The Blessing of the Mother Bird | Jentezen Franklin

Sunday, May 10



Key Verses 

Deuteronomy 22:6-7; Exodus 3:2-4; Ruth 2:3; Deuteronomy 5:16; Proverbs 31:26; II Timothy 4:2; Proverbs 12:10; II Samuel 9:1-10; Galatians 6:9-10; II Peter 1:5-7; Ephesians 4:31-32; Matthew 10:29-31; I Peter 3:10 

 

Key Points  

  • Big doors swing on little hinges. You don’t realize how much it matters when you obey God— even in the smallest things like honoring your mother. If Moses had not turned to see the burning bush, we would not have the Ten Commandments. If Ruth had not gone to Bethlehem, she would not have met Boaz or saved the people of Israel. Small decisions can produce big results.  
  • There is a real blessing for you in treating your mother with kindness. God’s blessing for honoring your mother is like having the wind of the Holy Spirit at your back, rather than against you like a headwind. If you honor her, God will honor you. If you bless her, God will bless you. Caring for a mother touches God’s heart.  
  • Be kind when no one is looking. If God promised to bless His people for showing kindness to a mother bird, how much more blessed will you be when you are kind to people? That doesn’t mean you can’t convict or rebuke, but you always do it with a spirit of kindness 

Introduction  

Today we’ll explore the message, “The Blessing of the Mother Bird” by Jentezen Franklin. The message encouraged us to understand that some of the greatest blessings in life are connected to the smallest acts of obedience, kindness, and mercy. It reminded us that “big doors swing on little hinges,” and that honoring our mothers, showing compassion to others, and responding with kindness in everyday moments can open extraordinary doors of God’s favor in our lives.  

In this powerful message, Pastor Jentezen drew our attention to Deuteronomy 22, where God instructed His people to show mercy to a mother bird. At first glance, the command may seem small or insignificant, yet attached to that act of compassion was a remarkable promise: “that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.” Through this illustration, we are reminded that God notices the hidden attitudes of our hearts and the small daily decisions that no one else may see.  

The sermon beautifully highlighted how throughout Scripture, God moved through “little hinges” that opened massive doors of destiny. Moses simply “turned aside to see” the burning bush, and it led to a divine encounter that changed history. Ruth chose to stay loyal to Naomi, and her simple act of faithfulness connected her to the lineage of Jesus Christ. In the same way, Pastor Jentezen challenged us to recognize that our acts of kindness, forgiveness, honor, and gentleness are never wasted in the eyes of God.  

More than anything, this message calls us to examine how we treat the “mother birds” in our lives—our mothers, fathers, spouses, family members, friends, and even strangers. God desires His people to reflect His heart through compassion, forgiveness, and mercy. When we choose kindness over bitterness and grace over harshness, we position ourselves for what Pastor Jentezen described as “the wind of the Holy Spirit” at our back—God’s favor pushing us toward purpose, peace, and blessing.  

Let’s start the discussion: 

What are some “little hinges” in your daily life—small acts of kindness, forgiveness, or obedience—that God may be asking you to pay closer attention to this week? How can honoring the “mother birds” in your life open the door to greater peace, healing, and blessing? 

 

Honor Your Mother – The Commandment with a Promise 

In a world that often overlooks the quiet sacrifices of a mother, the Bible places a distinct weight on how we treat her. Pastor Jentezen Franklin often emphasizes that our horizontal relationships—specifically with our parents—directly impact our vertical blessing. Central to this is the 5th Commandment, the only one of the Ten Commandments that comes with a specific, life-altering guarantee.  

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” — Exodus 20:12 (NKJV) 

 

The Mother-Bird Principle 

Pastor Franklin highlights a powerful biblical principle found in Deuteronomy 22 regarding a mother bird. God commanded that if someone found a nest, they could take the young, but they must let the mother go. The promise for showing this small mercy to a bird? "That it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days."   

The logic is profound: If God is so moved by the treatment of a mother bird that He attaches a promise of longevity to it, how much more does the promise apply to how we treat our own mothers? When we honor the one who gave us life, we align ourselves with a divine law of well-being. 

