Text:  Proverbs 31:1-9

Aim:   to warn against the use of addictive and/or illegal drugs.

Thesis:  the “sermon” of King Lemuel’s mother reminds us why it is foolish to use addictive drugs;  because every mom knows the natural progression of life is towards more responsibility, and the use of drugs leads in the wrong direction!

Introduction: 

RECOGNIZE MOTHERS

At this time each year I usually preach a “Mother’s Day” sermon;  but this will be a “Mother’s Sermon Day” – that is, our lesson this morning has been prepared by a mother.

We ordinarily think of the book of Proverbs as being written by King Solomon – and indeed, he is the author of most of them.  But wisdom is wisdom, no matter where you find it, and when Solomon found an especially apt lesson, he included it in his collection of sayings. That’s how a “sermon” by a mother ended up in the book.  We don’t know her name (she is referred to simply as the mother of King Lemuel);  we don’t know where she is from, but apparently she was not a Jew, because there is no record in the Bible of a king by that name.  But it doesn’t matter if the particulars of her identity are vague, because she has a universal theme that transcends all boundaries and applies to all ages!

READ TEXT.  What do we learn from this mother’s sermon? 

Lesson 1:   A Mother is always a “momma”!  Think about it:  Her son is a grown man – but she’s still giving him advice – continues to warn him about dangers in life!  Is there a higher authority than the King?  Yes!  Even a King has to answer to his momma!!

Lesson 2:   Mommas know that life is dangerous and you need to be fully aware/conscious/alert.  All mothers have the same list of warnings:

• Look both ways before you cross the street
• Don’t run with scissors
• Remember to fasten your seatbelt
• Always wear clean underwear because you might have a wreck (I’ve never quite understood the logic of that last one, because if I’m in an automobile accident, I can assure you that is the last thing I’ll be concerned about!  But then – I’m not a momma!)

Why are our mothers constantly warning us about the dangers of life? I am convinced it is because they have a deep, almost mystical connection to their children, by virtue of their unique role in giving us life.  “O my son, O son of my womb, the answer to my prayers” – Verse 2.  Our mothers carried us under their heart at the very beginning of our life, and we never really leave that spot. Every one of us carries, on our body, the mark of that connection – a physical reminder that we began life tied to mom.  “Moms know how to push our buttons because they installed them” (Robin Williams.)

Our mommas gave us life in the most literal sense possible, so naturally they don’t want us to lose it – to squander the gift they have bestowed – don’t want their pain to be wasted!

That’s why alcohol is a mother’s natural enemy.  Her every instinct, her constant concern, is focused on her children’s well-being/safety/success in life. And mommas know that alcohol increases all the other risks! And that leads to……

Lesson 3:   It is not sufficient to simply believe that alcohol and drugs are dangerous for our children.  It is crucial for parents to verbalize their values – and, take a firm stand against addictive or illegal drugs!

• For example, here in Arkansas, in families where parents believe that marijuana use is “very wrong” – only 4.1% of their kids will smoke pot.

• When children believe their parents are the least bit tolerant of marijuana (even if that only means the parents answered “Wrong” instead of “Very Wrong”!) then the rate of pot-smoking shoots up to 27.4%!

[Source:  Arkansas Prevention Needs Assessment 2005 – Arkansas DHHS]

When parents communicate clear expectations for their children’s behavior;  when they actively monitor their kids, knowing where they are and who they’re with;  when mothers and fathers exercise their parental responsibility in a consistent and caring way; and, when they model a healthy, drug-free life themselves, their children are much less likely to use drugs!

What does a momma know?  God created everything – even drugs!  The problem is not drugs – but their abuse.  Lemuel’s momma says “Son – drugs are for sick people!” (Does that sound familiar? Mom’s have been saying the same thing for at least 29 centuries!)  Some drugs are helpful to the terminally ill – a blessing!  “Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish” (verse 6). 

But – those same drugs, given to an otherwise healthy person –

can be a curse!  Why?  Because addictive drugs diminish responsibility.  READ Verses 4-5.   And that leads to our last lesson: 

Lesson 4:  The natural progress of life is from less responsibility to more.  As babies we came into this world absolutely helpless – unable to walk, talk, or even feed ourselves – and only gradually did we acquire the skills necessary to be competent and capable people.

What do momma’s want? To see their children successful in life. That’s why they bundled us up and sent us off to school each day –  asked about our homework – gave us those Flintstones vitamins – worked so diligently to instill values in us.

What does it mean to be successful in life?  To be capable – self-supporting – able to fulfill our responsibility.

King Lemuel was at the peak of that process, not only taking care of his own needs, but overseeing the welfare of an entire nation of people!

And while his momma must have been proud of his success – she was not fooled into thinking he was invincible! She knew that he had not always been so powerful – he may have sat on a throne as an absolute ruler, but she could remember his first shaky steps – changing his diapers! 

• And that mother’s perspective from the past helped her realize there was no guarantee that he would always be successful in the future.

• There is no height of success, no pinnacle of power, from which we cannot fall. Anyone, even a king, can regress / fail if he carelessly consumes alcohol!

What is a King’s responsibility?  JUSTICE!  READ Verses 8-9 To protect the weak – maintain security – preserve order.

• What, on the other hand, does alcohol do?  Makes us incapable – irresponsible – unsuccessful.
• What does marijuana use do?  It muddles the mind – saps the spirit – reduces motivation.
• What does the abuse of prescription drugs do?  They leave us in a fog – a perpetual haze – not fully in touch with our loved ones or our life.

Addiction undermines the basic building blocks of success:

• Self-discipline
• Diligence
• Good judgment
  

Drugs will rob us of the most precious thing we have – life itself!  This “sermon” by King Lemuel’s momma reminds me of a comment made by the apostle Paul many centuries later.   Listen to Ephesians 5: 18 – “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to DEBAUCHERY.  Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” The Greek word for “debauchery” carries the sense of “dissipation” – of being “WASTED”  (cf. 1 Peter 4:4).  It signifies squandered opportunities – blown chances – a life that has been thrown away by foolish choices.

King Lemuel’s momma understood all too well that is an apt description of what drugs do to a life – they “waste” it.  Precious years, gone forever in a blurry haze.  That’s why this mother’s sermon warned her son about alcohol!

Conclusion:

What is the best way to honor our mother?  Flowers and cards are all nice – phone calls and letters are always appreciated.

Ultimately, however, we genuinely honor our mothers when we listen to their godly advice and demonstrate their righteous influence in our life! 

• Proverbs 23:25 “May your father and your mother be glad, may she who gave you birth rejoice!”

Dan Williams