2 Tim 1 Lois and Eunice
Secular – Museum
· Tradition – building a wall, passion, intellect
· Past
· Accomplishments
· Mistakes
· Growth
- Learn to drive
· Dad giving us his pearls of wisdom
· Sharing family driving secrets
§ Richmond’s stop signs
Biblical – Genealogies – anchors, history, children of the promise
- Levitical priesthood – set apart to serve (train their children)
NT - 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
we are his priests ( 1 Peter 2:9-10)
Servant Timothy
2 Tim 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,
4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy,
5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
Personal – Brought to faith
Mentored
Encouraged
Prayed
Came-alongside situations
Bridge – Museum to our community, Bible to the children of God, Personally a Heritage of faith from Mother, daughter to son. From our parents or spiritual parents à to us.
Heritage of Faith - What/ How/ Who
Heritage of Faith – What?
Paul’s Gospel -
2 Tim 1:7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.
2 Tim 3:15 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
1 Cor 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
What –
· Gospel message with Apostolic authority – Power
o “My Gospel”
o “Life changing” – presented in childhood
o Christ crucified! – power in the atoning work of Christ
· Jesus the Son of God – Incarnate, came as man suffered, died and was buried for our sins. Raised from the dead on the third day and ascended into glory. – it is by faith in Jesus Christ alone that we gain salvation. Recognizing our need for a Saviour and submitting to our Lord. Lois and Eunice – Mom and Grandma shared!
· ** What do we share with our children…
o Be good for Jesus – VBS / Sunday School
§ Distance from Christ because of failure
§ Forgiven
· Touched by an Angel Syndrome!
o Angels, goodness, everything turns out okay
o What about Jesus? – open door
· The Name of Jesus
o Our personal resistance
o No magical, but powerful
o Curse word (Buddha, Shiva)
Conclusion – A nebulous God, a deistic energy or guardian angels are not the “Way, the Truth and The Life” – Christ alone is our eternal hope. Children whether children of our flesh or children in spirit – they need to here the hope, the promise in the Gospel message – We need to present Jesus Christ clearly to a world in need, and we can start at home.
We need to share a Heritage of Faith.
Genuine Faith – How?
Communication industry – telephone, telegram, voice mail, video link, fax, internet, e-mail, chat-room, cell phone, satellite… vehicles
Human beings love to communicate… but if you noticed lately we have very little to say. Repetitive numbing lyrics in some contemporary music styles, trend to swearing to avoid intelligent speech….
But we have a very important message to convey – even when we society doesn’t want to hear about - a legacy, our heritage of faith
Acts 4: Peter and John – were ordered by the Sanhedrin to stop preaching… but refused – “But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God.”
A message worth dying for!
– Stephen – (Acts 6) Heritage of Faith… inc. gospel
o Shared his deep understanding of his heritage of faith
o He spoke of God’s loving relationship to his children
o Abraham, Jacob…
o Ultimate act of love – Christ
§ He shared the rich heritage
§ He didn’t shy away from the message
§ To all who would hear
§ He even radiated Christ – We must radiate Christ!
– Ignatius (check CH#1 lit.)
o Faithful Apostolic writer – student of Polycarp / a disciple of John
o Travelling to his death
o Wanted to die a death worthy his Saviour
– Living your faith Isn’t about buildings, programs or traditions … lifestyle evidence – sacrifice – love – sharing
o Greatest discovery – cancer, Alzheimer’s
o kidney
§ Heritage of Faith is Eternal life
Conclusion: The how! Live transformed lives
Show value
Tell the message (plant the seeds)
Genuine Faith – Who?
Greek plays – Mother Teresa
1 Tim 4:9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance
10 (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
· Compassion orphanages / hospitals
Dt 4:9 " Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren,
10 "especially concerning the day you stood before the LORD your God in Horeb, when the LORD said to me, 'Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.'
Dt 6: 5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 " And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
7 "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
· Sea to Sky Highway
Conclusion: Heritage of Faith
What – Gospel
How – transformed life, Radiate
Who – All men – all of humankind
Remember our children