Michael Bradrick on Psalm 78 and Multi-Generational Faithfulness
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:17 pm (Ministries)
Michael Bradrick is a real piece of work ( Eph 2:10). Truly, God has blessed him
with a sincere lifestyle of humility. I recently had the blessing of listening
to a message he gave at Wade Meyer’s church a while back. Prior to this sermon,
his son Peter had spoken on “The theology of the bridegroom” in the same church.
What struck me about Michael’s teaching was the amount of humility he wore on
his sleeve and how he directs and redirects all glory and praise to the One who
deserves it, our Lord Jesus Christ. It was so refreshing to hear a man of God
freely talk about his own deficiencies and lift up the sufficiency of Christ.
Michael is a down to earth kind of guy, he is gracious, soft-spoken and has been
graced with the Christian virtue of meekness. Best of all, “Papa B” (as his
grandchildren and spiritual grandchildren call him) walks the talk. By no means
is he perfect. I’m sure he would be the first to tell you that he is a wretched
sinner saved only by the grace of a merciful God (and I would heartily second
that truth). But God has been pleased to use this former enemy of God, now
reconciled to God through Christ, as a tremendous influence in my life.
One of the beautiful aspects of walking in humility is that you are free
to sincerely repent when needed. In other words, I know my pride has caused me
to not voice my repentance over any amount of certain sins (even so-called
‘mistakes’). It’s very encouraging to have in Michael an example of how to
graciously repent in true humility, giving God the glory. I sense that in many
ways our ministry philosophy is similar “He must increase, I must decrease”
comes to mind. Preach the character and work of Christ to exalt Him and humble
sinners. Call for men to have repentance toward God, to see sin as ‘utterly
sinful’. To glory and rejoice in the Lord as our greatest love. I could go on
and on, but really this is simply supposed to be an introduction to his message
on “Multi-generational Faithfulness” based on Psalm 78. I highly recommend you
download it and listen to it, you will be blessed as a result. Here is an
excerpt from the very beginning of the message,
“What a blessing to be here. Because my children have preceded me, that puts me in a very awkward position because you have expectations that I probably will not fulfill. What you have witnessed in the lives of our children is the grace of an almighty God.
These are the products of desperately wicked sinners - sinners saved by the
grace of God and children transformed by His grace and by His power. As I
meditated on what in God’s word could I share with you that has been helpful to
us, that might give you hope, might give you instruction, might give you
conviction - God directed my heart to a passage that is very near and dear to my
heart - Psalm 78.”
Psalm 78:4-8 We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they should teach them to their children, That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children, That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments, And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart And whose spirit was not faithful to God.
May the Lord bless you as you seek to apply, through the grace of God, the patterns and precepts of this psalm to your life and your family’s life. By the way, if you want to learn more about the Bradricks and their various ministries, here are some links.
Family Discipleship Ministries
http://www.familydiscipleshipmin.com/
Christian Heritage Home Educators of Washington
http://www.christianheritageonline.org/
Bradrick Family Farms
http://bradrickfamilyfarms.com/
Stephen Bradrick’s blog
http://stephenbradrick.blogspot.com/
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