Division/contention/anger/self-righteousness -- where we are right now in our country, even in the world. The farther we pull away from Jesus, the worse it gets.

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius[a] for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went.“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’" Matthw 20:1-7

This is Jesus' version of equality.

The Landowner -- needs work done, labor intensive, physical labor.

Workers -- 1st workers called -- hardest working workers, ready to go, more skilled, offered a denarius -- very good wage. They agree to it.
3rd hour workers -- little late but still willing to work (the typical work day was a 12 hour day)
6th hour workers -- lunch time leftovers
9th hour workers -- slackers
11th hour workers -- left behind, no other chance to work.

Hourly wage is what is normal for us. Jesus paints a different picture.



"“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’" Matthew 20:8-12



"“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous? 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”" Matthew 20:13-16

The Owner is God. God has a lot of work to be done. Constantly. No end to the work. ALways looking for workers.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" Matthew 28:19-20

The Master is continually calling.

:So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:26-29

If you're Mine, you're Mine. Nothing else matters.

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”" Matthew 9:36-38

Workers -- Our work day begins when we accept Christ. If we are called, we are called to serve. If you are alive, no matter how old you are, it isn't too late to accept Christ -- early in liife, late in life, right before death....anytime before death is a good time to accept Christ.God wants everybody!

Kingdom payment -- the payment is eternal life. Paid in full by the blood of Jesus Christ. You've been paid for -- you can't walk off the job. Statement of fact: we agreed to serve Him.

"Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’" Matthew 20:15

Look at who at what you have, not what you don't have. Everybody counts. All I am is a child of God.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure." 1 John 3:1-3

Insurance -- we have insurance for everything. We get to just in case something happens. 

Assurance -- God paid the "policy."

We are called the children of God. We didn't earn this. What that means is we have no worries. Faith in Father. When you're a child it's natural to have faith in your parents. We need to hve this same kind of child-like faith (or even greater) in our Father.

It's not about you or me. God loves you.

"Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law." 1 Corinthians 9:19-20

So often we feel worthyless -- the world reinforces this feeling. This is a lie! I am valuable to God. You are valuable to God.

No matter what you think He says you're worth it.

"Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings." 1 Corinthians 7:21-23

God freed us to be more than who we are. God will correct us because He loves us. Celebrate His love for us.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8

The Example of Gideon: Gideon was not a man of strength or wisdom or vision or anything. He was the weakest member of the weakest clan.

"When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.'" Judges 6:12

Gideon recognized the Israelites abandoned God.

"The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?'" Judges 6:14

I want you to go! I'm sending you. It isn't aobut your abilities. It is about Me (says God) and your willingness to go.

Gideon's faith and approval -- 32,000 down to 300 men -- this was God's plan (and of course it worked).

Gideon doesn't do it all super confidently -- he does what God tells him to do in the middle of the night so no one sees him....but he still does it.

And Gideon, in faith uses the 300 and the enemy is destroyed. Israel is freed!! He believed in the One who can change things. He used his own history to remember God is faithful.

Where's your faith coming from?

"For we live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

Our faith must be deeper than the surface. God doesn't bargain with us.

"know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[a] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified." Galatians 2:16

All God asks is that we believe in Him.

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." Romans 8:31-34

Our Assurance.

God doesn't want us to try and work things out without Him. What are we to do?

Draw Near to Him! That is assurance.

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:7-8

"let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."
Hebrews 10:22

"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

"I, in my Savior, are blessed." 

Insurance is doubt. Assurance is faith.

We are at war with the world. Jesus says rest in Me. The world wants to deny it all. Jesus is our battle standard. If you keep your eyes on Jesus....It's God's battle. Not ours. Draw near to Him.

"Filled with His goodness. Lost in His love." 

"This is My story!"

Each of us has a story, unique and precious. God has a story being written in my life, in your life. Common thread -- Jesus!

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—" John 1:12

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15

Read the story God is writing in your life rather than trying to write it yourself.
​

"Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
 Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents in court." Psalm 127:3-5

Parents' Responsibilities:

#1. Nourish their children.

"Fathers,do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4

#2. Educate.

"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7

#3. Discipline.

"Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
    do not be a willing party to their death." Proverbs 19:18

Lack of discipline will cause pain. Be a good example. 

"They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:10-11

It isn't fun to discipline. God doesn't find great joy in disciplining us but He knows it is necessary.

The Truth about Children:

1. All children are born sinful. All people are born sinful.

 "As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;" Romans 3:10

2. All are rebellious.

"Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline will drive it far away." Proverbs 22:15

Rebellion is natural to us all.

3. Self-Absorbed.

 "In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord." Genesis 4:3

Cain got angry at God rather than trying to do better or asking God what he needed to do to do it right. There is a natural selfishness built into us. You must learn to share and cooperate.

