2016-05-08
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Memory Verse:
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Today is Mother’s Day and we certainly honor all of the amazing moms here who have had such great impact on all of us. We are blessed beyond measure to have been impacted by them. So today, I want to look at a passage that also discusses the impact of some special moms, but not for the sake of simply talking about moms, but to focus on why we should learn from others to have peace in life.
2 Timothy 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
1. Looking Back for Strength
vs 3b as my forefathers did
-There are great lessons to be learned from looking back at influencers in our past
-But never allow those reflections into our past to keep us there
2. Influence Really Does Matter
5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also
-Be careful how we teach and influence others through our actions
3. In Order For Us To Be An Example To Others
6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
-Let your love for Him be an opportunity to bring others into a relationship with Him
4. Renews Our Strength
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
8a Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord…
-Fear is the single greatest roadblock to experiencing God’s peace
-Fear of acceptance
-Fear of faith
-Fear of standing alone
5. He Protects Us Until The End of Time
12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
-He is “able to keep”
-“keep” = phylassō (foo-LAH-so) to guard a person (or thing) that he may remain safe; to guard from being lost or perishing
-He will never let us go; eternally secure
-What do you need Him to “keep” for you today?
-What lessons can you learn from your past that will move you closer to God today?
-What impact can you have on those around you today that will help them move closer to God?