Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, May 12, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
PRAISE FOR A GODLY WOMAN
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 22:1-4; Proverbs 31:10,20-31
Text: Proverbs 31:30
Proverbs 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Introduction: Thank the Lord for mothers! Today is Mother’s Day, and we want to honor mothers, especially those who honor the Lord! I’m separated from my mother by several hours, so I called her this morning to wish her a happy Mother’s Day. Lord willing, we will travel to spend a couple of days with her and Dad within a few weeks. I want to encourage each of you to honor your mothers today and EVERY day, but especially today. Send her a letter, a card, flowers, make a phone call, or pay her a visit. You husbands should honor the mother of your children today.
Our scripture reading contrasts two types of mothers: Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, an ungodly mother; and the unnamed mother of Proverbs 31, who was godly.
There are many ungodly women like Athaliah in the world today. An ungodly woman is
- independent – She doesn’t want to be told what to do by anyone. She does not believe she was made for a HELP meet for ANY man.
- immodest – She wears clothes like a harlot, leaving very little to the imagination
- immoral – She doesn’t care for what God says about marriage. She just wants to do what pleases her.
I believe we have some godly women in this church, and I thank God for them. Perhaps today we have some women present who would like to be godly. Perhaps some of you would like to be more godly than you are. Some of you boys and young men need to know what kind of woman to look for to be your companion in life. Some of you girls and young ladies need to know what GOD desires for you to be, that you might be a true PRIZE for some man in the future.
What are the marks of a godly woman?
I. A GODLY WOMAN HAS FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
2 Timothy 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.
A. She trusts Him for salvation
B. She trusts Him for strength
C. She trusts Him for supply
- She wouldn’t dare try to talk her husband into stealing God’s tithes and offerings in order to try to pay other bills
II. A GODLY WOMAN FEARS GOD
Proverbs 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
It is evident in her
A. Attitude
B. Appearance
C. Actions
III. A GODLY WOMAN IS FEMININE
Deuteronomy 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
Who wears the pants in the family? Pants are a symbol of authority and of masculinity. The universal distinction between men and women on doors of restrooms is that men wear pants and ladies wear dresses.
1 Corinthians 11:14-15 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
A godly woman is feminine
A. When she speaks
B. When she sits
C. When she stands
D. When she steps
E. When she shops
IV. A GODLY WOMAN IS FAITHFUL
Proverbs 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
A. She is faithful with her loyalty
B. She is faithful with her lips
C. She is faithful with her love
- Her love for Christ never wavers!
- Her love for church never wavers!
- Her love for her companion never wavers!
- Her love for her children never wavers!
I call upon women today to become godly women!
I call upon godly women today to strive to be MORE godly!
I call upon young ladies and young men to determine in your hearts to have the right concept of what a godly woman is.
Ladies, are you saved? If not, trust Christ on this Mother’s Day.
Ladies, are you serving the Lord? If not, commit yourself to faithful service for God on this Mother’s Day.