2 Timothy 1:3-5 | The Power of a Mother's Faith
Notes
Transcript
Text: 2 Timothy 1:3-5 | THE POWER OF A MOTHER’S FAITH
Text: 2 Timothy 1:3-5 | THE POWER OF A MOTHER’S FAITH
INTRO
INTRO
EXPLANATION: Paul has reached the end of his life as he records 2 Timothy from a jail cell.
EXPLANATION: Paul has reached the end of his life as he records 2 Timothy from a jail cell.
The letter he is writing is intended for the one who the book is named after, a young man named Timothy.
Timothy had begun to travel with Paul in Acts 16 following Paul and Barnabas’s split.
Somewhere along Paul’s missionary journeys he had passed through Ephesus, and Timothy remained there and became a pastor of the church at Ephesus.
Now as Paul has reached the end of his journey on this earth, knowing the end was drawing near, he reaches out to his son in the faith, Timothy.
In v.3-4, Paul is encouraging Timothy with just how much he cares about him and how much he desired to see him one final time.
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
Paul tells Timothy that he prays for him night and day
Paul had great joy when he thought of Timothy because of the man he had become.
But Timothy became the man he was because of a foundation that was laid long before he ever met Paul.
Paul reminds him of that foundation in v.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.
It wasn’t a godly foundation laid by his father.
Acts 16:1
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:
Timothy’s father as a Greek was an unbeliever
Timothy didn’t have a godly foundation because of his father… no it was because of the heritage of a godly mother and grandma.
APPLICATION: There are few things more powerful than the faith of a godly woman.
APPLICATION: There are few things more powerful than the faith of a godly woman.
I have said before that “I am the head of my house… and Tressa is the neck that has the power to turn the head.”
The influence of women in the Bible is unmistakable.
Eve in the Garden
Sara with Hagar and Abram
Esther turned the heart of a king from destroying the Jewish people
Ruth forsook her Moabitis upbringing and held to the God of Naomi, and ultimately was graphed into the lineage of David and Christ.
Mary raised her Son Jesus, who became the Savior of the World.
This room is full of ladies who have had unmistakable impacts on numerous lives.
Some of you have carried the title of Mom.
Some of grandma
Some of you have been a spiritual mom to others
And some of you never planned to be a mom… and then you got married and you’re wondering if there is really much difference.
Timothy was a man that God used in a mighty way… a right hand man to the apostle Paul.
He didn’t become that because of his godly father… no, it was because of the godly influence of a godly mom and godly grandma.
For a few moments let’s look at the powerful faith of a godly mother, and see how you can have a similar impact on your family and those God has entrusted you to influence in your life.
V.5, HER FAITH WAS REAL
V.5, HER FAITH WAS REAL
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.
EXPLANATION: It says that Timothy’s mom and grandma had “unfeigned” faith.
EXPLANATION: It says that Timothy’s mom and grandma had “unfeigned” faith.
Unfeigned literally means authentic, sincere, and real
ILLUSTRATION: Tressa’s “coach” purse in Mexico
ILLUSTRATION: Tressa’s “coach” purse in Mexico
It looked real at first glance, but it didn’t take long to see, it wasn’t real!
EXPLANATION: The real faith that was in Timothy was passed down from a mom and a grandma that were the real deal.
EXPLANATION: The real faith that was in Timothy was passed down from a mom and a grandma that were the real deal.
No, she was not a perfect mother
But it is clear, she had gotten the real thing
It wasn’t just religion that she had… She had Jesus.
APPLICATION: Ladies, you cannot be the godly influence God intends you to be, if you don’t have the “real” thing.
APPLICATION: Ladies, you cannot be the godly influence God intends you to be, if you don’t have the “real” thing.
We aren’t talking about doing religious traditions
I’m talking do you know Christ?
You can only fake it for so long, but eventually those closest to you will see it you have the “real thing” or not.
Have you received Christ?
Have you received Christ?
EXPLANATION: It was probably on Paul’s first trip through Lystra that Grandma Lois and Eunice had accepted Christ
EXPLANATION: It was probably on Paul’s first trip through Lystra that Grandma Lois and Eunice had accepted Christ
Their life was changed the day they accepted Christ!
So much so, that Eunice would go on to name her little boy “Timothy”, which means “One who honors God.”
APPLICATION: How about you mom? Grandma? Spiritual mother?
