2 TIM. 3:14 “STUFF I’VE LEARNED”
A) Before I share these with you, I want to help you smile a little!
* Somebody sent me a cute article from some newspaper ... A class of fifth graders had submitted
the things they had learned in life ... Here is a sampling from their gems of wisdom:
* I’ve learned the difference between dog food and meatballs.
* I’ve learned that you don’t have serious relationships with boys until you’re 15.
B) I’ve learned that if you eat cheesecake and laugh hard enough, it will come out your nose!
* I’ve learned that even the smartest person is not always right.
* I’ve learned never to take a picture of a baby on a table because it will roll right off (and cry a
lot) ....... I’ve learned life is not fair.
* I’ve learned not to eat tons of chili and play bowling.
C) I’ve learned that hamsters can eat through a paper bag!
* I’ve learned that batteries are explosive when dropped off a bridge.
* I’ve learned if you don’t feed a bird at least every week it will die.
* I’ve learned to stop at corners on my bike because once I was six inches from a car.
B) I’ve been in ministry a long time ... Little over 30 years!
* (Can it really be that long?) In these three decades of serving in the trenches I have learned some
valuable truths ... Most of them the hard way.
* And honestly? I wouldn’t trade truth for youth or for anything else ... I really mean that.
* What’s more, I’m still on a learning curve ... I’m glad the lessons don’t stop at age 55, or 75, or
once you have your last child ... Or when you preach your thirtieth Easter sermon.
C) It occurred to me that there has been some pretty important stuff I’ve learned these many
years!
* (As far as the things I haven’t learned, you’d have to ask my wife ... But let’s don’t go there.)
* I want to share with you, in no particular order, a sampling from my growing stack of lessons that
has been building over the decades. * I’ve learned that .......
(1) I SHOULD TELL PEOPLE HOW I FEEL ABOUT THEM NOW, NOT LATER!
A) Later seldom comes ... Furthermore, death has a way of making all communication one-sided!
* Many times as I have walked away from a funeral, I’ve wished I had told the deceased why I
loved and admired her or him ... Or what I appreciated ... Or how much I’d been helped.
(2) THINGS I’M NOT EVEN AWARE OF ARE BEING NOTICED AND REMEMBERED!
A) You wouldn’t believe the things folks have mentioned over the years that have encouraged
them ... A smile ... A glance ... An arm over the shoulder ... A song sung loudly ...
* A tear ... Laughter ... It’s really true: small things mean a lot ... Which can be a little scary.
(3) I’VE LEARNED THAT BEING REAL IS A LOT BETTER THAN LOOKING PIOUS!
A)You don’t need to worry about making a good impression!
* You don’t live under a pile of guilt because you’re not perfect.
* Authenticity keeps you from getting your underwear in a wad over petty stuff that legalists
expect ... Pursuing holiness is biblical and right ... Trying to look holy stinks.
(4) IT DOESN’T PAY TO TALK SOMEONE INTO OR OUT OF A BIG DECISION!
A) We need to let people be ... Pushing or pulling creates complications and consequences!
* Looking back, I can recall a few times I put added pressure on individuals to get them to say
“yes” or “no” and on just about every occasion, I regretted it.
* The old Gospel song is still true: God still “leads His dear children along.”
* I’ve learned to step aside and let Him.
(5) DAYS OF DISCIPLINE ARE FAR MORE IN NUMBER THAN DAYS OF MAGNIFICENCE!
A) Can I tell you tonight that staying faithful pays great dividends!
* There’s gonna be times in your Christian life that you will have to discipline yourself to be
faithful ... And answering “Fantastic!” every time somebody asks how you’re doing is phony.
* Most days call for little more discipline on our part to do right.
(6) SOME PEOPLE AREN’T GOING TO CHANGE, NO MATTER WHAT!
A) This used to drive me nuts ... No longer!
* It was a great moment in my life when I realized I couldn’t win ‘em all ... In fact, I can’t even fix
those who wish I could ... And so, I’ve learned to lighten up.
* It’s a full-time job taking care of the logs in my own eyes.
(7) I’VE LEARNED THAT I HAVE SELDOM FELT BADLY FOR THINGS I DIDN’T SAY!
A) This business of the tongue – ugh!
* We preachers can be the worst, thinking everyone must hear our wisdom. Please.
* Occasionally, I have shown unusual restraint and held back ... Later, I’ve been pleased I did.
* Talking too much is never wise ... I do mean never.
(8) I’VE LEARNED THAT TIME SPENT WITH MY FAMILY IS A GOOD INVESTMENT!
A) The older I get the more I treasure those talks with my wife ... The friendship and love, and
of our now-grown “children” .......
* The acceptance, hugs and kisses of the grandkids who call me “Pappy.”
* God did a winning thing when He came up with the idea of moms, dads, kids, and their kids.
* Home is still my all-time favorite place to be.
(9) I’VE LEARNED THAT GRACE IS WORTH THE RISK!
A) I know, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures are helpful boundaries, and necessary at
times ... But the freedom of living by grace is still the lifestyle to pursue!
* Grace relieves guilt and removes shame... Grace smiles, You’re forgiven.
* Grace helps me sing and skip through life with hardly a care ... Yep ... It’s still worth it.
10) TO STOP SAYING “NEVER” OR “ALWAYS” WHEN IT COMES TO THE FUTURE!
A) Change happens ... Detours and unexpected curves and dead-end streets and quiet rest areas
are all part of this journey called life!
* Your map may seem both certain and lasting ... Don’t kid yourself.
* The Lord reserves the right to change your plans.
* Jer. 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace,
and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
* NLT: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for
disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
B) Thinking theologically pays off, big time!
* It’s taken me years to stop reacting emotionally and let God be God.
* Being sovereign, He has a plan that is unfolding whether I like it or not ... Whether I understand
it or not.
* When I interpret my circumstances with that in mind, peace and calm kick in, replacing panic
and complaining.
(11) I’VE LEARNED THAT SOME THINGS ARE WORTH THE SWEAT!
A) Not most things ... Often, not the big and bold things ... But intangible things!
* Like telling the truth ... And admitting inadequacy ... And emphasizing quality ...
* And asking for help ... And expressing gratitude ... And saying, “I’m sorry.”
* And being generous ... And studying hard ... And demonstrating affection ... And adoring God.
(12) I’VE LEARNED TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE!
A) We pastors often get the credit when we need to be passing it on to the one or to those
deserving it!
* We give enormous encouragement to our staff and lay-folks when we publicly acknowledge
them, and that affirmation motivates them to use their gifts in even greater ways.
* Also, our families (I’m thinking especially of my wife, Libby) deserve a great deal of credit for
any success in ministry we enjoy.
(13) FINALLY ... IN CLOSING ... I’VE LEARNED THAT YOU CAN’T BEAT HAVING FUN!
A) Folks who relax and refuse to take themselves so seriously are contagious!
* They’re easier to be around than those who look like they’re holding their breath under water.
* One of my great goals for the future is to have more fun, to be less intense, and to laugh louder
and more often.
* I can’t think of many things worse than becoming a grim-faced, old jerk lugging around a big
thick Bible, yelling at people from a pulpit ... Jesus didn’t ... I shouldn’t.
