WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.359 If you have a tendency to grab a piece of scripture and read it apart from its surrounding passages, 00:00:09.080 --> 00:00:15.560 our text this morning may not carry the idea of a mother's love. 00:00:16.679 --> 00:00:21.059 It may instead feel somewhat like an attempted abandonment. 00:00:21.900 --> 00:00:26.500 It may look like a stroke of luck if you believe in such as that. 00:00:26.920 --> 00:00:28.240 It may look like a fairy tale. 00:00:28.239 --> 00:00:34.679 But in reality, it's a wonderful account of the early days of one of God's mighty men 00:00:34.679 --> 00:00:40.560 that was preserved in a trying time to lead a people to the God of promise. 00:00:41.599 --> 00:00:49.119 Our passage today would not appear to be an example of a mother's love, but man is it. 00:00:49.980 --> 00:00:54.280 It's in Exodus chapter 2, beginning in verse 1, and it says this. 00:00:54.280 --> 00:00:59.780 Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. 00:01:00.719 --> 00:01:06.980 The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. 00:01:07.820 --> 00:01:12.719 When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes 00:01:12.719 --> 00:01:16.620 and dabbed it with bitumen and pitch. 00:01:17.099 --> 00:01:21.459 She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds of the riverbed. 00:01:23.799 --> 00:01:28.400 And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. 00:01:29.099 --> 00:01:35.519 Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river while her young women walked beside the river. 00:01:35.519 --> 00:01:41.319 She saw the baskets among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. 00:01:41.879 --> 00:01:46.179 But when she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. 00:01:47.159 --> 00:01:50.340 She took pity on him and said, this is one of Hebrews' children. 00:01:51.319 --> 00:01:54.019 Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, 00:01:54.599 --> 00:02:01.539 shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you? 00:02:01.540 --> 00:02:03.980 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, go. 00:02:04.220 --> 00:02:08.219 So the girl went and called the child's mother, and Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 00:02:08.900 --> 00:02:13.020 take this child away and nurse him for me, and I'll give you your wages. 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:17.580 So the woman took the child and nursed him, and when the child grew older, 00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:20.580 she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. 00:02:21.480 --> 00:02:26.759 She named him Moses because she said, I drew him out of the water. 00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:31.500 Now what would appear to look like abandonment is really quite the opposite. 00:02:31.539 --> 00:02:37.400 Because this passage speaks of the time when the Hebrew people were slaves to Egypt. 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:43.079 And Egypt were attempting to kill any Hebrew boys that were born 00:02:43.079 --> 00:02:47.400 in order to stifle the growth of their slaves, 00:02:47.579 --> 00:02:53.060 afraid that that slave body would get so large that it would overtake the Egyptians. 00:02:53.060 --> 00:02:59.640 So they were instructed that if a boy was killed to be killed upon, 00:02:59.840 --> 00:03:03.080 if a boy was born to be killed upon the spot. 00:03:04.659 --> 00:03:05.719 That is awful. 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:11.240 When we think about that, it shocks us to read such as that. 00:03:12.199 --> 00:03:13.319 I want to be clear. 00:03:13.319 --> 00:03:20.959 We should be even more shocked that a civilized, free country 00:03:20.959 --> 00:03:26.439 that's been built on the faith of the Judeo-Christian faith, 00:03:26.799 --> 00:03:28.340 like the United States, 00:03:29.879 --> 00:03:34.159 is battling over right now the same thing for many children. 00:03:35.060 --> 00:03:38.959 They're just making sure they do it while the child is in its mother. 00:03:38.960 --> 00:03:41.340 It's called abortion. 00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:45.820 Not only is it allowed, but it's fought for and celebrated 00:03:45.820 --> 00:03:48.000 as the power the woman has over her own body. 00:03:48.740 --> 00:03:53.120 And I just want you to watch the rage that is taking place in our country 00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:57.360 right now over Roe and Casey and the possibility, 00:03:57.800 --> 00:03:59.960 the hinting of it being overturned 00:03:59.960 --> 00:04:04.680 in an unprecedented leak to stir the pot 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:09.740 in a hopes to change the direction that the Supreme Court takes. 00:04:11.640 --> 00:04:15.820 Folks, lost folks are bloodthirsty to kill the ruling 00:04:15.820 --> 00:04:19.560 just as bloodthirsty as they are to kill the babies. 00:04:20.280 --> 00:04:23.360 And the whole time they speak of the rights of women over their body, 00:04:23.500 --> 00:04:25.980 but actually it's the body of the child 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:27.759 that has to be discarded afterwards 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:30.060 or maybe saved for research. 00:04:30.379 --> 00:04:31.039 What a shame. 00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:32.719 And I want you to know this morning 00:04:32.719 --> 00:04:35.959 that God hears the cries of an aborted child. 