Give Thanks for Godly Mothers!

Give Thanks for Godly Mothers! 2 Timothy 1:3-7

Introduction:

Our theme for last week’s message was the question of suffering, and we reflected on the truth that we are living in a world under the curse, affected by sin and infected with the consequences of sin. A couple of book titles in my library reflect the challenge of parenting today: “Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World,” and “Parenting isn’t for Cowards”! Today I am speaking about mothers, though fathers have been delegated the responsibility as the leader and chief shepherd of the family, the plain truth is that mothers, by virtue of the time and opportunity they have to teach and guide their children usually have the greatest impact on them. The “world” offers powerful temptations to our children and poses tremendous obstacles to faith, but a godly mother, by word and example, can guide them toward the truth. Famous men throughout history have stated the impact their mothers had on them: -George Washington: “The greatest teacher I ever had was my mother.” -Abraham Lincoln: “All that I am, and all that I ever hope to be I owe to my mother…” He also said, “…no man is poor when he has a godly mother.” -Emerson: “Men are what their mothers make them.” -The story is told of a London editor who submitted to Winston Churchill a list of all the teachers he had had throughout his life. Churchill returned the list with the comment: “You have omitted to mention the greatest of my teachers—my mother.” When we consider the obstacles to godly living and the evil in the world, If a mother had to face the job of parenting in her own strength, it could be overwhelming. Ideally, she shares the task with her husband. But whether or not she has that support, thank God he has given His guidebook, and he promises the presence of his Spirit to lead us.

The Big idea: A godly mother has what she needs to impact her children for eternity: He has given us His Word, and he has promised us His presence.

I. The Problem in Raising a Godly Heritage: S-I-N.

Last we talked about the problem of evil, and the challenge of living the life of faith in the presence of the difficulties we struggle with in this world. The plain truth is this is a sinful world and in this letter Paul warns Timothy how bad things are going to get (cf. 2 Tim 3:1-5,12,13). We see how secular and relativistic our nation is becoming – with mass media and internet the filled with bad influences, with secular education espousing a worldview that contradicts Christian Theism, raising kids today is a challenge. Eunice raised Timothy in a pagan society—you are not the first. This is a sinful world, but to make the task of mothers more challenging, …Our children are born sinners – Psalm 58:3 says “Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies.” David recognized in Psalm 51:5, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” If you are a parent you already know that is true. I’ve heard one of our ladies say “I haven’t seen a child yet that needed to be taught to sin.” We’re born sinners! Our children are sinners, but its also true of parents, mothers and fathers alike, we are sinners, so we make mistakes. I recall some years back hearing a speaker on the “Focus on the Family” radio broadcast recalling a time he came home and found crayon all over the front of the TV screen… He went and asked his young son if he had anything to tell him… How did that happen?... Finally, he confessed… The next day a friend who had visited the day before called, apologizing for her daughter, who had confessed that she had colored on their TV screen while visiting the day before! We will at times fail to be consistent, we may even punish an innocent child. I remember my cousin’s son, at age 5 or so, speaking to his parents of the discipline they administered the previous day, “You made my heart bleed when you did that, I’m only a little boy!” But don’t despair, though the task of parenting is formidable, a godly mother has what she needs to impact her children for eternity: God has given us his Word, and he has promised us his presence.

II. We see The Possibility of a Godly Heritage in the example of Timothy: The Good News is that God will give us as believers what we need to raise our kids well.

It is a bad world… but don’t despair! It’s a bad world, but today’s parents are the first to have challenges. Think of the world Moses was born into, a slave, Pharaoh ordered the death of the male children, God still enabled his mother to impact his life. God has given us His Word, and promised us his presence! N.B. v. 5, Timothy was marked by a “sincere faith” for which Paul thanked God… It is fairly clear that Timothy’s mother did not have an ideal situation, yet she was able in the midst of an immoral world to raise a child who made a positive impact for Christ. Acts 16:1 indicates Timothy’s father was a Greek. Paul makes no mention of him here, which may imply that he wasn’t a believer. Yet Eunice, guided by the example of her own mother Lois, made a positive lifelong impact on her Son. Paul could see the faith of Eunice and Lois, a sincere, authentic trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord, was now evident in the life of Timothy. “Unfeigned faith…”, authentic, genuine trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord. ***Though the task is formidable, a godly mother has what she needs to impact her children for eternity: He has given us his Word, and he has promised us his presence.

III. The Promise of a Godly Heritage: We can affect the life, the character, and the eternity of our children.

Churchill said: “If we want to change our nation, begin by enlisting the mothers.” 2 Timothy 1:5 5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. With all the uncertainties of living in a Fallen World, we can influence our children toward coming toward the truth. Prov. 22:6 says “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Someone said, “The lessons of the cradle go all the way to the grave.” By what we teach and model, we help develop their character, notice 2 Timothy 3:15, “...from childhood you have known the holy scriptures…” Archbishop Leighton said “fill the bushel with good wheat and there will be no room for chaff and rubbish.” The world will supply plenty of chaff, we need to take responsibility as Christian families and as the Church helping our families, to add the good Wheat! *It goes two ways with kids: Cardinal Wolsey spoke of Henry 8th and said, “Be well advised and assured what you put in his head, for you shall never pull it out again.” Every mother wants to care for their child and give them good things, nothing could be better than introducing them to the savior. From childhood Timothy heard the Scriptures, which are able to make one wise unto salvation. He has given us his Word, and he has promised us his presence. We have truth, and we have God: a godly mother has what she needs to impact her children for eternity.

IV. The Potential of a Godly Heritage: We can affect not only our children, but our children’s children, and the innumerable other lives they touch.

Someone once asked DL Moody how many converts he had had at a meeting. He replied, “Two and a half.” “Do you mean two adults and a child?” “No,” he replied. “Two children and an adult.” An adult’s life is half gone, a child has their who life in front of them! Notice that Paul mentions not only Eunice, but also Lois. In referring to the faith of Timothy, it seemed important enough for Paul to mention two generations of believers in that family. As a godly mother by word and example teaches her children, she is potentially affecting not only them, but also their children and grandchildren. And think of the lives that Timothy touched! Paul was himself encouraged by Timothy, and the letters that Paul wrote to Timothy have encouraged the church for over 19 centuries. Paul encouraged Timothy to pass the things he knew on to others (2 Tim 2:2) “The things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these….” Cf. Titus 2:3-5, teaching and learning never stops. As long as we are here, we have responsibility to and for one another.

What is God saying to me in this text?

A godly mother has what she needs to impact her children for eternity: He has given us his Word, and he has promised us his presence.

What would God have me to do in response to this passage?

Mothers’ day can be a time of mixed emotions, for some who have never been a parent, or who have tragically lost a child, or others who perhaps gone through an abortion, there can be an emptiness, others may be conscious of mistakes they have made, some feel sorrow over estranged or rebellious children who seem far from God. Some may feel sadness about a mother who wasn’t a mom, or grief over a mother who has passed away. What ever your history or your situation, God’s mercies are new every morning – He is faithful. -If you had the example of a godly mother, be thankful for her – if she is still alive make sure to thank her today. -If you are a parent and have a prodigal, know that he or she is responsible for their choices: Proverbs 1:8 says “Hear my son your Father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching…” The very fact that that admonition is given indicates it is a possibility. If you have a prodigal, don’t despair, pray, be an example, love them, entrust them to God. We want today to especially honor the mothers present in our body, and to encourage you (and your partners in parenting!): The task of parenting is formidable, but you have in His Word and His presence godly mother has what she needs to impact her children for eternity.