February 2nd, 2003, Sunday Morning

"Ernest Greene"
The testimony of a man; a reflection of Paul the Apostle


OPENING: Philippians 3:17-21


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INTRODUCTION: Ernest Greene, a life-long cotton farmer on the Texas panhandle, was a very close and dear friend of Pastor Branson. Ernest passed away just a couple days ago. In his hospital bed, his last words he said to his wife of 75 years were, "I love you." Because of the impact Ernest Greene had on Pastor Branson's life, the pastor deviated from this morning's originally scheduled sermon to give an impromptu message--a testimony--on Ernest Greene because of the potential effect Ernest's life can have on your spiritual life.
This is the testimony of a man who started out secular and very bitter and later found God, Who impacted his life so much, he gave all he had, all the time, because of how much more important he believed his neighbor to be than himself (--a life paralleling Paul the Apostle).

Philippians 3:17: Paul the Apostle writes that we are to lock-on to those who follow God because they are the example to follow. Ernest Greene was one of today's examples.

• SELF-EXAMINATION: Who's example do you follow that's had such an impact on your life?--your mom, dad, teacher, pastor, TELEVISION?

Ernest was first and foremost a man who prayed and studied (observed) God's Word, which, according to the Bible, is the only way to acquire faith (Romans 10:17).

• He constantly had to have the Bible read to him. When he could not read it himself, he called pastor Branson over to simply have the pastor read chapters and chapters to Ernest, for hours at a time.
  
  
• Why did others ask him to do invocations and benedictions? Not because he impressed other congregation members with a fiery, loud, bold voice (which he didn't have) but because of his tone of passion with the words he chose to use in his prayers.
  
  
• A man of no earthly education (other than cotton farming), he knew the Bible more than anything else and had practically memorized the Old Testament!
  
  
  • In one Sunday School session, Ernest recited and taught Daniel 7 verse by verse while the class read on, trying to comprehend Ernest's accuracy
  
  
• At church business sessions, Ernest made sure no meeting was ever conducted without the proper opening and closing prayers

A cotton farmer for over 80 years, Ernest's wisdom was not in farming but in people

• He was a listener. He never valued his own advice as much as listening to everyone else's opinion. And with that, his final decision on all matters was based on what the Bible instructed. In other words, he made decisions that were Biblically correct.
  
  
• Ernest made sure everyone around him was doing alright--spiritually. Even in his mid 80's, age didn't stop him from regularly driving 80-some miles to Lubbock to check on friends, weekly
  
  
• A rancher of few words, and in his 90's, Ernest would call the Pastor and ask how his wife, Jan, was doing. "We're prayin' for ya ... we're prayin' for ya," is all Ernest would say and then hang up
  
  
• In the middle of one night, Ernest called the pastor and said a friend, Bill (a physically very large and muscular man), was in the hospital. When they arrived, Bill said to Ernest, "Ernest, I'm scared ... I'm scared I'm losing my faith." And Ernest took Bill's hand and said, "No, Bill, you're not losing your faith. You're just tired." And Bill turned over and peacefully fell asleep.
  
  
• One morning at 5AM, a house-fire took away all belongings and history of a then-homeless family. Pastor Branson was the first on the scene and helped get the family out but the fire department never arrived because in a town that small, most likely someone stole the battery out of the only fire engine and it never started!
  
  
  • At 6AM, Ernest whacked Pastor Branson on the back of his leg with his cane and said in his few words, "You make sure whatever that family needs, they get. I'll pay for it all." Farmers--known for not being rich--Ernest was able to pay the $4000 bill at the end of the day.
  
  
• In another situation, Pastor Branson had to write multiple $20 checks to individuals for services rendered. The total was $2000 but pastor knew he only had $100 in the bank. The bank said not to worry--that a loan would be later worked out. When the pastor followed up later to secure the loan, the bank said, "There's no need. The loan's already paid for." Pastor Branson later found out it was Ernest who paid!

One of the things that Pastor Branson took away about Ernest more than anything else is that he never heard Ernest say one bad word about (never judged) anyone. (James 5:9: "Judge not, lest ye be judged".)

Pastor also used Ernest's own words to comfort him: when the time came from Ernest to be in the hospital, he called the pastor from the cardiac ward he was in. When the pastor came over, Ernest said, "Pastor, I'm scared. I think I'm losing my faith." And the pastor said to the man who began to forget, "Ernest, you're not losing your faith. You're just tired." And with that, Ernest rolled over and peacefully fell asleep

Ernest didn't always live like this. He started out a man of hatred like Paul the Apostle:

• A very bitter, angry, and foul-mouthed farmer, who's cursing could be heard by the whole town
  (CONTRAST Acts 9:1-2: Paul [then called Saul] was a chief Christian persecutor).
• But then circumstances brought him to the altar which turned his life around...
  (CONTRAST Acts 9:3-6: Paul is suddenly confronted by God).
• To where he dedicated 100% of his energy and possessions to his fellow neighbor ... even though the town eyed him with suspicion for two years for his sudden unexplained change of heart
  (CONTRAST Acts 9:11-13,21,26: Paul is converted to do God's work but everyone knew Paul's reputation and were suspicious and scared this was a trick).
  
  
• His wife was called a living saint for putting up with Ernest's hate and verbal abuse for 30+ years before he walked to the altar his first time

CLOSER

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Ernest, after becoming saved, lived a life so full, he met the needs of others--and this is the life we're supposed to emulate: tender-heartedness

What we can learn from this testimony: A man, so dirt poor in morals, spirit, possessions, and education, was made so abundantly rich he was able to give it all to others--through only studying the Bible.

APPLICATION: How do you live your life? Is it to gain and store for yourself and your future ... or to help and give to others? If you died tonight, what words would the pastor use in his eulogy at your funeral? Would it include the basic words "love," and "sacrifice"?

While Ernest was known to never sing at the song-service portion of church, his favorite and only song he'd ever sing to was... (click PLAY button to start)

Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul O what a wonderful, wonderful day, day I will never forget; After I'd wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Savior I met. O what a tender, compassionate friend, He met the need of my heart; Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling, He made all the darkness depart. Chorus Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, When at the cross the Savior made me whole; My sins were washed away and my night was turned to day, Heaven came down and glory filled my soul! Born of the Spirit with life from above into God's family divine, Justified fully thru Calvary's love, O what a standing is mine! And the transaction so quickly was made, when as a sinner I came, Took of the offer, of grace He did proffer, He saved me, O praise His dear name! Chorus Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, When at the cross the Savior made me whole; My sins were washed away and my night was turned to day, Heaven came down and glory filled my soul! Now I've a hope that will surely endure after the passing of time; I have a future in heaven for sure there in those mansions sublime. And it's because of that wonderful day, when at the cross I believed; Riches eternal and blessings supernal, from His precious hand I received. Chorus Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, When at the cross the Savior made me whole; My sins were washed away and my night was turned to day, Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!