Giving sermons is Andy’s specialty way more than it is mine, but he was tied up today and asked me to fill in, so here it goes.
This short message is from me, and Bretton and goes out to Andy, Drew, James, Daniel and the whole Wynham family. It is about celebration, hope, and the Grace of God.
Today is a “celebration”. Many Christians around the world are celebrating Easter Sunday in the remembrance of the day our Lord, Jesus, who arose from the grave after giving His life for our sins as in 1 Corinthians 15:4, “And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures”. It is because of this; sin no longer has power over us. For it is written, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. John 3:16. Through Jesus’s sacrifice we know that death no longer has the final say over us. But rather this is only the beginning. A beginning where we will be able to worship and spend time in the Lord’s presence for all eternity. Now you know why I told Andy in my testimony, “Andy...my bud, God has your soul. I will see you in Heaven one day”. Andy’s death is not final. The Lord’s will and Word are final. This is why, as we rightly morn, Andy’s passing should not be a concern or a great tragedy to us. For we know as believers and followers of Jesus we will be reunited again in His glory. If anything, we should all feel jealous! Jealous that Andy no longer has to suffer and feel pain. Or wipe away tears. Or to sin.
For these reasons we have hope! The devil has no rule over us because of our Lord and Savior. 1 Corinthians 15:55 says:
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
Let us grieve for the loss of a loved one. But let us also celebrate his new life in the Lord as death has been conquered. We know that someday our families will get together again. Maybe not on the shore of Caballo Lake in New Mexico like our families did so many years ago, but in heaven “on the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore”. “Rejoice and be exceeding glad: “for great is your reward in heaven”. Matthew 5:12.
Let us rejoice in the Lord!
Amen.
With Love, the Murphy Family, Marvin, Telia and Bretton. We pray that God give you strength to get through this difficult time. God Bless…
