Refreshing Stories of the New Testament - Eunice

Acts 16:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

2 Timothy 1:4–5 KJV 1900

4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

As Paul and Silas traveled through modern day Turkey, they met a young man named Timothy. (verse #1-)

Timothy will be added to the missionary team.

He had a good reputation Amon the Christians in the area.

Even though he was young, Paul was willing to bring him along after rejecting another young man last week.

Our focus this morning is not really on Timothy, but on his mom.

In 2 Timothy we learn that her name is Eunice.

We learn several things about Eunice through the things that are said about her son.

I think, Eunice provides all ladies an example that they can relate to.

Timothy’s family has a close resemblance to many of the families that are represented not only in our church but also in the community that we are trying to reach.

They wouldn’t have qualified as the “ideal family” in their time nor in ours.

There are signs in the Bible that there were some stark contrasts between Timothy’s mom and dad.

These differences in background, parenting philosophy, and religion could have easily ruined the lives of all involved.

Somehow, though, Eunice overcame these obstacles.

What kind of obstacles did Eunice face?

She had a different cultural background than the man she married.

She was a Jewess and he was a Greek.

It was not permitted for Jews to intermarry with gentiles.

Eunice must have gone through a time where she wasn’t overly concerned with the observing the long-held religious heritage of the Jews.

Perhaps her family had fled to turkey in search of a better life when she was young.

Maybe this young Greek gentleman had caught her eye and swept her off her feet.

We know that Eunice’s mom, Lois, was a faithful woman.

Despite her parents’ protests, she married him anyway.

There are many things that we could point to that would have come up in a marriage between a Jew and a gentile.

Let's just talk about the food issue.

Jews can’t eat anything pork.

Everyone else in the world loves everything pork.

Do you think that this may have caused some problems?

That first week after their marriage Eunice goes to the store and shops the way her mother always shopped.

The next day her husband gets up and gets ready to make some breakfast and as he looks for the bacon, there is none.

How could she forget the bacon?

Of course the differences that exist between a Jew and a Gentile go beyond food.

Eunice was also faced with a different parenting philosophy than her husband.

We can see this in the fact that Timothy was not circumcised.

Imagine what might have gone through Eunice’s mind when she found out she was expecting.

Maybe things were already a little rough between her and her husband.

Maybe she thought this baby would help them grow together as a family.

Was she excited, was she scared?

How would her husband react to the child?

The day finally comes and the baby turns out to be a boy.

What great news.

Would she give him a Hebrew name to honor his lineage?

No, he will receive a Greek name, Timotheus.

And, he will not be circumcised.

One of the most important Jewish rituals will be withheld from her son.

Do you think Eunice and her husband disagreed over this?

Do you think it was a point of contention?

You’re a human, how would you have responded?

It sure seems like Eunice’s time as a mother might not have been the blissful and joyful occasion that fairy tales often depict.

How did she go from such a rough start to what we read in Acts 16?

How did Timothy even have a chance to grow into the man that he did?

The key is that Eunice had a different faith than her husband.

In 2 Timothy 1:5, Paul commends Timothy for his acceptance of the faith.

This is the same faith that his grandmother, Lois, had known.

It was the same faith that Eunice had also come to know.

All of our children have to eventually make their own decisions.

Lois had been a faithful lady, but Eunice had to come to the point where she accepted the faith for herself.

The same was true for Timothy.

Eunice couldn’t believe for him, any more than she could believe for her husband.

But, by holding on to her faith, she could not only overcome the obstacles that lay before her, but she could also be an example for her family.

What does the “faith” refer to?

The answer is both simple and comprehensive.

It’s simple because it refers to a person’s relationship with Jesus.

It’s comprehensive because it refers to everything Jesus supplies to those who follow and believe in Him.

Grace

Patience

Wisdom

Discernment

Jesus was the source of everything that Eunice needed to fulfill her role as a wife and mother, even in the face of her unique obstacles.

Though she may not have had the life she wanted, though her marriage wasn’t the one she planned, her faith put her son in a position where he could be used by God.

You may be a lady or a man here today who’s life hasn’t unfolded the way you had planned.

Maybe you look back on your teen, young adult, or middle age years and you have a lot of regrets about the decisions you made.

Maybe you look at the relationships that fill your life and there is more disappointment than fulfillment that flows from those personalities.

Maybe you have responsibilities that aren’t following the path that you though they would follow.

Regardless of whether your life is just like you always imagined it or nothing like you imagined it, the thing that will help you overcome any obstacle is your faith.

Jesus and His grace are sufficient to help see you through any obstacle.

Whether it be in your past, present, or future.

Jesus is the answer for you.

You can’t go back and change your past.

You can try, but changing your husband isn’t the answer to your problems.

Even well-behaved kids will not guarantee you satisfaction.

Your faith, though.

Your faith is what will sustain you through the good times and the bad.

Jesus will be with you when things are all going right and when they are all falling apart.

Faith is what enable Eunice to face her obstacles, faith will help you face your obstacles too.