Good News At A Bad Time!
Sermon
The Word Is Life
An Anthology Of Funeral Meditations
A tragedy has come into our lives! We are stunned and distracted, but we must not despair; by the grace of God, we do not have to be afraid. The greater the sorrow, so much greater the power of God to give us the faith that makes us more than conquerors. This faith helps us to look up and hope. This faith enables us to hear the good news of the angel again this special day: ''Do not be afraid ... to you is born ... a Savior ...'' Christians need not feel that they are left without comfort at a time such as this. God has sent Jesus the Christ to be our Savior, to do something for us that we are unable to do for ourselves, to bring us to a right relationship with the Eternal One, God!
In this uncertain life, death may suddenly crash into our presence without notice, and we stand, unable to speak before the unsearchable wisdom of God. When the mind is troubled, normal thought processes and sound judgment are suspended. All sense of responsibility is lost. The only explanation for this tragedy is to be found in an illness that confuses the thinking process and brings on depressive moods. In all love and concern we want to believe today that because of such an illness, all sense of values was lost and there was no longer a responsibility for those actions taken on the part of our departed sister in the faith. We must leave the entire matter in the hands of a loving God and know that our gracious Creator understands us better than we do ourselves. God
is merciful and full of compassion. Each of the Lord's children in distress is made acceptable through the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Some of the sting can then be taken out of this tragic hour. We are troubled and sorrowful, but not despairing. We can and do receive comfort from the Word of God: ''Do not be afraid ... to you is born ... a Savior ...'' We believe that all things, even the tragedies of this life, are in the hands of our merciful God. Even though many times things happen to us which are earthshaking, one thing cannot happen to us - we shall not be left alone! This is the promise of Christ to us; we shall perish but have eternal life.
We are living in troublesome times of national and international upheaval, of wars and rumors of wars, of false prophets and deceivers who lead people in strange paths. If ever there was a time for Christians to hear the Word of God, to reaffirm their faith in Jesus the Christ, to stand firmly together in unity of spirit, that time is now.
This Jesus, the Savior who has redeemed us, gives us a peace which passes all understanding. No matter what we must face in this life, God reconciles us through Christ, and we can face life with renewed courage, knowing that the Savior has been born for us.
May God, in abundant mercy, comfort us and in time heal the deep wounds which this tragedy has caused in our lives. We believe that God knows best. We place our future in God's hands, whether our remaining days are few or many. We must not despair but pray that God will give us a faith that remains unshaken by this tragic act, that God will give us a hope that takes us to, and reaches into, the eternity of glory. With peace of heart and mind we need not fear, for a Savior is born for us, a Savior who shall bring healing to our hearts.
In this uncertain life, death may suddenly crash into our presence without notice, and we stand, unable to speak before the unsearchable wisdom of God. When the mind is troubled, normal thought processes and sound judgment are suspended. All sense of responsibility is lost. The only explanation for this tragedy is to be found in an illness that confuses the thinking process and brings on depressive moods. In all love and concern we want to believe today that because of such an illness, all sense of values was lost and there was no longer a responsibility for those actions taken on the part of our departed sister in the faith. We must leave the entire matter in the hands of a loving God and know that our gracious Creator understands us better than we do ourselves. God
is merciful and full of compassion. Each of the Lord's children in distress is made acceptable through the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Some of the sting can then be taken out of this tragic hour. We are troubled and sorrowful, but not despairing. We can and do receive comfort from the Word of God: ''Do not be afraid ... to you is born ... a Savior ...'' We believe that all things, even the tragedies of this life, are in the hands of our merciful God. Even though many times things happen to us which are earthshaking, one thing cannot happen to us - we shall not be left alone! This is the promise of Christ to us; we shall perish but have eternal life.
We are living in troublesome times of national and international upheaval, of wars and rumors of wars, of false prophets and deceivers who lead people in strange paths. If ever there was a time for Christians to hear the Word of God, to reaffirm their faith in Jesus the Christ, to stand firmly together in unity of spirit, that time is now.
This Jesus, the Savior who has redeemed us, gives us a peace which passes all understanding. No matter what we must face in this life, God reconciles us through Christ, and we can face life with renewed courage, knowing that the Savior has been born for us.
May God, in abundant mercy, comfort us and in time heal the deep wounds which this tragedy has caused in our lives. We believe that God knows best. We place our future in God's hands, whether our remaining days are few or many. We must not despair but pray that God will give us a faith that remains unshaken by this tragic act, that God will give us a hope that takes us to, and reaches into, the eternity of glory. With peace of heart and mind we need not fear, for a Savior is born for us, a Savior who shall bring healing to our hearts.
