By
Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church
Dad grew up on a farm one of
eight brothers who were all tough as they come.
Yet, I can remember Dad’s first Sunday school class. From years of
working in the Coal Mines he was as strong as a lion, but now he was as gentle
as a lamb. Now, he had become the
teacher. He would put hours of
study into learning his lesson. I
can remember when we got serious with the Lord then we got serious with the
church. Dad took us to church
every time the doors where open. Then
I watched Dad tell us he was called into the ministry.
He began to study, teach, and preach every time he got the opportunity.
It wasn’t a job to him. Preaching
was a calling from God. Even
today after he has retired Dad still preaches every Sunday and teaches every
Wednesday night at the First Baptist Church of Cowen, WV.
Although he has said he doesn’t want a sermon preached at his
funeral, I believe that if Dad could he would raise up out of that casket and
give one more sermon. He has
taught me that the preaching, teaching, and hearing of the Word of God is of
outmost importance. God is
all in all.
Scripture
Text: Proverbs
6:20 My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's
teaching. 21 Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over
you; when you awake, they will speak to you. 23 For these commands are a lamp,
this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to
life.
I.
How Dad taught me? Dad taught me
by whom he was. Dad taught me by
what he did. Dad taught me by
what he said. Dad taught me by
the grace of God and I learned.
II.
What Dad taught me?
Dad taught me how to work.
Dad taught me that being a Christian was work.
Sometimes it was lonely work.
Dad taught me how to shine
the light.
Hold the light in the right spot and don’t shine it in my eyes.
Pay attention.
Dad taught me how to
change. I watched Dad make the
transition from coal miner to preacher.
Dad taught me how to look
and learn. Watching
and learning who I was to be by learning from others.
Dad taught me how to fish
and hunt. Dad
taught me to respect what God had created and to take and use what God had
given. Everything was from God.
Dad taught me how to be a
father. Dad
taught me how to be tough, strong, and lenient.
Dad taught me how to
serve. Dad taught me how to
be humble as his Lord and Savior.
Dad taught me how to
forgive. When people abused him
he was willing to forgive and move on with his life.
He didn’t dwell on the problems.
Dad taught me how to talk. He taught me to talk
with language that was good and not to be continually talking about others and
putting others down. It doesn’t
make you any taller.
Dad taught me how to
follow God. I
walked in his tracks.
Dad taught me how to love. In his right hand he
is strong as an ox and in his left hand he is tender as a dove.
Dad taught me how to pray. He asked his Father to
work in the lives of his children. He
did.
Dad taught me how to
stand. He stands for the
right and continues to fight against the wrong.
He is a strong democrat who votes for the Lord and works to save
others.
Dad taught me how to
fight. When the cause
was right it was time to fight.
Dad taught me that some
things are worth dying for. Make
sure you get the right ones.
Dad taught me how to
preach. Long before seminary
Dad showed me how to speak with God.
Dad taught me how to
study. Growing in your
Christian life comes by study.
Dad taught me how to
listen.
Dad taught me you have two ears, so you should use them.
If you don’t, then I am going to box them for you.
Dad taught me how to be a
man. A man isn’t a man
until he serves the one true living God.
Dad taught me how to be a
child of God. A
man is still a child when you consider the Father of all.
Dad taught me to never
quit. Even in pain and
suffering with physical ailments he continues to preach and work.
Quitting isn’t an option in any situation.
Dad taught me how to enjoy
life as God gives it.
Dad taught me how to be
thankful. Dad taught me how to
trust the Lord.
Have you remembered what you
were taught? What have you been
teaching to your children and those who are watching you?