What will your last words be? Not to be morbid, but we may have a chance to speak meaningful words to our family before we leave this world. What will we say? The writer of 1 Kings shows us a picture of David speaking final words to his son Solomon. In his “last will and testament,” David urges his son to walk in obedience to God, setting a pattern of faithfulness, so that generations of his descendants might reign on David’s throne. As we think about the legacy of our lives, we look to the Word made flesh, the Lord of life, David’s descendant who lives and reigns forever at the right hand of the Father. We will give an account for every word we speak. Let’s make them count. Message based on 1 Kings 2:1-4.
Quotes:
Alexander MacLaren: Only he who can say, "The Lord is the strength of my life," can say, "Of whom shall I be afraid?"
Tony Merida: But leadership isn’t about giftedness as much as it is about Christlikeness. David gives us a simple understanding of godly manhood: Obedience to God’s Word. The Word makes the man.
Bill Osborne’s family Bible: I humbly trust, and pray, that they may keep the commandments, claim the promises, and inherit blessings, and that we may all finally meet in the rest that remaineth to the people of God. John Wesley Osborne, Prefect of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Chicago Illinois, August 15, 1861.
I wish this Holy Bible, when I am through with it, to be the property of my son, Wm H. Osborne. May it be kept in the hands of some of my Osborne descendants through all their generations and all strive to reach that heavenly home prepared for those who love God. Perry H. Osborne
John Woodhouse: On the one hand we must not think that God’s faithfulness depends on our obedience. When we receive God’s promised blessings, we must understand that it is all of grace. It is not a reward earned by our obedience. On the other hand, we must not think that God’s promised blessings can be enjoyed without obedience. In other words, God’s grace cannot be received in disobedience.
Duane Brooks: If we walk in obedience, our children may walk in faithfulness before God.
Duane Brooks: God’s gifts come to us by grace; they are enjoyed in obedience.
Tom Wright was asked what he would tell his children on his deathbed he said, "Look at Jesus." He explained why: The [Person] who walks out of [the pages of the Gospels] to meet us is just central and irreplaceable. He is always a surprise. We never have Jesus in our pockets. He is always coming at us from different angles … If you want to know who God is, look at Jesus. If you want to know what it means to be human, look at Jesus. If you want to know what love is, look at Jesus. And go on looking until you're not just a spectator, but part of the drama that has him as the central character.
To discover more messages of hope go to tallowood.org/sermons/.
Follow us on Instagram, X, and YouTube @tallowoodbc.
Follow us on FaceBook @tallowoodbaptist
