(Mother's Day 2021) The Mother's Mark

Creed

Intro

First let me begin this morning by saying Happy Mothers Day. Wherever you are in your journey as a Mom, all of us men, children, grandchildren, and more are thankful for the role you have played in our lives. In fact, I believe that every single Mom here deserves a standing ovation.

Thank you.

About 4 weeks ago Pastor Doug sent me a message in Nigeria asking me if I could preach on May 9th. I messaged back absolutely, I would be thrilled. So as I began to look at calendar and begin to prepare, I realized that it was Mother’s Day. I have never preached on Mothers Day here in America. In my years as an Associate & Executive Pastor I never preached on Mothers Day. I messaged him back, so you want me to preach on Mother’s Day? And this was his answer:

“I figure the husband of a woman who's a mother to over 100 kids is more equipped to preach that day than me!!!”

Now I don’t know if that’s true that I would be more suited to preach today than Pastor Doug, but, I have had the privilege of being close to a few great Moms. If you have ever been to our place in Nigeria or follow our mission on Facebook, you know the heart of a Mom that my wife has. But even before those 100 kids, there were four she raised her in America that are a testament to her love and sacrifice as a Mother.

The first influence of a Mom that I had is her today also, my Mom. Raising three boys to become men. All three played every sport available at that time, and still, my Mom and Dad made sure that we were brought up in the church and understood who Jesus was and what he did for us.

I have no doubt in my mind that the impact a Mother can make on the life of a child will stay with that child into adulthood and even influence the parent they will be one day to their own children.

This morning, I want to look at that impact. I want to look at the Mother’s Mark. The lasting legacy that a mother can pass down not just to their own children, but for generations to come.

Now I know we have Mom’s here that are in different seasons of their lives. Mom’s to be, Mom’s small children, Mom’s of teenagers (God Bless You), Empty Nest Moms, and even Mom’s that now answer to MiMi, Grandma, or Grandmother. But this morning as we look at this example from Scripture, the truth is the same for all Moms.

And for you Dads, guys, and kids, while the main subject matter of the day may not be focused towards you, truth is truth, Scripture is Scripture, and the Bible tells us that the word of God, when it goes out, will not return void. So I know, that God has something for you today as well.

Open us your Bibles to 2 Timothy 1.

As your turning to 2 Timothy 1, let me give you a little backstory. Once he was the killer of Christians, now Saul, whose named was changed to Paul, has become the greatest evangelist, missionary, church planter that our world has ever seen. All of this happened after Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. He changed, immediately. This man who terrorized the young believers in the early Chapter of Acts and was even there when Stephen, the first person martyred for their belief and testimony was to stoned to death. After a period of time, Paul begin to proclaim the gospel and set forth to take the gospel to whoever would listen. As Paul began to travel and take the gospel out, he would take another with him on the journey. One of those was a young man named Timothy. In Acts 16 we are first introduced to Timothy, and in the following chapter Paul is with him, then leaves him behind to minister as Paul continues to go another way.

Paul trusted Timothy, as you will see, in these first few verses of 2 Timothy.

So if you have your Bibles or your app turned to 2 Timothy 1....say “Hey, Hey.”

2 Timothy 1:1–5 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

Paul starts this letter like all his others, introducing himself, and showing his authority. Then he moves to mention the receiver of this letter…Timothy.