What About Ed?
by: Pastor Donny Granberry
INTRODUCTION
This morning, I would like to introduce you to Ed.
Ed has been a friend, a strong tower, a shelter in the time of storm, and a solid foundation to all who have sought him out.
Ed could not speak to us today, but he is here with us.
Ed has been around since the beginning of time, and is still as much alive today as he was in the O.T.
Ed has been forgotten, neglected, and even asked to leave many places.
As long as Ed has been remembered, the people and places have prospered, but when Ed has been forgotten and mistreated, there have been serious consequences.
I thought it would be fitting to give a brief biography about Ed.
We find Ed mentioned all through the Bible.
As a matter of fact, Ed is mentioned 375 times in the KJV of the bible.
ED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Most people don’t realize this, but Noah and his family were not the only ones who survived the flood, Ed survived the flood also.
If you were to look closely at the 8th chapter of Genesis, you will see that not only Noah, Shem, Ham, Japeth, and there wives mentioned, but so was Ed.
Ed went with Lot into the plain of Jordan when Lot and Abraham separated to keep peace among their herdsmen.
Everything went well until Lot and his family moved into Sodom and Gomorrah and turned their backs on Ed.
Abraham decided to take Ed with him and gave him the proper honor that Ed deserved.
Even after Isaac was born, Abraham included Ed in the development of Isaac’s life and Abraham and Isaac spent much time with Ed and Isaac learned to love Ed.
Isaac also taught his sons to love and respect Ed, and made Ed an important part of their life.
Esau decided to turn away from Ed, but Jacob had a deep love for him and made him an important part of his life.
Jacob too taught his children to love Ed and to give place for him in their life.
Joseph’s relationship with Ed gave him the strength and desire to be faithful to his God in every circumstance he faced.
From Jealous brothers, to being in the pit, being sold as a slave, being falsely accused, being imprisoned, and then showing kindness to his brothers, all of this came from Joseph spending time with Ed.
Ed was with the Children of Israel when they were delivered from Egypt and Pharaoh and began their journey to Canaan.
Ed was there when they built the wilderness tabernacle and was one of the first to go into the tabernacle.
When the Israelites decided they didn’t need Ed anymore, the presence of God and the protection of God would leave them.
Ed was in Jerusalem when Solomon’s Temple was built and was in the service when it was dedicated and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.
Ed was also there when the wicked Kings ruled over Israel and decided they did not want Ed in the Tabernacle anymore and expelled him from the house of God.
Ed left the temple the day that Eckebod was written in the door of the temple. (The spirit of the Lord has gone)
After Ed left, the Judah was taken away as captives to Babylon.
Ed went to Babylon and was a strength to Sadrach, Meshack, and Abednego was thrown into the fiery furnace.
Ed was also in the room with Daniel when he was arrested and thrown to the Lion’s.
ED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Ed was present in the Temple, although most of the priest did not give him his proper place.
We find that Ed was with Christ and his disciples everywhere they went.
Ed was so important to Jesus that if you really look closely, you will see that Christ know Ed very intimately.
Ed was in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was arrested and taken to Pilate.
If you look closely, you will find Ed at the foot of the cross when Jesus gave His life for the sins of man.
We also see, 50 days later, that Ed is one of those in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given.
We also see that Ed was in the house when Peter and John were threatened and released and they went to their own company.
He was there when they prayed and the place was shaken with the power of the Holy Spirit and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
Ed paid a visit to Paul and Silas in Prison, and it too was shaken.
Ed was even there with America’s forefathers, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, and the many others who wrote out Declaration of Independence, and the writers of our U. S. Constitution, and was proud as they wrote out, “One Nation, Under God…”
He has also seen each Senator, Legislator, and liberal group one by one attempt to ban him from our country and vote him out of the House and Senate.
Ed has been told that he is no longer needed in our Courthouses, government ran offices, and social services.
He has been told to leave our collages, Schools, and even School sporting events.
Many of the churches of America have to Ed that he is no longer needed in the church because he could be taken by some to be offensive.
Even worse, Ed is not needed and used in most homes today, and we awonder what is wrong with America.
MY TEXT THIS MORNING:
Joshua 22:34
And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God.
There was a movie out a few years ago called, “What about Bob?”
Bob was a man who had become a nuisance to others therefore he was despised and rejected.
To far too many people today the altar has become a nuisance to them.
It has become inconvenient, and we are paying the price for it today.
Friend, when the altar becomes inconvenient, it is time to stop what you are doing and refocus on what matters in life.
• It was at an altar when I was just a baby, and my parents had me anointed and prayed for because I was born with internal problems and the doctors told my parents that I would have to have multiple surgeries to correct as I grew up, but at that altar, God healed me.
• It was at an altar when at the age of 20 years old I found Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
• It was at that same altar, the next night, when God gloriously baptized me in the Holy Ghost.
• It was at that same altar six months later that Marlys and I stood and entered into a covenant with God and each other to become husband and wife.
• It was at that same altar that over the next five years Marlys and I stood and dedicated Kirk, Lindsey and Brandon to the Lord.
• It was at the altar when God confirmed His call of Ministry on my Life.
• It was at an altar where I was ordained to preach this Gospel.
• It was at an altar, made on the floor of my bedroom at 1505 Roosevelt in Deer Park when God healed me of Leukemia.
• It was at an altar, made right there in a hospital room at St. Elizabeth’s in Beaumont, Texas when Jesus passed my way and healed me of a blood clot that was threatening my life.
• It was right here at these altar where God gave me the vision for this church and began to stir in my spirit that it is time to build the house for Him that is being constructed right here next to us.
Church, these altars will speak to us if we will spend time in them until we hear from God.
The altar can cure your sickness and disease.
The altar can mend your marriage and put love back in your home.
The altar can deliver you from any bondage that you are facing.
The altar can cure depression, suicidal thoughts, and any feeling of worthlessness.
The altar will turn loneliness into happiness, hope and joy.
The altar will reveal Gods will and plan for your life.
There is nothing you will ever face that the altar cannot take care of.
