Thanks, Mom

Thanks, Mom

2 Tim. 1:5-7

Show Mother’s Day Video

Illus. (Scott Malone, SC.com) A little boy forgot his lines in a Sunday school presentation. His mother was in the front row to prompt him. She gestured and tried to mouth the words silently, but it did not help. Her son’s memory was blank. Finally, she leaned forward and whispered the cue, "I am the light of the world." The child beamed and with great feeling and a loud clear voice said, "My mother is the light of the world." (Bits and Pieces, August, 1989).

•Where would we be without Mothers?

Today is Mother’s Day, the day we set aside to honor and celebrate our mothers.

I wanted to take this opportunity today to say, “Thanks, Mom” to all the mothers here, present and future.

Did you know the Bible uses the word “mother” 227 times?

•We’re going to look at a few key passages, beginning with 2 Tim. 1:5-7.

This passage doesn’t say a lot about mothers, but what it says is powerful.

Prayer

Paul is writing to Timothy and he mentions Timothy’s mother and grandmother.

5I 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.

Before we look at this verse in particular, we need to see what led up to this verse.

We don’t know exactly how this all began, but we can take an educated guess.

•Lois and Eunice, being Jews, apparently had taught Timothy the Scriptures from birth.

2 Tim. 3:15 AND HOW FROM INFANCY YOU HAVE KNOWN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES…

These 2 mothers had prepared the ground for his conversion from infancy.

This is especially significant when you realize Timothy’s father was a Gentile (Acts 16:1), and probably an unbeliever.

•Lois and Eunice both realized the importance of raising Timothy in a godly home.

It’s quite possible that Lois and Eunice came to Christ through Paul’s preaching in during his 1MJ (~47AD).

Apparently, they led Timothy to Christ shortly after, because his faith is mentioned in Acts 16:1 (during Paul’s 2MJ, ~3 years later). 1PAUL CAME TO DERBE AND THEN TO LYSTRA, WHERE A DISCIPLE NAMED TIMOTHY LIVED, WHOSE MOTHER WAS A JEWESS AND A BELIEVER, BUT WHOSE FATHER WAS A GREEK.

Timothy was still a new believer, but he was already making a mark for the Gospel because of his mother’s and grandmother’s commitment to nurturing him in the faith.

20 years later, Paul sees for himself the strong believer that Timothy has become.

5I HAVE BEEN REMINDED OF YOUR SINCERE (genuine) FAITH,

He didn’t just talk the talk, he walked the walk. He wore his faith on his sleeve.

Paul is PERSUADED (convinced) that Timothy’s faith is real, largely due to his mother’s and grandmother’s influence in his life.

Timothy’s faith and ministry that influenced countless people for Christ began with 2 committed mothers.

We all have been influenced by our mothers, some in more ways than others.

Some of you who are mothers can see the influence you have had on your children.

•How many of your children have come to Christ as a result of your godliness?

•How many of your children have become successful because of your influence?

•How many of your children have you to thank for their wellbeing?

The 5th commandment (Exodus 20:12) says to HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER, SO THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG IN THE LAND THE LORD YOUR GOD IS GIVING.

We all need to say, “Thanks, Mom”.

I’d like to say “Thank you” to all the Moms here by way of a simple acrostic.

Thanks, Mom for:

Teaching us the truth.

Thanks for teaching us, not just by words, but by your example.

•Not just by correction and rebuke, but by love and patience.

Prov. 31:26 SHE SPEAKS WITH WISDOM, AND FAITHFUL INSTRUCTION IS ON HER TONGUE.

Helping us find Jesus.

Thanks for instilling in us a sincere faith, for raising us as God’s own children.

We saw this example in Lois and Eunice. We also see it in Mrs. Zebedee, who in Mt. 20:20, brought her sons to Jesus because she wanted them to serve Him in His Kingdom.

Always being there for us.

Thanks for being our best cheerleader, our biggest advocate, our best friend.

Prov. 31:27 SHE WATCHES OVER THE AFFAIRS OF HER HOUSEHOLD AND DOES NOT EAT THE BREAD OF IDLENESS.

When the world falls apart and our dreams are crushed, there’s always one person we know will always be in our corner.

Never giving up on us.

Thanks for overlooking our many faults, for being infinitely patient with us, for not focusing on the present, but seeing the potential in us.

Jesus’ mother never gave up on Him. She didn’t understand Him all the time.