The Inheritance Series

We have come this morning to remember Mrs. Ruth Bishop. We have many sweet and precious memories to remember her by. Those memories we will never forget, but this afternoon I want to direct your attention toward some things she left behind, that are more powerful and more valuable than any last will and testament. Mrs. Ruth left a legacy of godliness and good Christian living that will never be forgotten.

You’ve heard that actions speak louder than words, well this afternoon we will examine her godly life because that is what will be remembered, and it will have a lasting affect on all of us.

Mrs. Ruth left a spiritual inheritance! It wasn’t written on paper or signed by a lawyer but it was much easier to read. It was her life.

Ruth Bishop left a spiritual inheritance to her church & city.

(2 Cor 3:6 KJV) Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament;

Ruth had this verse highlighted in pink.

Matt 5:13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost it’s saltyness haow shall it be salted again?

An inheritance that says to be faithful to church. Every time the door are open!

The very morning she died she was getting ready for church.

will we read her last will and testament and understand what she left behind?

Will we pick up her joyful service and take up where she left off?

An inheritance that says to care for one another.

Comments to Pam Sweetest Nurse, shot never hurt, Dr. Marks always asked

She always worried about everyone. She really cared enough.

She cared enough to send cards to everyone in church.

Birthdays, hospital stays, sickness,

A few weeks ago in our Sun. evening service, after taking prayer request I noticed that she was writing them all down so I asked her to pray

That prayer list was still in her Bible – never threw away a card , like a visit

Carol Lampard, Ailene Hale, Gary & Dorothy Towns,

Ilene and George Harrison, Geneva Langston, Janet McNair -

Who will pray / care now?

A inheritance that says to minister to the children (in her S.S. class)

She taught the very young children with Mrs Clara

Karen told Pam – She was a guide, example to me.

A inheritance that says to selflessly serve Her Lord.

a. The Saturday before she died she brought food for the men working on the building as she did once or twice a week while we have been working on the building.

All of these make up a inheritance of godliness. A closeness to God that is seen in what she chose to do. We all have the same choices. Will we learn from her life?

Are you prepared? Are you willing to accept what she left for you? Salvation? Service?

In her Bible – actually this page fell out as I was flipping through it. A page with this verse underlined. 1 Peter 4:10 God has given each of you some special abilities: besure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.

The church does not expect to receive any money from her actual physical will, but her spiritual will has allocated to us a huge sum of value. (Prov 31:10 KJV) Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Because of Ruth Bishop, College Ave. Baptist Church and Clarksville Texas are much richer for having benefited from her life.

Ruth Bishop left a spiritual inheritance to her family.

Her reputation is something to strive for. You must follow in her footsteps.

Inside the cover of her Bible was written

“Handing down your faith to your children”

1.Teaching the Word of God

2. Pattern

3. Persistence

4. Participation

5. Positive Praise

6. Prayer

To her daughters - A inheritance that says

Stay close to the Lord. I overhead Lori say she just started a Bible study course, “Moma would be so proud of me.”

Stay in church. Both pastors were at the hospital.

Stay in ministry. Serve the Lord. SS, Music, touch others lives.

In her Bible I found this card and I am sure she would want you to remember this.- He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater.

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase

To added affliction he addeth His mercy

To multiplied trials His multiplied peace

His Love has no limit, His grace has no measure;

His power has no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

To everyone else in her family – A inheritance that says

Follow my footsteps and they will lead you to God.