The personal blog of Anderson T. Graves II. Education, Religion, Politics, Family, and TRUTH------ but not necessarily the truth you want to hear.
I still love ya' though.
This sermon was originally preached for Family & Friends Day at Bailey Tabernacle CME Church, but the message is relevant to all of us, especially those of us in the church. The title is: A MORE EXCELLENT WAY.
---Anderson
T. Graves II is a pastor, writer, community organizer, and
consultant
Rev.
Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Bailey Tabernacle CME Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
He writes the popular blog: A Word to the Wise at
www.andersontgraves.blogspot.com
Jacob and his family
were on their way. They had cut the cord
that bound them to Big Daddy Laban and his familia in Syria. They had gotten out with their money and
investments (sheep, oxen, cattle, camels, etc.). Now they were on the way to Canaan, where
Jacob would collect his inheritance and they would live the good life that God
had promised.
On the way, a band
of angels met Jacob. It reminded him of
the dream he’d had at Bethel when God had promised him land “to the west and
the east, to the north and the south,” descendants as numerous “as the dust of
the earth,” and a share in the destiny of Abraham that “in you and in your seed
all the families of the earth shall be blessed “ (Genesis 28:13-15).
It was a powerful
moment for Jacob. When he’d left Canaan 20 years earlier he didn’t even have an
extra bedroll to use as a pillow. Now
his family and possessions were twice the size of a typical caravan (Genesis
32:10). “. . . And he called the name of that place
Mahanaim” (Genesis 32:2). Mahanaim
means double camp.
Jacob was so caught
up in this double-sized moment because he sent riders 100 miles south to find
Esau and describe how successful he had become.
You remember Esau,
right? The brother from whom Jacob had
purchased, or extorted, or defrauded (depending on your perspective) of his
birthright as firstborn. Remember that the
last time they’d seen each other 20 years earlier, he’d promised to murder
Jacob? Jacob the not-warrior leading a
double-sized camp of women, children, and non-warrior goatherders sent servants
to THAT Esau bragging about how rich he was and where his unprotected camp
could be located.
Clearly he didn’t
think that through because when the messengers returned to inform him that yes,
the brother who swore to kill you is on his way to your unprotected camp with
400 men, Genesis 32: 7 says “Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed.”
He thought about
running.
“ . . . he divided
the people that were with him, and
the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies. And he said, ‘If Esau
comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left
will escape’ “ (Genesis 32:7-8).
He tried praying.
Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac,
the Lord . . . Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my
brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. (Genesis
32:9-12).
He tried bribery.
“So he lodged there
that same night, and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his
brother. . . For he said, ‘I will appease him with the present that goes before
me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.’ ” (Genesis
32:13-21).
Night dragged on and
Jacob sent his family away while he stayed where Esau knew to find him. He was
waiting for Esau to kill him. The attack
came, but not from Esau.
A Man, an angel, THE
Angel wrestled with Jacob all night long (Genesis 32:24), and Job repeatedly lost,
but he refused to tap out.
The “Man” dislocated
Jacob’s hip but Jacob wouldn’t stop grappling.
He said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” The Angel replied,
“Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled
with God and with men, and have prevailed” (Genesis 32:25-28).
The Angel could have
dislocated Jacob’s shoulder or snapped his neck. He could’ve just poof! disappeared. Jacob didn’t “prevail” by winning. He won by not giving up.
“But he who endures
to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13).
Now, compare your story
to Jacob’s:
Has anyone believed greater
for you than you believed for? Don’t
give up.
Have you gotten caught
up in your family’s drama? Don’t give
up.
You ever been bullied? Don’t give up.
Ever thought you
were too smart to be played, but you weren’t?
Don’t give up.
Did you think they’d
be happy for you, but realize they weren’t?
Don’t give up.
Ever press against
God’s will even while you were praying for God to save you? Left that one limping, didn’t you? Get right.
Get humble. But don’t give up.
You will face
overwhelming odds. You will be pressured
to alter your path by people who don’t understand your destiny. You will feel compelled to tell people what
they want to hear. Don’t give up.
Just keep going
until all the world has been blessed by the life you live.
Oh, and don’t forget
to praise God along the way.
“Then he erected an
altar there and called it El Elohe Israel.” (Genesis 33:20)
---Anderson T. Graves II is a writer, community organizer and
consultant for education, ministry, and rural leadership development.
