MOM's the Heartbeat of the family

Would you open your Bibles with me to 2nd Timothy 3, 2 Timothy chapter 3 and you’re your finger in that spot we will be getting to it in a few minutes.

First I want to tell you about how a mother’s day began as a celebration to mothers in the Church.

Anna Jarvis was an Appalachian homemaker who organized a day to raise awareness of poor health conditions of her community.

She thought the day would be best advocated by mothers and called the day "Mother's Work Day".

When Anna Jarvis died her daughter, also named Anna, began a campaign to memorialize the life work of her mother. Anna remembered that her mother said there were many days dedicated to men but not for mothers. Anna then began to lobby the politicians of the time to support a day dedicated to mothers. Anna Jarvis talked to many politicians including Presidents Taft and Roosevelt hoping they would support her campaign.

In 1908 Jarvis organized a church service to celebrate her mother and handed out white carnations because they were her mother's favorite flower. Anna Jarvis' hard work began to pay off five years after that church service, and in 1913 The House of Representatives adopted a resolution calling for officials of the federal government to wear white carnations on the day many began calling Mother's Day, the second Sunday in May. Listen the celebration of mothers day began in the church, by a Christian woman honoring her mother.

You know often we think of mothers, the image of a woman and her baby come to mind. But, the truth is mothers don’t stop being our mom’s when we grow up. We are never too old to hear our mother’s words of wisdom and the words of their love.

There is something about mothers: No matter how old we become, Mothers will always be concerned for our well-being- our life and our future.

They are called mom, mother, mommy, madre, mama, mumsy and list goes on. The truth is the older we get,… the more we seem to act like our mothers. The more we grow, the more we catch ourselves saying the things that are moms have said to us, which we vowed we would never say! I read this on Facebook—sometimes when I open my mouth- my mother comes out…

Mothers wear many different hats to include the butler, the secretary, the cook- the maid- the banker, the homework checker and even sometimes the candle stick maker. Yes her job never seems to be complete nor to end. Mom’s really are the true super heroes.

It is in 2nd Timothy, chapter 3 that we find a small mention of 2 such super heroes Timothy's Mother and Grandmother.

The apostle Paul is the Author of II Timothy.

And,If you look at Paul’s letters you might find it interesting: Paul mentions Timothy as co-sender of six of his letters. What that means is that Timothy spent a lot of time with Paul. He speaks highly of Timothy in his letter to the church in Philippi. Paul was so confident of Timothy's faith that, in his first letter to Timothy, he called Timothy HIS “true son in the faith." In Paul's final letter to Timothy, written near the end of his life, he speaks without reserve, calling Timothy his "beloved child". Timothy was truly part of Paul's lineage, wealth and life.

Paul, who seems never to have married, never to have children, found in Timothy a "descendant," someone who would carry on his "family name" as it were -- someone so identical in faith that the force of his work for Christ would always complement that him.

But you might find it interesting that Paul did not bring Timothy to the faith in Christ Jesus. It is in this letter we find that Timothy’s faith in Christ was taught by his mother and grandmother.

If you are there in 2nd Timothy read with from verse 10.

“ But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium(I Cone-E-um), at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.(Paul is reminding Timothy that he was a witness that all Paul endured) 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 (Here is the key verse for us today verse 14) But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”. (NKJ)

You see Paul seen something in Timothy that Paul did not teach, that Paul really had no work in, no investment in, Paul invested, he discipled, he worked with Timothy, And Timothy grew, but Paul realizes where his truth teaching in the word in the came from.

He says, that a person who seeks a Godly life through Christ Jesus will encounter persecution and affliction. Amen? Can you agree with that Today?

Some of you have gone through some persecution- some of you have had some affliction in your life. Some of you maybe going through that right now.

And Paul says, because you have seen it in my life- when it happens to you must lean on what he has been taught. Your Faith by your grandmother and mother.

The one thing we know about Timothy is that his father was a Greek and his mother was a Jewish Christian.

Paul said to Timothy in chapter 1 verse 5, He said “I call to remembrance the un-feigned (Un- feen-ed) faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also”. KJV

That word Un-feigned is used to describe His faith, Paul used this word which means literally, "without hypocrisy." Timothy’s mother and grandmother, showed Timothy by word and example what it means to live an authentic faith; a faith from which hypocrisy is totally absent, the real thing, genuine, sincere, honest wholehearted.

