Seeing the Unseen
Funeral of a still born child for first time parents
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:1
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Objective: I believe all people can experience the powerful presence of an invisible God by recognizing these three visible signs of His real presence:
1. Signs of Faith
2. Signs of Hope
3. Signs of Love
What I want people to do/leave with:
I want to give people the eyes to recognize an “unseen God” so that; even though unseen, they can experience comfort, hope, and peace knowing God’s presence is real.
Introduction
I start to get a little impatient right about now. How about you? Christmas was just over a month ago, it seems light years away, doesn’t it? I keep wondering if I really need to get the snow blower repaired. Can I make it through the rest of the season? And did you notice how sunny it was on Friday? I even toyed with the idea of doing a little work in the backyard. I start to get a little impatient right about now.
• I want to see the new life spring brings.
• I want to see the grass turning green.
• I want to see longer days.
• I want to see the tulips I planted break through the soil.
• I want to see buds and vines and flowers sprouting from trees and soil that look so lifeless.
• I want to see Srping? I want to see what is still unseen.
On days like this, when we awkwardly come together, searching for the right words, trying to give comfort … struggling for the right thing to say … on days like this when there is grief and sadness … when what we really want to see is comfort and joy … smiles and laughter. We want to see God? We want to see what is still unseen.
Transition/Objective: But how; how can we God? I believe we can see the unseen and experience God’s powerful presence … a presence that does bring comfort, hope and joy. I believe we can see the unseen by recognizing these three visible signs of His real presence. Signs in the right here … in the right now. Signs that make the unseen God seen.
#1 Signs of Faith
The first sign that makes and unseen God seen is FAITH. Today, those signs of faith have never been more evident.
• Your Faith Parents Names _______________ is a sign God is present … Parents Names _________, it was your faith that called us all here today. A faith that boldly declares this is where and how we say good bye … in the midst of and complete surrounded by a community of faith, we will come together to say good bye to ______________ … and God is present.
• The Community of Faith is a sign God is present. People that you will probably never meet both at Our Saviour’s and faith communities elsewhere are praying for you right now. They are praying because their faith tells them prayer matters. Their faith tells them that when others cannot find the words to pray, they will pray for you. They will pray on your behalf. And when that happens, the unseen God is seen.
• Signs of FAITH make the unseen God seen.
#2 Signs of Hope
The second sign that makes and unseen God seen is Hope.
• Parents Names _____________ – I love this sign, because signs of hope surprise us when we least expect us. Hope sneaks in when we need it most and brings a smile to our face. I am willing to bet, that today when you go out for lunch at Café Buonaro’s … a very loud joy filled Italian restaurant … as your family and friends share a meal … there will be moments of unexpected laughter … there will be unexpected moments of joy … you will share stories … funny and embarrassing … which seems to always happen when families get together … and if you catch yourself smiling even for just one second … if you feel joy … know … know with ever fiber of your being the unseen God is being seen. The unseen God is present right there … right then … and everyone who sees you … everyone who has the pleasure of seeing you smile …
• know that this is a sign of HOPE that makes the unseen God seen.
#3 Signs of Love
The third sign; what I believe is the most powerful sign that makes and unseen God seen is Love.
• READ 1 Cor 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
• Look around this room. Look at your family and friends. If you ever doubt for even a second that God is present, just remember the love that is in this room … a love that is patient … a love that is kind … love that never fails.
• To the family and friends of the Family Name _________ family … and to the Family Name _________ … you are the presence of an unseen God in Parents Name ____________ life. Through your love, your kindness, you support, your kind words …
• Parents Names ___________, and all who grieve this loss will see sign of Love that makes the unseen God seen.
Closing
For as long as people have thought there must be more to life, some greater being in control and in charge, something out there in the unseen … they have searched for signs of God’s presence. They have searched for the unseen in the seen. And about 2000 years ago, God showed them an unforgettable sign of His love for us … God showed them that he did care, that he was present, and that His love for us knows no bounds. He sent his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
May you be overwhelmed by God’s presence through signs of FAITH, signs of HOPE, and signs of LOVE … and may His presence consume you with peace, comfort, and joy.
