Last Friday evening my wife and I attended the Michael W. Smith Concert at Thomas Road Baptist Church where Jerry Falwell has been pastor for over 50 years. The story of Falwell, the church and Liberty University is one of vision and blessing. We saw Dr. Falwell across the auditorium at the concert.
It was such a shock to get a text message yesterday from our local TV station announcing that Falwell was found in his office unresponsive. A short time later I learned that he was dead. This is a difficult day for those who surround this great man.
We have lived in Virginia for almost 6 years, yet I have known about Jerry Falwell since I was a young kid. I remember his strong words and staunch concerns for the morality of our nation and desire to see people come to know God. He never backed down, yet he was always kind. No, I didn't always agree with what he said or did, but I admired Dr. Jerry Falwell. It is evident that God's hand was on this gentle giant who is now in heaven.
The news has tauted him as a sinner and a saint. Some loved him, and some loved to hate him. Either way, the people who disagreed with Falwell always said he was kind and a friend. That is huge.
As a pastor, I am challenged greatly by this man's vision and leadership. The church grew from 35 people to now over 22,000 members. His touch for Christ from local to international via church, TV, missions, the Internet and more is gigantic. There are people all over the globe who call Jerry Falwell their "father in the ministry". Being in Virginia, I have seen that time and time again. His vision went way beyond him and pointed to God and to what God can do. Best yet, Jerry Falwell's vision will live long past him because His vision was all about God and not Falwell.
Philippians 1:20 (niv) --- I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Love him or hate him, you must admit that this man stuck by what he believed and stood firm on the Bible. That is the grandest compliment anyone can pay a person.
In his death, there are many tears and many hearts aching. Yet in both his life and his death, people have heard about and been changed by the truth that people need to be saved through Jesus.
I have watched a man, especially since being in the ministry these last 17 years, who was gentle but a giant. He stood in pulpits and on platforms that are high and heard well, and in every place this gentle giant lifted the name of Jesus. Earth's loss is heaven's gain.
Psalm 116:15 (nasb) --- Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones.
Tough verse. Death is real. Life is awesome and must be lived, and Jerry Falwell filled his days will life, abundant life (see John 10:10). In no way do I intend for today's devotion to make Jerry Falwell look like a perfect man or a saint. What I intend is to remind each of us to do something with what God has given us. Our impact on lives will outlast us.
Speak the truth. Speak it with boldness. Tell people about Jesus. Tell them of their need for Him. Be kind and express genuine concern even for people you don't always agree with. That makes you a gentle giant and a person who displays authentic faith.
Ephesians 4:15 (nasb) --- but speaking the truth in love...
Maybe Dr. Jerry Falwell's testimony would go something like this...
1 Peter 3:15 (nasb) --- but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
It was such a shock to get a text message yesterday from our local TV station announcing that Falwell was found in his office unresponsive. A short time later I learned that he was dead. This is a difficult day for those who surround this great man.
We have lived in Virginia for almost 6 years, yet I have known about Jerry Falwell since I was a young kid. I remember his strong words and staunch concerns for the morality of our nation and desire to see people come to know God. He never backed down, yet he was always kind. No, I didn't always agree with what he said or did, but I admired Dr. Jerry Falwell. It is evident that God's hand was on this gentle giant who is now in heaven.
The news has tauted him as a sinner and a saint. Some loved him, and some loved to hate him. Either way, the people who disagreed with Falwell always said he was kind and a friend. That is huge.
As a pastor, I am challenged greatly by this man's vision and leadership. The church grew from 35 people to now over 22,000 members. His touch for Christ from local to international via church, TV, missions, the Internet and more is gigantic. There are people all over the globe who call Jerry Falwell their "father in the ministry". Being in Virginia, I have seen that time and time again. His vision went way beyond him and pointed to God and to what God can do. Best yet, Jerry Falwell's vision will live long past him because His vision was all about God and not Falwell.
Philippians 1:20 (niv) --- I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Love him or hate him, you must admit that this man stuck by what he believed and stood firm on the Bible. That is the grandest compliment anyone can pay a person.
In his death, there are many tears and many hearts aching. Yet in both his life and his death, people have heard about and been changed by the truth that people need to be saved through Jesus.
I have watched a man, especially since being in the ministry these last 17 years, who was gentle but a giant. He stood in pulpits and on platforms that are high and heard well, and in every place this gentle giant lifted the name of Jesus. Earth's loss is heaven's gain.
Psalm 116:15 (nasb) --- Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones.
Tough verse. Death is real. Life is awesome and must be lived, and Jerry Falwell filled his days will life, abundant life (see John 10:10). In no way do I intend for today's devotion to make Jerry Falwell look like a perfect man or a saint. What I intend is to remind each of us to do something with what God has given us. Our impact on lives will outlast us.
Speak the truth. Speak it with boldness. Tell people about Jesus. Tell them of their need for Him. Be kind and express genuine concern even for people you don't always agree with. That makes you a gentle giant and a person who displays authentic faith.
Ephesians 4:15 (nasb) --- but speaking the truth in love...
Maybe Dr. Jerry Falwell's testimony would go something like this...
1 Peter 3:15 (nasb) --- but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
Comments