Date: 12-08-2020

Title: A Smack Of Reality

(S) cripture:
    Titus 2:1-2 (NASB) But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

(O) bservation:
    Paul is giving instruction to Titus. He is to speak only that which leads to sound doctrine and as an “older man” he is to set the example for the younger men. He is to pass on to the next generation what he knows as a leader in the church.

(A) pplication:
    In my life and ministry I have had many show me the way of faith, parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, bosses and co-workers. I looked to some of these as mentors. When I think about my spiritual mentors I think first of my two uncles who were pastors. Ward Robinson, my mom’s brother and Jim Crouch, my dad’s brother, both now with the Lord. I suppose I still think of myself as a “young, 40 something pastor with much to learn from older pastors,” and yet the reality is that I am 72. When I look in the mirror I see lots of gray hair and some wrinkles (the sure signs of wisdom ) and this passage reminds me that I have an obligation to those following after me. Just as my uncles have modeled ministry and mentored me, I must now be about modeling for and mentoring others. The smack of reality is that I am that “older man” and I have much to share. I must live a life of faithfulness that is described in these verses. I have been given a great gift of learning from two of the most Godly pastors I know (even though they are family) and I must now share what I know with others.

    Today I will thank God for the older men he put in my life to mentor me. There are way too many to mention from the men at Highlawn Baptist and those I worked with and for over the years. I will seek to pass what I know on to others. By God’s grace and in the power of the Holy Spirit I will develop and live out these qualities in my life.

(P) rayer:
    Father, I thank you for my Uncles who poured so much of their lives into mine. I am in large part the pastor I am today because of their mentoring. Let me now be an influence in other’s lives. I can only do this with your help, strength and courage. Teach me to be that “older man” and to be so with grace.