Jim, “Rip” Sewell and I met in 1960, as first year students at Baptist Bible College. We became roommates during our second year and have been friends ever since. From my experience with Jim Sewell, I believe his life can be described in the words of the Apostle Paul in Acts 27:25, “Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.” I think his life demonstrates this verse in at least four ways.
First, he was pleasant. Often loud, often funny, he loved to laugh and he was always pleasant. I guess I’m trying to say that he was a happy man. He was happy because he knew God loved him, because Jesus Christ died for him and forgave his sins. He was happy because he had a home in heaven and God was with him as he journeyed through life.
Second, he was productive in what he did and how he thought. He was a productive student. He graduated from Baptist Bible College, Tennessee Temple University and earned a Ph.D. from Bob Jones University. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a Bible scholar, an outstanding college professor, successful pastor and fervent soul winner. He also had a fertile mind that seemed to never shut off. When he assisted me during the years I pastored Park Crest Baptist Church and served at Baptist Bible College, it seemed there was never a week that he didn’t come up with some idea he thought might help us do a better job meeting the needs of our congregation or school. Actually, there were times when his creative and innovative ideas became irritating. Regardless, he focused his life and imagination on trying to be productive.
Third, he was purposeful. In my observance, he always strived to make his marriage, children and grandchildren succeed. Also, he always wanted the Lord’s work to succeed. He wanted the churches and the school he served to succeed. He wanted his students to succeed. He also wanted lost souls to accept Jesus Christ as savior. He shared the gospel with anyone and everyone he could. I remember speaking at Noble Hill Baptist Church where he pastored and him introducing various people he had won to Christ.
Finally, Jim Sewell was positive. In the 58 years I have known him, I seldom remember when he wasn’t positive. He was positive when he was diagnosed with cancer nearly 20 years ago. He was positive as he received treatment for this terrible scourge. He was positive as he exercised and dieted to maintain a level of health. The last time I spoke with him, he told me he had weeks, maybe days to live. But he was positive about us meeting again in heaven. He was pleasant, productive, purposeful and positive because his life seemed to say, “…sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.” That was Jim Sewell.
I was blessed by your tribute to Doc Sewell! Well written and inspiring!
Amen Dr. Mike. I agree.