Raise ‘Em Right
II Timothy 1:4, 5; 3:14, 15
JOKE: Three sons
left home, went out on their own and became very prosperous. Getting back
together, they discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother
for Mother’s Day.
The first said, "I bought her a brand new big house."
The second said," I sent her a Mercedes with a
driver."
The third smiled and said, "I've got you, both beat.
You know how Mom enjoys the Bible, and you know she can't see very well. I sent
her a very rare, brown parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took 20
monks in a monastery 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute
$100,000.00 a year for 10 years, but it was worth it. Mom just has to name the
chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it."
Soon thereafter, they dropped in to see her.
"Milton,"
she told the first son, "This house you bought me is so huge. I live in
only one room, but I have to clean the whole house."
"Marvin," she told her second son, "I am too
old to travel. I stay home all the time, so I never use the Mercedes. And the
driver just sits around doing nothing all day!"
"Dearest Melvin," she told her third son,
"You were the only son to have the good sense to know what your mother
likes. That was the most tender fried chicken I’ve ever eaten!"
Intro: The name
Timothy means “honouring God”. His mother had a desire for her son to grow up
and honor God. As it turned out, Timothy did indeed honor God with his
life. What did his mother have that
mothers today should have? What did she do that produced a young man that honored
God with his life?
I. Right
Assurances
In a day when parents are obsessed with their child’s
“self-esteem”, we need to teach our children the importance of putting their
assurance in the right things.
·
II Tim.
3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been
assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the
holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus.
A. The
Origin of his Assurance – knowing of
whom thou hast learned them
·
II Tim.
1:5 When I call to remembrance the
unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and
thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
B. The
Object of his Assurance – continue thou
in the THINGS which thou has learned and has been assured of
His mother and grandmother taught him to be assured - not in
himself, but in the Scriptures.
We know from I Tim. 5:23 that he was a sickly and weak young
man, plagued with “often infirmities.”
Paul even had to remind him not to have the “spirit of fear”
in II Tim. 1:7
C. The
Outcome of his Assurance – which are
able to make thee wise unto salvation
His mother was not concerned about her son having the wisdom
of this world.
She wasn’t focused on him being “street wise”.
She wanted him to have a godly wisdom; a wisdom that
produced salvation.
II. Right
Associations
·
II Tim.
1:4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be
filled with joy…Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift
of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
We live in a time when children are exposed to all the wrong
influences, and not enough of the right influences.
People with the most vile and ungodly lifestyles are treated
as heroes and celebrities, while those that live godly suffer persecution and
reproach.
Athletes, movie stars, musicians, celebrities – all clamoring
for the attention and affections of our children.
Example:
·
Prince – a cross-dressing, drug addict is
celebrated as a superstar
·
Beyoncé – Adele called her “Jesus Christ” last
week, and President Obama referred to her in a speech yesterday at Howard
University as the woman that runs the world.
Paul was one of those people that was imprisoned, beaten,
stoned to death, and martyred for his faith.
He wrote the church at Corinth - 1 Corinthians 4:13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as
the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Timothy’s mother and grandmother made sure that Timothy hung
around the right people.
I Tim. 1:2 – Paul called him “my son in the faith”.
The Scripture tells us that Timothy’s mother was a Jew, and
his father was a Greek.
There is no record of Timothy’s father anywhere in the
Scriptures – we know nothing about him.
This phrase was generally used to describe the convert or on
that had been instrumental in leading someone to Christ.
Acts 16:1-3 tells us that his mother and grandmother allowed
Timothy to travel with Paul.
They allowed God’s man to take their son under his wing and
personally influence and invest in his life.
Paul encouraged Timothy how to behave:
·
1 Timothy
3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave
thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar
and ground of the truth.
Paul encouraged Timothy not to let his youth hinder his
ability to lead:
·
1 Timothy
4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers,
in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Paul taught Timothy “SOUND WORDS”.
·
II Tim.
1:13 Hold fast the form of sound
words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which
dwelleth in us.
III. Right Aspirations
Timothy’s mother and grandmother used their influence to
instill within Timothy the right kind of desires.
Timothy had an amazing heart for God and for the work of
God.
Paul referred to Timothy in his letter to the Corinthians several
times:
·
1
Corinthians 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you
Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you
into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every
church.
·
1
Corinthians 16:10 Now if Timotheus
come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the
Lord, as I also do.
Paul’s statement concerning Timothy was one of the highest
compliments Paul ever gave anybody.
·
Philippians
2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to
send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I
know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your
state. For all seek their own, not the
things which are Jesus Christ’s. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son
with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
The Scriptures are filled with many positive things about
Timothy and his desire to serve the Lord.
He was one of Paul’s most trusted and reliable helpers.
Paul referred to him as:
·
My workfellow – Rom. 16:1
·
Our brother, and minister of God, and our
fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, - I Thess. 3:2
·
Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful
in the Lord, - I Cor. 4:17
When Paul was in prison, he wrote Timothy – the pastor of
the church at Ephesus.
It is evident that Timothy had a heart for God and a love
for ministry because he had a teachable spirit.
Paul the Apostle wrote 2 very powerful and very personal
books to young Timothy.
Conclusion: I
believe it was the “unfeigned faith” of his mother and grandmother that
produced a Timothy that God could use, that God could put his hands on and put
into the ministry. On this Mother’s Day, let’s purpose in our hearts as parents
to take the children that God has given us and “RAISE ‘EM RIGHT!”
