Will we need a Murrell Ewing at Conference this year?

I was blessed beyond measure to have Bro. Murrell Ewing come over last night to preach for us. The man is simply incredible and the anointing on his life is almost breathtaking when he 'locks in'. He did so much good for our Church last night and I'll love him forever because of it. He's one of those 'icons' that we need to cherish while we can.

Sitting around the table after Church we began to talk 'preaching' (naturally! oloroid) and I mentioned to him a message that he preached which remains one of my 'favorites' to this day. I think the year was 1977 and he was preaching our General Conference and wonderfullly delivered an incredible message called "If Love Ever Speaks".

Ironically, when I mentioned it to him he said, "I tried so hard to preach something else but I had been given a word I knew was from God!" He went on to tell me several supernatural confirmations that he was, indeed, to preach that message. But, towards the end of the conversation his wife said, "I was stopped several times by weeping preachers on our way out telling me that my husband had singlehandedly just stopped the organization from splitting."

On further explaination they told me that this was the year that Hanby and Phillips brought the television issue up and there was such friction going back and forth. Suddenly, remembering the message, I could see the absolute value of that message at that moment. It spoke about Solomon taking the baby up ready to divide it with a sword and how love spoke through the real Mother and said, "NO! Don't destroy the baby! I still know what I know but I don't want my baby to die because of someone I don't agree with!"

Perhaps we need another 'Murrell Ewing' moment at this upcoming General Conference. I would suggest that if you don't have the message try to find a copy... it's an incredible message.

[OP_Carl]

This would imply that one side of the TV debate knows that they are in the wrong (or that their position has less merit) and yet continues to push for what they want out of pure hard-headedness and a nasty self-justified spirit of spreading the suffering and loss.

Either way you look at it, this analogy is an oversimplification.

This is not to say that Brother Ewing couldn't have the right words to say to touch hearts and change minds again this year.

[StillStanding]

I love Bro. Ewing too! Some of his sermons have impacted my life greatly!

That being said, I wonder which side is more willing to 'split the baby' if they don't get their way? Which side is threatening to leave if the vote doesn't go their way?

If the TV measure passes, is the preservation of the baby more important than retaining control of fellow ministers? Is the life of the baby more important than your own comfort level?

The man stood quaking and trembling in his emotions as tears flowed down his cheek, looking over the vast congregation that he had addressed so many times before under such a great annoiting. His service and giving had been unselfish which has blessed the body of Christ world-wide. Many times before had he stood in the GC pulpit but this was to be the last time. His licenses were denied renewal by an intolerant fellowship that refused to allow the man of God to go in the direction that he felt that God was leading his ministry and his church.

I will never forget the Lord's humble servant's last words before a fellowship that he dearly cherished, chosing rather to be obedient to the voice of the Lord that was leading him...

"It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all." With those final words ringing in my ears, Kenneth Phillips walked away deeply feeling the pain of rejection. As a fellowship, we are so much poorer today.

I too love bro. Ewing. I've known him since the 1st grade when we both attended the same class room. His was indeed a great message. Too bad so many others are not as loving and kind as both him and he who chose to follow the Lord in the way of rejection.

[CC1]

Steadfast,

I was at that GC and had forogtten that message until you mentioned it. The first 45 minutes of any Murrell Ewing sermon has always been some of my favorites. It is that last hour or hour and a half that get tough!!

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Brother Strange

The man stood quaking and trembling in his emotions as tears flowed down his cheek, looking over the vast congregation that he had addressed so many times before under such a great anoiting. His service and giving had been unselfish which has blessed the body of Christ world-wide. Many times before had he stood in the GC pulpit but this was to be the last time. His licenses were denied renewal by an intolerant fellowship that refused to allow the man of God to go in the direction that he felt that God was leading his ministry and his church.

I will never forget the Lord's humble servant's last words before a fellowship that he dearly cherished, chosing rather to be obedient to the voice of the Lord that was leading him...

"It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all." With those final words ringing in my ears, Kenneth Phillips walked away deeply feeling the pain of rejection. As a fellowship, we are so much poorer today.

I too love bro. Ewing. I've known him since the 1st grade when we both attended the same class room. His was indeed a great message. Too bad so many others are not as loving and kind as both him and he who chose to follow the Lord in the way of rejection.

What was interesting was that at the 1975 GC in Ft. Worth when the TV subject was really building toward a confrontation Kenneth Phillips was the official speaker at the "Evangelists Banquet". I found that very interesting at the time based on the politics.

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

This would imply that one side of the TV debate knows that they are in the wrong (or that their position has less merit) and yet continues to push for what they want out of pure hard-headedness and a nasty self-justified spirit of spreading the suffering and loss.

Either way you look at it, this analogy is an oversimplification.

This is not to say that Brother Ewing couldn't have the right words to say to touch hearts and change minds again this year.

I think Bro Ewing probably was not trying to make the analogy fit to a "t". He probably was oversimplifying. True Love will cause you to do what is best for the object you are aiming your love at. LOVE seeketh not its own.

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by CC1

Steadfast,

I was at that GC and had forogtten that message until you mentioned it. The first 45 minutes of any Murrell Ewing sermon has always been some of my favorites. It is that last hour or hour and a half that get tough!!

I was there, too, and well remember the message. I believe it was in Louisville.

[revrandy]

I often thought Bro. Ewing was a Moderate... is this true?

Originally Posted by CC1

Steadfast,

I was at that GC and had forogtten that message until you mentioned it. The first 45 minutes of any Murrell Ewing sermon has always been some of my favorites. It is that last hour or hour and a half that get tough!!

LOL....

But even that is always good...