Funeral Luke 18

Della McGie Funeral

Opener:

The old story tells of two children playing in the snow; when one said to the other, “Let us see who can make the straightest path in the snow.” His companion readily accepted the proposition, and they started.

One boy fixed his eyes on a tree, and walked along without taking his eyes off the object selected. The other boy set his eyes on the tree also, and, when he had gone a short distance, he turned, and looked back to see how true his course was. He went a little distance farther, and again turned to look over his steps. When they arrived at their stopping place, each halted and looked back. One path was true as an arrow, while the other ran in a zigzag course.

“How did you get your path so true?” asked the boy who had made the crooked steps.

“Why,” said the other boy, “I just set my eyes on the tree, and kept them there until I got to the end; while you stopped and looked back and wandered out of your course.”

This is a perfect picture of the Christian life. The Christian is best served when they lock their eyes on the promise of eternal life and live as if this day is sure and when you live with heaven in view you can walk the kind of walk Mrs. Della has.

C. H. Spurgeon poignantly stated it this way:

“A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you, and were helped by you, will remember you. So carve your name on hearts, and not on marble.”

Over the last several months we have watched as Mrs. Della went down a very scary path. Months of treatment took their toll on her. She faced all of the transfusions, and marrow tests with a calm and sweetness that is unique.

The McGie’s have been a part of the church that has made it possible to still have a church like Knollwood. People start and stop church all the time. Others remember their history best by how many churches they have left. Others don’t have the tenacity to stay in one place trusting that the Lord is greater than their circumstance.

The McGie’s are the other kind. The kind that stay with a church no matter the storm trusting that the God who brought them is great enough to keep them. They tune out false teaching and stand on their own two feet. They have for decade after decade steered and loved and influenced in this church. I’m grateful for this kind of family that have been used by God. Frankly, Knollwood has been blessed with many.

Today it is my privilege to lay to rest one of God’s most enduring servants.

Message:

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. Luke 18:15-17

I have had the privilege to pastor Mrs. Della McGie for the last 13 years. I have known her quite a long time greater than that.

KBBF Meetings

Every month no matter where in KS there was a fellowship meeting. You knew chances great that McGies, Helmicks, and Huffords would be their for the preaching and fellowship.

Running around the church

I don’t remember it but even Nursery itself.

I remember the day i candidates for the pulpit. I wasn’t in the door fifteen minutes and Mrs. McGie had announced that she had changed my diapers in nursery. A role she would plan in each of my children’s lives.

Introduction:

“Jesus Loves The Little Children”.

The song goes like this:

“Jesus loves the little children,

all the children of the world.

Red and yellow, black and white,

they are precious in His sight.

Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

“People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Jesus commands us in how we are to handle children.

1. A life spent loving Children is a great investment.

We live in a time when children are given choices whether they want to go to Church or not. To make matters worse, they only hear about Jesus at Church. When we allow other things to keep our children from learning about God and what Jesus has done for us; then we are guilty of hindering these children from going to Jesus.

2. A life given to remaining Faithful is a great testimony.

When we talk about child-like faith, we are talking about faith that is simple and strong. The older we get, the more we begin to try to reason things out.

3. A life trusting like a Child is rewarded.

I. HEAVEN IS A REAL PLACE

Heaven is not an unreal, indifferent place. It is a place as literal and concrete as the house you live in today.

“Many mansions” literally means “dwelling places”.

II. HEAVEN IS A PERMANENT PLACE

1 Peter 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

III. HEAVEN IS A PERSONAL PLACE

Who is there?

1. Jesus is there.

2. Our Heavenly Father is there.

3. Those who have died in the Lord before us.

4. Those who will die in the Lord after us.

5. You will be there – if you made your reservation.

IV. HEAVEN IS A HOLY PLACE

Rev 21:4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Heaven will be holy because of what is not there.

No sin No sickness No sorrow No pain No more death

V. HEAVEN IS A REWARD

1. It is a reward for those who say “YES” to Jesus.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Conclusion:

Christians, we need to make sure that we do not do anything that would hinder children from going to Jesus. We are the ones that God is using to lift Jesus up to these children so that their lives can be changed forever.