The Empty Seat

I Samuel 20:16-18 “The Empty Seat!”

Intro: This is to date the hardest sermon I’ve ever had to write!

My love and sympathy to Ms. Ruth, and Dan & Mary, and Jody & Michelle.

I. THE EMPTY SEAT IN OUR HEARTS!

A. Bro. J D reserved a place in our hearts by his:

1) Service – A true Deacon…Diakonos (servant of a king– run errands, waiter of tables)

-The widows he and Ms. Ruth tended to so diligently...(Ms. Ina Kelly, Ms. Ann Holland, others…)

-Bro. J D had a “ing” personality! It was not uncommon to hear that Bro. J D was out praying, visiting, sharing, mowing, fixing, painting, wiring, soldering, plumbing, cutting, replacing, spreading, planting, buying, leveling, rebuilding, sharpening, bending, undoing, or redoing something for somebody at any time, anyplace, hot or cold, rain or shine.

BECAUSE YOU SEE…BRO. J D WAS A DEACON! A SERVANT OF GOD!

J D was an uncommon man with an uncommon name...J D were not initials; that was his name given at birth...J D Wilson...Though some say it stood for Jesus’ Disciple!

Why was J D a servant of God?

Because he loved his Savior. Who died for him…..PREACH…Not too loud!

Illy: (His father never told him he was proud of him…..) His FATHER…

-As a young boy he was saved in a Nazarene week long revival meeting…how fitting that he would go home…during the very week that his own church family is in Revival meeting.

-Bro. J D was 2 ½ times my age. But he called me his Pastor. What an honor!

-Bro. J D would often nod off during my sermons…his response was that he needed cool fresh air to stay awake but all he ever got from the Preacher was a bunch of hot air.

-Not one time did he ever say “No” to a task. Occasionally his health would be low and he wouldn’t be able to go and do….

Bro. J D reserved a seat in our hearts by his:

2) Selflessness – He was a giver!

-He believed in supporting his church above what was required.

-He was always willing to assist….

He would say, “Ruth and I have been blessed and it’s all His anyhow.”

-He gave his time and his abilities…which seemed to be infinite!

3) Standing – He said what he believed and believed what he said.

-He was a man of Integrity, principal and his word and his handshake were his collateral.

-He stood on his convictions even though that sometimes cost him …

I usually found him to be right!

Brother J D reserved a seat in our hearts by his:

4) Substance - That’s the stuff you’re made of! Your Character!

- He was a gentleman……

- He was an organizer….

- He was an encourager….He brought out the best in folks…

- He WAS a character….He enjoyed life and laughing….

- He was addictive…you just couldn’t get enough of his company…

THERE IS AN EMPTY SEAT IN OUR HEARTS THIS MORNING.

-At dinner time there will be an empty seat at Ms. Ruth’s house….pray for her.

-When that gray Oldsmobile and the little yellow wagon with the tools in the back go

by…there’ll be an empty seat.

-There’ll be an empty seat here at our church in every service…not just Sunday mornings.

-There’ll be an empty seat at the Lord’s Supper table where he served so faithfully.

-There’ll be an empty seat at many widow’s, lost, and unchurched houses and many that

need a helping hand as Bro. J D will not be there…..

AND THOU SHALT BE MISSED!

THESE SEATS HERE ON EARTH MAY BE EMPTY BUT THERE IS A SEAT IN HEAVEN TODAY THAT IS FILLED!

That is the seat at the feet of Jesus! EXPAND!

“If You Could See Me Now”

My prayers have all been answered, I’ve finally arrived.

The healing that had been delayed has now been realized.

No one’s in a hurry, There’s no schedule to keep.

We’re all enjoying Jesus, just sitting at His feet.

If you could see me now, I’m walking streets of gold.

If you could see me now, I’m standing tall and whole.

If you could see me now, you’d know I’ve seen His face.

If you could see me now, you’d know the pain’s erased.

You wouldn’t want me to ever leave this place.

My trials upon the earth have worked out for my good.

To know it brought Him glory, when I misunderstood.

The best this world has to offer, they can never compare.

To what Jesus has in store for us, no language can share.

If you could see me now, I’m walking streets of gold.

If you could see me now, I’m standing tall and whole.

If you could see me now, you’d know I’ve seen His face.