I'll Fly Away

Dr. Wayne A. Lawson

Perfected Praise Worship Center – OKC

www.perfectedpraisewc.org

Preached at Funeral – June 16, 2010

(Sermon adapted and revised from Rev. Bruce Ball’s 2006 sermon)

TITLE: I’LL FLY AWAY

SCRIPTURE: II TIMOTHY 4:6-8 / I CORINTHIANS 15:54

Today we are here with heavy hearts as family and friends have gathered to remember and celebrate the life of _____________. She left this world as we know it just a few days ago. She is remembered for her loving Spirit. Although she had no children of her own, I am told that she loved her nieces and nephews as though they were her own. I am told she had a spirit filled with Laughter, she loved to laugh, and I can fully understand and appreciate that. Anyone who SHARES THE SAME BIRTH DATE THAT WE RECOGNIZE AS THE EARTHLY BIRTHDATE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR J ESUS CHRIST – could not help but to have a Loving Spirit filled with laughter.

Laughter takes us to a Wonderful Place and enhances our Mood, and changes our Outlook. God has given us this mechanism of laughter and songs that touch our Mental Faculties in a strong and Powerful way. I want to share with you for just a few moments the words of a familiar song authored by Albert Brumley. It is a beautiful Hymn entitled “I’LL FLY AWAY.” I challenge you to listen to the words of the Song that we may take great comfort as we connect it to the Holy Writ.

VS. 1 -- SOME GLAD MORNING WHEN THIS LIFE IS OVER. I often wondered, especially in times like these, why would the author use the word ‘GLAD’ when referring to this earthly life being over? Can we find a sense of Gladness even when a life has been cut so short and abruptly? My brothers and sisters, I think that is the only word we can understand when it comes to meeting Jesus, our Redeemer, in person. And we can only do that when the life we know on this earth is over. When the final chapter in this Novel called life has been written. Don’t know about you, but that will be a “glad morning.” When we close our eyes on this side and open them in the presence of my Savior, in that Land where every day is Sunday and the Sabbath will have no end. Yes, that will be a Glad Morning.

VS. 2 -- WHEN THE SHADOWS OF THIS LIFE HAVE GONE. Everything we read and understand about the Old Testament was simply a foreshadow of the New Testament. Well what does that mean? Everything that happened in the Old Testament pointed to the way for the coming of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. And just as the Old Testament was a foreshadow of things yet to come to each and every one of us:

• This life we know on earth is but a foreshadow of the life of eternity that is also yet to come

• We should look forward to that everlasting life

• Because we will spend it at the Table of Grace with our Lord

The Old Testament is the Foreshadow of Christ. He is on every page. He is the true theme of the Old Testament—by type – teaching – sacrifice and prophecy.

• He is the prophet greater than Moses

• He is the Priest greater than Aaron

• He is the King greater than David

• He is the Captain greater than Joshua

• He is the Seed of the woman

• He is the fulfillment of the brass serpent

• He is the goal of all the sacrifices

• He is the true meaning of the tabernacle

• He is the Kinsman Redeemer

• The Lamb that takes away the sin of the world

• He is the great high priest who lives forever to intercede for us

• He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah

• The Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his Sheep

If you want to find Jesus, just open your Bible because the whole book is about him. If you want to understand the Bible, look for Jesus. He’s there on every page. The whole purpose of the Bible is to point us to Jesus. He’s the theme of every book from Genesis to Revelation.

VS. 3 - JUST A FEW MORE WEARY DAYS AND THEN. And sometimes our days here in this life can be weary, can’t they? Oh, sometimes the burdens we bear! Just a few more – no guarantee of longevity – just a few more days. That is all you and I have left on this earth. Just a Few More Weary Days AND THEN….

• Not to be concerned about the Weary Days