SERMON NOTES: IMMA WIN ANYWAY

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

“IMMA WIN ANYWAY!”

Exodus 2:1-10; Mark 7:24-30 and 2 Kings 4:16-37

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INTRODUCTION

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers!  While I heartily salute all mothers, I am admittedly indebted to African-American mothers. Since I am the son of an African-American mother, and I am married to an African-American mother, and African-American mothers have invested so much in me over the last 72 plus years, it would be foolish of me not to offer a signal “shout out” to the African American Mothers!

The powerful heritage of African-American motherhood has blessed millions of persons of various ethnicities for over five (5) centuries. African-American mothers have been teaching, guiding, raising, encouraging, driving, nursing, protecting, defending, and developing children of various hues and ethnicities in America since the  Spanish Trade in the late 1400’s – early 1500’s.

While African-American mothers have been making incalculable contributions on American soil for over 500 years, African-American women are still treated unfairly and unevenly in America.  To be sure, this systematic mistreatment is not limited to African-American women. This evil spirit impacts White women and African-American men, among others, as well.

But, here is the difference – and it’s a BIG difference: when White women feel “squeezed” systematically by this culture, they can fall back on their whiteness; when African-American men feel “squeezed” systematically by this culture, they can fall back on their maleness.  When African American women feel the same “squeezed”, they cannot fall back on whiteness or maleness. They are left on an island of cultural isolation.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day 2026, I am inspired to encourage our African-American Mothers!   Allow me to offer three (3) simple strategies that will help our Mothers win what seems to be an unwinnable fight on a daily basis. Of course, these strategies can be used by anyone.

EXERCISE THE RIGHT PARTNERSHIP EXODUS 2:1-10

1. Moses’ Mother, Jochebed, averted a “government-sponsored crisis”. You can too!
2. Moses’ extended family exercised creative faith while raising Moses.
3. Five women partnered to raise Moses. Had the partnership failed, Moses would not have led the Hebrews out of Egypt.
4. The right partnership can breathe life into you. Jesus prayed all night to choose twelve disciples – and three (3) of them failed Him miserably. Choose your partners with keen discernment.
5. The government wanted to kill Jochebed’s son. But she won anyway! You can too – and you will!

USE THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVES MARK 7:24-30

1. The Jews viewed the unnamed Canaanite woman as a “dog” simply because she was a Gentile. Therefore, they did not think she should be in the house at all! You will be where The Lord wants you to be, not where “they” think you should be!  vv. 27, 28
2. Jesus used “dog” in his dialogue with the woman as “tongue in cheek” with the Jews, and as a “test of faith” with the woman. The Jews lost. The woman won!  You can too!  v. 30
3. The unnamed woman’s perspective of herself and her daughter was completely different from the culture’s perspective!  Your perspective on The Lord and on yourself determines the quality of your life!
4. The woman’s perspective triggered a miracle from Jesus. This was the first time the faith of a Gentile prompted a miracle from Jesus outside Jewish territory. The Lord’s future for you is loaded with “first-time” miracles. Don’t sabotage your miracles by having the wrong perspective!
5. The woman challenged Jesus in a dialogue – and she wins!  vv. 28, 29   The woman’s humility unlocked Jesus’ mercy. v. 27  Jesus healed the daughter REMOTELY.    29, 30

USE THE RIGHT POWER 2 KING 4:18-37

1. The unnamed Shunammite woman’s son dies expectantly.  Since Elisha told her The Lord would give her a son, she was determined to connect with Elisha when her son died. He “plugged” her into the Power Source.  The unnamed mother was determined to see if Elisha could “replug” her son when he died.
2. As the woman traveled six hours to see Elisha, she said, “It is well” all along the way. It is well means shalom. Her shalom declared: “What’s meant to be, not what is!
3. Her shalom declared: “I am not declaring my son’s death until I talk to the man who spoke my son into my life in the first place!”
4. Her shalom declared: My son is a gift from The Lord so I believe The Lord can fix this!

May 10, 2026

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