00:04:37.420 --> 00:04:42.420 Thankfully, the faith of Hebrew midwives came in. 00:04:43.420 --> 00:04:44.860 And they were often called on. 00:04:44.920 --> 00:04:46.120 And when they were called on, 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:49.779 they would save these little lives of these little boys. 00:04:50.500 --> 00:04:53.480 When Hebrew boys were still being born after that, 00:04:53.480 --> 00:04:55.139 Pharaoh changed his instructions. 00:04:55.139 --> 00:04:57.919 Instead of killing them on the spot, 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:02.919 he said, throw all newborn Hebrew boys in the Nile River. 00:05:03.319 --> 00:05:07.779 He wanted them to be drowned immediately upon birth. 00:05:08.759 --> 00:05:11.899 And that's why Moses' mother did what she did. 00:05:12.740 --> 00:05:14.979 Because when we look at this passage today, 00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:19.860 Moses' mother, Jochebed, responded to that demand 00:05:19.860 --> 00:05:21.379 and the way she responded. 00:05:21.379 --> 00:05:24.360 When you really dissect it and look at it, 00:05:24.379 --> 00:05:24.980 it's pretty powerful. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:30.439 She responded, one, with a godly mother's love that protects. 00:05:31.300 --> 00:05:33.719 Instead of just throwing them in the water, 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:37.399 she carefully prepared a papyrus basket 00:05:37.399 --> 00:05:40.899 by coating it with tar to allow it to float. 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:43.800 Then she strategically placed it, 00:05:44.259 --> 00:05:46.000 the basket in the reeds of the river, 00:05:46.159 --> 00:05:48.240 securing it from floating away. 00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:52.120 Why? Because that's the care and the protection of a mother. 00:05:52.840 --> 00:05:55.160 That basket was a safe abode from water. 00:05:55.860 --> 00:05:57.620 That basket was safe from animals. 00:05:57.800 --> 00:05:58.319 Because why? 00:05:58.439 --> 00:05:59.699 Because there was a watchful eye 00:05:59.699 --> 00:06:02.139 watching that basket with that boy in those reeds. 00:06:02.259 --> 00:06:05.519 He was strategically placed in those reeds 00:06:05.519 --> 00:06:08.439 so that he would not float away. 00:06:08.579 --> 00:06:10.800 He was strategically placed so Pharaoh's daughter, 00:06:10.900 --> 00:06:12.600 who often came down to the river to bathe, 00:06:12.780 --> 00:06:14.900 would find him and save him. 00:06:14.900 --> 00:06:17.319 That's the watchful eye of a mother. 00:06:18.240 --> 00:06:20.639 See, a godly mother seals off her child 00:06:20.639 --> 00:06:23.840 from the whims of the world and of the devil. 00:06:23.960 --> 00:06:26.000 And by training that child properly 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:28.560 and by allowing him or her to build friendships 00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:29.860 with fellow Christians 00:06:29.860 --> 00:06:32.420 by faithful church attendance and activity. 00:06:33.480 --> 00:06:35.939 Please don't underestimate the strength that it is 00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:38.180 when your children at an early age 00:06:38.180 --> 00:06:40.160 find friends within the church, 00:06:40.160 --> 00:06:43.079 begin to build relationships with those 00:06:43.079 --> 00:06:45.479 who know how they ought to live. 00:06:47.639 --> 00:06:49.919 Those who can strengthen one another. 00:06:50.259 --> 00:06:52.699 It's a godly mother that sets rules and regulations 00:06:52.699 --> 00:06:55.419 not to oppress a child, but to protect that child. 00:06:56.439 --> 00:06:59.199 We live in a day when parenting is a lot more lax 00:06:59.199 --> 00:07:00.159 than when I was a child. 00:07:00.160 --> 00:07:04.560 I can't remember ever feeling lorded over 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:06.340 by my mother and dad. 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:07.860 I never sensed that. 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:09.800 I never felt like I was in a strict home. 00:07:10.380 --> 00:07:11.980 I didn't get everything I wanted. 00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:14.180 I didn't get to do everything I wanted to do. 00:07:15.520 --> 00:07:17.320 But I knew when I was to be at home, 00:07:17.820 --> 00:07:21.820 and I knew that when I rounded that bend on the way home, 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:24.879 that I'd see a light on beside my mother's bed 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:26.600 as she waited for me to get home. 00:07:26.600 --> 00:07:30.720 And not only did I know that my mother and dad would be there 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:32.560 and would love and protect me, 00:07:33.200 --> 00:07:35.340 but I knew when I did something stupid, 00:07:35.400 --> 00:07:36.920 I'd have to face them when I got home. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:38.300 You know? 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:40.360 It made a difference. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:43.480 And I promise you, parents, 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:46.220 in the midst of the struggle of raising children, 00:07:46.320 --> 00:07:49.040 it still does make a difference. 00:07:49.780 --> 00:07:50.840 We live in a day 00:07:50.840 --> 00:07:55.960 when what you do on Sunday is a harder choice 00:07:55.959 --> 00:07:56.620 than it used to be. 00:07:57.779 --> 00:08:00.060 I mean, there's a lot of options out there for you to do. 00:08:00.219 --> 00:08:01.799 A lot of things take you away from church. 00:08:02.839 --> 00:08:04.479 Sunday's one of the busiest days 00:08:04.479 --> 00:08:06.959 with all kinds of activities that involve your childhood. 