RETIRED PASTOR'S SERMON
A Pastor once stated
While watching a little TV on Sunday instead of going to church, I
watched a Church in Atlanta honoring one of its senior pastors who
had been retired many years. He was 92 at that time and I wondered
why the Church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age.
After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker, and as the
applause quieted down he rose from his high back chair and walked
slowly, with great effort and a sliding gate to the podium. Without a
note or written paper of any kind, he placed both hands on
the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to speak ...
'When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor
asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my
50 odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a fewdays and
boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my
life and sustained me through all my trials.
The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heart break
and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me...the only thing that would
comfort was this verse .........
Jesus loves me this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
We are weak but He is strong ......
Yes, Jesus loves me ...
The Bible tells me so.'
I EVEN SANG WITH THIS ONE
When he finished, the church was quiet. You actually could hear his
foot steps as he shuffled back to his chair. I don't believe I will
ever forget it. A pastor once stated, 'I always noticed that it was
the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me'(for the
children of course) during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who
sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best.'
Senior version of Jesus Loves Me
Here is a new version just for us who have white hair or no hair at
all. For us over middle age (or even those almost there) and all
you others, check out this newest version of Jesus Loves Me.
JESUS LOVES ME
Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.
(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME ...
YES, JESUS LOVES ME ...
YES, JESUS LOVES ME
FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.
(CHORUS)
When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
'Have no fear, for I am near.'
(CHORUS)
When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love.
(CHORUS)
I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.
|