And that is what Paul is saying- when times get tough in life- because they will- go back to your mother and grandmothers teachings. Have confidence in the situation- Have confidence in your faith-because the teachings made you wise for salvation. It was them who laid the foundation of the truth through Christ.

What greater tribute given to any mother or grandmother on this Mother's Day than to say; You have been the example of great faith!

Which brings us to our big idea today-

The Big Idea is

Mothers are the heartbeat of the family.

You may remember Chevrolet’s slogan which came out in the 80’s “the Heartbeat of America”

Chevrolet became so ingrained in American culture that its late 1980s advertising boasted that Chevrolet was "The Heartbeat of America." The whole concept behind being the heartbeat of America was that Chevy employed 618,ooo more people than any other company. They essential said they were what kept America going.

It seems that if they folded there would be more than 618,000 people unemployed. There would be devastation in America. The statement they made,, you could say was arrogant because the heartbeat is what keeps the brain alive. Chevy was essentially saying to the world without us there is no America.

And our Big Idea today that the mother is the heartbeat of the family- she is the one who keeps the family going. She is the one love unconditionally. Her love is never ending. She is the one who without, we feel lost. She is the one who teaches and the one who shows by example how to live life. She is the one who in the absence of the father keeps the family together.

Today there is ever more increasing pressure on the single mothers. According to the 2012 US census, that 15 million children in the US are raised without a father. There are 12.2 million single parent homes and more than 80% of them are headed by single moms.

Mothers are the foundation; they are the heartbeat of the family. What the mother believes, so does the children. If the mother goes to church – the children go to church- if the mother has faith in Christ the children will end up with faith in Christ. What the primary role model of the child does, the child most likely follows that path.

That is why the Apostle Paul is re-establishing this foundation.

Look at verse 14 and what Paul says 14 But as for you,(speaking to Timothy) continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Listen to me moms- dads, brothers, sisters, Sunday school teachers, nursery workers, Christian mothers-Christian Women- provide the greatest education for a child that is the message of the Cross. Jesus Christ Crucified, buried and resurrected.

This is what Timothy has learned from his mother and his grandmother. You see they molded him into what he was and will become later in life.

Mothers are the heartbeat of the family

You know, Men we like to think that we run the world. But, but we really don't. Moms do. Mothers are the molders and makers of each day. We remember the ways that Mother helped us prepare for the new day: counseling, advising and shaping our attitudes each morning.

We can instantly recognize the truth of these words spoken by wise wife and mother: "The wife and mother usually hoist the sails of the family ship every day. She says…We determine whether those sails shall catch the breezes of God's love and understanding, or the winds of bickering and discord." That same woman adds, "When a man succeeds, he does so by climbing a ladder steadied by a woman who believes in him" (E. Stanley Jones).

Mothers are the heartbeat of the family

In many ways they are like Moses- you see Moses brought the people out of bondage and has taken them to that very edge of the Promised Land but Moses never entered it.

Mom’s take God’s gift, a human life and she prepares them for a world, but most moms will never see it complete. Verse 15 shows this importance, how important all you ladies are in the upbringing of children “and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Paul says from the very beginning of your life Timothy you have had Godly women in your life who have been molding and shaping your life through their wisdom and teachings.

I am turning to back in the Old Test, to Proverbs 6 verses 20-23: Listen to that this truth:

My son, keep your father’s command

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

21 Bind them always on your heart;

fasten them around your neck.

22 When you walk, they will guide you;

when you sleep, they will watch over you;

when you awake, they will speak to you.

23 For this command is a lamp,

this teaching is a light,

and correction and instruction

are the way to life.

Notice first in this Proverb that the mother and father here have specific roles. Father’s command- Mothers are to teach.

Second we are told not to forsake our mother’s teachings. Forsake means to withdraw from companionship, to withdraw from protection, or support from somebody or to give up, to renounce, or to sacrifice something that gives pleasure. Do not give up the teachings of your mother.

Third this scripture tells us Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck.

22 When you walk, they will guide you;

when you sleep, they will watch over you;

when you awake, they will speak to you.

