Centennial Park Baptist Church – Sunday, April 15th, 2007 – 10:30 a.m.

 

THE COURAGE TO FINISH WELL

 

            People today are living LONGER.  The American Association of Retired

 

Persons claims that the largest, single population unit in North America is the

 

GRANDPARENTS.

 

            His or her greatest power is the power of GODLY INFLUENCE

 

and EXAMPLE.  To be an example of Stability, Security and Serenity to a

 

generation of grandchildren who are surrounded by chaos – that takes COURAGE.

 

OLD TESTAMENT MODEL – CALEB

 

I           The courage to POSITIVELY inspire

 

Numbers 13:30 - Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, "We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it."

 

Negative attitudes resisted by Caleb in the face of difficulties:

 

USELESSNESS

 

SELF-PITY

 

FEAR

 

INAPPROPRIATE REMORSE

 

II          The courage to PREPARE grandchildren for the future.

 

            Joshua 14: 6-12

 

·        Unconditional devotion to the Lord

 

      Vs.. 8,9,14, - Followed the Lord God FULLY

 

·        Unwavering belief in God’s promises

 

Vs. 6 – “You know the word which the Lord spoke.”

 

·        Humility – regarded others as more important than self

 

·        Enthusiasm – GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN

 

NEW TESTAMENT MODEL – LOIS

 

            II Timothy 1: 5-7

 

            :5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that {it is} in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

 

This is the only time the word GRANDMOTHER is used in the Bible

 

 

POSSIBLE CHALLENGES

 

·        Widow

·        Saw the daughter Eunice unequally yoked – BUT LOIS HAD…

 

III        The courage to PROMOTE God’s Word to Timothy – II Timothy 3: 15

 

Do everything in your power to create a love of God’s Word in your grandchildren.

 

IV        The courage to PASS on one’s faith via personal testimony.  Timothy was probably converted at Lystra by Paul an his 1st missionary journey.

 

 

PERSONAL APPLICATIONS

 

            *There is often a connection between:

 

            ACTIVITY and LONGEVITY

 

            LAUGHTER and LONGEVITY

 

            * Face HARDSHIP with DETERMINATION and a DEPENDANCE on God.

 

            * Keep seeking God, because He is TIMELESS and AGELESS

 

            * Inspire your grandchildren to PRAY and to PURSUE a great spiritual

 

PURPOSE in life.

 

* Glorify the living God who is TRUSTWORTHY and AVAILABLE