Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, May 11, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

THE FIRST MOTHER

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Genesis 3:16-21

Text: Genesis 3:20

Genesis 3:20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

Introduction: Today is MOTHER’S DAY, and we are trying to do our best to honor our own mothers and the mothers of this church. THANK GOD for godly women who desire to honor the Lord in their role as mothers! THANK GOD, in a day where we are killing a million and a half unborn babies each year in America, that there are still ladies who think it is a privilege from God to be a MOTHER!

Have you ever thought about the first mother of the Bible? Eve is often studied in Sunday School, but I don’t know how much emphasis has been placed upon her in the role of MOTHER.

I. THE PECULIARITY OF THE FIRST MOTHER

Genesis 3:20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

A. Her heritage

First mother with no mother

No mother to train her how to be a wife and mother

Created miraculously by God

B. Her home – Paradise

What a wonderful environment!

II. THE PURPOSE OF THE FIRST MOTHER

Genesis 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.

A. Companionship

She was made to be Adam’s companion before, during, and after having children at home

B. Collaboration

An help MEET for him

The first responsibility of a mother in a home is to help her husband in serving God

III. THE POLLUTION OF THE FIRST MOTHER

Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

A. She was deceived

B. She was distracted

C. She was disobedient

D. She was defiled

E. She was detrimental to her husband and future children

IV. THE PENALTY OF THE FIRST MOTHER

Genesis 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

A. Subjection to the man

B. Sorrow in childbirth

C. Slain in the spirit

Not what the charismatics promote but Ephesians 2:1

D. Separated from heaven and home

Mothers, think about how much you lose if you don’t trust Christ as Savior!

Saved mothers, you also may have AWFUL results if you rebel against God!

V. THE PROVISION FOR THE FIRST MOTHER

Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

A. She was given a fur coat

Probably the skin of a lamb, a thick wool

B. She was fully clothed

Much better than aprons of fig leaves!

Adam and Eve knew they were naked even AFTER they had on the aprons – Genesis 3:10

VI. THE PAIN OF THE FIRST MOTHER

Genesis 4:25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

A. A devil-possessed child

Eve, like many mothers, had her heart broken by a son, Cain, who was “of that wicked one.”

B. A death in the family

Horrible – one son murdering the other

VII. THE PROMISE FOR THE FIRST MOTHER

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

1 Timothy 2:14-15 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

A. Salvation from damnation

The seed of the woman is JESUS!

B. Salvation from despair

The sadness of the disobedience of the first woman and the role of subjection to the man should not cause a woman to despair.

A man who is right with God will make that woman feel like a QUEEN

There is great satisfaction, fulfillment and joy in the relationship of a mother to a child.

Mothers – We honor you today!

Mothers – Honor God today! Your obedience or disobedience has great consequences! You affect yourself, your husband, your children, your environment, and all who know you!