When A Mother’s Faith Becomes Contagious
II Timothy 1:1-5
Preached Wednesday January 7, 2009
Introduction:
We have all heard the cliché: “The Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.” Many men and women grow up and develop much of their faith and world view based upon what their mothers have taught them. Sometimes wayward children do not share the faith of their mother. It has been said that some good wombs carry bad children. This evening, while we acknowledge that faith is ultimately a personal choice, we will see what mothers can do to help their faith to be contagious and to be caught by their children.
Our passage this evening is probably one of the greatest praises for Godly mothering in the Bible. Young Timothy was a great joy to the Apostle Paul because of his fervent spirit and deep convictions. Upon reflection, the Apostle Paul realizes that Timothy’s grandmother, Lois had that unfeigned faith. Lois passed that unfeigned faith to her daughter Eunice, Timothy’s mother. Eunice then passed that unfeigned faith to her son Timothy. How can that faith cross over generations? The faith like that is contagious is a special kind of faith. Contagious faith is unfeigned faith. Let us study this truth together and discover the incredible blessings that occur when a mother’s faith becomes contagious.
I. Unfeigned faith is contagious
A. Definition of unfeigned
1. Anupokritos= without hypocrisy sincere
2. Hupokrisis= Hypocrisy, “play acting”
B. Faith that is pure and without play acting will leave a lasting impression.
1. Because faith produces the evidence of actions
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2. This faith is seen by children and grand children
2 Timothy 1:5
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.
3. This faith is seen by an unsaved spouse
1 Corinthians 7:14,16
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
II. Unfeigned, genuine, faith produces unfeigned love
1 Timothy 1:5
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
A. Selfless love
Romans 12:9-10
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
1. Without dissimulation= anaupokritos= without hypocrisy
2. Preferring the other over self
Philippians 2:3-4
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
B. Obedient love
1 Peter 1:22
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1. Purifies the soul
2. Strengthens your personal assurance of Salvation
1 John 3:18-21
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
III. Unfeigned love produces unfeigned wisdom
James 3:17
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
A. Pure= not contaminated
B. Peaceable
Hebrews 12:29
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
1. Produced as a result of God’s chastening
2. Produced when we surrender our will
C. Gentle= “Expresses that considerateness that looks humanly and reasonably at the facts of the case.”
D. Easy to be intreated= “To be persuaded, compliant”
E. Full of mercy= “An outward manifestation of pith”
F. Full of good fruits
Matthew 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
G. Without partiality= not to be parted, without intercession
H. Without hypocrisy= anupokristos