Dear family and friends of Bro Johnny,
We are gathered here to remember our departed brother Johnny.
1) WE CAN HAVE QUESTIONS.
The circumstance by which Johnny is taken away from us is indeed very sad. No one had expected Johnny to go home to be with the Lord so suddenly. It has caused our hearts to be grieved at his departure, especially to those knew him well and work closely with him for many years.
It is something we do not understand and do not have the answer.
My message is found in John 11. Jesus was informed that Lazarus was very sick. He stayed on where he was for another two days. When Jesus arrived, Lazarus had died for four days. To the sisters of Lazarus, in a sense they felt that Jesus could have rushed down to save the life of their brother. But he did not do what they had expected him to do.
It is understandable that both Martha and Mary made the statement to Jesus.
A. John 11:21 "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
B. John 11:32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
We have many questions, but we do not have all the answers. I am not here to offer answers.
But Jesus did not stop Martha and Mary from bringing their questions and burden to him.
There are occasions recorded for us when the Psalmists question God.
“Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (10:1)
“Why have you forgotten me?” (42:9b)
“Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?” (44:24b)
“How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever?” (74:10)
It is a human response to pain and suffering to ask God honestly with our questions. Even the Son of God on the cross cried out “My God My God why have you forsaken me?” (Mk 15:34).
However, we must be that there may never be answers to our question of why this or that happen, God wants us to trust him despite of our circumstances.
And remember, as we’ve seen from the Psalms, questioning God and trusting Him go hand-in-hand. In fact, He’s the right one to ask, because He’s in control. And when you do question God, make sure that you take a leaf out of the Psalmist’s book, remember who God is, be reverent, honor Him and affirm the truths you know of Him.
2) JESUS WEPT WITH US.
Jn 11: 35 JESUS WEPT. He wept at the tomb of Lazarus. He experienced the grieve, mourning and hopelessness of humanity. This was not the original plan and purpose of God at the time of Creation. God did not create man to die. Death became our reality after sin entered the world.
When one demands an answer concerning pain, suffering and death from God, God gave the person Jesus. His answer is Jesus, the Son of God. All the answer to our questions concerning death, suffering and death is found at the cross of Calvary. Because God came in the flesh and dwell among men to share in our pain and suffering. He suffered with us and wept with us.
Ps 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.”
3)JESUS GIVES US AN ETERNAL HOPE
Not only is the answer in the person of Jesus. Jesus points us to the future. The very essence of the word HOPE is in the future. Everyone who is alive today will one day die. We do not know when, but it is a manner of time. Whether it is sooner or later, the fact is that we all will die one day. Jesus tells us that there is hope for us who believes in him.
Jn 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
Johnny is in a better place. I believe that he does not want to be overly sad and grieved.
Rev 21:3,4 tells us that one day God will make his dwelling place among his people. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Johnny is now in a better place because he is with Jesus now.
There is no more pain and suffering, no more sicknesses and diseases.
…. No more breakdown, no more datelines
…. He can now rest from his labor.
…. Rev 14:13 “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.”
At this juncture, I wish to read the lyric of this beautiful song.
I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW
I don't know about tomorrow
I just live from day to day
I don't borrow from the sunshine
For its skies may turn to gray
I don't worry over the future
For I know what Jesus said
And today I'll walk beside Him
For He knows what lies ahead
Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb
Every burden's getting lighter
Every cloud is silver lined
There the sun is always shining
There no tear will dim the eye
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky
Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand
Finally, I wish bring comfort to the family and friends of Johnny. The temporary farewell is not a permanent goodbye. One day when Jesus comes back. We will be united again in the air.
Paul wants us take comfort in the Blessed Hope which the believers in Christ possess. It is written in 1 Thess 4: 13- 18:
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who [b]sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
Let us pray.