00:08:07.239 --> 00:08:09.959 And there's pressure there to be a part of that. 00:08:10.579 --> 00:08:11.799 And I well know that. 00:08:12.579 --> 00:08:14.079 That pressure is tough 00:08:14.779 --> 00:08:16.979 as you watch the trends of others. 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:19.920 That's why I think it's so important 00:08:19.920 --> 00:08:21.080 that you're going to have to decide 00:08:21.080 --> 00:08:23.439 what you and your family does on Sunday. 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:26.759 How big a priority is it to you? 00:08:26.840 --> 00:08:28.379 Are you going to follow the trends of the world? 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:32.379 Are you going to follow what God tells us to do 00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:33.940 according to his will and his word? 00:08:35.080 --> 00:08:36.300 What's most important? 00:08:37.180 --> 00:08:37.920 And listen, 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:41.300 church, when they bring those children to this church, 00:08:41.860 --> 00:08:43.420 when they make those decisions 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:45.939 to bring up those children in love and admonition of the Lord 00:08:45.939 --> 00:08:48.319 and to bring it under the umbrella of this church, 00:08:48.860 --> 00:08:50.139 how important it is 00:08:50.139 --> 00:08:52.059 that the volunteers are there 00:08:52.059 --> 00:08:53.519 for Vacation Bible School. 00:08:53.979 --> 00:08:55.699 Let me just say there's a sign up 00:08:55.699 --> 00:08:57.179 in the lobby out there. 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:01.479 How important it is to be a part of that, 00:09:02.199 --> 00:09:03.439 to have Children's Church 00:09:03.439 --> 00:09:04.059 and Awana 00:09:04.059 --> 00:09:06.939 and all those other things that take place 00:09:06.939 --> 00:09:09.039 and any opportunities that we have 00:09:09.039 --> 00:09:10.639 to nurture them, 00:09:10.719 --> 00:09:11.579 to love on them, 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:13.620 to lead them to Christ. 00:09:15.300 --> 00:09:16.280 How important it is 00:09:16.280 --> 00:09:17.400 when you see those children 00:09:17.400 --> 00:09:18.360 to speak to them, 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:20.620 to love on them, 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:22.680 to let them know 00:09:22.680 --> 00:09:24.040 this is home. 00:09:25.160 --> 00:09:26.220 This is where they want to be. 00:09:27.520 --> 00:09:28.680 I grew up in a home 00:09:28.680 --> 00:09:30.300 where I desired to go to church. 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:31.420 I was going to be there 00:09:31.420 --> 00:09:32.480 whether I liked it or not, 00:09:32.580 --> 00:09:33.980 but I wanted to be at church 00:09:33.980 --> 00:09:35.080 and I enjoy being at church. 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:36.640 I've always been like that 00:09:36.640 --> 00:09:38.500 because I was raised that way 00:09:38.500 --> 00:09:39.700 to be taught that. 00:09:39.700 --> 00:09:42.180 Whether it's a papyrus basket 00:09:42.180 --> 00:09:43.280 lined with tar 00:09:43.280 --> 00:09:46.600 or whether it's a nightstand light 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:47.320 that's on 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:50.420 or whether it's a bold decision 00:09:50.420 --> 00:09:52.759 to faithfully follow Jesus, 00:09:53.940 --> 00:09:57.259 a godly mother's love protects. 00:09:57.259 --> 00:09:59.480 But not only that, 00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:01.059 but a godly mother's love 00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:02.039 also prepares 00:10:02.039 --> 00:10:05.720 because if you gave your child 00:10:05.720 --> 00:10:08.259 everything that he or she wanted, 00:10:08.419 --> 00:10:10.659 you would absolutely ruin them. 00:10:11.220 --> 00:10:12.799 Not only would you spoil him, 00:10:12.840 --> 00:10:13.899 but you'd lead her down 00:10:13.899 --> 00:10:16.059 a road of false expectations 00:10:16.059 --> 00:10:17.080 that the world's just going to 00:10:17.080 --> 00:10:17.659 hand it to him. 00:10:18.919 --> 00:10:20.340 I promise you, 00:10:21.080 --> 00:10:22.120 Moses didn't care 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:23.159 to be left in that river. 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:25.799 I bet that baby wasn't happy. 00:10:25.799 --> 00:10:28.219 I bet they heard him crying 00:10:28.219 --> 00:10:30.240 as he laid in that basket. 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:32.259 But Moses' mother knew 00:10:32.259 --> 00:10:32.979 what he needed 00:10:32.979 --> 00:10:34.059 and that was important. 00:10:35.459 --> 00:10:36.979 It was more important 00:10:36.979 --> 00:10:38.279 than what he wanted. 00:10:39.359 --> 00:10:40.459 At some point, 00:10:40.579 --> 00:10:41.839 you got to let your children go. 00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:43.519 You know it's coming 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:46.719 and they may not understand that. 00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:48.379 And when you know 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:49.740 that that's coming in the future, 00:10:49.959 --> 00:10:52.099 you need to prepare them for that. 00:10:52.839 --> 00:10:54.019 Do now, 00:10:54.019 --> 00:10:55.579 if you have children in your home, 00:10:55.659 --> 00:10:57.399 do now what you cannot do later. 00:10:58.759 --> 00:10:59.659 Discipline your child 00:10:59.659 --> 00:11:00.579 is never fun, 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:02.600 but it is necessary. 