God Has Not Stopped Loving...

Today is tough

In fact the last two weeks have been tough for many people here.

I can’t sugar coat today.

The reality is there is one part of us that says I don’t want to be here….

If we had a choice, we would working with Manya, talking to Manya, rowing with Manya, relaxing with Manya….

because the reality….

Manya is loved by each person who is here

and on the other hand our love for Manya’s is what has brought us here today.

to remember and celebrate how God has blessed us through Manya’s life

Take a moment to think how has God blessed you through Manya’s life…

And today I want to tell you about someone who also loved Manya

God

God loves Manya a huge amount…

Listen again to the words of Romans 8 that we heard earlier, but this time with Manya’s name

35 Who shall separate Manya from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 37 No, in all these things Manya are more than conquerors through him who loves Manya. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate Manya from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And God shows His love to us and Manya through the actions of Jesus…..

Listen to John 3:16-17

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, f that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Here’s the deal, when it comes to God

Here is the reality

For us to have eternal life, a lifetime with God in heaven where there will be no more suffering, pain or death we need to depend on Jesus

There is nothing we can do to earn God’s acceptance except have faith that Jesus’ death and resurrection is enough to pay the penalty for all our sins…

As we heard in John 14

our place in heaven is made possible by Jesus.

Jesus is the one preparing heaven for us.

In other words spending eternity with God and others is a gift from God

A gift that Jesus makes possible for us through His death on the cross.

And when it comes to Manya’s death it has been very difficult for many people.

We have lost someone from this earth we care about and love

It is also not something that God wanted to happen

God is about life

However I want to be very clear

The scriptures reveal that suicide does not stop a person receiving the gift of eternal life from God

Suicide is not an unforgiveable sin

God still loves Manya.

God still loves you and me….

Please hold onto this….

No matter what is happening in your life….

God always is throwing His love our way

You will find God’s love in the scriptures

You will find God’s love in church, don’t listen to the media about the church…the church is a community of people who God uses so His love becomes evident in our life.

You will find God’s love amongst your friends and family

And this is one of the reasons why today is important

God has placed people in our lives to help us

Especially to help us when life is tough

I find it remarkable that the most well know part of scripture is Psalm 23

is about God getting involved in our lives when things are rough

Listen carefully to verse 4 and 6

Even though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

God you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

When times are tough

When we experience days like today

tough and difficult times

They are not necessarily a sign that God is punishing us

However when they happen accept God’s help

Accept God’s support

God is always willing to help us

Lean on the people around us

Listen to God’s words and promises that he brings to us through the scriptures

Engage with His community, the church

God wants to help you through the difficulties you face

Rely on God and the gifts He gives you to help you through tough times

and for those us who think

did I do enough

could I have done more to prevent this?