Family Matters; Don't Miss It Mom Series

Intro: The mother of three notorious kids was asked, “If you had to do it all over again would you have children? Sure,” she said, “but not the same ones.”

Admit it there are days when all moms feel this way. However, at the end of the day if you had to do it all over you would have the same disobedient, destructive, yet priceless children.

Some of you are today morning the loss of your mom. Some of you are possibly praying that you could be a mom. Some of you are celebrating with your mom. Some of you don’t like Mother’s day because of an absentee mom.

As a mother you have the opportunity to be a chauffeur, maid, cook, referee, philosopher, doctor, nurse, rescue squad, banker, fast on your feet, anticipating ever possibility, believing the impossible, enduring the unbearable, sometimes loving the difficult. What do we learn from all of this. Being a mom is a series of opportunities.

In motherhood you have the opportunity to build a relationship that will build the character and future of your child.

Why is Timothy where he is being encouraged by the greatest follower of Christ? Timothy is where he is because of the grace of God and the virtue of His mother.

The letter of 2nd Timothy is a letter written by Paul to encourage his young son in the faith. In this letter of encouragement we find the importance of mom not missing her opportunity to impact her child’s life.

I. Don’t miss the opportunity to influence your child for Christ

2 Timothy 1.5 “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.”

Paul also says of Timothy in Philippians 2.20 “I have no one else like him.”

Paul met Lois and Eunice in Lystra and during His first missionary visit there it is possible that Timothy received Jesus as savior and Lord. Paul experienced their faith. He said it dwelt in them it lived in them.

This is not merely religious activity it is instead a relationship reality. Both grandmother and mother lived a life of faith that had a lasting influence on their grandson and son. It was not a faith that only showed up to impress. It was not a faith that showed up in church. It was a faith that lived in them when people were watching and not.

Moms do you want the opportunity to influence you children? If you do than is your faith living? Is it as real in the dark recesses of you home?

Paul said their faith was sincere. It was without hypocrisy there was not a change in attitude or behavior when the preacher was not around. They had a faith that was founded in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

For better or worse mom’s, grandma’s, God moms, adoptive moms, you have an influence on your child. Mom you have the opportunity to write on the hearts of you children with the hands of love. When you life is over what message will you leave on your little ones? You can leave love, grace, acceptance, discipline, self-control, right relationships, instill God’s truth in them.

II. Don’t miss the opportunity to instill God’s truth in your child (2 Tim 3.15)

2 Timothy 3.15 “and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Paul is encouraging Timothy to stand on God’s truth as he faces false teachers. This truth was instilled in him from his childhood.”

Why is it so important to instill in your children the truth of God’s word from childhood? Because it gives you wisdom that leads to salvation. The word of God clearly reveals to all that we are sinners separated from God. We need a savior, Jesus Christ is that savior. Even simple bible stories can express this truth. You don’t have to be a scholar, you don’t have to have a Phd, a bible degree or even training to tell you childen the truth of Christ.

A) Purposefully teach them truth

Deuteronomy 4.9, Proverbs 22.6, David through the psalms continually a teaching is going on. It is deliberate to remind the children of Israel and their children and grandchildren to remember the activity of God on their behalf.

Jewish boys begin their training in the scripture at 5. Moms no one will force you to instill God’s truth, no one will report you to DHS, you must of yourself purposefully teach them the word of God.

B) Practically teach them the truth

Winston Churchill “If we want to change our nation begin by enlisting the mothers.”