MOTHER'S DAY SERMON
(Spiritual Heritage - May 14, 2023)
Series Big Idea: "Mother's Day Sermon"
Sermon Big Idea: “The spiritual influence of godly parents is vital to every child"
Key Scripture (2 Timothy 1:1-7)
(2 Timothy 1:1-7)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, for the promise of life in Christ Jesus: 2 To Timothy, my dearly loved son. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. 4 Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy, 5 clearly recalling your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois, then in your mother Eunice, and that I am convinced is in you also. 6 Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
The Apostle Paul addressed this letter to a young man he had spiritually nurtured named Timothy. Timothy was probably around eighteen years old when Paul met him on his second missionary journey to Lystra. We don’t know if Paul or Timothy’s mother and grandmother who led him to Christ. But what does seem clear is that Timothy was spiritually mature enough at such a young age that Paul used him in his group of disciples who were spreading the gospel. This was a young man who had been trained in the things of the Lord and the gospel, by his mother or grandmother. We find out a tremendous amount about Timothy’s life before and after he met Paul in (Acts 16).
Paul thought of Lois and Eunice when he thought about how faithful his young disciple Timothy was. Lois and Eunice had helped Timothy's faith. His mother and grandmother were solid Christians who followed God's Word every single day of their lives. This was and still is the most important thing for any family: to follow God's Word every day. They taught him about the things of God from the time he was very young (2 Timothy 3:15).
The point is that Timothy's faith in Christ was real. It was authentic. He believed with all his heart that Christ was his Savior and Lord, and he lived each day for Christ. The strong faith of his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, was one of the main reasons he was so solid in the Lord. They gave him a strong foundation in the faith.
Eunice and Lois became Christians at Lystra, probably through Paul's preaching (Acts 16:1). Even though his Greek father (Acts 26:1) was likely not a believer, they shared their strong Christian beliefs with Timothy. Paul knew Timothy truly trusted the Lord because his faith contrasted with the insincerity of those who had deserted Paul (2 Timothy 1:15; 2:17–18; 3:1–9, 13; 4:3–4, 10, 14, 16). Paul trusted Timothy's faith.
Faith is trust, not just religious words. Facing a Christless world every day requires true trust. Faith demands us to be unwavering under strain and criticism. Trusting Christ daily is a choice, not a feeling.
Conclusion:
(2 Timothy 1:7). God has not given His people the spirit of fear and timidity. Instead, He has gifted us with:
Power—We don't need strong personalities to be faithful. God provides us with the character and confidence to face adversity as we speak, preach, and live the truth. God replaces our timid personality supernaturally with courage. It's hard to discredit such force.
Love—Power to speak God’s truth requires compassion for those who hear it, believers and nonbelievers. Christians are set apart through love. Christ's ministry was distinguished by love. It's hard to ignore such affection.
Self-discipline—"Self-control" or "sound mind" are other translations. True ministers must lead by self- control. In other words, a good leader is calm. It's hard to deny such control and "soundness." Whether we are parents, single, or dating, what Paul said to Timothy applies to us as Christians.
Elisabeth Elliot was the wife of missionary Jim Elliot. Jim was killed when the tribe he was trying to share Jesus with ambushed him. Although losing her husband to these primitive people she remained on the mission field with her daughter and continued to raise her and reach out to these same people who had killed Jim. What a great example of strength and character!
Most of you will never go to the mission field. You might not even have to die for your faith. You may never be persecuted for your faith. But you do have influence and you are making a difference right where you are. His desire is that you use that influence in the location and situation He has put you in right now. Use that influence to lead others to Christ. How are you allowing God to use your specific situation and circumstances today to introduce your family and other to Christ?
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
Liefeld, Walter L. 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999.
Lea, Thomas D., and Hayne P. Griffin. 1, 2 Timothy, Titus. Vol. 34. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992.
Belleville, Linda. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Hebrews. Vol. 17. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2009.
Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. Electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991.
Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.
Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.
Platt, David, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida. Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2013.
Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.
Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.
Larson, Knute. I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon. Vol. 9. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.
Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.
Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.
MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.
Stott, John R. W. Guard the Gospel the Message of 2 Timothy. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973.
Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.
Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.
Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.
Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.
AFTER THE MESSAGE
After hearing today's message there may be a decision you have made and you want a pastor to connect with you. We want to make this easy for you. Just scroll to the bottom of this page and fill out the form and our pastor will contact you in the way you prefer.