Faithfulness (6 of 7)
Series: Fruit of the Spirit
Will McGee
Psalm 89
INTRODUCTION:
A few years ago, when I was just starting out in ministry.... I was serving as an associate pastor.
- And one week, my senior pastor was out of town on vacation. Which meant I was in charge of the pastoral responsibilities.
- I was in the office that week, when I received word that a longtime church member had passed away.
- I didn't know this church member particularly well... He had been sick and homebound from the time I joined the church.
- So, in order to write a proper funeral sermon, I met with his wife... His children... His friends.
- Many senior adults in the community, when they heard I was preaching the funeral, called to share stories....
- And the word that kept coming up when people described Mr. Miller was this: Faithful. (Loyal, dependable).
Faithful to his country - Fought in three wars. WW2, Korea, Vietnam. Earned Silver Star (Third-highest decoration for valor in combat).
- Faithful to his wife 70+ years
- Faithful to his children...
- Faithful to his church. Had been a member nearly 80 years.
- Faithful to his neighbors. At 92, you would think a funeral service would be empty. But it was packed with people of all ages. He was faithful neighbor.
- He was a man who had stayed the course. He wasn't afraid to make commitments... And when he made them, he stuck with them.
It left an enormous impact on the lives of those around him. I remember feeling so unworthy to be speaking at his funeral.
David Brooks - NYT Columnist, recently wrote a book called The Road to Character.
- He contrasts what he calls ''Resume virtues'' (achieving wealth, fame, and status) to ''Eulogy virtues'' (who we are at our core---kindness, bravery, honesty, faithfulness, focusing on what kind of relationships we have formed).
- He challenges his readers to cultivate the virtues that truly matter.
When I was standing at a pulpit above Mr. V ...
Series: Fruit of the Spirit
Will McGee
Psalm 89
INTRODUCTION:
A few years ago, when I was just starting out in ministry.... I was serving as an associate pastor.
- And one week, my senior pastor was out of town on vacation. Which meant I was in charge of the pastoral responsibilities.
- I was in the office that week, when I received word that a longtime church member had passed away.
- I didn't know this church member particularly well... He had been sick and homebound from the time I joined the church.
- So, in order to write a proper funeral sermon, I met with his wife... His children... His friends.
- Many senior adults in the community, when they heard I was preaching the funeral, called to share stories....
- And the word that kept coming up when people described Mr. Miller was this: Faithful. (Loyal, dependable).
Faithful to his country - Fought in three wars. WW2, Korea, Vietnam. Earned Silver Star (Third-highest decoration for valor in combat).
- Faithful to his wife 70+ years
- Faithful to his children...
- Faithful to his church. Had been a member nearly 80 years.
- Faithful to his neighbors. At 92, you would think a funeral service would be empty. But it was packed with people of all ages. He was faithful neighbor.
- He was a man who had stayed the course. He wasn't afraid to make commitments... And when he made them, he stuck with them.
It left an enormous impact on the lives of those around him. I remember feeling so unworthy to be speaking at his funeral.
David Brooks - NYT Columnist, recently wrote a book called The Road to Character.
- He contrasts what he calls ''Resume virtues'' (achieving wealth, fame, and status) to ''Eulogy virtues'' (who we are at our core---kindness, bravery, honesty, faithfulness, focusing on what kind of relationships we have formed).
- He challenges his readers to cultivate the virtues that truly matter.
When I was standing at a pulpit above Mr. V ...
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