Rev. Anderson T.
Graves II is pastor of Miles Chapel CME Church in
Fairfield, Alabama; executive director of the Substance Abuse Youth
Networking Organization (SAYNO); and director of rural leadership
development for the National Institute for Human Development (NIHD).
Proverbs 31:31 Give to her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 31: 31.Last verse of the last chapter of the book of Wisdom.Class is about to be dismissed and the Teacher explains how you will be graded.
You will get credit for your work.
The question at the close of this series is:When a wife receives credit for what she has given as a wife will the grade place her on honor roll or in remediation?
First, a review.
God created male human beings to work and to think and to be fruitful.For most men that destined productivity is divinely ordained to occur in the context of marriage---- God’s original social institution.Marriage is the only social institution that was created under perfect conditions.God put together the first marriage in Eden.Every other human institution, including organized religion, was organized after the Fall in the context of a fallen,already corrupted world.
Marriage is something special.
And so, God proclaims that it is not good for man to be alone.God gave His already gifted, talented, doubly employed, PERFECT man----- a wife.
Therefore, a wife is something special.
But admittedly, that’s not for every man.Marriage is special, and therefore marriage in this sinful world is especially difficult.
At one point as Jesus was teaching about marriage and laying out the difficulty and depths of the marriage commitment, Jesus’ disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” (Matthew 19: 10)
Jesus acknowledged that not every man can handle it.He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given”.(Matthew 19: 11)
But, as Jesus explained, if a man is meant to be a father then he is also meant to be a husband.Cause if he doesn’t want the deal with a wife, then he should be celibate.
“For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”(Matthew 19: 12)
O.K., so now you’re wondering, “Anderson, what’s your point?”
Right, right.My points?
Here are my points:
First, not every man is husband material and not ever woman is wife material, and nothing is wrong with a man or woman who doesn’t want to get married.
But if you don’t consider yourself to be marriage material then don’t present yourself as sexual partner material either.
To my brothers:If you are a present or future husband, then your potential for success/ fruitfulness is inextricably tied to the woman you do or will call “wife.”Choose well.Your life may not depend on your choice of mate; but the quality of your life does.
To the sisters: If you and he are truly meant to be together as husband and wife, then you must understand your crucial role in his success.If God has indeed joined you together, then God has proclaimed that he will never realize his full potential------- without YOUR help.No matter how good, godly, talented, anointed, hardworking, and driven he is------ if you don’t wife him right, he will never be as good as he could be.
But not every woman can receive this saying.It is a difficult thing to be a good wife, especially since your man isn’t perfect.
As Paul wrote, “If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you. (1 Corinthians 7: 28)
As a wife, you have to walk the erratic and razor-thin line between helping your man and trying to run his life.You’re supposed to help him fulfill his calling without dictating to him what his calling is.
I understand why a woman wouldn’t want to deal with that kind of drama, but that’s the job.
Your husband cannot do it without you.
He can’t succeed without you, but if he also can’t succeed WITH you, then what are you there for?
Read this:
I’m not sure how much of this story is true, but the underying principles are spot-on, Biblically accurate.
Ladies, you are the queens who make us kings.Or not.
You will be graded on your work.Show your work. Make the way you wife----- speak praises in your name.
And let her own works praise her in the gates. ---Anderson T. Graves II is a writer, community organizer and consultant for education, ministry, and rural leadership development.
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Hall Memorial CME Churchin Montgomery, Alabama, executive director of the Substance Abuse Youth Networking Organization (SAYNO) and director of rural leadership development for the National Institute for Human Development (NIHD).
If this message helps or touches you, please help support this ministry. Send a donation of any amount by check or money order. Mail all contributions to : Hall Memorial CME Church 541 Seibles Road Montgomery, AL 36116
Proverbs
31:31 Give
to her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the
gates.
Proverbs 31: 31.Last verse of the last chapter of the book of Wisdom.Class is about to be dismissed and the
Teacher explains how you will be graded.
You will get credit for your work.
The question at the close of this series is:When a wife receives credit for what she has
given as a wife will the grade place her on honor roll or in remediation?
First, a review.