APPLICATION: How about you mom? Grandma? Spiritual mother?
Can you remember the day that you accepted Christ as your Savior?
I’m not asking when you got baptized or took communion.
Has there been a moment when you asked the Lord to forgive your sins?
Are you real?
The knockoff pops may have made it into our house, but if you aren’t the real thing, you will find no access into heaven!
How about you son or daughter?
Yes today’s message is directed at mom, but there is no greater gift that you could give your mom this mother’s day than to accept Christ if you never have before.
If you have accepted Christ, Do you have a real relationship?
If you have accepted Christ, Do you have a real relationship?
EXPLANATION: Timothy was quick to follow Paul in service to Jesus.
EXPLANATION: Timothy was quick to follow Paul in service to Jesus.
There’s no question that he was just following the example he had seen in his mom and grandma.
James 2:17-18
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Real faith mandates that there is real action!
Yes, talk is cheap, and real Christianity is demonstrated in a real relationship with Christ!
APPLICATION: How about you? Do you have a real relationship with Jesus?
APPLICATION: How about you? Do you have a real relationship with Jesus?
Praise God that you came to church, but a real relationship has got to be more than just one day a week!
Do you have a love for God’s Word?
Moms, do your children ever catch you in prayer and worship to your God?
Is He more to you than just the God of this Book, is He your heavenly Father?
We need more moms and dads with a real relationship with God.
You cannot lie to your children.
You can fool this preacher, but your children know if your relationship with God ends when you walk out of the doors of the church.
Listen to the testimony of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:28
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Is that the testimony of your life?
As the apostle Paul spoke of Timothy’s mother and grandmother, he made clear the one thing he knew about them above all else...
They were Real!
Her Faith Was Real
V.5, HER FAITH WAS TRANSFERRED
V.5, HER FAITH WAS TRANSFERRED
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.
EXPLANATION: What a beautiful truth that we find in this verse.
EXPLANATION: What a beautiful truth that we find in this verse.
The faith that grandma Lois lived out was passed down to her daughter Eunice, and Eunice had passed her faith on to her son.
It was a real faith, that was transferred down from generation to generation.
This is powerful, because they did not transfer that faith by accident… it was intentional.
Grandma Lois was intentional about teaching her daughter the faith, and Eunice was intentional about passing it to Timothy.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
The challenge in Deuteronomy was to both parents to TEACH their children.
And teaching takes work
ILLUSTRATION: We are blessed in that Tressa is able to homeschool our kids.
ILLUSTRATION: We are blessed in that Tressa is able to homeschool our kids.
And she does an awesome job teaching them.
Every once in a while I get roped in to help out… And I’m always reminded, this is hard!
You’re helping one and the other needs help.
And then this one has another question.
And then they know who’s helping them so they ask me “do I really have to do all of the page?”
It’s so much work!
But I know this… one day when they finish school and graduate, it will be worth it.
APPLICATION: Friend, it’s worth it to train up your children
APPLICATION: Friend, it’s worth it to train up your children
Proverbs 22:6
6 Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 31:26
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And in her tongue is the law of kindness.
It’s not always easy to teach your children right from wrong
It’s not always easy to biblically correct your children
It’s not always easy to train your children in the things of the Lord
It’s not always easy to bring your children to church
Some of you do it without the encouragement of your spouse, and I praise God for you and tell you it is worth it!
One day you will have joy because you were faithful in transferring your faith on to the next generation!
You may be here today and you are past having children of your own to bring up… Don’t stop being a faithful example
These generations need to see grandparents that know how to continue serving God in their latter years.
We need to see what it means to have a real walk with God exemplified.
We need your prayers
We need your wisdom
We need to see what real faithfulness looks like!
In a world that is full of Christians who have failed to pass down their faith, be faithful to teach the young parents and the children what it means to have real faith!
To have a real walk with God!
Her Faith was Real, Her Faith was Transferred
Her Faith was Real, Her Faith was Transferred
V.3:14-15, HER FAITH WAS BIBLICAL
V.3:14-15, HER FAITH WAS BIBLICAL
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
EXPLANATION: I don’t know exactly how it happened, but maybe it started with old Lois pulling out a piece of parchment that she read to Eunice
EXPLANATION: I don’t know exactly how it happened, but maybe it started with old Lois pulling out a piece of parchment that she read to Eunice
Maybe they would sit down after dinner, and little Timothy wanted to go play, but Eunice would say, “Before you go I want to read something to you.”