4. Children are pliable -- they seek influence.

"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:102

Sometimes they grow in spite of us. They are seeking to be influenced. They will mimic you. 

5. The world is a dangerous place.

The world is getting worse and worse. We have to protect them. They will be under peer pressure to accept all that society accepts. We must be their strongest influece. We have to outvote all their peers.

"A discerning son heeds instruction,
    but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father." Proverbs 28:7

What is the prescription for good parenting?

1. Be right with God.

"By wisdom a house is built,
    and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
    with rare and beautiful treasures." Proverbs 24:3-4

If you build a foundation and you don't follow through that foundation will crumble and be destroyed.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33

God has an answer. He will guide you. Just ask.

2. Be the example of what you want your children to be.

"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
1 Peter 3:7

 "Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children," Titus 2:4

If parents abuse, the children will abuse. What we are is reflected in our children. Love between parents is so important. Have an open relationship with your kids. If you mess up, apologize.

3. Examples we should be:

"He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full[a] respect." 1 Timothy 3:4

"Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
    but whoever ignores correction leads others astray." Proverbs 10:17

Sheep go astray. Lambs don't. They follow the sheep. The children are watching. We all are responsible.

Practice what you preach!

1. Start Early:

If you let them develop bad habits you have to get rid of these first before you can start training.

2. Discipline.

"Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him." Deuteronomy 8:5-6

3. Be Consistent.

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise-- 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a] Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:1-4

4. Stay in the Community of the Church.

"For lack of guidance a nation falls,
    but victory is won through many advisers." Proverbs 11:14

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

You're not alone. We're here to support each other. The world is going down and Jesus is coming back. Live in expectation of Jesus returning. Be a safe place for each other. Seek the family.

"Start children off on the way they should go,
    and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

"Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
    they are regarded as dust on the scales;
    he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust." Isaiah 40:15

So many people fighting among themselves. All saying, "Look at me!"

"What has been will be again,
    what has been done will be done again;
    there is nothing new under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9

Everything is meaningless without God. When God comes into the equation, there is great significance.

"I also said to myself, “As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. 19 Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath[a]; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return." Ecclesiastes 3:18-20

It's not about us.

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14

If we change our focus to God rather than ourselves things change.

"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
Do not be quick with your mouth,
    do not be hasty in your heart
    to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
    and you are on earth,
    so let your words be few.
A dream comes when there are many cares,
    and many words mark the speech of a fool." Ecclesiastes 5:1-3

"Look at me!" separates me from God. If I try to be significant I'm separating me from God. It's the heart that matters. Give from your heart. It isn't about us. God cares about each one of us.



 "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,
“All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”[a]
And this is the word that was preached to you." 1 Peter 1:23-25

Significance of Who He is. We can't earn His love or His grace or anything from God. Nothing we can do is enough without God. God loves us so much.

"If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?" Matthew 6:30

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:9-10

God took Adam from the dirt and made him. We make ourselves back into dirt in a sense when we sin...

The broken family breaks the individual. We all are broken. We are not the way God intended us to be. He sent Jesus so we could be part of the family.

"Even to your old age and gray hairs
    I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4

Our meaning comes through Him.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

Yes, you are contributing because He wants you. He wants each and every one of us.

"This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4

All He wants us to do is accept Him. We can choose to be His children.

"For the Lord will not reject his people;
    he will never forsake his inheritance." Psalm 94:14

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.'" Deuteronomy 31:8

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Nothing can separate me from Jesus. We break things.Through Christ, we can become children of God.

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:4-7

Come to the Father.

"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Run to Me! 

 "for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16

God the Father.
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name," Matthew 6:9
"But if your eyes are unhealthy,[a] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" Matthew 6:23

"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[a] Father.” Galatians 4:6

Abba means "daddy."

"So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned."Ephesians 4:17-20

Set yourself apart from the Old way of life. When you come in dirty from the field you take off your dirty clothes and take a shower, but you don't stop there if you plan on going anywhere. You put on clean clothes. We need to clothe ourselves in the new self.

Practical Advice -- and an example to Follow.

“In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry," Ephesians 4:26


"The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;" Psalm 103:8-9

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for usas a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 4:31-5:2

Follow God's example. Our goal is for people to see the Father in us.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

God's standard -- do as God does.

The absolute truth -- God is our standard.

Be like Him.

Obey or break.

The love of the Father overcomes the failures of the children.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." 1 John 3:1

World doesn't understand absolute truth. 

Until I understand the love of God I won't understand anything else.

The standard is perfection. 

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48

Perfect means "complete" or "mature."

"But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Hebrews 5:14

Grow. Keep growing. Grow toward God. Grow to be like God. 

Every day we get a do-over. That's grace!