God created male human beings to work and to think
and to be fruitful.For most men that
destined productivity is divinely ordained to occur in the context of
marriage---- God’s original social institution.Marriage is the only social institution that was created under perfect
conditions.God put together the first
marriage in Eden.Every other human
institution, including organized religion, was organized after the Fall in the
context of a fallen,already corrupted
world.
Marriage is something special.
And so, God proclaims that it is not good for man to be alone.God gave His already gifted, talented, doubly
employed, PERFECT man----- a wife.
Therefore, a wife is something special.
But admittedly, that’s not for every man.Marriage is special, and therefore marriage
in this sinful world is especially difficult.
At one point as Jesus was teaching about marriage
and laying out the difficulty and depths of the marriage commitment, Jesus’ disciples said to Him, “If such is
the case of the man with his
wife, it is better not to marry.” (Matthew 19: 10)
Jesus acknowledged that not every man can handle it.He said to them, “All cannot accept this
saying, but only those to whom
it has been given”.(Matthew 19:
11)
But, as Jesus explained, if a man is meant to be a
father then he is also meant to be a husband.Cause if he doesn’t want the deal with a wife, then he should be
celibate.
“For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are
eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made
themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”(Matthew 19:
12)
O.K., so now you’re wondering, “Anderson, what’s
your point?”
Right, right.My points?
Here are my points:
First, not every man is husband material and not
ever woman is wife material, and nothing is wrong with a man or woman who
doesn’t want to get married.
But if you don’t consider yourself to be marriage material
then don’t present yourself as sexual partner material either.
To my brothers:If you are a present or future husband, then your potential for success/
fruitfulness is inextricably tied to the woman you do or will call “wife.”Choose well.Your life may not depend on your choice of mate; but the quality of your
life does.
To the sisters: If you and he are truly meant to be together
as husband and wife, then you must understand your crucial role in his
success.If God has indeed joined you
together, then God has proclaimed that he will never realize his full
potential------- without YOUR help.No
matter how good, godly, talented, anointed, hardworking, and driven he is------
if you don’t wife him right, he will never be as good as he could be.
But not every woman can receive this saying.It is a difficult thing to be a good wife,
especially since your man isn’t perfect.
As Paul wrote,
“If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble
in the flesh, but I would spare you. (1 Corinthians 7: 28)
As a wife, you have to walk the erratic and razor-thin
line between helping your man and trying to run his life.You’re supposed to help him fulfill his
calling without dictating to him what his calling is.
I understand why a woman wouldn’t want to deal with
that kind of drama, but that’s the job.
Your husband cannot do it without you.
He can’t succeed without you, but if he also can’t
succeed WITH you, then what are you there for?
Read this:
I’m not sure how much of this story is true, but the
underlying principles are spot-on, Biblically accurate.
Ladies, you are the queens who make us kings.Or not.
You will be graded on your work.Show your work.
Make the way you wife----- speak praises in your name.
And let her own works praise her in the gates. ---Anderson T. Graves II is a writer, community organizer
and consultant for education, ministry, and rural leadership development.
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Hall Memorial CME Churchin Montgomery, Alabama, executive director of the Substance Abuse Youth
Networking Organization (SAYNO)
and director of rural leadership development for the National Institute for
Human Development (NIHD).
If this message helps or touches you, please help
support this ministry. Send a donation of any amount by check or money order.
Mail all contributions to :
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road
Montgomery, AL 36116
Proverbs 31: 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; 5 Lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitter of heart. 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Proverbs 31: 4-7. Talk about an endorsement!With Lemuel and his mother speaking in this passage, we have a king, a former prince, a queen, and a woman who fought for her place as 1st lady of the nation all endorsing the message: Getting drunk is not a good look for a success.Getting high is not what you do if you want to stay on top.
God blesses people to attain success and power so that they can use their success and power to help others.The chemicals make you forget that.The chemicals make you selfish, immoral, and unjust.The buzz and the high draw you off the path of God’s favor and place you on track for destruction. Outside of God’s favor there is personal and spiritual poverty.Outside of God favor there is misery.Outside of God’s favor there is death in spirit and in truth.
The sad irony is that the closer you get to bottom (to the point of perishing) the more miserable you become and the more you need the buzz to forget how poor and miserable you’re becoming.And yes, while the chemicals are active in your system, you do forget; but you don’t change.You’re still impoverished.You’re still pitiful.You’re still dying.
