GODLY WOMEN

During the creation process, God stated that everything created was good with one exception: Gen 2:18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him."NKJV The Scripture concerning the virtues of a godly woman is just as true today as it was then.

Prov 31:10-12; 25-31

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. With godly women, it is never an issue of who leads or who gets the glory. In fact, many godly women remain nameless to this day but heavens record lists them each one beside their wonderful godly works (Note the godly women listed in Romans 16:1-15). 1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. 7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household. 11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. 12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. 13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. 15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.

I. CONSIDER THIS: WHERE DOES HUMAN LIFE BEGIN? A. We all (normally) begin our lives within our mothers bodies. 1. Nourished. 2. Protected. 3. Kept warm. B. Mothers emotions affect their unborn children. 1. A calm confident mother whose trust is in the Lord imparts calm to her baby. II. MOTHERS WORK. A. To whom did God entrust His Son? 1. Luke 2:46-52 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. a. Impart wisdom - Child learns from mother how the world works. 1. Prov 1:2-9 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. b. Stature - See to care and feeding. 1. 1 Sam 2:19 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. c. Favor with God - See to spiritual needs. Knowledge of God and His law. 1. 2 Tim 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. d. Favor with Man - Kindness, gentleness, truthfulness, courage, laws of men, customs, etiquette. 1. Matt 22:36-39 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

II. MOTHERS VALUE. A. Consider this. 1. A God-designed and created position. Named by Adam. a. Gen 3:20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. (without mothers our race dies). 2. Among our greatest examples of devotion and sacrifice. a. John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 3. She is example, friend and guide. Her great value is seen in how much she is missed when she is gone. III. MOTHERS REWARD. A. Few have enough money to pay mother for her time and attention. We often hear it said You couldnt pay me to do that. Mother does it without pay. Who can pay for nights without sleep, moments of terror and the drudgery of one more load of laundry? 1. Prov 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. B. Her reward comes in seeing her sons and daughters become men and women of God. 1. Prov 23:22-25 22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. 25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. C. Her reward comes in moments of appreciation from her children and the recognition of her husband. 1. Prov 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. IV. A VERY SPECIAL MOTHER: MRS. J. H. HALBROOK. A. She obeyed the gospel during the Civil War. 1. Her sweetheart, J. H. Halbrook, was captured by Union troops and imprisoned in Michigan. 2. When released, he returned to Centerville, TN and married her. 3. He studied the Bible with his wife and obeyed the gospel. 4. Began to teach and baptized many friends and neighbors. 5. Began to preach; enrolled on Mars Hill Bible School, taught by T. B. Larimore. 6. Went to Alabama to preach. 7. Converted C. A. Wheeler. a. Wheeler started over 100 congregations, baptizing over 6,000. b. Wheeler converted Gus Nichols, who baptized 12,000. i. Gus baptized also Flavil Nichols, his son, who baptized 3,000. ____________________________________________________________________ TOTAL 21,000 + all who were baptized by preachers these converted BECAUSE OF A CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 3

CONCLUSION: As Christians we are to be thankful. 1. To God for providing for us. 2. To Christ for dying for us. 3. To mother for living for us. 4. Let God hear your prayers of thankfulness and your mother your tender praises.