A VIRTUOUS WOMAN, NOT A VILLAGE, IS WHAT IT REALLY TAKES
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, May 9, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
A VIRTUOUS WOMAN, NOT A VILLAGE,
IS WHAT IT REALLY TAKES
By Michael D. O’Neal…… Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church…… Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 31:10-31
Text: Proverbs 31:10
Introduction: On this Mother’s Day, I would like to remind everyone that God has ordained that TWO people raise a child: a mother and a FATHER. There is a movement among some women in our generation to have children without getting married. With the experimenting in cloning, it may soon be possible for a woman to actually have a child without the normal participation of a husband. As many single mothers work at raising their children, perhaps they feel some sympathy toward the theme of Hillary Clinton’s book, “It Takes a Village.” It is not the job, however, of the government to help us raise our children. It is not the job of the community. It does NOT take a village; it takes a virtuous woman.
To become “a virtuous woman” is the greatest goal that a girl or lady can have. Too many women today have one or more of four goals in life, at the expense of virtue: 1. bucks – to be a career woman 2. beauty – pageants, actresses, models, exercise, diets 3. babies – to become a reproduction machine 4. brains – the pursuit of additional knowledge, understanding, and wisdom None of these things are necessarily evil, but if they are sought after illegitimately, they can destroy. How much better it is to pursue VIRTUE — moral excellence and holiness.
Consider with me from this chapter:
I. THE PRICE OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN
Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
A. She is valuable because she is a completer for the man – Gen. 2:18
B. She is valuable because she is a crown to the man – Prov. 12:4
C. She is valuable because she is a classic – Song 6:8-9
II. THE PURPOSE OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN
Proverbs 31:11-12 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.
A. She is made to serve her husband – Gen. 2:18
B. She is made to support and promote him – Prov. 12:4
C. She is made to submit to him – Eph. 5:22-24; 1 Pet. 3:1-6 1. Her submission is only limited by her own obedience to clear commands of scripture – Acts 5:29. 2. An example of this is seen in Abigail, who gave food and drink to David and his servants contrary to the desire of her husband – 1 Sam. 25.
III. THE PRACTICE OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN
(Read Prov. 31:13-27)
A. Observe her willingness 1. Prov. 31:13 2. She doesn’t have to be begged, bribed, or beaten (God never gives a man permission to beat his wife, by the way).
B. Observe her work – Prov. 13:13-25
C. Observe her wisdom – Prov. 13:26
IV. THE PRAISE OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN
Proverbs 31:28-31 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.
A. By citizens of the community (those who recognize and appreciate virtue) – V. 23 1. Lydia – Acts 16 2. Ruth – Ruth 3:11
B. By her children – V. 28
C. By her companion – V. 28
D. By Christ – V. 30