The Power of a Mom's Influence
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Adapted from a Sermon by Mark Washington at Hollins Road Baptist Church
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 3622 The Will of Henry Heinz
The Will Of Henry Heinz
When the will of Henry J. Heinz, wealthy distributor of the famous “57 Varieties” line, was read it was found to contain the following confession:
“Looking forward to the time when my earthly career will end, I desire to set forth at the very beginning of this will, as the most important item in it, a confession of my faith in Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I also desire to bear witness to the fact that throughout my life, in which there were unusual joys and sorrows, I have been wonderfully sustained by my faith in God through Jesus Christ. This legacy was left me by my consecrated mother, a woman of strong faith, and to it I attribute any success I have attained.”
—Evangelistic Illustration
As a mother you have the opportunity to be a chauffeur, maid, cook, referee, philosopher, counselor, doctor, nurse, rescue squad member, banker, someone who’s fast on her feet, someone who anticipates every possibility, believes the impossible, endures the unbearable, and sometimes loves the difficult. What we learn from all of this is that being a mom is filled with a host of opportunities.
Mom, realize today that you have the greatest opportunity to build the character and future of your child. Indeed an enormous and weighty job – but one that is very worthy and rewarding.
Mother’s Day Video - Wow mom’s, you have a tremendous influence!
Turn with me this morning to 2 Timothy 1:3-7 where we find a passage that tells us of the powerful influence of a mom…read…
This morning I want you to see 3 things we learn about a Godly mom and the power of her influence. 1st we learn about…
1. THE INFLUENCE OF HER LIFE.
1. THE INFLUENCE OF HER LIFE.
- During Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey, he and Barnabas came to the cities of Lystra and Derbe in Galatia region of Asia Minor.
- It was there that Paul encountered a mother and daughter by the name of Lois and Eunice who were devout Jews. Eunice was married to a Greek man and they had a son named Timothy.
- At some point upon hearing Paul preach about Jesus, Lois and Eunice received Jesus and became believers – and not just in word but in life.
- At some point between the 1st Missionary Journey and Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey, Timothy came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- How did that happen? Through the influence of his Godly mother and Godly grandmother!
- You cannot overstate the importance of a child being raised in a Godly home! Now, it’s no guarantee a child will come to personal faith and live for the Lord…but sure does increase the possibility!
- In Timothy’s case, it sure did make a difference! Paul says in verse 5 “For I am mindful of the sincere faith with you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that is in you as well.”
- Luke tells us in Acts 16:1-2 :
Acts 16:1–2 NASB95
Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium.
- Timothy had already become known as a strong Christian young man!
- In fact, Luke goes on and notes in Acts 16:3 :
Acts 16:3 NASB95
Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
- Again, Eunice and Lois’ influence can not be overstated! Timothy no doubt saw Christianity lived out before him.
Hudson Taylor said about his dad, an early missionary to inland China…how his “…impressions of the importance of God, his earliest convictions, were first formed as he witnessed his dad’s devotion.”
- And Corrie Ten Boom who survived the German Nazi camps of WW2 said it was from Papa ten Boom that she received her first and deep realizations that God mattered…that He was worth her trust.
The son being shipped off to Sunday School each week
TS – 2nd we learn about…
2. THE INFLUENCE OF HER TEACHING.
2. THE INFLUENCE OF HER TEACHING.
- Especially the teaching of God’s Word.
- In 2 Tim. 3:14-15 Paul notes:
You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
- Eunice and Lois had taught Timothy God’s Word(the Sacred Writings). They had sought to ground him in the Word of God!
- They knew the importance of.
Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
- No doubt they taught Timothy other things but teaching him God’s Word clearly had been a priority.
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 3661 Mother’s Credibility
Mother’s Credibility
When Carter L. Burgess resigned as Assistant Secretary of Defense to become president of Trans-World Airlines, he was awarded an exceptional civilian service medal by the Army. After listening to the long and glowing tribute paid him by Army Secretary Brucker, Burgess said: “I am sorry my mother is not here. She not only would have enjoyed this ceremony, but she would have believed every word of it.”
—Walter Trohan
When he was in distress, he entreated the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. When he prayed to Him, He was moved by his entreaty and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.
He also removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord, as well as all the altars which he had built on the mountain of the house of the Lord and in Jerusalem, and he threw them outside the city. He set up the altar of the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it; and he ordered Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel.
Josiah removed all the abominations from all the lands belonging to the sons of Israel, and made all who were present in Israel to serve the Lord their God. Throughout his lifetime they did not turn from following the Lord God of their fathers.
TS – 3rd we learn about…
3. THE INFLUENCE OF HER PRAYERS.
3. THE INFLUENCE OF HER PRAYERS.
- We’re not told specifically that Eunice and Lois prayed for young Timothy…but you know they did!
- Every Godly mother and grandmother prays exceedingly for their children!
- You know they prayed for Timothy to come to faith in Christ…prayed for him to grow in his Christian walk…probably prayed for God to use him in some way for His Kingdom!
- And bam…here comes the Apostle Paul again…and sees God’s Hand upon this young man and desires to take him with him…and well, the rest is history!
For Timothy came to be like a son to Paul and Paul mentored this young man into a great Pastor and leader for the Lord!
- Never underestimated the powerful influence of mom’s prayers!
Conclusion
The story is told about four preachers discussing the merits of the various translations of the Bible. One liked the King James Version best because of its simple, beautiful English. Another liked the American Revised Version best because it was closer to the original Hebrew and Greek. Still another liked a contemporary version because of its up to date vocabulary. The fourth minister was silent for a moment, then said, “I like my, mother’s translation best.” Surprised, the other three men said they didn’t know his mother had translated the Bible. “Yes,” he replied. “She translated it into life, and it was the most convincing translation I ever saw.”
Mom what translation is your child seeing in your life?