00:11:03.199 --> 00:11:04.000 And so do it now 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:05.139 while you have the opportunity. 00:11:06.139 --> 00:11:07.539 You don't hold them back 00:11:07.539 --> 00:11:08.980 from getting the proper medical care 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:09.539 that they need 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:11.840 because they don't like it, 00:11:12.439 --> 00:11:13.840 because they don't like going to the doctor 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:15.039 or they don't like shots 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:16.779 or the medicine tastes nasty. 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:17.299 No, no, no. 00:11:17.419 --> 00:11:18.460 You take care of them. 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:19.439 You do that. 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:20.319 It's necessary. 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:22.600 And so you do it. 00:11:23.420 --> 00:11:24.879 Saying no is not easy 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:26.040 or fun. 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:27.040 It's necessary. 00:11:27.280 --> 00:11:28.080 So you do it. 00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:29.580 Reading the Word of God 00:11:29.580 --> 00:11:30.600 and praying together 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:31.660 is not easy. 00:11:32.800 --> 00:11:33.580 And man, on some days 00:11:33.580 --> 00:11:35.140 it feels absolutely impossible, 00:11:35.140 --> 00:11:36.240 but do it now 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:38.240 while you have opportunity. 00:11:38.640 --> 00:11:39.840 You may have a child 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:41.760 that will be an adult 00:11:41.760 --> 00:11:43.300 soon. 00:11:43.940 --> 00:11:45.060 So do it now. 00:11:45.059 --> 00:11:49.219 They won't look to tomorrow. 00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:51.759 They're worried about the now. 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:54.119 You look to tomorrow. 00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:56.639 You prepare them for tomorrow. 00:11:58.019 --> 00:11:58.659 Do it now. 00:11:59.579 --> 00:12:02.419 Because a godly mother's love protects. 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:02.959 It prepares. 00:12:03.319 --> 00:12:03.959 But not only that, 00:12:03.979 --> 00:12:05.279 it also provides. 00:12:07.359 --> 00:12:10.339 Jochebed had a strategic plan here 00:12:10.339 --> 00:12:14.279 to nurse and to raise Moses. 00:12:15.059 --> 00:12:17.139 When he was under the protection 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:18.439 of Pharaoh's home. 00:12:18.839 --> 00:12:20.819 That is sophisticated 00:12:20.819 --> 00:12:22.799 and daring. 00:12:23.459 --> 00:12:24.579 And she did it 00:12:24.579 --> 00:12:26.399 because she loved her child. 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:28.839 The nursing of a mother 00:12:28.839 --> 00:12:30.459 is part of that provision of a child. 00:12:30.699 --> 00:12:32.039 And godly parents know 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:33.000 that they must do that, 00:12:33.339 --> 00:12:34.279 do without at times 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:36.559 because their child 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:37.599 will need to have something. 00:12:38.199 --> 00:12:39.859 And it takes sacrifice 00:12:39.859 --> 00:12:40.979 to spend time with your child. 00:12:41.799 --> 00:12:43.299 But you've got to make that choice. 00:12:43.299 --> 00:12:45.459 There's a lot of 00:12:45.459 --> 00:12:46.819 babysitting substitutes 00:12:46.819 --> 00:12:47.799 for children these days. 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:48.620 They're not all good. 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:50.539 You can turn on the TV 00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:51.599 and you can text 00:12:51.599 --> 00:12:53.099 and you can allow them 00:12:53.099 --> 00:12:53.659 on the internet. 00:12:54.099 --> 00:12:55.139 Give them a remote 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:56.199 and let them have at it 00:12:56.199 --> 00:12:56.919 if you want to. 00:12:58.039 --> 00:12:58.839 Give them an iPad 00:12:58.839 --> 00:12:59.839 with no limits. 00:13:00.979 --> 00:13:01.740 Or you can choose 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:02.899 to raise your kids right. 00:13:03.699 --> 00:13:05.199 A parent has to decide that. 00:13:05.919 --> 00:13:07.439 We provide what they need 00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:08.679 while we have opportunity. 00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:09.519 Now what do they need? 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:10.519 What do we provide? 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:12.519 We provide our attention. 00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:14.460 We give them our attention. 00:13:15.699 --> 00:13:16.379 Small child, 00:13:16.439 --> 00:13:17.819 that may be a storybook at night. 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:19.659 As they get older, 00:13:19.699 --> 00:13:20.819 it may be a kitchen lesson 00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:21.639 along the way. 00:13:22.199 --> 00:13:23.579 As they get even older, 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:24.740 it may be a listening ear. 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:27.100 Just hearing them out. 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:29.439 Seeing how you can help. 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:32.299 Tell you what else we give them. 