Keep Them Talking Long After You Are Gone
INTRO: Father’s Day is here. Before I begin, it gives me great honor to say that I have my father and both my sons here today. They are all special to me. My dad was not perfect, and the Lord knows I was not, nor am I perfect. I have such good memories of time spent with my dad in years gone by. When I look at my sons, I am filled with a sense of pride knowing what a great job their mother and the rest of their family have done in helping mold them into what they are today.
Usually I try to present a challenging message to our fathers. Today will hopefully be no different. There will be something a little different in that I want to talk some about a journalist that has passed away. Maybe more accurately the reaction to his death.
Death is certainly a great equalizer. We all will die some day. Hebrews 9:27 tells us, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Tim Russert passed away this past week at the age of 58. His death has brought an unbelievable outpouring of comments and praise for his life. It has seemed that no one disliked the man. This has caused me to think of my own pending death. Yes I am going to die. The when is a mystery, but it is advancing at a constant pace, day by day.
How does Tim Russert’s death tie into Father’s Day, or more importantly how does it speak to us today I the realm of the church?
One thing I have found out about Tim Russert is his voice about fathers. Tim wrote a bestseller. Let me read…
Russert penned a bestselling autobiography, Big Russ and Me [17] , in 2004 , which chronicled his life growing up in a predominantly Irish working-class neighborhood in South Buffalo and his education at Canisius High School. Russert’s father, a World War II veteran who held down two jobs after the war, emphasized the importance of maintaining strong family values through the methods of the “carrot and the stick”, the reverence of faith, and of never taking a short cut to reach a goal. Russert claimed to have received over 60,000 letters from people in response to the book, detailing their own experiences with their fathers. [9][18] He released Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons in 2005, a collection of some of these letters, which also became a bestseller. – Wikipedia
This is what I want to talk about today. Fathers, sons and daughters. What will make them talk about dad long after he is gone. I know there will be many that will have forgotten Tim Russert in a few weeks. Not is son Luke nor his family and close friends and coworkers. The question is how do we make a difference in people around us.
Let’s get started into the message…
Do your job (in life)
Ephesians 4:1-16 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, {2} With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; {3} Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. {4} There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; {5} One Lord, one faith, one baptism, {6} One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. {7} But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. {8} Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {9} (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? {10} He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) {11} And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; {12} For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: {13} Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: {14} That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; {15} But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: {16} From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:17-20 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, {18} Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: {19} Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. {20} But ye have not so learned Christ;
Share your life – or don’t be such a loner
Ephesians 4:21-25 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: {22} That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; {23} And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; {24} And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. {25} Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Take time to share the right things of life with those around you
Ephesians 4:22-28 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; {23} And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; {24} And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. {25} Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. {26} Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: {27} Neither give place to the devil. {28} Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
It can change, direct, redirect, focus theirs and your life
Make sure you “have the talk”
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
What ever it is that you have planned o talking to your kids (or someone else you need to spend time talking with)
Don’t put it off too long
It does not always have to be in person (letter)
Ephesians 4:30-32 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. {31} Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: {32} And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Of truth
Of principles
Of action
Of you
Ephesians 5:1-16 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; {2} And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. {3} But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; {4} Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. {5} For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. {6} Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. {7} Be not ye therefore partakers with them. {8} For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: {9} (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) {10} Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. {11} And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. {12} For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. {13} But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. {14} Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. {15} See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, {16} Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
While you can, while they will listen
I certainly have some regrets in this area.
Ephesians 5:17-21 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. {18} And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; {19} Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; {20} Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; {21} Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Praise motivates
Praise validates
Praise elevates
So if we want them thinking and talking (good about us when we are gone…
Radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, a friend of the late journalist, posted a statement on his website, writing, in part, "It's just a shame. Tim was a regular guy with [a] perpetual smile he wore naturally all the time....Tim was always the same with me: genuine."
Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 061508am