GOD'S POWER SEEN IN MOTHERS

TEXT- GENESIS 3:1-15

INTRODUCTION

A TEACHER HAD JUST GIVEN HER CLASS A LESSON ON MAGNETS. IN A FOLLOW-UP TEST ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WHICH SHE ASKED READ, "MY NAME STARTS WITH `M', HAS SIX LETTERS, AND I PICK UP THINGS. WHAT AM I?" WHEN SHE COLLECTED THE TESTS SHE WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT OVER HALF OF HER STUDENTS ANSWERED THE QUESTION WITH THE WORD "MOTHER".

MOTHERS HAVE A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY WITHIN THE FAMILY.

THEIR INFLUENCE CAN GREATLY AFFECT A CHILD FOR GOOD OR FOR BAD.

LAST YEAR ABOUT THIS SAME TIME IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER THERE WAS A CARTOON STRIP ABOUT CATHY AND HER MOTHER HAVING DINNER TOGETHER. IN IT CATHY SAYS, "A WOMAN GETS TO AN AGE WHERE SHE FINALLY REALIZES HOW SILLY IT IS TO BE AT ODDS WITH HER OWN MOTHER. I WANT TO HAVE YOU FOR MY FRIEND, MOM. THERE'S NO REASON WE CAN'T RELAX AND ENJOY A WONDERFUL, LOVING FRIENDSHIP. IN THE NEXT FRAME CATHY'S MOTHER SAYS, "THAT BUTTER IS GOING TO GO RIGHT TO YOUR THIGHS, DEAR. IN THE FINAL FRAME CATHY IS SEEN STOMPING AWAY IN DISGUST AND HER MOTHER IS SAYING TO HERSELF, "SOMETIMES A MOTHER JUST HAS TO FEEL SHE CAN STILL MAKE AN IMPACT."

THE IMPACT OF A MOTHER UPON HER CHILDREN IS TREMENDOUS AND REQUIRES GOD'S POWER IF IT IS GOING TO BE POSITIVE AND FOR THE GOOD.

THIS MORNING THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS, "GOD'S POWER SEEN IN MOTHERS".

ON THIS DAY THAT HAS BEEN SET ASIDE TO HONOR MOTHERS I WOULD LIKE US TO EXAMINE THE STORIES ABOUT THREE MOTHERS FOUND WITHIN THE BIBLE AND SEE HOW GOD'S POWER WAS EXHIBITED IN THEIR LIVES.