Read: Galatians 6:7-8
This is springtime, and Spring is characterized by planting. It is a time to plant garden vegetables, a time to plant flowers, and for farmers, it is a time to plant their crops. Now planting presupposes that there will be a time to harvest. So springtime is a very busy time of the year for most folks, and they look forward to the time when they will be able to see the results of our labor.
Perhaps that is why 'Mother's Day' was established during this time of year. Mothers are always busy and Mothers are always planting. I'm not just referring to gardening though, I'm talking about the influence of Mothers upon their children. There are seeds a mother plants in the lives of her children that will grow and develop into that child's character and personality. NOTE: 2 Timothy 1:1-7.
In this passage, the apostle Paul writes to Timothy and we can observe that Timothy's mother did some planting in his life. We see the results now in the life of a young man that becomes a great example to us. Notice some of the seeds planted by Timothy's mother that have now come to fruit. They are seeds that need to be continually planted by mothers everywhere.
I. Background
A. Of the Epistle
1. Paul was imprisoned in Rome as a result of persecution under Nero
2. He realized as he wrote this letter that his execution was very near
a. "For I am now ready to be offered, the time of my departure is at hand" 4:6
b. tradition tells us that shortly after this letter was written Paul was beheaded for his faith
3. While in Prison, 'Paul's primary concern was not for himself, but for the success of the gospel ministry
4. This final epistle, written to his son in the faith Timothy, is a very personal letter
B. Of Timothy
1. Paul came in contact with Timothy on his second missionary journey
2. He was recommended to Paulls work by several of the brethren
3. His mother was Eunice cf Ac 16:1
a. she was a Jew
b. she was also a believer in Christ
4. His father was an unbelieving Greek
a. this is indicated by the wording of verse one
b. Timothy was a product of a mixed marriage
c. Timothy's parents were not only ethnically different, but were also spiritually different
d. the positive spiritual influence in the life of young Timothy came from his mother and grandmother
II. Some Seeds His Mother Planted
A. Open Tenderness 1:4
1. Paul said he was, "greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears..."
2. Timothy's mother planted the seed of tenderness in his life
a. it is sad that we are living in a day when tenderness is considered by many to be effeminate
b. it is alright for a woman to cry, but if a man cries, he is a sissy
c. the world's concept of the ideal man is a strong macho man who is hard as nails
3. That idea is totally unscriptural
a. David, a man after God's own heart and Israel's greatest king, was a man of tears
b. the prophets of old were men who weeped day and night - openly
c. Jesus wept over Jersualem and shed tears at the grave of Lazarus
d. the apostle Paul said, "therefore, watch and remember, that by the space of three Years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
B. Authentic Faith 1:5
1. Paul remembered 'the unfeigned faith' of Timothy
a. unfeigned = not hypocritical, genuine
b. Timothy's faith was different than that of others around Paul
2. Paul notes the source of that faith
a. first dwelt in his grandmother, Lois
b. then dwelt in his mother, Eunice
c. now dwelt in the life of Timothy
3. Genuine faith is not inherited, but is learned
a. Timothy's mother learned from her mother and then planted the seed in the life of her son
b. genuine faith is not just talked about, it is lived out day after day
c. it is passed on by experience
C. Knowledge of the Scriptures 3:15
1. Romans 10:17, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"
a. it is only natural to assume that Timothy's authentic faith grew out of a strong foundation in the Word
b. the result of the hearing of the Word is faith
c. faith apart from the Word is not genuine
2. Timothy's mother planted the seed of the Scriptures in the life of Timothy
a. 2Tim 3:15, "...from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make the wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
b. when he was just a youngster, his mother began teaching him the precious Word of God
3. That knowledge leads to salvation
a. we are not saved by believing the Bible
(JOHN 5:39) "SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES; FOR IN THEM YE THINK YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE: AND THEY ARE THEY WHICH TESTIFY OF ME."
b. we are saved by trusting the Christ who is revealed in the Scriptures
c. the Word of God reveals our need for salvation
1) it shows us that we are sinners who short of God's glory
2) it shows us that we now stand condemned
3) it shows us that we cannot save ourselves...we need the Saviour!
d. But the Bible also shows us God's wonderful plan of salvation
1) that Christ died for us
2) that if we trust HJm, He will save us
IlI. What are we planting?
A. The law of sowing and reaping
1. Gal. 6:7, "Whatsoever a man sowetht that shall he also reap"
2. We will always reap what we sow
3. We will always reap more than we sow.
4. We will always reap after we sow.
B. Are we planting what we should be planting?
1. Seeds of tenderness and compassion or seeds of callous apathy
2. Seeds of genuine faith or hypocritical and superficial faith
3. Seeds of Truth from the Scriptures or the world's philosophy and values
This morning we have viewed the results of one mother's influence in the life of her son. Parents, mothers and fathers alike, our lives are an influence on many people, but most of all upon our children. And that influence will live on even after we are gone. What about our influence this morning? Is it pleasing to God?
Are you born again? By that I mean do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Have you accepted His finished work on Calvary as payment for your sin. Are you saved this morning? If not, why not come and let us take the Word of God and show you how you can have eternal life? The invitation is for you to come, whatever the need. Come now and commit yourselves to God.