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:33.480 We ought to give them some laughter. 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:35.860 You need a sense of humor. 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:37.440 I promise you. 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:39.279 If you don't laugh in this world, 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:40.639 you will cry. 00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:42.120 So you might as well laugh. 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:43.539 And you ought to have a willingness 00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:44.300 to be silly 00:13:44.300 --> 00:13:45.460 and to see them laugh 00:13:45.460 --> 00:13:46.960 and have fun with them. 00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:48.740 They need our time. 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:50.680 We need to provide our time. 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:51.759 Do things with them. 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:53.060 We need to provide our creativity. 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:55.539 There's a lot to grab their attention. 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:57.180 It's worth the effort 00:13:57.180 --> 00:13:57.940 to work hard 00:13:57.940 --> 00:13:59.159 to entertain them ourselves. 00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:01.379 You need to provide our resources. 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:03.320 Children are not secondary. 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:05.900 They're a priority in our lives. 00:14:06.180 --> 00:14:07.260 And although Jochebed 00:14:07.260 --> 00:14:10.340 had unique arrangements, 00:14:11.580 --> 00:14:12.660 while she could, 00:14:12.820 --> 00:14:15.120 she provided for her child. 00:14:15.780 --> 00:14:16.840 I'm thankful that 00:14:16.840 --> 00:14:18.660 God provided for her 00:14:18.660 --> 00:14:20.379 and took care of her 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:21.360 and took care of him 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.200 and used him 00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:23.620 to be that great deliverer 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:24.460 that he would use 00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:26.080 as he grew older. 00:14:26.820 --> 00:14:28.400 All because a godly mother 00:14:28.400 --> 00:14:29.620 protected and prepared 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.260 and provided. 00:14:30.580 --> 00:14:31.340 But not only that, 00:14:31.420 --> 00:14:31.880 but lastly, 00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:34.419 a godly mother's love promises. 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:37.820 There comes a time 00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:39.460 when you have to give 00:14:39.460 --> 00:14:40.500 your child to the Lord. 00:14:41.539 --> 00:14:43.399 When you've done all that you can 00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:45.679 in raising that child 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:46.840 in the love 00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:47.659 and the admonition 00:14:47.659 --> 00:14:48.419 of the Lord. 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:51.240 One of the most difficult parts 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:52.279 of this move 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:53.159 for my family 00:14:53.159 --> 00:14:54.720 as we drew near to this day, 00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:56.940 as I began to see God 00:14:56.940 --> 00:14:58.659 begin to unravel 00:14:58.659 --> 00:15:01.079 and open to me 00:15:01.079 --> 00:15:01.819 what his will 00:15:01.819 --> 00:15:03.039 was going to be for us. 00:15:03.199 --> 00:15:04.679 As I began to see that, 00:15:04.819 --> 00:15:07.779 one of the great difficult parts 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:08.799 of this was knowing 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:11.819 that Abby was going to stay 00:15:11.819 --> 00:15:12.459 in Mississippi 00:15:12.459 --> 00:15:13.539 and was going to start her career. 00:15:15.199 --> 00:15:16.279 There's a great chance 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:17.319 that she was going to 00:15:17.319 --> 00:15:18.339 raise a family 00:15:18.339 --> 00:15:20.019 that far away. 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:21.699 I'm telling you, 00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:22.059 I mean, 00:15:22.199 --> 00:15:22.439 I, 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:26.919 we're a tight-knit family. 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:29.919 Abby commuted to school 00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:31.399 and she will tell you 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:32.519 that that helped contribute 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:34.360 to her academic success, 00:15:34.419 --> 00:15:35.720 which she had it, 00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:36.240 thank God. 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:39.759 People often tell me, 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:41.039 and I get a little defensive 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:41.639 about it, 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:43.840 well, you're going home. 00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:45.740 You're going back home. 