Godly Mother – Sermon 11 May, 2014

Godly Mother
Proverbs 31:13-35 2 Timothy 1:1-14
Happy Mother’s Day! Welcome to all of the mothers and grandmothers on this, your special day!
In 1996 Hillary Clinton published a book, where she mentioned that the children do not grow mentally and physically by the effort of the parents, rather by the efforts of the surrounding society. All the parts of the society have their influence on the growing generation. She wrote:
“It takes a village to raise a child”.
But this is not entirely true. The truth is, it takes godly parents to raise a child.
Today, more than ever in history, people other than parents are raising their children.
Because of the cost of living and the amount of low paying jobs it has become almost impossible for a family to survive without both parents being at work full time.
Hence most parents are forced to start their children in day-care almost from birth.
The result is that the village (or society) is raising the children, rather than parents.
Someone might say, “Well what is the harm in that?”
The danger is what our children are being taught by the village.
They are being taught that life’s motto is “If something seems to be right, do it. If it feels good, do it, because there is no such thing as right and wrong”.
What does society teach?
They say things like:
“There is no truth”
“Truth is relative to what you believe”.
The idea that there is no absolute ‘right and wrong’is really the most dangerous problem facing our next generation of kids today.
Humanism teaches that man is not special and is not made in the image of God. We are simply a complex form of matter. God doesn’t exist, and if anything, we are gods.
This is being taught even at very young ages.
In school kids are taught that they are nothing but glorified apes. And then we wonder why they act like it!
God’s Word assures me that we are not just a gloried monkey, but a person CREATED in the IMAGE OF GOD! But this is not what’s being taught in the ‘village’
Our society glorifies sin. Just watch television. In the past television shows were forbidden. Now almost full nudity is not uncommon in afternoon television when kids spend most of their time watching.
So, with these things in mind, is it really best that the ‘village’ does not raise the children.
Of course Day-care centres are going to be necessary, and the cost of living is not going down anytime soon.But this does not take away the responsibility of parents in the life of their children.
What is needed is godly mothers and fathers who will stand and say:
“This is right, that is not – and not because I believe it, but because the Bible says it!”
In our text today, we see two examples of godly mothers: Lois and Eunice, the mother and grandmother of Timothy.
Timothy was a young minister of the Gospel, a student of the Apostle Paul as well as his close friend and co-worker.
He served with Paul on some of his missionary journeys. He was Paul’s representative to churches and he also served as the pastor of the church Ephesus.
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul gives insight into the root of Timothy’s faith saying that it first “dwelt in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice”.
This is an important note within the text, because it gives insight into the role of a godly mother in shaping her child to do what is right and encouraged by Timothy’s response to their teachings.
Let’s note few things about Timothy’s mother and grandmother:
1. Timothy was taught as a child to seek God.
3:15b “…from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures…”. This verse indicates that he had received a religious education as a child. This education didn’t come from a priest, a Pharisee or a pastor, but from Lois and Eunice.
How many times we have heard ‘Christian’ parents say:“Well I am not going to push my beliefs off on my child, when they are old enough, they will make their choice on their own”.
These are usually the same parents who choose what sports their children play, what activities they participate in and which college they should attend.
But belief in Jesus as Saviour, the most important decision a person can make, is left up to chance!!!
Godly parents should begin teaching their children about the things of God from a young age.
Proverbs 22:6 “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it”.
The word ‘train’ doesn’t just mean ‘teach’.
You can teach your child something, and someone can teach them something else.
This word indicates ‘to prepare for a contest’.
Someone once said: “Have you ever wondered why so many parents tie up their dog, but let their children run loose?” —Anonymous
Satan is in a contest for the souls of people. He knows what is in store for him and wants as many as possible to share his fate. He influences society to influence people, and young people are the most influenced of all.
Parents have to prepare their children for that influence.
Most statistics show that a child’s behaviour is formed in early adolescence and world views concerning morality and ethics and religion are formed in the early teenage years.
The only way for the parent to know is for themselves to have a vibrant, personal relationship with God.
2. Timothy saw God’s influence in His Mother’s and Grandmother’s life.
1:5 “I have been reminded of your sincere faith whichfirst lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice”.
It is obvious that Paul knew these women and had seen their faith in action. It could have been that he and Barnabas led them to faith during his first missionary journey. They had understood the Scriptures well enough to see that Paul was a true man from God and trusted in the Gospel that resulted in a life that shown forth in faithfulness.
Godly parents cannot just ‘train’ their children in the way they should go – they must lead the way.
Sadly today we see empty churches. Parents should be leading the way to church.
Let me ask you a few questions:
1. Do your children see God’s influence in you?
2. Do they see His love, His discipline, His grace, His mercy?
3. Are you an example of godliness to your children?
Lois and Eunice were examples of Christian living to Timothy, which above societal influences, showed him how to live a godly life.
For sure Timothy had other influences in his life. As a young boy he probably had friends whose parents were not Christians.
Do our children and grandchildren see us as a godly guide in their lives? Someone who is steadfast in faith that they can look to us as an example of godliness?
Our children need godly parents and grandparents who will step out in faith and declare ‘Thus Says the Lord’.
God never intended that children be allowed to go blindly into life without any knowledge of Him, but that godly parents would guide their children into that knowledge.
If you are a parent or grandparent, I urge you, spend time with your children and tell them about God and His love for them.
Parenting involves modelling Christ-like behaviours, disciplines, and attitudes for our children because they need far more than a Christian’s description, they need an example of one.
If you have a godly mother, you should thank God for her – if you are a mother or grandmother, you should be doing your best to be an example to those little ones who look up to you.
Thank God for giving us Godly or God-fearing mothers.
Krikor Youmshajekian