EDWARDS FAMILY REUNION MESSAGE

EDWARDS FAMILY REUNION MESSAGE

By Rev. Dr. Kenneth E. Lillard

This message is being shared on the occasion of the celebration of the Edwards Family Reunion held in Portsmouth, VA this Labor Day 2015 Weekend. This Sunday, September 6, 2015, The Edwards Family is fellowshipping at Diamond Grove Baptist Church, Suffolk, VA, where Rev. Dr. Calvin A. Lillard is the Pastor.

Text: Ephesians 6:2-3, "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise: so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. ~ Apostle Paul.

Giving Honor to God, I greet you in the Precious Name of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Good morning! It is my honor and privilege to share a brief word with you on this Blessed Labor Day Sabbath.

First of all, I wish to acknowledge and recognize the Anointed Angel of this House (Diamond Grove Baptist Church), the Mighty Man of God, and one of America's Great Preachers, Rev. Dr. Calvin A. Lillard.

Also, I wish to recognize, the wind beneath his wings, First Lady Helen Lillard.

In addition, I wish to acknowledge, the Diamond Grove Baptist Church officials, officers, and the entire Diamond Grove Baptist Church Family.

I wish to recognize all of the distinguised guests, and especially the members of Edwards Family, who are celebrating their First Edwards Family Reunion on this Labor Day Weekend.

Finally, I wish to acknowledge and recognize all the Ministers of the Gospel, who labor so diligently in the vineyards to share God's message of Love and Salvation. Amen.

On behalf of the Edwards Family, and as an Edwards Family descendant, I wish to sincerely thank Rev. Dr. Calvin Lillard, and the entire Diamond Grove Church Family, for so graciously, opening up your arms, and showing such warm hospitality to the Edwards Family, who fellowship with you, in love and peace, on this wonderful Sabbath Day. We sincerely appreciate you, and truly thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

You know, the Edwards Family and the Diamond Grove Baptist Church Family have something very important in common. We are both members of the Family of God! We are both part and parcel of the Body of Christ! So, that makes all of us brothers-and-sisters-in-Christ! Amen. And Psalm 133:1 reminds us, "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Amen!

And that brings us to our message:

Hebrews 13:2 says, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this, some have entertained angels without knowing."  And I believe there are some angels in the house today. Amen.

Matthew 10:41 says, "Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous person, as a righteous person, will receive a righteous person's reward." So, additional heavenly blessings are, definitely, in store for the Diamond Grove Baptist Church Family, since we know the LORD is already blessing you, continually.

I just stopped by to share with you three (3) brief points on the importance of family. I promise I won't keep you long! 

1) Exodus 20:12 says, "Honor they father and mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD Thy God giveth thee."

And as the Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:2-3, this is the first commandment with a promise. Your days will be long upon the land which the LORD Your God has given you. And God does not break His promises. Tell your neighbor, "Neighbor, O Neighbor, God does not break His promises!" Amen.

If God said it, that settles it. And you can take that to the bank, saints! When a family honors it's parents and it's forefathers, especially like the Edwards Family is doing today, know that there is definitely a blessing with your name on it, waiting for you. I declare and decree many blessings upon you, financial blessings, healing blessings, blessings on your children, homes, families, and businesses, and most importantly, spirtual blessings. In the Blessed Name of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ I pray. Amen!

2) A family that prays together stays together! Think about that for a moment. Some of us are, only, here because of grandmothers' prayers sent heavenward late in the midnight hour. The Bible says that "The effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much." ~ James 5:16. So, Family, let us continue to pray, one for another. Pray for health, pray for wisdom, pray for salvation, pray for those caught up in conflicts, pray for those going through trials and tribulations, and pray for all of those who wished to be here today but could not due to circumstances beyond their control. Pray that the LORD would smile upon them today, touch them with His favor, and grant them deliverance in Mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Amen! 

My beloved mother, Rev. Dr. Rosetta Lillard, who was John and Molly Edward's granddaughter, and a mighty Woman of God, often told me that her mother, Georgia Edwards, who, herself, was a mighty prayer warrior, prayed that all of her children would be saved. So, Family, let us pray for all of those who do not know the LORD in the forgiveness of their sins that they might be saved. For we don't want any to perish. Let no one be left outside of God's Ark of Safety. Amen!

#3) Finally, the Apostle Paul instructs us in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, "Therefore, encourage one another, and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." So, let us support and encourage one another. Extend a hand of assistance to your brother-and-sister in Christ. Forgive one another, as God has forgiven you. The Bible says, "God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Jesus died for us." ~ Romans 5:8. Amen!

Family, God has a purpose and a bright future for your life. The Prophet Jeremiah tells us, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11.

So, go in love, and peace, and joy, Family, for a truly bright future awaits you!

May God Continue to Bless You Richly!

Let the church say Amen!