And the kings and queens of the culture look down on you and say, “He’s got nothing else.Let him have another drink.She’s not doing anything with her life anyway.Pass her another blunt. But oh, no.Nothing for me.I have a meeting in the morning.”
It doesn’t matter how you categorize your drug of choice. It doesn’t matter if it’s liquid or leafy, synthetic or “social,” packaged or prescribed.If it’s intoxicating then it’s not helping you succeed.It’s holding you back.
Since you’ve been intoxicating yourself, you’ve not gotten better have you?Your relationships aren’t more stable are they?For all the stuff you’ve dreamed you haven’t actually achieved anything more, have you?
And when you look closely at the bottle-popping, drug-passing imagery you notice that the ones who are fully intoxicated are in the background, servants to the one pouring into their glasses or sitting sober and clear-headed while everybody else gets drunk and high, trying to forget how successful they are not.
Yeah, I know what the songs say.But pay more attention to what God says.
Pay more attention.
If you want to be a king, if you want to be a queen -------- you’ve gotta get sober.
---Anderson T. Graves II is a writer, community organizer and consultant for education, ministry, and rural leadership development.
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Hall Memorial CME Churchin Montgomery, Alabama, executive director of the Substance Abuse Youth Networking Organization (SAYNO) and director of rural leadership development for the National Institute for Human Development (NIHD).
If this message helps or touches you, please help support this ministry. Send a donation of any amount by check or money order. Mail all contributions to : Hall Memorial CME Church 541 Seibles Road Montgomery, AL 36116
Proverbs 31: 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; 5 Lest they
drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted. 6 Give
strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitter of
heart. 7 Let him
drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Proverbs 31: 4-7. Talk about an endorsement!With Lemuel and his mother speaking in this
passage, we have a king, a former prince, a queen, and a woman who fought for
her place as 1st lady of the nation all endorsing the message: Getting drunk is not a
good look for success.Getting high
is not what you do if you want to stay on top.
God blesses people to attain success and power so
that they can use their success and power to help others.The chemicals make you forget that.The chemicals make you selfish, immoral, and
unjust.The buzz and the high draw you off
the path of God’s favor and place you on track for destruction. Outside of God’s favor there is personal and
spiritual poverty.Outside of God favor
there is misery.Outside of God’s favor
there is death in spirit and in truth.
The sad irony is that the closer you get to bottom
(to the point of perishing) the more miserable
you become and the more you need the buzz to forget how poor and miserable you’re
becoming.And yes, while the chemicals
are active in your system, you do forget; but you don’t change.You’re still impoverished.You’re still pitiful.You’re still dying.
And the kings and queens of the culture look down on
you and say, “He’s got nothing else.Let
him have another drink.She’s not doing
anything with her life anyway.Pass her
another blunt. But oh, no.Nothing for me.I have a meeting in the morning.”
It doesn’t matter how you categorize your drug of
choice. It doesn’t matter if it’s liquid or leafy, synthetic or “social,”
packaged or prescribed.If it’s intoxicating then it’s not helping you
succeed.It’s holding you back.
Since you’ve been intoxicating yourself, you’ve not
gotten better have you?Your
relationships aren’t more stable are they?For all the stuff you’ve dreamed you haven’t actually achieved anything
more, have you?
And when you look closely at the bottle-popping,
drug-passing imagery you notice that the ones who are fully intoxicated are in
the background, servants to the one pouring into their glasses or sitting sober
and clear-headed while everybody else gets drunk and high, trying to forget how
successful they are not.
Yeah, I know what the songs say.But pay
more attention to what God says.
Pay more attention.
If you want to be a king, if you want to be a queen
-------- you’ve gotta get sober.
---Anderson
T. Graves II is a writer, community organizer and
consultant for education, ministry, and rural leadership development.
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Hall Memorial CME Churchin
Montgomery, Alabama, executive director of the Substance Abuse Youth Networking
Organization (SAYNO) and
director of rural leadership development for the National Institute for Human
Development (NIHD).
To hear sermons, read devotions, and learn more
about the ministry at Hall Memorial CME Church, visit www.hallmemorialcme.blogspot.com .
If this message helps or touches you, please help support this ministry. Send a donation of any amount by check or money order.
Mail all contributions to :
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road
Montgomery, AL 36116
