The Legacy of 3 Godly Mothers (Mothers’ Day Sermon)

A short sermon for Mothers’ Day:

Opening Scripture: “A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised, give her the reward she has earned” (Proverbs 31:30-31)

The influence and sacrificial efforts of mothers are celebrated on Mother’s Day and I’m happy that it’s a special day on the church calendar. I would like to begin this Mothers’ Day sermon by taking a moment to salute ALL mothers and to thank them for the excellent commitment shown towards their children and family. Thank you also to all mothers who have enriched our lives through their friendship, their faith, and their prayers. 

Our opening scripture says that “A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised”. Let us do that in a special way today as we celebrate Mothers’ Day. Through this sermon, I would like to highlight three mothers, whose decisions of courage and faith, affected the destiny of God’s people in powerful ways.

1) On Mothers’ Day, We Remember The Legacy of Mary – The Mother of the Lord Jesus Christ

Scripture: “How will this be,”Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34)

Mary, the mother of Jesus, asked this question when the angel Gabriel brought her an astounding message (Luke 1:26-33). She had been chosen to give birth to the Messiah, the Son of God, as a virgin!! (Luke 1:32,35). Obviously in shock, and puzzled, Mary asked, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 

This was not a question of unbelief, but of wonder, as she pondered on how such an amazing miracle could actually take place? How could she be the mother of the Messiah? Wasn’t she a virgin? Wasn’t that an impossibility? The angel however answered reassuringly, “The power of the Most High will overshadow you…For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:35-37).

Mary, with childlike faith and wonder, replied, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” (vs 38). She accepted God’s word by faith, even though a broken engagement and neighborhood gossip were a very real possibility. (It would actually take decades for people to believe her story). Her decision however, brought God’s greatest gift to mankind in the form of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world!

As the years went by, Mary stood faithful to her call as Jesus’ mother and played a pivotal role in His life’s journey. She would have prayed much for Him as she walked with Him through that difficult journey. She trusted God though the many challenges she would have faced, and eventually stood by her Son during His final moments at the cross (John 19:25). She later became a faithful prayer warrior in the ministry of the 1st century church (Acts 1:14). 

Similarly, when God gives us a promise or calls us to a great task, may we accept it by faith like Mary did, no matter how impossible it may seem. Be confident that He will surely fulfill it, in His time. If you are prone to question, ‘How will this be?’, like Mary, may it be a question of wonder and childlike faith, not one of unbelief. God was faithful to Mary in her role as a mother and He will be faithful to you too! May we learn from her example today, as we celebrate Mothers’ Day.

Many mothers and women in the Bible influenced their nation, the Kingdom of God and beyond. As a mother, Mary however, was a blessing to the entire world. What a powerful legacy!

Prayer – Lord, give me the same childlike faith that Mary had. On Mothers’ Day, may I trust all your promises in the calling you have given me.

2) The Legacy of Rahab – The Heroine of Faith

Rahab, an unbelieving lady who had a past life connected to prostitution, became a recipient of God’s mercy and favor through placing her faith in the God of Israel (Read Joshua 2:1-21). She courageously hid and protected the spies who came to scout out Jericho (vs 4). She also trusted God for the deliverance of her family in the battle that was ahead (vs 17- 21). 

Because of her faith, Rahab was eventually accepted into the community of Israel (Joshua 6:25).God’s mercy and favor worked through Rahab’s life in such an amazing way thereafter that through her lineage, one of the heroes of the Bible would be born, namely, the maestro of biblical worship; King David. Yes, through the faith journey of this mother who had a dark past, came the lineage from which King David would be born (Ruth 4:18-22). 

Her lineage would eventually bring generational blessings! Not only did God’s favor bless her lineage through David, but many years later, in the Gospel of Matthew, there is a further mention of her lineage. Matthew 1:5 says: “Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab.” (Matthew 1:5-6). This was the lineage of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah!

So, from Rahab’s lineage would eventually come the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 1:16). What an amazing story of a mother who had a difficult past, who would have faced many insults and humiliations. But as she placed her life under the mercy of the living God by faith, her entire future was changed. She is even listed as one of the heroes in the Bible’s ‘Hall of Faith’ (Hebrews 11:31). What a beautiful legacy! What a challenge for us on Mothers’ Day!

Our past should never determine our future because God can transform our future. He doesn’t look at our profession, he looks at our faith. 

3) On Mothers’ Day, We Remember the Legacy of Hannah – The Mother of a Great Prophet

Read 1 Samuel Chapter 1

As we continue this sermon for Mothers’ Day, let us think of Hannah, the wife of Elkanah. She went through continuous harassment, and humiliation, because of Peninnah, Elkanah’s second wife (1 Samuel 1:1-7). The tough part was that Peninnah had borne at least 4 children (vs 4), but Hannah had none (vs 5).

As we read her story from verses 6-16, it looks very much like Hannah was going through a season of acute depression. She was weeping, had lost her appetite, was downhearted, bitter, and feeling miserable. She was deeply troubled, and “poured out her soul in prayer to God in great anguish and grief” (vs 15-16). 

To add salt to her wounds and lead her to further anguish, her pastor criticized her harshly and accused her unjustly of being drunk! (vs 12-14) What a situation to be in! But Hannah cried out to God in prayer and the Lord answered her. She became pregnant and through her was born the great prophet Samuel (vs 19-20). (You can read her song of praise in 1 Samuel Chapter 2). 

True to her promise to God, Hannah eventually brought Samuel at the appointed time to the house of God and committed him to the service of God. (vs 24-28). Samuel eventually became a powerful prophet to the nation. That’s a legacy that impacted a nation!

On Mothers’ Day, let’s ask ourselves today, what can I allow God to do through me to impact my nation, my community, and my family, whether it be in a large or a small way? May we learn through the lives of these 3 mothers, Mary, Rahab, and Hannah.

Closing:

On Mothers’ Day, let’s pay tribute to all mothers, young and old. But let’s also celebrate all women with us today. Let’s honor them and be thankful for how much the world has been enriched through them. The Bible says, “Treat… older women as mothers and younger women as sisters…” (1Timothy 5:1-2). God bless you. Let us pray.

For an inspiring sermon titled “Beautiful Acts for God”, about another surrendered lady in the Bible, click here.