I was able to visit with Bro. David Harness Jr. at a meeting a few weeks back. He is a fine young man with a heart for God. His father has blazed a trail for IFB churches in northern Alberta for many long winters. The email I received mention I could use this as the Lord leads, so here are some thoughts for Mothers Day which is this coming Sunday. jnh
Godly Grandmas
“The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things...” (Titus 2:3)
Titus was a young pastor. Commissioned by God to preach His Word, Titus faced a huge responsibility as the overseer of all of the churches on the Island of Crete. He still had a lot to learn, so God used Paul to write a letter to Titus to instruct him how to handle the various issues and problems that would arise in the Cretian churches. In chapter two, Paul exhorts Titus to “speak the things which become [are appropriate for, or give evidence of] sound doctrine” and gives him a list of things to teach each age group in the local church.
Perhaps one of the most difficult things for a young pastor to do is authoritatively teach those much older and more mature than him; after all, what does he know that they don’t? Titus, like all young pastors, had to realize that although he may not have much of the life experience that these “senior saints” possess, he had the responsibility and scriptural authority to teach God’s Word to them. I speak to you whom I have come to love as if you were my own aunts or grandmothers.
What a beautiful picture of God’s Word in action is presented to us in this passage! These are elderly—or should I say, beautifully mature—women who are known for their godliness and holiness. I like how one Bible teacher put it: “These ladies refuse to be known as gossips and have become faithful, dedicated teachers in everyday life situations. Over a cup of tea they encourage a new generation of girls to love their husbands and their children without expecting anything in return. A day shopping the outlet malls becomes a classroom where advanced lessons in self control, purity, kindness, and servant-hearted home care and unpopular submission are taught. These women love God and His Word so much that they pour their lives into active moms and young brides, encouraging them to live God’s way so that no one can call God’s truth foolish, outdated, or worthless” (Rand Hummel)
I exhort you to do just that! Be a godly example to the young ladies, new brides, and young mothers in our church. Teach them “to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, obedient to their husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed” (verses 4-5). I often hear our young ladies commenting that they wish the older ladies would spend more time teaching and encouraging them. This is your ministry in the local church!
Please be faithful to your God-given responsibility; you have so much to offer.
As your son in the faith,
David Harness, Jr.
Assistant Pastor
Victory Baptist Church
Sherwood Park, Alberta
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Bro. Jeff Hallmark
www.sprucelandbaptist.com
http://baptist-potluck.
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