Funeral - Ps. 23 Original

Original Sermon

Let me read for you Ps. 23

Vs. 1-3: The Lord is our Shepherd and because of His love we are cared for, led, restored, and made righteous. Psalm 23 is often read and used in times of grief or trouble and the reason it gets used is that it brings such amazing comfort in its words. When we are at our lowest who doesn’t need to hear that we have a shepherd who cares for our needs, who allows us the peace of knowing that we are secure in His watchful eyes and to know that He is restoring our soul. These are words that aren’t just meant to bring us comfort but they are words which are meant to be a promise. A promise that even though this world is filled with sin and death, grief and persecution we have the promise of a better tomorrow a promise of an eternity spent without pain with God in Heaven.

As I was talking to Lisa this week she knew that Ps 23 was one of Donna’s favorite passages and that it would be appropriate to use for this message. As she herself turned in the pages of her Bible she had notes in the margins from a sermon preached by Mick many years ago and these simple notes provided her a compass as she read the Psalm through tears. Those simple notes are these 8 words: Personal, Peaceful, Pleasure, Presence, Protection, Provision, Prosperity, and Promise.

Vs. 4: There is much in this world to be fearful of but with the Lord on our side there is nothing that we cannot overcome. For God is with us. We often walk through the valley of the shadow of death and we often find ourselves hurting. In times like these, at the death of a loved one we can be beside ourselves with grief and sorrow but as this Psalm states we have a Shepherd who cares for us. We have the Lord's Word, the Bible, (His rod and staff) which comforts us and we have this promise which brings us hope.

Vs. 5-6: He has a plan and a purpose for our lives and His desire is for us to have that which is good. But we know that in this life not everything is the Goodness and Mercy that God desires for us. This is because humanity has sinned. And that sin separates us from the Love of God. But once again God has a plan to restore us to Himself and that plan came at the high cost of the life of God's son, Jesus. Who gave up His life in sacrifice for ours.

It is hope which we find when we know God as our Shepherd and His son as our Savior and we place our hope in His mercy as Judy did and our hearts will not be troubled and our souls can be restored.

What is this promise? It is a promise that we can eat in the presence of our enemies. It is the promise that the Lord will bless us as His children. It is the knowledge that He will continue to bring us goodness and mercy all the days of our lives because He is a great God who never breaks His promises and today Judy is experiencing that banqueting table with her Shepherd and Savior, Today she is dwelling in the house of the Lord and she will feast with her Jesus Forever. Judy is experiencing all of this because she placed her belief in the Hope of a future spent with Jesus as her Savior.

When we believe in the promise of a permanent home built by the great carpenter one which is specifically prepared for us as Judy did then we can be confident that our future is secure and our lives of pain and sin are forgiven.

Mary knew that plan and accepted that gift of mercy, Larry knows that plan and has also accepted God’s Gift of Mercy. But now it is your turn. We have an example before us of life lived for the Glory of God. Are you ready to give up on your sin and accept God’s gift of Mercy.

If you are, then here is the plan. God is calling and all you have to do is believe. Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

You see what Judy understood was that sin had corrupted her life and that sin deserved death. Jesus came as the mercy of God to bring us salvation because humanity’s sin was too much for humanity to bear. Therefore, Jesus had to live the life that we cannot, a life without sin. Jesus’ life was then sacrificed on the cross in order that God could place the punishment for all of mankind’s sin on Jesus. The payment for all of our sins placed on the body of the only one who was sinless. And once that sin was paid for Jesus died. And if that was the end right there then it would have to happen over again and again and again but oh the joy that we get to share because Jesus did not stay dead. He rose, defeating death so that we might have life. Jesus’ resurrection gives us life. Judy Knew it and believed it. Do you believe? Jesus says that He has gone to prepare a place for you, Heaven, because He is the only way, the only truth, and the only life, and no one comes to the Father except through Jesus.

I ask that you all would bow your heads with me and if you would like to receive the promise of Jesus Christ as your savior then I ask that you believe in your hearts that God raised him from the dead to save you from your sins. You can call out to Him now to save you. If you would like you can repeat this prayer of salvation after me.

God, I know that I am a sinner / but I know that you provide mercy from my sin.

I believe that Jesus came and died for my sin / I believe he didn’t stay dead but rose so that I may have life. Today I place my belief in Jesus’ sacrifice / I ask that you will call me your child

I ask to receive your gift of Mercy / In Jesus Christ’s most precious name I pray. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer today I ask that you come and speak to me after the service.

If you would bow your heads with me and Pray:

Father, we come together today to mourn. We do so because we have lost someone whom we all loved, but we also come together today to celebrate because our loss is heaven’s gain. Judy loved you with all her heart, and today she is worshiping you her Savior and that brings us Joy. Today helps us to mourn and celebrate Judy’s life but more importantly, it helps us to remember the salvation which you freely Offered Judy and she accepted and which you freely offer us as well. Thank you for that salvation, let us never forget it nor deny its power to change our lives. Amen.

Postlude Song:

As we dismiss take some time to listen to another of Judy’s favorite songs: In the Garden

Benediction - Now receive this Benediction: Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. [Amen] 2 Thess. 3:16