Messages
Influence of a Godly Heritage - Lois & Eunice - Pastor Liz Winnington
2 Timothy 1:5 (Please read this scripture reference)
Paul is writing to Timothy from the dungeon awaiting execution. He is
exhorting Timothy to continue in the faith, to continue in what he has been
taught.
Lois and Eunice were two women who were committed to raising a young boy,
Timothy, to be a faithful disciple and a young man of God. In fact, Paul
called Timothy a fellow worker (Romans 16:21) but more so in 2 Timothy he
writes to Timothy as a beloved son. He not only saw the potential in
Timothy from a young age but took him on as his apprentice. He was
influential in training and discipling him. Today is about the influence of
Timothy's mother and grandmother in his life to bring him to that place.
This is the only scripture that mentions Lois and Eunice by name and also
uses the term grandmother.
Nothing is recorded about family history as such, but we can glean a little
from scripture.
Lois had obviously instructed her daughter, Eunice from a young age in Old
Testament scriptures, therefore suggesting that she herself was devout in
the Jewish faith and beliefs.
In Acts 16:1 we learn that Eunice was also a devout Jewish woman and a
believer, that she married a Greek man, an unbeliever. It is also the only
mention of Timothy’s father. There is a thought that he may have died or
maybe abandoned the family. We don’t know. Eunice believed Gods Word and
obeyed. She accepted Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah. There is
NOTHING recorded of their past.
When we come to Christ and are born again, when we go through the waters of
baptism, our old life is buried our past is GONE. ALL records of our past
are erased. Nothing from our past is recorded. ( 2 Cor 5:17 “if any man be
in Christ he is a NEW creation...”) Don’t allow your past to influence your
future or the teaching and training of your children and grandchildren.
Let us again have a look at Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:5 “When
I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you”. Genuine
faith….sincere….authentic… real…. It came from within. It was first in
Timothy's Grandmother, Lois, who had passed it onto her daughter, Eunice,
who passed it onto her son Timothy. Generational. Passing on to the next
generation.
Traditionally in a Jewish family, it was the Father’s responsibility to
teach the scriptures. But as mentioned in Acts 16:1-3, Timothy's father was
an unbeliever and was probably absent from his upbringing. Therefore in the
absence of a father, it became the responsibility, the power and influence
of a Godly mother and grandmother, - Lois and Eunice. Paul states in 2
Timothy3:14-17 “you MUST continue..” Paul is not suggesting a good idea to
Timothy. It takes a disciplined lifestyle to ‘continue in the faith’. In
V15 it says “You took in the sacred scriptures with your mother’s milk”
(MSG) In other words from a very young age they read the scriptures.
Perhaps they told the stories of a young Samuel or David, Moses or Joseph,
other stories of generational influences from young lives.
Timothy would have listened to these many times. Grandmothers, mothers,
today is a challenge to share the stories of your faith. V16-17 Lois and
Eunice demonstrated with their lives how to live by Gods Word, how to live
a transformed life and what it means to be a believer and follower of
Christ. They lived from the perspective of Christ within.
Studying the Bible is great, continually reciting the Bible is great…...
BUT ! if it doesn’t impact the way you live, it is for NOTHING! It is
Transformation NOT Information that changes lives. Timothy watched this
over and over again growing up. He learned it. As Paul wrote to Timothy…..
“Remember what you Believe”…... In Gods’ eyes, when He sees you, He sees
the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, not your past. Eunice knew she had
messed up her life but no doubt the responsibility of having a baby
(Timothy) made her think about her own upbringing and what her Mum had
taught her. She would have known that her Mum, Lois, would be praying. Her
life was transformed as she allowed her love for Gods Word to influence her
life. She demonstrated this transformation and passed it on to the next
generation……. Timothy. The name Eunice means ‘conquering well, happy
victory’. She overcame difficult circumstances in life to be victorious and
influence the next generation Lois and Eunice shaped and moulded Timothy's
young life in preparation for his future.
TODAY! Be women of encouragement…...Be women of wisdom…...Be women of
influence. Whether that be to your own children or grandchildren or whether
that be as a mother or grandmother in the Faith……….. PASS IT ON!
Pastor Liz Winnington
Have a Blessed Week Ahead
Pastor Stuart & Colleen