Celebration of Life of Jimmy Wright

INTRODUCTION

We are here today to celebrate the life of Jimmy Milton Wright

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said in chapter three and verse one, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.”

And then in verses 2-8 he lists those times

As we consider Jimmy’s life, I want us to think about it in light of what Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 3.

First, Solomon says there is…

I. A Time to Give Birth (v.2)

Jimmy was born August 19, 1944 in Jacksonville, FL to Gladys and Albert Wright

Then Solomon says there is also…

II. A Time to Die (v.2)

Jimmy went to be with Jesus on April 14, 2024

He was 79 years old

All of us will experience death

The Bible says in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death…”

When our first parents, Adam and Eve, sinned, their sin was spread to everyone and so was its consequence

But one day it will be no more

The Bible says in Revelation 21:4, “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain. The first things passed away.””

Not only is there a time to be born and a time to die but Solomon also says there is…

III. A Time to Weep and Mourn (v.4)

Psalm 34:18, “Yahweh is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep”

The Bible tells us “Jesus wept” in John 11:35.

There is a place and time for weeping and mourning

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 51 years, Gloria, four children, Albert (Joy), Timmy, Amanda (Tom), and Josh, and seven grandchildren

IV. A Time to Plant (v.2)

Jimmy was a carman for Seaboard Coast Line for 26 years

He also worked repairing Kirby vacuum cleaners on the side

He enjoyed working with his hands

He would spend hours in his workshop making things out of wood and metal like lanterns, furniture and knives

He also enjoyed drawing and tending his garden

Jimmy was also part Cherokee Indian

He made yearly trips to the local Native American gatherings

He would also put on his full regalia for school kids and troops

His Cherokee ID card was the most worn of all he had in his wallet

He was proud of his Cherokee heritage

I caught him many times sharing it with others in church

He was a member of Eastport Baptist Church for 55 years (1969)

He got married there to Gloria whom he loved dearly

He received Christ there

He later became a deacon and Sunday School teacher

V. A Time to Laugh (v.4)*

Jimmy is rejoicing in the presence of Jesus right now

When he passed from this life, he immediately went into the presence of Jesus

2 Corinthians 5:8, “to be absent from the body and present with the Lord”

Psalm 23. (Card)

God was Jimmy’s Shepherd

Many times the word “Shepherd” is applied to kingly applications

In the NT, Jesus is called “the great Shepherd” (John 10:11)

He is the “Chief Shepherd” (1 Pet.5:4) of the sheep

With Jesus, Jimmy had all he needed

Jesus delivered Jimmy from all His sin

He delivered Him from God’s wrath that is to come

The good Shepherd stays with His flock

Verse 4 says, “You are with me”

He “leads” them (v.2)

He “restores” them (v.3)

He “guides” them “in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (v.3)

He “comforts” them (v.4)

He provides for them (v.5)

And givers them His “goodness and lovingkindness…all the days of [their] life” (v.6)

And they “will dwell” with Him “forever” (v.6)

That’s the promise of Scripture to everyone who believes

That’s why at their homecoming there is no reason for tears

They are now with the Shepherd

But their home going is both glad and sad

Only sad because of their leaving us

But Paul tells us more and how we should respond

Listen to what he says in…

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

He says, do not “grieve as do the rest who have no hope” (v.13)

Why? Because we have hope!

That hope is summed up in verse 14

“We believe that Jesus died and rose again” (v.14)

We also believe that “God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus” (v.14)

We believe that because that’s what His Word says

Listen again to verse 15: “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.”

(Explain what the Thessalonians thought about their loved one’s dying)

Verses 16-17 describes the order of events and concludes with saying “comfort one another with these words”

They are comforting words

Not just for every believer but they were for Jimmy

This was his hope

Is this your hope today?

CONCLUSION

I would like to close with a poem of a Cherokee Christian who has died:

In the sacred hills where the whispers dance,

Where ancient spirits find their trance,

A Cherokee soul now finds its rest,

In the loving arms of the One who knows best.

Through the trails of time, this spirit did roam,

Seeking truth, finding home.

In the heart of Christ, a flame did burn bright,

Guiding through darkness, leading to light.

With each gentle breeze, a hymn does sing,

Echoing the melody of eternal spring.

In the quiet of dawn, a voice does call,

Welcoming home, embracing all.

Though tears may fall like the evening rain,

A promise whispers through the pain.

For in the sacred circle of love divine,

A Cherokee soul forever will shine.

In the rhythm of the earth, in the beat of the heart,

In the depths of the spirit, never to depart.

For in Christ's embrace, all souls are free,

In the sacred dance of eternity.

Call for repentance to follow Christ

Luke 9:23-24.

“The first step in preparation for Heaven, is to know that we deserve nothing but hell” (J.C. Ryal)

Invite everyone to Tom and Amanda’s home for refreshments