Pentecost 18

Pentecost 18 THE AWESOME POWER OF EXAMPLE 9/30 &10/3/04

Our Epistle lesson is a portion of Second Timothy. Please return to this passage in your Bibles, as I’ll be referring to this lesson throughout the sermon………This is a short letter, only 4 chapters in length, but it’s content is timeless. This letter was written by the apostle Paul in his elder years, but Paul is not writing from a snug little retirement cottage surrounded by loved ones who cared for him in his aging. Paul is alone. For his faith, Paul has been imprisoned in Rome by the Emperor Nero and is being held in chains. It seems, from what we read, that Paul clearly believes he is near the end of his life and encounters this unafraid.

Paul sends this Epistle, or letter, as indicated in vs. 2, to his young friend Timothy. Paul has been mentoring Timothy in the hope that Timothy will continue the missionary work to which Paul has so enthusiastically given his life. (As an aside, be watching for more information regarding our Mentor Ministry here at Grace) Early in his letter, Paul expresses gratitude for Timothy’s strong faith in Christ Jesus, writing in vs. 5: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and now, I am sure, lives in you.”

This endorsement by the apostle emphasizes a conviction about which I am increasingly convinced: In the early years of a child’s growth, the most powerful influence that parents have on their children is through example. I believe that in these early years, faith and religion are far more “caught” than “taught”! I certainly do not discount the importance of teaching Bible stories in Sunday School, but the impact of adults worshiping with their children and attending Sunday School with their children…the influence of parents as their children observe the love of God in prayer and praise…is awesome! There is no Sunday School lesson, nor sermon, that can compare to THE AWESOME POWER OF EXAMPLE!

Will the children sometimes get bored? Of course! We adults do to! Will children sometimes misbehave? Didn’t you?! In spite of that, what is communicated to young children is that worship, confession, forgiveness, Scripture, prayer, and praise are highly valued in the lives of their parents and their family. This kind of modeling is priceless! So, parents and grandparents, even when you’ve had a rough day with the children in worship, don’t give up! Keep at it! Never discount the impact of your example! Children learn what they live and learn much through our example. Dr. Albert Schweitzer once said: “Example is not the main thing---it’s the only thing!”

Paul, in vs. 5, mentions the example of Timothy’s grandmother and mother in providing a legacy of faith in Timothy’s younger years. Have you ever wondered why there is no mention of Timothy’s grandfather, but in Acts 16:1 we read that Timothy’s mother was a Christian and his father a Greek. I’ve known more “spiritual widows” than “widowers” in my years as a Pastor. Sometimes our most faithful women are married to our least faithful men! One man, in conversation about his inactivity at Church, said to me: “Pastor, I do believe my wife works enough at Grace for the both of us!” I softly asked him, “Are you willing to bet your eternal life on that belief?” He was silent… In vs. 9 we read: God “has saved us and called us to a holy life---not because of anything we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus…”

If you are sitting hear with your spouse, take their hand and share a smile of appreciation for this shared faith experience. If you are married, but worshiping alone, do not give up on your spouse. Remember THE AWESOME POWER OF EXAMPLE. If you have come to worship by yourself, I assure you that---at Grace and through grace---you will never worship alone! We are the “body of Christ,” the “communion of saints,” a family of faith.

While on internship in Richmond, Indiana an elderly man named Bill faithfully attended worship. Bill was legally blind and his hearing was greatly impaired. I visited Bill in his small apartment one afternoon and asked: “Bill, I’m curious. I know that you can’t hear or see very well when you come to worship. So, I’m wondering, why do you come?” Bill didn’t hesitate, turning toward the sound of my questioning voice. Slowly and confidently, he replied: “Dan, I come because I want the Lord and all people to know whose side I’m on!”

I thank God for people like Bill…and, for people like St. Paul and Timothy…and Timothy’s mother Eunice and grandmother Lois…and for the faith examples that have so influenced my life…and for all of you who exemplify, by your presence now, “whose side” you’re on! May we pray that, each day, “with the help of the Holy Spirit”, enable each of us to be a living example worth following! May all in worship respond by saying: AMEN!

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