A Mother’s Influence

Mother’s Day 2020

2 Timothy 1:1-5 NIV

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, ² To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. ³ I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. ⁴ Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”

Notes

2 Timothy 1: 5 NIV

“He says, ‘I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.’”

Notes

First we see that they taught Timothy.

I. A Respect for God’s Word

2 Timothy 3: 12, 14 NIV

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted

¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.”

Notes

2 Timothy 3:15 NIV

“And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.”

The word “infancy” is from a Greek word meaning “a baby, a toddler, a very young child.”

2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, …”

Notes

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. ⁷ Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Notes

Then secondly, they had instilled in Timothy…

II. An authentic faith

Authentic means “un-hypocritical.”

2 Timothy 1:5 NIV

“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”

These two mother’s were more concerned with:

• Timothy’s soul than whether he wore designer clothes.
• His eternal life than his success in this life.
• His relationship with Jesus than his popularity in the world.
• His standing before God than his social status
• His spirituality than his athletic accomplishments.

Notes

And finally, they instilled in Timothy…

III. A desire to minister

Acts 16:1-2 NIV

“Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. ² The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. ³ Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, …”

Notice, Timothy is not just called a Christian; he’s called a disciple.

Secondly, he was well spoken of by the people of his town—his reputation as a follower of Christ was solid.

Notes

1 Corinthians 4:17 MEV

“Therefore I have sent Timothy to you. He is my beloved son and is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.”

1 Timothy 1:2 KJV

“Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Philippians 2:20 NIV

“I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.”

Notes

Moms, it’s super important to teach your children respect for the Bible, and to teach them authentic faith.

But those two foundations are to get them ready for a life of service to the Lord!

Amen.