(This was the funeral of our Youth Director who passed away from cancer at an early age.)
Genesis 25: 8-11
Known Mickey 1 yr.- Loved him, trusted him, will miss his teaching
Mickey could take a household item and a Bible verse during his children’s message and have all the adults either crying or under conviction.
If remembering the good times was all that surrounded our loss- we might be able to deal with this loss.
But one of the many things that we had talked about so much was our expectations.
Today it may look as though all of Mickey’s expectations may have been cut short.
We think of things to celebrate however it is those things which we envision as loss that trouble us so.
It could have been this way with Abraham- He had accomplished much, but there was unmet expectations:
1. No Great Nation - Genesis 12
2. No apparent blessings through him
3. Had suffered many trials- even after God’s promises
Would have been easy to think he had ended up just a merchant in a foreign and hostile land.
WHY HAD HE LEFT UR? To end up here!
Mickey too may seem to have left behind a few things left undone.
1. He didn’t meet his life expectancy.
2. He suffered a debilitating illness that seemed to fool our estimates.
3. Had many trials that had plagued his life – even after being saved
So why is there hope in life? Where is there any consolation in our sorrow?
In the true promises of God!!
Abraham, at death, knew that the promise of God was not to be found on Earth
Hebrews 11:13-16 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the Earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."
You see,
1. Our expectations are so much less than what God has in store for us.
This Life is not the best that God has in store.
Abraham knew that the gift of God was an eternal home!!
Genesis- "was gathered to his people" – He went home!!
"The best of all is, God is with us. Farewell! Farewell!" John Wesley
Praise God- Though it appears that there is a great injustice done,Mickey has received his reward for a race well run.
His expectations have been surpassed
2. Today Mickey is finally at home-
ALSO just as with Abraham (Heb11:15-16 italics)
He wouldn’t return this gift for his former life!
Wondering what could I say!! - Mickey touched so many lives
A couple weeks ago when Mickey realized that His time was near-
Mickey said it all: "Tell the church that I’m O.K. , and I’ll see them on the other side!"
If you are here and do not know Jesus Christ – You have no hope of the other side!
I know Mickey would tell you don’t miss it for the world ACCEPT JESUS TODAY
Family Hard Times Ahead- It’s OK to miss your loved one, but let Jesus comfort you with the knowledge of your own Salvation and the promise of your reunion.
Jesus speaks these words in John 14:1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also."
