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

    CLOSER
  • 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!