elkanah. She became the mother of Samuel the prophet.

Hannah: Grace, Favor

What a beautiful name, and a meaningful for our tribute to our mothers. You are our ‘Hannah’, the grace and favor in our lives.

Hannah was a young woman. She and Elkanah lived in Ramah, about 15 miles north of Jerusalem and 15 miles south of the city of Shiloh. Hannah was loved by her husband, even though she had no children. Much more so than today, a woman without children was a cultural and personal tragedy. Hannah was in great anguish over this.

I am aware that Mothers Day isn’t a happy event for everyone for many reasons. Some women, like Hannah, would love to celebrate Mothers Day, but can’t. Some have had mothers that haven’t spoken grace and favor into their lives. Some have other painful associations with the celebration of Mothers Day. There are people who didn’t come today because of the pain of this day. Only God can bring comfort into those situations. Let’s pray for those who are hurting this Mothers Day.

Shiloh: Resting Place

Each year, as directed, Hannah and Elkanah went with the rest of the family to the Tabernacle, the ‘house of the Lord.’ (This is the tabernacle that Joshua brought into the Promised Land.) All of this pre-dates and preceeds the temple in Jerusalem. King Solomon built the temple after his father, King David, captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites after he was anointed king by the prophet Samuel. Without King Solomon there is no temple. Without King David there is no King Solomon. Without Samuel there is no King David. Without Hannah there is no Samuel.

Is Hannah, as a mother, an important figure? You better believe it.

The Story
Hannah did not have any children, but Elkanah’s other wife did have children. She tormented Hannah about it. When Hannah arrived at the tabernacle she went in to talk with God, and she wept with great emotion. She said, “Lord, if you give me a son, I will give him to You all the days of his life.” Eli, the priest, saw her praying but didn’t hear her. She wasn’t praying for him or for show, but for God. God heard just fine. In fact, Eli thought she was drunk. (Which reminds us of the disciples in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit came upon them. The people who witnessed it thought they were drunk, too.)

When he saw that she wasn’t drunk but passionate about her prayer, Eli said, “May the Lord grant you what you have asked for.” Little did he know how that statement and her prayer would affect him.

God blessed Hannah. She became a mother. Her prayer of thanksgiving and praise is one of the most beautiful in all of scripture.

1 Samuel 2:1-10 (NKJV) 1 And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. “I smile at my enemies.” Literally, “I enlarge my mouth over my enemies.” Today, moms, I hope you smile. I want you to have something to smile about. Let’s have fun.
2 “No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. 3 “Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the Lord is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed. 4 “The bows of the mighty men are broken, And those who stumbled are girded with strength. 5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, And the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, And she who has many children has become feeble. 6 “The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. 7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. 8 He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory. “For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, And He has set the world upon them. 9 He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. “For by strength no man shall prevail. 10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed.”

(To see some remarkable similarities between this beautiful mother’s prayer and one of another famous biblical mother, look at the song of Mary in Luke 1:46-55.)

When Samuel was about three years old, Hannah brought him to the tabernacle, where he stayed with Eli and ministered to the Lord. Hannah had three more sons and two daughters after the birth of Samuel. Every time that Hannah came to Shiloh, she brought along a little priestly robe that she made for Samuel.

GIFTS OF LUV

Let me draw three things from this story that represent the cry of Hannah’s heart and the cry of every mother’s heart. Give your mother these gifts of luv this Mothers Day.

1. Listen.

Hannah named her son Samuel, which means, “The Lord Hears.” What really meant a lot to her was the fact that God heard her, that she was heard. It is so easy to feel like no one is listening – especially if you’re a mom.

You know why you should listen? Because no one cares for you like your mom does. Moms aren’t perfect, but their intentions for you are good. How do I know? She has gone through a lot of pain for you already. She has proven herself. Listen.

Listen to your mother and her wisdom. Maybe you’ve heard these from your mom…

Momisms
§ Money does not grow on trees.
§ Don't make that face or it'll stay that way.
§ Always change your underwear; you never know when you'll be in an accident.
§ Be careful or you'll put your eye out.
§ What if everyone jumped off a cliff? Would you do it, too?
§ Close that door! Were you born in a barn?
§ Don't touch that; you don't know where it's been!
§ I hope that when you grow up, you have kids just like you! (aka: "Mother's Curse")
§ Because I'm your mother that's why.
§ If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times.
§ If you fall out of that tree and break you leg, don't come running to me.
§ I've got eyes in the back of my head, that's how
§ Honestly... You'd lose your head if it wasn't screwed on!
§ As long as you live under my roof, you'll do as I say.
§ Don't sit too close to the television; it'll ruin your eyes.
§ Horses sweat, men perspire, ladies glow.
§ It'll never heal if you keep picking at it.
§ Little pitchers have big ears.
§ If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all

Things you have NEVER heard mom say
§ "How on earth can you see the TV sitting so far back?"
§ "Yeah, I used to skip school a lot, too"
§ "Just leave all the lights on ... it makes the house look more cheery"
§ "Let me smell that shirt -- Yeah, it's good for another week"
§ "Go ahead, keep that stray dog, honey. I'll be glad to feed and walk him every day"
§ "The curfew is just a general time to shoot for. It's not like I'm running a prison around here."
§ "I don't have a tissue with me ... just use your sleeve"
§ "Don't bother wearing a jacket - the wind-chill is bound to improve"

Jesus Himself was subject to his earthly mother and earthly father in everything (Luke 2:51). He listened to her. Listen to your mother.