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:46.899 I want to be clear 00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:47.460 about something. 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.580 Home in my life 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.700 is what God's will is. 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:52.600 If I didn't do 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.600 what the Lord's will was, 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:55.019 I'd be not at home. 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.919 But as long as I follow 00:15:56.919 --> 00:15:57.879 the will of the Lord, 00:15:57.940 --> 00:15:58.680 I am at home, 00:15:58.799 --> 00:15:59.279 thank God. 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:00.740 And I rest in that. 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:01.639 And so I entrust 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.659 my family to him 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.779 and I trust that 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:04.759 he'll take care of them. 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:06.200 Because when you follow 00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:07.159 God's will, 00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:07.720 hear me, 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.039 when you follow 00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:09.879 God's will, 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:11.200 you trust him. 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.360 Well, you trust him 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.159 for a home, 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:14.960 by the way. 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:15.680 Are y'all praying 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:16.179 about that? 00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:17.539 You need to be. 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.500 You trust him 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:20.159 for a home. 00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:22.000 You trust him 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:22.819 with your kids. 00:16:23.599 --> 00:16:24.459 And you walk 00:16:24.459 --> 00:16:25.019 with the Lord. 00:16:26.199 --> 00:16:27.039 You trust his heart 00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:27.479 when you can't 00:16:27.479 --> 00:16:28.059 see his hand. 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:30.899 And listen, friend, 00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:33.419 Proverbs 22, 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.379 verse 6 says, 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:36.279 train up a child 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:37.339 in the way he should go 00:16:37.339 --> 00:16:38.179 and when he's old, 00:16:38.179 --> 00:16:40.199 he will not 00:16:40.199 --> 00:16:41.099 depart from it. 00:16:41.939 --> 00:16:42.699 Does that mean 00:16:42.699 --> 00:16:43.159 there won't be 00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:44.339 detours along the way? 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:45.780 There will be. 00:16:46.780 --> 00:16:47.399 Does that mean 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:47.860 you have to be 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:48.980 perfect along the way? 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:49.879 Man, I hope not. 00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:50.639 We're all in trouble 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.399 if that's the case. 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:53.420 And I'm going to tell you, 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:54.120 I want to be clear 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:54.480 about this. 00:16:54.540 --> 00:16:55.120 It's not a guarantee 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:56.160 they won't go astray. 00:16:56.920 --> 00:16:57.800 It's a proverb, 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:58.620 not a promise. 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:00.800 It is, however, 00:17:01.180 --> 00:17:02.240 easier to steer 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:02.800 your course 00:17:02.800 --> 00:17:03.879 when you've guided them 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:05.019 in the right direction. 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.960 When you've shown them 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:07.539 consistently 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.440 what is right. 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:10.400 how children, 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.320 how a child 00:17:11.320 --> 00:17:11.940 is brought up 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:12.640 will make a world 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:13.220 of difference 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:14.460 in what she values 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.279 when she gets older. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:17.240 So make a difference 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:18.279 while you can. 00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:20.200 And once you bring 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:20.799 a child up, 00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:21.460 there's little more 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:22.140 that you can do 00:17:22.140 --> 00:17:23.160 so seize the day. 