Pastor Railton would consider it a privilege to talk with anyone about the church, living the Christian life, how to become a Christian or any problem or discouragement you may be experiencing. Let him know and he will be glad to either come to your home or meet in the office.
Grandparental Potential
I. LIFE NEED (Grandparent's Day)
A. National Grandparents Day was first officially recognized by President Jimmy Carter, in 1978. It
followed years of independent efforts by a grandfather, Mike Goldgar from Atlanta, and a grandmother, Marian
McQuade from West Virginia. It is a day to recognize grandparents, to honor and value them, to acknowledge
their contribution to who we are and what we will become. Margaret Meade wrote, of her own
grandmother, "I see that she gave me an extra century...she explained to me about the telegraph, the
first automobile and the men who were then just beginning to link far places in a new way, by flying."
B. The following are the lyrics to a song I heard once. It's really cute, but you have to listen closely.
"Many many years ago when I was twenty three, I got married to a widow who was pretty
as could be. This widow had a grown-up daughter who had hair of red. My father fell in
love with her, and soon the two were wed. This made my dad my son-in-law and changed my
very life. My daughter was my mother, for she was my father's wife. To complicate the matters
worse, although it brought me joy, I soon became the father of a bouncing baby boy. My
little baby then became a brother-in-law to dad. And so became my uncle, though it made me
very sad. For if he was my uncle, then that also made him brother To the widow's grown-up
daughter who, of course, was my step-mother. Father's wife then had a son, who kept them on
the run. And he became my grandson, for he was my daughter's son. My wife is now my
mother's mother and it makes me blue. Because, although she is my wife, she's my grandma too.
If my wife is my grandmother, then I am her grandchild. And every time I think of it, It
simply drives me wild. For now I have become the strangest case you ever saw. As the husband
of my grandmother, I am my own grandpa."
C. Here's another one. This little grandmother was surprised by her 7 year old grandson one morning. He had made
her coffee. She drank what was the worst cup of coffee in her life. When she got to the bottom there were three
of those little green army men in the cup. She said, "Honey, what are the army men doing in my coffee?"
Her grandson said, "Grandma, it says on TV, 'The best part of waking up is soldiers in your cup!'"
II. BIBLE LEARNING
A. Turn To II Kings 17. We're going to read the entire chapter, but let's skip to the end of the story so you'll
understand why I've chosen to feature this little known chapter on Grandparents Day. II Kings 17:41. What a
negative influence these parents and grandparents had on their children! This is so convicting of the entire
nation of Israel. This chapter, in fact this verse, summarizes the ruin of a people who refused to seek
first, the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.
1. II Kings 17:1-6. Introductory Summary
2. II Kings 17:7-23. Israel Defeated / Exiled Because
of Sin
3. II Kings 17:24-41. Samaria Resettled / V. 41 - What
a sad commentary on the people of God! What a negative influence these parents and grandparents
had on their children and grandchildren! Little did they realize their impact!
B. II Tim. 1. What A Positive Influence Grandparents Can Have!
1. II Tim. 1:3-5.
a. Acts 16:1. Timothy's mother was a Jew,
converted to Christianity, but evidently his father was converted neither to Judaism, or to
Christianity.
b. Here's an example of a believing mother, and an
unbelieving father, but the son had a living, sincere faith. I suspect at least part of the reason
is Timothy's grandmother Lois. What an influence a Christian grandparent can have on a
family!
c. Now days we have so many families separated
by divorce or other reasons. It's most difficult to raise children in the Lord anyway, but even
more so when you have two sets of parents making different rules, setting different
standards, living with different values. What a help when you have Christian grandparents who
realize the impact they can have, and who pay the price to do it. It can make a difference for
eternity!
2. II Tim. 3:14-17. What an influence Lois and Eunice
had!
C. Now, Let's Switch Gears For A Moment. Turn To I Tim. 5.
1. Grandparents have an opportunity for eternity. We
can help bring our grandchildren up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We can help usher
them into the kingdom. We need to take advantage of that opportunity. We need to see to their eternal
needs before our own recreational or pleasure needs. May we realize that the road we travel will
largely determine the destiny of our children and grandchildren. The attitudes, the priorities, the
values, the behaviors we express will largely determine the same in our children and
grandchildren. On the other hand, grandchildren have a responsibility too! I Tim. 5:1-8.
2. This is Paul's teaching to Timothy, a young pastor.
Comments.
3. This needs to be especially taught in this day and
age.
a. Families are scattered all across the nation, and
sometimes even the world.
b.
Grandparents live longer than in the past.
c. This generation is busier than any generation in
history.
d. Many of today's senior citizens are terribly
lonely people.
4. Paul says children and grandchildren, "should learn
first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents
and grandparents." Alice and I took good care of our children when they were young. I expect them to
take good care of us when we are old. We're looking forward to a new chapter in our lives, as
grandparents. I don't pretend to know much about being a grandparent, but I do know what the
scriptures teach, and I intend to do my best to follow them.
III. CONCLUSION
A. In conclusion, let me just remind you all of Jesus' words in Matt. 6:33. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and
his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you."
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