I Love my Church Moms | Gig Harbor | Chapel Hill Online
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It’s been said it takes a village to raise a child. How about a church? Join Pastor Mark for this Mother’s Day sermon as he reflects on the role of women in the church, and the profound impact they have had on his personal life.
Study Questions:
1. Read Acts 16. What are the stories of the two women and in what ways are they “church mothers”?
2. Who would you call your “church mothers”? What stories do you have of how they passed on their legacy of faith to you? Would you say they were more like Eunice or Lydia?
3. How can you honor your “church mothers”? Whether they are women more like Eunice or more like Lydia, what can you do this week to honor and appreciate the specific contributions these women have made in your life?
Transcript:
You are looking at our sweet granddaughter, Cecelia, munching down on some of her first solid food: fettucine alfredo. And judging from the smile at the end of the clip…I think she likes it! Cici is the reason our beautiful daughter-in-law, Deb is celebrating her first Mother’s Day as a mom. And MY wonderful mother-in-law, Peggie, is here this weekend, joining my own mom. So, it’s going to be a festive Mother’s Day in the Toone household. For you, too, I hope, as you celebrate the moms in YOUR life. And, as we prepare to feast upon the word of the Lord this morning, I hope you take as much delight in it as Cici did in her fettuccine alfredo!
We are taking a one-week break from our journey through the book of Philippians and turning to a chapter in the early church history book called “The Acts of the Apostles.” Acts was written by Dr. Luke, the same guy who wrote the gospel.
In Acts 16, Luke tells the story of two remarkable women: a godly mother who offered her son in the service of the gospel… and a godly business woman whose leadership helped launch the first church in Europe. Two different women…two different kinds of ministries… both of them what I’d call “Church Mothers.”
When I say, “Church Mothers,” I’m not talking about my real mom…who, by the way, had the greatest influence upon my spiritual life of anyone. I’m speaking of Church Mothers whose influence is felt throughout the entire church family. In my early years at Westminster Pres in Yakima, it was Gwen Bradley. PIC Later, in Bakersfield, it was Anita Walker and Shirley Bergam. I could name several Chapel Hill Church Mothers…but I’m sure I would get in trouble for leaving some out!
But we all know who you are. We know your name. Your influence. We know your devotion and generosity. We KNOW how your witness and leadership and sacrifice have shaped this body into the Sweetheart Church that she is. We know our Church Mothers …and thank God for you!
For this Mother’s Day, I want look at the stories of two early Church Mothers. We pick up the first story as Paul travels on his second missionary journey: (Acts 16:1)
Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek…they went on their way through the cities….So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
We have a saying on our staff: “Keep your head on a swivel.” In other words, ALWAYS be on the lookout for talent. Paul was a great example. He arrived in Lystra (the town, by the way, where he was stoned nearly to death for preaching the gospel. Who would go back there??? That Paul was one tough hombre!) Paul met a young man ion Lystra named Timothy. Timothy was the son of a mixed marriage. His mom was a Jewish believer in Jesus who was married to an unbelieving husband. He was apparently firm enough in his unbelief that he didn’t allow Timothy to be circumcised according to Jewish tradition.
Now remember, this was a culture in which wives were considered chattel. A woman was, literally, her husband’s possession; like his plow or his donkey…with about as many rights. Nevertheless, Timothy’s mother was a spiritual powerhouse. With no apparent support from her husband, she imparted to her son her vibrant faith…first as a Jew…and then, later, as a believer in Jesus.
…to read more visit chapelhillpc.org/listen