Mother's Day

Mother's Day gives us a chance to examine two important things. First, what type of lives are we living in terms of a model for the next generation. Second, are we thankful for the models, especially the mothers, that are set before us in how we were raised in the faith.

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Good Morning and happy Mother’s Day to all of our mother’s gathered here and watching online this morning. I’ll begin by sharing a story I was reminded of last week in Sunday School when we were talking about the great Christian Radio show “Unshackled!” and it’s use of organ reverb. Nick!

The show is sponsored by Pacific Garden Mission, which not only has done live Evangelistic radio shows for 75 years but has a famous street mission that feeds and ministers to the homeless of Chicago. One interesting evangelistic tool they used many decades ago you might not understand right away. In their mission hall, where they fed people, and had a preacher, and Bible Verses and sayings on the wall. One verse, of course was John 3:16, written out for everyone to read while the preacher spoke. Behind the pulpit was written the question, “When did you last write to your mother?”

These ideas may sound different at first, until you consider their purpose as a mission. When a homeless man, a prodigal, almost always an addict, comes into the mission, feeling very hungry and very unloved…He may not always see and understand John 3:16, and God’s incredible love for us. But for many men coming in, not all, but many, they can remember just how much their mother loved them. And understanding how much your mother loved you can be a tool to help people understand how much more God loves us.

This morning, our second lesson looked at two mothers and role models, Lois and Eunice. Lois was the grandmother of Timothy and Eunice his mom, and Paul had spent years traveling and evangelizing with Timothy.

Spending days and nights with someone really lets you know who they are, and how they were brought up. Timothy was actually a co-writer of 6 of Paul’s epistles, in addition to the two that Paul wrote him, so he was deeply involved in Paul’s Ministry.

And Paul says that the sincerity of his faith, and later in chapter 3, paul says that Timothy’s knowledge of scripture is due to the diligent work of his mom and grandmom. Paul uses a word to describe their faith as being “without hypocrisy.” Lois and Eunice showed Timothy by word and by how they lived what it means to live a genuine, sincere and authentic faith.

What higher tribute could be given any mother or grandma on Mother’s Day than to say: You modeled and then passed to me an authentic faith! I’d say it’s pretty good to be able to say that to anyone, actually.

Paul reminds Timothy that he has been given a steady ladder which will guarantee his success -- the sincere faith in God and in His Word, which mother and grandmother patiently taught him from his youth. Paul also reminds Timothy that he has within him a gift -- a spirit of power, love and self-control.

While it may very well be that not all of us have had mothers and grandmothers that cared for us the way Lois and Eunice did for Timothy, if you are here, I am sure that there were spiritual parents and mentors that have helped shape your faith.

How did Eunice and Lois prepare Timothy to exercise self-control, and put to use the power of the Spirit? Paul tells us in chapter 3, verse 14-15, that Mom and Grandma did it by making known to him the Holy Scriptures from the time of his childhood.

As for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it

What did he learn??? How and when did he learn it?

15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

This is the whole principle behind infant Baptism when you think about it. If it is truly important to me, it is essential for me to share it with you, especially you, the next generation. This is why reading the Bible with children and grandchildren is so important.

Paul follows it up with this familiar verse,

“All Scripture is God breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”. 

This, of course, brings up a favorite point that pastors like to make. The job of being the primary teacher of Scripture is not given to the Pastor or Sunday School teacher, though I do my best, but it is the job of parents and grandparents and guardians, and etc. When you impart faith, be plain and not apologetic in your use of Scripture. Use it to teach, to correct and train in righteousness. Training for righteousness is not guesswork. It takes place when young people continually hear that the most important thing in life is to keep a right relationship with God.

Our charge on this Mother’s Day is two-fold. First to rededicate ourselves to being the parents and Grandparents the Bible models for us.

We have lots of these models in the Bible, like Lois and Eunice, like Mary, or like Hannah from our first lesson. Not just for kids of course, but to all those who see us, that in seeing us, they see someone who reflects a life grounded in God’s word. But I would say, we should especially try to show that to those to whom we have a God given obligation…  ……

Sit down, and let them know WHY you have put your trust in God. And be honest when you struggle, because they will struggle too.

You may not recognize our opening lesson, but that is the song of Hannah, a barren woman who in her old age, gave birth to Samuel, the last of the judges of the people of Israel, and probably the best of all the judges. She thanked God for the opportunity not only to have faith, but to pass it on to Samuel, and his life is immortalized by having 2 books of the Bible covering his life and  ministry..

Ok, that’s the first thing. Secondly, give thanks to God for our Mother’s, Grand-mother’s, Step-Mothers and spiritual Mothers, for the positive things they have done in our lives. Thank God for all the blessings they have brought out.

And if you are able to still thank them personally, take time to tell them about your faith and the part they have played in bringing you to that faith. Let your mentors know how you thank God for their influence in your life.