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:25.000 You've got to fully 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:25.980 trust the Lord 00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:26.700 in that matter. 00:17:27.580 --> 00:17:28.480 Was it easy 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:31.140 for Moses' mother? 00:17:31.820 --> 00:17:33.100 By no means. 00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:35.299 Was it a step 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.740 and a trait of faith? 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.659 You know it was. 00:17:39.699 --> 00:17:40.779 Because the love 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:41.779 of a godly mother 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.519 is interesting. 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:45.699 The love of a godly mother 00:17:45.699 --> 00:17:46.819 is not primarily 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:47.879 based on her love 00:17:47.879 --> 00:17:48.839 for her child. 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:51.919 The love of a godly mother 00:17:51.919 --> 00:17:53.039 is primarily based 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:53.740 on her love 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:54.599 for the Lord. 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:56.379 The greatest love 00:17:56.379 --> 00:17:57.279 in that mother's life 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:58.099 is God. 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.579 And in order for you 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:00.399 to have the love 00:18:00.399 --> 00:18:01.519 of a godly mother 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.259 for your child, 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.160 you've got to have 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:04.359 a more intense love 00:18:04.359 --> 00:18:05.559 for the Lord. 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:07.000 And the greatest way 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:07.660 that you can love 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.099 your child 00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:08.740 is through your love 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.220 for the Lord. 00:18:09.319 --> 00:18:10.440 So if you love God 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:12.640 and that flows 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:13.980 into every avenue 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:15.000 of your life, 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:17.000 you are loving 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.799 your child 00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.819 as much as you 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.740 possibly can. 00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:21.440 And the greatest 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:23.000 expression of that love 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.579 that you can ever 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:25.900 show for your child 00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:27.400 is a pattern 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:28.700 of love 00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:29.839 for God. 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:31.879 Tell them 00:18:31.879 --> 00:18:32.319 they're not 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:33.399 the top priority. 00:18:33.399 --> 00:18:35.220 Tell them 00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:36.539 God's the top priority 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:37.859 and you'll follow 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:38.740 His will 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:40.419 and His way 00:18:40.419 --> 00:18:41.579 to love 00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:42.439 your child 00:18:42.439 --> 00:18:43.059 more 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:45.039 pursue God. 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.699 You know what's 00:18:46.699 --> 00:18:47.159 going to happen 00:18:47.159 --> 00:18:47.759 when you do? 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:50.539 You're going to grow, 00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:52.399 your child's going 00:18:52.399 --> 00:18:53.539 to witness you growing, 00:18:54.139 --> 00:18:55.319 and your child's 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:55.839 going to grow 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:57.439 a love for God 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:59.400 just like Mama 00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:00.640 showed him 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:01.039 or her. 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:02.960 Thank God 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.799 for godly mothers. 00:19:05.820 --> 00:19:06.559 Let's pray together. 00:19:08.100 --> 00:19:09.259 I realize 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.279 as we come together 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:10.840 today 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:13.700 that there may be 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.320 folks here 00:19:14.320 --> 00:19:15.200 who have never 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:17.100 given their heart 00:19:17.100 --> 00:19:18.420 to the Lord Jesus. 