The Obituary God Wrote…April 5th

sun in the cloudsAt the death of a loved one we gather together and listen to an obituary. A story, a short re-account of the birth, life and death of the one who has passed. There have even been times when the one who has died is able to write his own obituary, but  more often than not, a family member pens the words to commemorate the loss. But if you were at a funeral, and God were to write the obituary, what do you think He say?  

In actuality, God has written an obituary. The story, the obituary, begins in the early pages of the book of Genesis as God introduces the birth of ‘Death’ as man falls from grace in the garden. Separating mankind from God, spiritual death grows, matures and continues to dominates the life of all men. But as Christ comes into the world, spiritual death is put to death (Romans 6:9), and it’s then when we can better understand the obituary as spiritual death is conquered. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” (I Corinthians 15:55) Join us Sunday morning as we look at the obituary God wrote…

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”  I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, April 5, 2015

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Our God, He Is Alive” – 23

God is not dead! The title of a popular Christian movie this past year is the basis for our opening song this morning. “There is beyond the azure blue, a God concealed from human sight. He tinted skies with heavenly hue and framed the worlds with His great might. There is a God, He is alive…” He is risen and death has been conquered…Amen!

“Here I Am to Worship” – no book

A ‘contemporary hymn’ for this morning, but one that exemplifies our purpose today. We don’t come because we have to. And we don’t come to worship because we’ve ‘nothing better to do.’ We come…to worship! We come to bow down and to say publicly, “Jehovah is our God!”

“It Is Finished” – 369it-is-finished

Written by William & Gloria Gaithers, this song of resurrection is a strong depiction of the end of Christ’s life as He puts to defeats spiritual death. The battle between heaven and hell is clearly described in verses two and three; “On one side march the forces of evil, all the demons and devils of hell. On the other the angels of glory, and they meet on Golgotha’s hill. The earth shakes with the force of the conflict, and the sun refuses to shine. For there hangs God’s Son in the balance, and then thru the darkness He cries. ‘It is finished!’ “ As Jesus breaths His last, death glories in a hollow victory, only to see Jesus resurrection three days later. Certainly there is a double meaning in Christ’s last words…It IS finished!

“The Old Rugged Cross” – 313

What do you cherish in this life? Is there something you love and hold in the highest regard? More than 100 years ago, George Bennard wrote the words to this old spiritual song directing the reader to the cross of Christ. His words of encouragement were for us to cling to the cross of Christ as our hope for eternal salvation. Why? “For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above to bear it to dark Calvary!”

“A New Creature” – 619

Are you a ‘new creature?’ Have you been ‘buried with Christ?’ The song before our lesson will remind us that in Him, we no longer live for ourselves but for our God. You and I are ‘dead to the world to voices that call me…’ We are ‘living a new, obedient but free’ life. As a baptized believer I am, ‘dead to the joys that once did enthrall (hold spellbound) me, yet it is not me (I), but Christ that lives in me.”

“Only a Step” – 940

At our invitation we’ll sing, “Hear the sweet voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me, I am the way.” What does it take to come to Him? How do I start this walk with Christ? Like a child, we begin with the first step. To come we need only to take a step in the right direction. “Come, for He loves you so” much!

“He Lives” – 346

Walking out of services this morning my hope is for you to have this tune on your heart. “He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me, He talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives! Salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart.”

Do YOU Know?

“Be curious always!  For knowledge will not acquire you: you must acquire it.”

And it’s true, we all have questions.  From the earliest years of life we have asked questions like…”How do birds fly?”  “How many stars are in the sky?”  “Do the ocean waves ever stop?”

Not only do little children ask questions, even the honest (mature) adults realize there are things in life for which we don’t have the answer.  The real question comes in understanding that though we might not know everything, there is one thing we can be sure of.  There is One who knows the answer to all of life’s queries.  But if we lack patience and humility, we’ll be inclined to reject anything with which we don’t agree.  The truth: God is the creator of all we see and all we have!  If we, as His creation, seek to know the answers we would be wise to go to the One who owns the ‘answer key’.  Otherwise we are left trying to guess at the answers to life’s questions.

Aileen Nicole Coleman-Mullen, professionally known as Nicole C. Mullen, was born in 1967.  She is an award-winning singer and songwriter.  I have recently come across one of her more captivating songs.  It’s known as “Redeemer”.  Read the words and feel the comfort in knowing…HE LIVES!

I KNOW MY REDEEMER LIVES!

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
And who told the ocean, “You can only come this far?”
And who showed the moon where to hide ’till evening,
whose words alone can catch a falling star.

Well, I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives.
All of creation testifies.
This life within me cries.
I know my Redeemer lives!

The very same God that spins things in orbit,
runs to the weary, worn and the weak.
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I’m broken,
They conquered death to bring me victory!

Well, I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives.
All of creation testifies.
This life within me cries.
I know my Redeemer lives!

With all the questions we have in this life, and with many seeking answers to life’s questions, you can know that God is the Key!  He created our world and He brings us victory.  I know my Redeemer lives.

Do YOU know…He Lives!