2. Understand. (Empathy)

1 Peter 3:7 says we are to ‘dwell with them with understanding.’ Elkanah tried to understand but, what can we say, he was a man. He said to Hannah, “Why do you want a son so bad? You’ve got me. I’m better than ten sons.” (1:8) Like I said… a man.

Have empathy and understanding for your mother. Here’s a secret: She’s a person too, like you. She has hopes, dreams, fears and problems too, like you do.

In this passage Hannah says, “I smile at my enemies.” But she was a godly woman with a loving husband. You mean she had enemies? Yes, she did. One was her ‘rival’, the baby machine. She would taunt Hannah without mercy. The word ‘enemies’ is plural. She had other enemies as well. Even godly women have enemies. They hear the taunts. Could you be understanding and compassionate?

A mother’s enemies
A mother has some natural enemies. Because of her fierce love and loyalty for you, anyone or anything that she sees as a threat to you is an enemy who taunts her: compromise, lack of discipline, sin, friends that aren’t good for you, a spouse who isn’t good enough for you, etc. These things taunt her. She wants God’s best for you.

Mother's Dictionary of Meanings
To help you be more understanding, here is a Mother’s Dictionary of Meanings:
§ Dumbwaiter: One who asks if the kids would care to order dessert.
§ Feedback: The inevitable result when the baby doesn't like the strained carrots.
§ Full Name: What you call your child when you're mad at him.
§ Grandparents: The people who think your children are wonderful even though they're sure you're not raising them right.
§ Independent: How we want our children to be, as long as they do everything we say.
§ Show Off: A child who is more talented than yours.
§ Two-Minute Warning: When the baby's face turns red and she begins to make those familiar-grunting noises.

3. Value. (Appreciation)

Everyone, and certainly every mom, wants to be valued or appreciated. Hannah loved and cared for Samuel. She prayed for him before he was even born. She nurtured him as a little baby. She made him a robe with her own hands.

The world without mothers
Try to picture the world without moms. If everyone in my life who is a mother were taken out of the picture, it would be a very bleak picture with no beauty; no nurturing.
Scripture says that Eve was “the mother of all the living.” That can’t be true, because my wife is the mother of all the living. It is amazing to me how she nurtures and mothers those who are not even her children. She is a nurturer.

Like Samuel, if it weren’t for the prayers of our mothers, the nurturing of our mothers and the sacrifice of our mothers, we wouldn’t be here today. We need to value and appreciate mothers so that with our words and with our actions they feel valued. Not just on Mothers Day, but all the time.

Todd and Anna Mae
One of the most wonderful women I have ever known, Anna Mae Erickson, is retiring from 26 years of service here at the church. (You will be invited to a reception in her honor.) The staff took her to lunch the other day to honor and appreciate her.

I had everyone at the table share in one word something that describes Anna Mae. Words like: sunshine, joy, beautiful were used, and she was really blushing. When we got to Pastor Todd, our Student Ministries Pastor and one of the newest on staff, he brought her to tears of emotion with the word he used: mom. There was no greater compliment that he could have given her.

Mom, we appreciate you. We don’t always give you the value and appreciation that you deserve. We’re sorry. We often take you for granted, like the child sent to bed…

Child Sent to Bed
A small boy is sent to bed by his mother... [Five minutes later] "Mom..." "What?" "I'm thirsty. Can you bring me a glass of water?" "No. You had your chance. Lights out." [Five minutes later] "Mom..." "WHAT?" "I'm THIRSTY...Can I have a glass of water??" "I told you NO! If you ask again I'll have to spank you!!" [Five minutes later] "Mommm..." "WHAT??!!" "When you come in to spank me, can you bring me a glass of water?"

Conclusion
You want to know some great gifts for the special moms in your life? Listen. Understand. Value. They go a long way. Do something to make your mom smile.

Today is not just about mothers, but also about grandmothers. Let me end today with a story of a typical grandmother.

Grandma on the Plane
For two solid hours, the lady sitting next to a man on an airplane had told him about her grandchildren. She had even produced a plastic-foldout photo album of all nine of the children. She finally realized that she had dominated the entire conversation on her grandchildren.

"Oh, I've done all the talking, and I'm so sorry. I know you certainly have something to say. Please, tell me... what do you think of my grandchildren?"


Moms, today it is all about you.