Bulletin Articles
TRIBUTE TO RICHARD GREESON
TRIBUTE TO RICHARD GREESON
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2Tm.2:1-4). In this text, we see the phrase, “good soldier of Jesus Christ.” This phrase is applicable to all saints, but has specific application to preachers (Timothy was a young preacher). With the passing of our brother, Richard Greeson, the concept of a “good soldier of Jesus Christ” came to my mind. In view of this text, I would like to share the following thoughts about him.
Richard was a good soldier of Jesus Christ. For someone to be able to preach the gospel for as long as Richard did shows real talent, as well as “staying power.” Every preacher knows that the Devil must be fought everywhere – even in the church. And the kind of preaching this requires does not make you popular! Nevertheless, I am confident that Richard lived by Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:1-5. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
Richard endured hardship as a good soldier. I know this because sooner or later, EVERY preacher endures hardship! And believe it or not, a preacher’s toughest battles often come from within. To be able to stand up to your brethren when they’re in sin is tough – and it brings severe hardship! Because of this, I am confident that Richard endured his share of hardship. Note Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:5-9. “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
As a good soldier, Richard took time to encourage me. He was always supportive and complimentary of my teaching efforts. He would often tell me a story from his past that would relate to what I just taught. And though I am sure he could have found fault with me, he NEVER expressed that to me! So, to me, he was a “refresher of saints,” just like Philemon. “I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother” (Phm.4-7).
As a good soldier, Richard taught with simplicity. Yes, this is a compliment! Too many preachers get haughty in their scholarliness. As a result, they often speak just to impress others – and this is a BIG mistake! While preachers must be scholars (i.e., advanced students), the real “trick” of preaching is to SIMPLIFY what you’ve learned. When I lived in Kentucky, the brethren had an expression for good preachers: “He puts it down where the calves can get it!” And those words definitely describe Richard (cf. Neh.8:8).
As a good soldier, Richard knew his limitations. Even though he was “retired,” he always wanted to be involved in the work. He continued to give occasional invitations, and made great comments in Bible classes. But, as time passed, and the infirmities of age came, he began to limit himself. This revealed that he had the wisdom to know himself – and then to limit himself! As Solomon said, there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Eccl.3:7). I would imagine this would be hard for an aging preacher; but I hope that I can do likewise as I grow older!
I’ll close this little tribute with Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:6-8. “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
--Lanny Smith
