Hello, My name is Ronald Ramsey and I am the new pastor at McKendree UMC. Here is my first sermon and an introduction to myself.
May our Lord richly bless you!
Yours in Christ, Ron
1 Peter 5:1-4 Sheepdog - Called from the doghouse to serve God.
“1 ¶ The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (1Peter 5:1-4 NKJV)
With this verse God called me into the ministry. In bad and good times this verse has seen me through. It reminds me when I have gone astray. It guides me along the way.
I have not always been a pastor or a Christian. When I grew up we attended the Salvation Army but church and God were not part of my life. I believed in God but saw Him as either distant or angry. I remember a show where people were like puppets on a stage. That is how I saw God.
I began to long to find my own way so I left my family to join the Navy. Talk about going from the frying pan into the fire! I worked on the flight deck emergency crew and saw things that I could not deal with at 18. My recreational drinking became intense binges.
One day while shaving blood came out and the doctors first thought I had severe leukemia and that I had 6 months to live. Then they decided I had ITP and had 3 months to live.
The Navy sent me home for two weeks before going on to another base and hospital. The intense pain was beyond description. But I went to breakfast with a friend’s Mother and her church prayed for me. “Remember you are healed by the Stripes on Christ’s back!”
Next morning I woke without the headache. Enjoyed the day and came back and asked Jesus into my life.
Went to Memphis thinking I was still dying. Got a Bible and read it in a few weeks. Attended Navigator Study and started teaching a class as I finished it and took the next one.
After a couple of months the pains returned and they sent me back to the original doctor. After three bone marrow tests they said I was healed! Not a sign of the ITP!
Went back and continued to grow. Met Bonnie and we married. After getting out I went to school to get a degree in computers. Offered a job at Disney World and the IRS. Asked God which but He had another choice. The ministry!
For 24 years I have served God in now my fifth appointment and now 8 churches. I have continued to see the miraculous touch and presence of God around me. And I look forward to seeing all God will do while we are here. I believe that God still works miracles in lives and I am the proof!
But I do not see myself as a shepherd. Phillip Keller has a wonderful book called “Lessons from a Sheepdog.” That is what I feel I am. I believe God has taken me from the doghouse to sitting at the Good Shepherd’s side and answering His call. To hear my Master’s voice. To feel my Master’s hand. To hear “Well done!” To please HIM! That is my call! That is my joy!
