My Heroes of the Faith
January 14, 2007 AM Sermon
2 Timothy 4: 7-8
Last Sunday, we opened 2007 with a look back at Noah and the Ark, noticing how Noah followed God for his every move. Today, keeping the same hero theme, we go in a totally different direction. A personal direction if you will. Today we will look at three persons, whose lives were shown as an example to me as a child and whose teachings have helped shape and mold me through the years. So sit back and relax – listen to the power of 2 Timothy 4:7-8, let it change your heart as we look at My Heroes of the Faith.
Text
Paul was ready to go. He knew his time on earth was winding down. He was literally begging for help in his letters to Timothy, however, his cries of desperation arrived too late for him. Paul was a true hero of the faith. Regardless of his condition – poor eyesight, not the best looking fellow in the world – former sinner, he stayed with God the Father. Three people, all from my home church – my heroes.
I. Amie Edna Dewberry
a. A woman of the faith
b. Former Primitive Baptist – saved in 1947, joined the Southern Missionary Baptist Church at Carlisle
c. Served in various capacities in the community, PTA president at Sardis HS, Quilting Club, etc.
• Qualities to make her a hero
o Faithful – to God, to family, to church, to others
Many times Nanny didn’t feel like going to church – her arthritis literally helped lead to her death. She kept going.
Many times Nanny didn’t feel like helping someone – she helped
Many times Nanny didn’t feel like cooking for the Sunday meal – she did anyway.
Her priorities always listed God first – it showed in her everything.
o Dedicated
Without her dedication, many things would have never gotten completed at church. Curtains, refinishing furniture, pews, carpet, etc. If she wouldn’t have taken the initiative to do it – forget it.
She was dedicated to helping raise me. Without her constant leading me to the faith on a daily basis, God only knows where I would be today.
Family, Friends – always there
o Compassionate
Literally took Matthew 9:37-38 to heart
o Spoke from her heart
Last testimony/Last Song
Life was a constant echo of praise to God.
II. Lillian Alexander
a. A woman of the faith
b. Former Methodist, joined the Baptist Faith in the early 1940’s.
c. Served as Children’s SS Teacher for over 40 years.
i. Taught 100’s of kids about the love of God.
ii. Led many children to Christ
• Qualities to make her a hero
o Uncanny ability to love people
Lillian could find a way to love the unlovable
She saw beneath the skin, she searched for an individual’s heart
She looked for their needs – offered Jesus for their answer
o Committed
At one stretch in her life, she went for years without missing a Sunday – that is until her daughter moved out of state. When she visited her – she went to church.
Always sung in the choir – always there, sang until she was 90
Along with Nanny, helped me start the choir at Carlisle
o Ability to shoot you straight
If she didn’t agree with you on something, she didn’t go to another person – she’d tell you to her face.
o Testimony
In church until her dying day
All of her family is serving in churches all across Sand Mountain. Her grandson is serving as Minister of Youth at FBC Albertville.
III. Bonard Brewster
a. A Man of the Faith
b. One of the earlier members of Carlisle Church
c. Served as Deacon for a few years, men’s SS teacher for many years
i. Deacon until a family crisis – stepped down, didn’t want to bring reproach upon the church.
• Qualities to make him a hero
o Encourager
An encourager to me is not someone who always says what you want to hear. An encourager is one who says something you need to hear.
Bonard was this person.
“Regardless of where life takes you, always remember where you came from.”
o Soul Winner
Never afraid to get out in the community and talk about Jesus
Used his pond to attract people to church
The three heroes that I have shared with you today are near and dear to my heart. The compiled listing of qualities go like this:
1. Faithful
2. Dedicated
3. Compassionate
4. Spoke from the Heart
5. Uncanny Ability to Love the Unlovable
6. Committed
7. Ability to Shoot you Straight
8. Testimony
9. Encourager
10. Soul Winner
These 10 qualities were evident in their lives. Evident in the church – as the church grew Spiritually and Numerically. Are these evident in us today as Christians and as the Church universal?
When all is said and done – I want to hear – “Well Done” not “Depart”
Christianity is not a game – it is a daily fight – a daily race
A Christian must be well conditioned in God’s Word
“Study to shew thyself approved”
A Christian must be well conditioned in Prayer
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”
A Christian must be well conditioned in not talking, but living it out
How did Nanny, Lillian, and Bonard do it? They were studied up, prayed up, living it out warriors for Christ.
Conclude as HS leads
