Paul is making reference to Timothy when he tells us that there is "… no man likeminded…" Basically he is saying that there is no one else that is like him. Now this is quite a commendation. What in Timothy's character would justify such a statement? Let's read 1 Timothy 1:1-5.
(2 Tim 1:5a) "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee…"
Here Paul speaks of Timothy's faith, his unfeigned faith. The word 'unfeigned' means honest or genuine faith. Paul relates Timothy's faith to the faith of his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois. In this passage we see three generations of faith.
Now most of us have precious treasures that we have received from our mothers or our grandmothers. These treasures may not be valuable in today's market, but they are priceless to us, because they were handed down to us through the generations.
May I suggest that there is something more precious than those heirlooms? It is our faith. Mothers, and grandmothers, this is your day. It is the day we celebrate, honor, and remember each of you. But here we have a mother and grandmother that have been placed within the pages of the Word of God for all of us to remember. Why, because they were careful to pass along their faith. This morning I want to challenge each of us to follow their example. Pass along your faith to your children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. It will be the most important gift that you can give to them.
I. A Faith Which is Scriptural.
(2 Tim 3:15) "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. Timothy had been taught the Word of God.
1. His mother and grandmother were not afraid to instruct him in the ways of the Lord.
2. Occasionally I come across folks who fancy themselves to be real progressive in their thinking.
3. They are eager to spout the latest child psycho-babble that they have read or heard about letting the child find their own way in life.
4. But we are instructed that as parents, we have the God-given responsibility to rear our children in His ways according to His Word.
B. Timothy's faith was a direct result of being taught the Word of God.
(Rom 10:17) "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
1. Education is important, to be sure, but children need to be instructed in the Word of God.
2. Spiritual illiteracy is rampant in today's society.
3. God's Word is clear concerning our responsibilities.
(Deu 11:18-19) "Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. {19} And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.".
II. A Faith that is Real.
A. Remember Paul described Timothy's faith as being 'unfeigned'.
1. That means it was a real faith, not phony.
2. Timothy had seen this real faith in the life of his mother and grandmother.
3. It was demonstrated by how they lived, not just by what they said.
(James 2:18) "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works."
4. God uses James to point out that real faith is always manifested by what we do.
B. Faith is communicated by practical demonstration.
1. The greatest demonstration of our faith is to live honestly before our family.
2. Children have an amazing ability to see through the façade to what is real in our lives.
3. Timothy had excellent examples of genuine faithfulness in both his mother and his grandmother.
(2 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;"
III. A Faith that is Memorable.
A. The lasting influence of faith.
1. When all else has been long forgotten, what is remembered is faith.
2. The great heroes of the Old Testament are recorded in Hebrews 11.
3. It is not so much the accomplishments that are emphasized, but the fact that they did it all by faith.
4. It is not so much the quantity of faith, but the quality of faith.
5. Jesus said with faith as a grain of mustard seed, trees could be uprooted and mountains could be moved.
B. What will our children and grandchildren remember about us?
1. Will they remember our faith in the Word of God and the God of the Word?
2. Will they remember that our faith was genuine?
3. Will they remember our faith or our faithlessness?
As we consider our faith this morning, perhaps you need to trust Christ as your Savior. The invitation is for you to do just that. Come now and allow us to show you from the Word of God how much He loves you, and how you can have eternal life. Perhaps we have not been the example of faith that we need to be to our families. The Bible tells us that we can do all things through Christ…will you come today? Whatever the need might be the invitation is for you to come and do business with God.