2 Timothy 1:3-7 Eunice and Lois

Introduction

My testimony

I live here in town, we are members of Forestgate

Born in Cincinnati, grew up in Rockford, Lived all over, retired in the Springs

Dad’s side was Jewish

Mom’s family were Christian - Mom was questionable

Grandma prayed for her wicked grandson

She went to be with the Lord in 1985, but God answered her prayer

God saved me in 1987

Been teaching Bible since 1996, in Europe and the USA

Prayer

Today’s message is about the providence of God in bringing His people to Christ

Key Question: How does God lead a sinner to righteousness in a lost an fallen world and prepare him for service?

Answer: He gently draws His people to Him, by providing gentle, loving, Godly persuasion, via family and godly friends and acquaintances

Scripture text:

2 Timothy 1:3–7 “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”

Prayer

Historical Context

a. Paul is writing to Timothy from prison in Rome about A.D. 60.

Persecution of Christians is becoming common

Paul has been imprisoned and condemned because the government sees him as part of the problem

b. Paul is preparing for execution

Many of his friends have abandoned him, out of embarrassment, fear of association

To a certain extent, Paul is writing to Timothy to reassure himself, as well as Timothy - that Timothy, too, has not abandoned him

c. He is preparing Timothy to continue building God’s Kingdom. He seeks to embolden Timothy’s faith, in spite of all the bad things that are happening, to continue Paul’s mission

Why Timothy?

a. Timothy has been a loyal disciple since their meeting in Lystra during Paul’s second missionary journey

b. God has been preparing Timothy for ministry through the discipling of Paul and through his faithful upbringing by his mother and grandmother

God’s providence in bringing Timothy to Christ

a. Becoming a Christian in the first century was counter-intuitive

Christians and Jews were pariahs, outcasts in the Roman empire - they were considered a bit strange and out of step with society. Sound familiar?

Christians were becoming increasingly unpopular

Proselytizing

Bad rumors

b. God first brought the women in Timothy’s family to faith.

Eunice, his mother, was likely a Christian, from Paul’s ministry

Lois, probably a believing and faithful Jew. Paul understood that it was believing Jews who were critical to leading him to Christ

Paul omits any reference to the men. Timothy’s dad was a Greek and likely an unbeliever

c. God led Timothy and Paul to each other in Derbe. Through Paul’s preaching God opened his eyes and led him to faith.

Application:

a. Christians are chosen by God – not the other way around

i. The testimony of Timothy is but one way God brought one sinner to Christ

ii. Timothy was blessed by a believing mother and grandmother

1. God led them to faith – we don’t know how

2. That God led these women to faith in a pagan land is miraculous. Recall Abraham’s call.

b. What about us and our loved ones?

i. God can lead us to Christ in spite of everything

1. Ungodly parents

2. Ungodly friends

3. Ungodly living conditions

4. Ungodly attitudes

5. Exhortation

a. Christian

i. Never give up on your loved ones – God can find a way to reach them

1. End of life – thief on the cross

ii. Share Christ when opportunity arises

iii. Encourage loved ones to church, prayer, the Bible

b. If you are not a Christian, know that Christ can change your life, your future.

i. Gospel message. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”

ii. Turn from your sins, turn to Christ

Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;”

iii. Its never too late to repent and turn to Christ

Choose heaven and the way of righteousness, not hell and the way of wickedness

Pray