Think with me of some of the changes and adjustments Ann has seen and experienced in her almost 82 years of life.
1. Household duties: Washing, ironing, heating, cooking, and bathing.
2. Transportation
3. Communication: mail, phones, computers
4. Ann has experienced her final adjustment.
We, this side of eternity, are still trying to adjust to the homegoing of a loved one. If it were not God and His Word, it would be an impossible task. I trust for the next few minutes we have together it will help in adjusting.
I. Paul Teaches what We Need to Hear Today
1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
2. Verse 13, don’t be ignorant, unlearned.
a. One negative; one do not.
1) Sorrow not; as those who have no hope.
2) We as Christians, have a hope.
a) 1 Corinthians 15:19; Titus 1:3
b) To expect with confidence.
c) To anticipate with pleasure.
b. A positive; death is as a sleep.
1) 1 Corinthians 15:59
2) Comfort one another with these words.
3) 1 Thessalonians 4:18
3. Death is necessary; the means God has chosen to transport us from this life to our eternal home.
a. 1 Peter 2:11, we are strangers and pilgrims.
b. Hebrews 9:27, appointed, not accidental.
c. Ecclesiastes 8:28, no man hath power.
d. Ecclesiastes 9:5, the living know we will die.
4. Peter teaches us to remember.
a. 2 Peter 1:15 – 3:1; 2 Timothy 1:3-7
b. I know each of us hold to the memories Ann has built in us.
1) Words; expression
2) Songs; music, country
3) Days; seasons, Christmas
II. Jesus Gives us Examples We Need to See
1. John 11:1-5, 19-22, 36-37
2. Key words
a. Friend, verse 11
b. Loved, verse 3,5,36.
c. Jesus wept, tears, sign of tenderness.
d. Verse 15, Jesus was glad. Only time mentioned Jesus was glad. He was glad to the intent we might believe.
3. What does Jesus want us to believe?
a. Heaven is a real place, John 14:1-3
b. Revelation 21:1-4
c. Heaven is a promise, Titus 1:2
d. Psalm 116:15; precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
4. Philippians 4:6-7, can I tell you everything is all right in Heaven today.
a. 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10; to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
b. Philippians 1:21, to die is gain. Not a loss.
III. What Is It You and I Need to Do?
1. Psalm 90:9-12, teach us to number our days and apply our hearts unto wisdom.
a. How do you number your days?
1) Only God knows.
2) Proverbs 27:1; James 4:14
b. If your days are 70 years, you know how much life is left.
2. The wisest, greatest, absolute best any man can do is to accept, trust, invite Jesus in your hearts a personal savior.
a. Ephesians 2:8-9, it is a free gift, not an achievement.
b. Romans 10:9-10, calling upon, confessing, agreeing with.
c. Acts 4:12, 1 John 5:11-13
3. Learn how to live and enjoy life.
a. Psalm 118:24, This is the day, rejoice and be glad.
b. 1 Timothy 6:6-8
c. Philippians 4:11-12, I have learned.
4. Don’t let life get all tangled up with the things that really don’t matter.
5. Enjoy even your labor. Take this job and love it.
a. Ecclesiastes 5:12, The sleep of a laboring man is sweet.
b. Ecclesiastes 9:10, whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it well.
6. In all we do, don’t leave God out of our lives. Revelation 3:20
7. Only one life and so soon it will pass and only what is done for Christ will last, but it will last and last and last.