The Law of Kindness 

Honoring a mother isn't just about a single day of celebration; it’s about a "heart posture" expressed through our words. As Proverbs 31:26 (NKJV) says, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.” 

Pastor Jentezen challenges us to let that same law of kindness rule our own speech toward her. This means: 

 Releasing Bitterness: Letting go of past frictions and choosing mercy over "being right." 

 Active Affection: Moving beyond mere duty to show genuine, attentive honor. 

 Consistency over Perfection: Recognizing that while no mother is perfect, the position she holds is worthy of honor. 

Personal & Church Application 

As a "household of faith" (Galatians 6:10), we are called to lead the way in this. Whether your mother is a pillar of strength or if the relationship is strained and requires deep forgiveness, the command remains. Honor is a seed; when you sow it into your mother’s life today, you are planting a harvest of "well-being" for your own future. 

  •  The Promise: How does the connection between honoring your mother and your own "well-being" change the way you view this commandment? 
  •  The Tongue: What is one practical way you can apply the "law of kindness" to your conversations with your mother this week, especially in moments of disagreement? 
  • The Heart Posture: If you struggle with a difficult family history, how can you honor the position of motherhood even if you find it hard to honor the person? 

  

The Blessing of Kindness – Releasing the Wind of the Spirit 

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou 

When you look back on your life, who is someone you remember not for what they said or did, but for how they made you feel? 

Throughout history, countless meaningful words have been spoken about the importance of kindness. The Bible offers a wealth of Scripture that encourages us to live with compassion and love. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus proclaimed the impactful verses below: 

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32 NIV 

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another.” — Zechariah 7:9 ESV 

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” — Colossians 3:12 NIV 

·         How can we intentionally reflect Christ’s love this week through our words and actions? 

When our pastor was a young boy his mother taught him a very important lesson when he took down a lovely bird with his bb gun. She knew the word of God. She said, “a righteous man regards the life of the beast.” She taught her young son a very important lesson on that day. Mothers and fathers need to know the word of God so that at every opportunity they can teach their children.  

·         What lessons about kindness did you learn from your mother or a parental figure? 

With emphasis on Mother’s Day, Pastor Franklin reminded us of the scripture in Deuteronomy 22:6, where the Lord instructs His people to leave the mother bird safe but take the eggs if necessary. “that it may go well with you and that you may live long.” Additionally; “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God in giving you” Exodus 20:12. Our Lord again honored His beloved mother as He hung on the cross by instruction to John to care for her.  

·         How does the story of the mother bird (Deuteronomy 22:6) illustrate God’s care for life? 

Simple acts of kindness will go a long way in promoting the kingdom of God and blessing each of you with a very good day. We all can check our hearts to insure we follow Christ Jesus’ example, ask the Holy Spirit guild you. 

  

Conclusion  

As we close today’s study, may this truth remain deeply planted in our hearts: big doors of blessing swing on the little hinges of everyday kindness. God is watching the unseen moments—the way we speak to our family, how we respond when we are offended, how we treat those who cannot repay us, and especially how we honor the “mother birds” He has placed in our lives. The Lord attaches blessing, favor, and prolonged days to hearts that choose compassion, mercy, and honor.  

Pastor Jentezen reminded us that when we walk in the spirit of the “mother-bird principle,” we position ourselves for the wind of the Holy Spirit to be at our back. Instead of struggling against bitterness, anger, and unforgiveness, we move forward with God’s grace, strength, and direction carrying us into His purpose. Whether it is forgiving a parent, showing patience to a spouse, encouraging a struggling mother, or simply speaking kindly to others, these small acts become the hinges upon which great doors of destiny swing.  

This week, let us make a decision to release bitterness and embrace kindness. Reach out to your mother if you can. Encourage someone who is weary. Show mercy where you could have reacted harshly. Be tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as Christ has forgiven us. The world may overlook those moments, but God sees them, remembers them, and promises blessing through them.  

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