Hello Lovely People! We recorded the sermon discussion from our kitchen table this morning. It is about 25 minutes long, and I think you'll find it a great listen! Shannon does most of the talking,but Jane gets to share some and they discuss a few points about this story of the Syrophoenician Woman that probably has bothered many believers for several years. Jesus sounds so harsh in his conversation with her, but the fact is is that He isn't. He is doing a lot in this conversation with the woman that most of us probably had no idea He was doing.

This conversation made me feel a whole lot better about this passage and it taught me more about Jesus and living the faith life. It even touches on caregiving (which is a big part of my life. This is Jane writing). 

So, I hope you take time to listen to this. Let us know what you think. Shannon and I sure enjoyed recording this. We are seriously thinking about starting a podcast this summer about Bible topics because it is a lot of fun. 

Click on the yotube link below to listen to our discussion. Please share with others and if you are so inclined, tell us what you think. 

(I didn't post the sermon last week due to VBS activites. I will post it on Shannon's Youtube Channel which is called Green Broke Preacher. The sermon last week was called "In The Beginning . . . and the end. Access it here)

The following statistics are of American households:

43% of children live without a father in the home.
90% of homeless/runaway children are without a father in the home.
71% of pregnant teens are without a father in the home.
85% of children who exhibit behavioral disburtances are without a father in the home.
71% of high school dropouts are without a father in the home.
63% of youth suicides are committed by youths without a father in the home.

Being a father is hard.

11 And He said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his [a]wealth between them. 13 And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 15 So he went and [b]hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the [c]pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. 17 But when he came to [d]his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and [e]in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ 20 So he got up and came to [f]his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and [g]embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate." Luke 15:11-24

Our compassion has to be beyond our natural human tendencies.

Qualities of a Biblical Father:

I. A Biblical Father Teaches.

5 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as [a]frontals [b]on your forehead. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:5-9

If we're not teaching we are letting our children down.

You might not be actively teaching but you are still teaching kids with everything you do. They watch and will do what you do.

II. A Biblical Father Leads.

"15 If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

III. A Biblical Father Disciplines.

Correcting behavior, explaining.

"My son, do not reject the [a]discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His reproof,
For whom the Lord loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights." Proverbs 3:11-12

IV. A Biblical Father is compassionate.

Mourn with them.

Be vulnerable with them.

"Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who [a]fear Him.
For He Himself knows [b]our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust." Psalm 103:13-14

V. A Biblical Father Provides.

"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Timothy 5:8

"Or what man is there among you [a]who, when his son asks for a loaf, [b]will give him a stone? 10 Or [c]if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:9-11

VI. A Biblical Father Loves.

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag andis not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 [a]bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of [b]prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.' 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Men, step up. Fathers, need to be in church. Be a father to a child, a young man who doesn't have a father. 

The whole world is a prodigal son!

Four Mothers

Hannah -- A praying mother

18 "Now Samuel was ministering before the Lord, as a boy [a]wearing a linen ephod. 19 And his mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him from year to year when she would come up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20 Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, “May the Lord give you [b]children from this woman in place of [c]the one she dedicated to the Lord.” And they went to their own [d]home." 1 Samuel 2:18-20

If you have a praying mother, be thankful.

Our mothers were the first ones to show us the love of God.

"Behold, children are a [a]gift of the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3

Eunace -- A Teaching Mother

3 "I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience [a]the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my [b]prayers night and day, 4 longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 [c]For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well." 1 Timothy 1:3-5

If you have a teaching mother, be thankful.

Jochebed -- A sacrificing mother

"Now a man from the house of Levi went and [a]married a daughter of Levi. 2 The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw [b]that he was [c]beautiful, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got him a [d]wicker [e]basket and covered it over with tar and pitch. Then she put the child into it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile. 4 His sister stood at a distance to [f]find out what would [g]happen to him.
5 The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the Nile, with her maidens walking alongside the Nile; and she saw the [h]basket among the reeds and sent her maid, and she brought it to her. 6 When she opened it, she [i]saw the child, and behold, the [j]boy was crying. And she had pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” 7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call [k]a nurse for you from the Hebrew women that she may nurse the child for you?”8 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go ahead.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9 Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10 The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. And she named him [l]Moses, and said, “Because I [m]drew him out of the water.” Exodus 2:1-10

Jochebed sacrificed him to save him.

If you have a sacrificing mother, be thankful.

Mary -- a long-suffering mother

18 "And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart." Luke 2:18-19

What an amazing experience for Mary. 

"When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus *said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus *said to her, “Woman, [a]what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother *said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” John 2:3-5

Jesus honored her mother's request even though he told her it wasn't his time. He loved her.

47 "Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.”[a] 48 But [b]Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” Matthew 12:47-48

She gets rejected by her son publicly.

26 "When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He *said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”27 Then He *said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household." John 19:26-27

From the cross Jesus took care of his mother. It was one of the last things he did.

14 "These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." Acts 1:14

​If you have a long-suffering mother, be thankful.