It is natural and good for children, as they grow toward adulthood, to become increasingly independent of their parents. Young adults, however, should take care not to turn a deaf ear to their parents—to reject their advice just when it is needed most, the scripture says to tie them around your neck so we will never lose them and have them ready and available.

When you walk, they will guide you;

when you sleep, they will watch over you;

when you awake, they will speak to you.

I cannot tell you how many times that I hear the advice from my mother speaking to me from days past.

Notice FOURTH that this teaching is a light,

and correction and instruction

are the way to life.

Because this teaching is of the Light. The mothers teaching corrects us in our life and instructs us to the way of life.

First- Mothers are the Heart Beat of the Family Second – as the Apostle Paul gives credit to Timothy’s Mother and Grandmother he also speak to us saying when the persecution comes- when the affliction comes-we are to rely on teachings, to fall back to the teachings that lead us to Christ Jesus- Be secure in the knowledge of your salvation.

Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life no one goes to the father except through me.

Ladies you are to teach the children, in spirit, by example and by deed that Jesus is the light and the light is the only way to God the Father.

I see it this way; Ladies you have a tough job. You should be honored for what God has given you the strength to do.

You truly are the heartbeat of the family.

You know God has given us the Moms, and Satan has pointed all of the artillery of hell at the home? Think about it:

Immorality adultery fornication homosexuality abortion juvenile delinquency sexually transmitted diseases sex trafficking abduction of families …killings of school children-these are all sins hatched in hell, and they all have 2 things in common:

They are:

1. On the rise

2. Aimed at destroying the family

This is why we need Godly women guiding our children.

Listen ladies- when your teachings- when your instructions- when your prayers- when your example is a light, correction and instruction

They point people to the way to life.

The truth of it is, a godly woman is a mother not just to her children, but to others as well and as she grows and she never stops. She never stops telling people about the light and how it is truly the way of life. She never stops becoming the example to those who need a mother in their lives. I thank God for such a woman who stepped into my life. With her prayers and encouragement is part of the reason I am preaching today. Listen to this story of a woman who never stopped teaching.

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith.

When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.

Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying, "My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?" Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to church, and dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Phillips said, "Beverly, don't call Edith into the office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting room."

After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat down and when she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?" Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the patient." With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long." Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? Do you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty giving me my ticket!" Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!"

Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did not show up. Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will, I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here next to me in my room who need to know about Easter."

Well, they did just that and women began to come in and share that room with Edith. Many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staff to patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her Edith Easter; that is everyone except the head nurse, Phyllis Cross. She made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book.

One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick. Edith had the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said, "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you." Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it won't work. I'm not interested." Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go home until you come into the family." Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never happen," and quickly walked out of the room.

Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you." One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's room like a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I'm so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day." Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question, 'Do you believe in Easter?' but you have never asked me." Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted too many times, but God told me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked..."

Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?" Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life." Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of angels.

Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday." Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!" Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter lilies because she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some Easter lilies and wish her a Happy Easter. When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. That big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face.

When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4, " And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down here cheeks, said, "Happy Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!" Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and over to a table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter.

You know I love that story, it doesn’t say that Edith was a mother, yet she was the mother of many coming to know the faith of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior.

Ladies no matter who you are today, you will always be a mother to someone. There is someone who is watching you, there is one who is longing for you, there is someone who is searching for the truth and God has given you the strength and the ability to teach and guide them- to hold together the family of God.

As I wish you for you to have a great mothers day, My prayer is that each of you Woman, man, young adult, teenager, child- to be all that God has called you to be. Be the heartbeat of the family, the church, the community, the children.

But more importantly at this time the question is do you know believe in Jesus?

Maybe you don’t, maybe you’re a dad, or don’t have any children, the question remains the same do you BELIEVE that Jesus lived, was crucified, was buried and then resurrected for your sin? The Bible says: “that that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10; 9 NKJ). Would you stand with me as we being this invitation - Would you bow your head and close your eyes with me today- and say this prayer-

Father, I know that I am a sinner, I know that in my heart that Jesus died on the cross for my sins, as I turn from my sins, I ask for you to forgive me of my sins today. I confess my sins to you and ask Jesus to be the Lord of my life, my own personal savior as you Word tells me, I am Saved. Amen.

Saying the prayer does not make you a Christian, it doesn’t fix everything, you must have a heart condition—it is called repentance. It is marked by the changing of your life..