00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:21.019 I don't want us 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:21.720 to ever have 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.360 an opportunity 00:19:22.360 --> 00:19:23.299 where we don't invite 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:23.960 you to come 00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:24.880 to the Lord Jesus. 00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:26.600 and if He's spoken 00:19:26.600 --> 00:19:27.100 to your heart 00:19:27.100 --> 00:19:27.900 and life today, 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.540 you realize 00:19:29.540 --> 00:19:30.380 that you've got sin 00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:31.160 that separates you 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:31.620 from God 00:19:31.620 --> 00:19:32.260 and you need God 00:19:32.260 --> 00:19:32.900 to forgive you 00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:33.520 and to save you 00:19:33.520 --> 00:19:34.380 and to change you. 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:35.920 I want you to know 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.540 when we stand 00:19:36.540 --> 00:19:37.520 and sing in just a moment, 00:19:37.640 --> 00:19:38.720 we do that primarily 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.820 to give you the opportunity 00:19:39.820 --> 00:19:40.660 to come to Christ. 00:19:41.300 --> 00:19:42.240 When you walk this aisle, 00:19:42.320 --> 00:19:42.800 we'll be happy 00:19:42.800 --> 00:19:43.440 to guide you 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.340 in what that means. 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.560 Maybe God's 00:19:46.560 --> 00:19:47.720 leading you 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.580 to make a private 00:19:48.580 --> 00:19:49.660 decision public. 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.480 You've never done 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.360 that through baptism. 00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.360 You've given your heart 00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:54.119 and life to the Lord, 00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:55.619 but you never followed 00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:56.339 Him through baptism. 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.279 Maybe you have a desire 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:59.359 to remember this church, 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:00.819 want to be a part of it. 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.559 You come. 00:20:01.939 --> 00:20:02.819 Let us guide you 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:03.539 in that process 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:04.639 and show you 00:20:04.639 --> 00:20:05.500 what that means 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:06.819 here at Pickens First. 00:20:07.719 --> 00:20:08.319 Heavenly Father, 00:20:08.399 --> 00:20:08.939 I love you 00:20:08.939 --> 00:20:09.679 and I thank you 00:20:09.679 --> 00:20:10.359 for the love 00:20:10.359 --> 00:20:11.419 that you have for us. 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:12.959 And I ask, dear God, 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:15.179 that whatever you choose 00:20:15.179 --> 00:20:16.799 to do in our hearts 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:17.879 and lives today, 00:20:19.179 --> 00:20:19.479 God, 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.359 will your Holy Spirit 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:21.000 just give us 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:21.740 the courage 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.839 and the wisdom 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:24.099 and the boldness 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:25.579 to be obedient 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:27.099 in the way 00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:28.120 in which you lead us. 00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:30.140 We love you dearly 00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:31.200 and we thank you 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:32.180 for this time right now. 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:33.000 Oh God, I pray 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:34.539 in Jesus' name. 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:35.279 Amen. 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:35.720 Stand up. 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:35.779 Amen. 00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:35.819 Amen. 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:35.880 Amen. 00:20:35.880 --> 00:20:35.920 Amen. 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:35.960 Amen. 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:35.980 Amen. 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.019 Amen. 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:36.079 Amen. 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:36.200 Amen. 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:36.240 Amen. 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:36.299 Amen. 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:36.519 Amen. 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:36.559 Amen. 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:36.620 Amen.