I want to begin by expressing my gratitude and appreciation to this congregation for the really great love demonstrated for Opal Lewis and her family last Monday as we celebrated her life and mourned her death. The effort, the work, the provision of food was tremendous and was deeply appreciated by Opal’s family. Opal was a great Christian woman and left a great example for us all. An example of devotion to the Lord in that she never missed a service of the Lord’s church if it was at all possible for her to get there. She also an example of living life to the fullest in refusing to let things get her down. Her sense of humor was a demonstration of this. No matter how hard things got for her, she managed to keep that wonderful attitude. And, here is another wonderful thing, Opal was just one of several ladies in the Wagoner congregation that set this kind of an example for all who knew them. Others like Okie Harris and Muncy Johnson had much the same attitude as did Opal and did their best to share it with those around them.
Now, here is the question each of us must ask ourselves; What kind of an example am I setting for those around me, who know me? Notice what God’s Word has to say to us about this. “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:12).
“in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,” (Titus 2:7).
So, looking at these two passages of scripture, we must ask ourselves; if my family, if my friends follow my example, how devoted to the Lord will they be? If they follow my example, how faithful will they be in attending the services of the church? If they follow my example how devoted will they be to prayer and Bible study? If they follow my example, will they truly put the Lord first in their lives above everything in this world?
Now, here is another thing to think about concerning all this. Everyone of us is going to die, everyone of us will have a funeral sermon preached over us at that time. When that preacher preaches my funeral sermon, what will he say about me? Will the focus of the sermon be on the good that I did for the Lord’s church, on the example I set for others, on those who became Christians because of the life I lived? Or, is that an area the preacher will have to avoid concerning my life? Will he be able to preach with confidence that I will be saved eternally or is that something he will have to avoid also? We must remember that we exist to serve and glorify God, not to serve ourselves. We must do all we can to insure that we truly remain faithful to God first and foremost above everything in this world. What kind of an example are you setting for your family and your friends with the life you are living right now?
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
Now, here is the question each of us must ask ourselves; What kind of an example am I setting for those around me, who know me? Notice what God’s Word has to say to us about this. “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:12).
“in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,” (Titus 2:7).
So, looking at these two passages of scripture, we must ask ourselves; if my family, if my friends follow my example, how devoted to the Lord will they be? If they follow my example, how faithful will they be in attending the services of the church? If they follow my example how devoted will they be to prayer and Bible study? If they follow my example, will they truly put the Lord first in their lives above everything in this world?
Now, here is another thing to think about concerning all this. Everyone of us is going to die, everyone of us will have a funeral sermon preached over us at that time. When that preacher preaches my funeral sermon, what will he say about me? Will the focus of the sermon be on the good that I did for the Lord’s church, on the example I set for others, on those who became Christians because of the life I lived? Or, is that an area the preacher will have to avoid concerning my life? Will he be able to preach with confidence that I will be saved eternally or is that something he will have to avoid also? We must remember that we exist to serve and glorify God, not to serve ourselves. We must do all we can to insure that we truly remain faithful to God first and foremost above everything in this world. What kind of an example are you setting for your family and your friends with the life you are living right now?
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
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