Maybe she’d open up that copy of the scroll before Timothy and she would read to him something like”
Psalms 119:9-11
9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:16-18
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, And keep thy word.
18 Open thou mine eyes, That I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Psalm 119:89
89 LAMED. For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.
Psalm 119:97
97 MEM. O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
Psalm 119:105
105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:133
133 Order my steps in thy word: And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Psalm 119:140
140 Thy word is very pure: Therefore thy servant loveth it.
Psalm 119:160
160 Thy word is true from the beginning: And every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
Psalm 119:162
162 I rejoice at thy word, As one that findeth great spoil.
Psalm 119:165
165 Great peace have they which love thy law: And nothing shall offend them.
I don’t know exactly what passage and what verse grandma Lois and Timothy’s mom Eunice read to him, but I know that from a child he was taught the Holy Scriptures
And because of what they taught him, he knew 2 Timothy 3:16-17
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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
You can mark it down, it was the final authority in Timothy’s life.
And that foundation was laid because he had a momma and a grandma who loved the Lord and had a real relationship with Him, and they faithfully passed down their faith to him, and they taught him the Holy Scriptures!
APPLICATION: There are a lot of things you can teach your children
APPLICATION: There are a lot of things you can teach your children
I praise God for a daddy that taught me to play sports
I’m thankful for a mom who taught me to respect authorities
I’m grateful they showed me how to work
But above everything else, I’m thankful for a mom and a dad that taught me that there was a final authority in my life, and that authority was the Word of God!
We live in a day of confusion
Our kids are taught by our media that boys can be girls and girls can be boys
They are taught that the only thing that is true is what “feels” right
They are taught that their value is only found in how many likes they get on a social media post.
And what we need today are some moms and dads who will determine to teach their kids that there is a final Authority in their life.
There is a place where they can learn the truth and not be confused by the lies of today.
We need some grandparents that will help their grandkids see that they have a faith that has stood the test of time.
A faith that is just as relative today as it was when they were a kid.
If I could have my mom and my dad sitting here today I would tell them from the bottom of my heart, “thank you for teaching me to love God!”
“Thank you for being real!”
“Thank you for passing down your faith”
“Thank you for giving me that foundation in God’s Word!”
No they weren’t perfect parents, but I was far from a perfect child.
But they were faithful parents.
And my momma had a powerful faith… a faith that changed my life!
I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for the faith and faithfulness of my mom.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
ILLUSTRATION: As I was thinking back through my life growing up, I tried to put my finger on one single moment or event in which my mom changed the direction of my life.
ILLUSTRATION: As I was thinking back through my life growing up, I tried to put my finger on one single moment or event in which my mom changed the direction of my life.
I’ve heard messages by preachers where they got home late in the night after making bad decisions and they found their mom crying out to God for them.
I’ve heard stories of mothers who demonstrated some great act of faith in the middle of some illness that so shaped that young person’s life.
And as I thought back on my life, I couldn’t put my finger on one single moment that changed everything for me…
But I think that is the key, and so often is the key in so many young people’s lives that end up following after God.
It wasn’t a single moment that changed everything…
It was the consistent faith of my mom day after day, month after month, year after year… that shaped and molded my life and love for God.
Because the truth is, far too many are looking for some dramatic earth-shaking moment that changes everything.
But sometimes the greatest example and the truest test of faith isn’t found in a moment… but in the consistency of a lifetime.
I heard it said one time, “Faithfulness isn’t measured in years… it’s measured in decades.”
And that has been the powerful example of faithfulness I’ve seen in my mom.
An real example of a mother’s faith… and that is powerful.
APPLICATION: Friend… recognize the power of your faith!
APPLICATION: Friend… recognize the power of your faith!
If you don’t know Christ today, why don’t you receive Him.
If you do know Christ, do you really know Him?
And what are you doing to pass along your faith to those who are watching your life?
Maybe your life isn’t one that could be categorized by decades of faithfulness… well today would be a great day to commit to living a life of consistency for Christ!
Timothy saw the tremendous power in his mom and grandma’s faith!
Timothy saw the tremendous power in his mom and grandma’s faith!
I hope you will purpose today to be intentional about pursuing Christ and remaining faithful to Him.
Because, if you do, one day other’s will look back and be able to say, “One thing I know… their faith was powerful!”
