Paul Downey Memorial Service

Introduction

1 Corinthians 13:13 “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

God gives is three great gifts - faith, hope, and love. I want to talk about these three gifts today that God has given us.

Explanation

LOVE

Because God loves us, we are better able to love the people around us. God takes those gifts that we are naturally given, and he makes them better and better.

Paul loved His family.

Paul loved Ellen. These past months have been incredibly hard on them, but they have for many years loved one another, nurtured their family, and cared for their church and community.

Some of the adjectives Ellen used to describe Paul were kind, loyal, caring, and always right!

They loved one another and devoted their lives to each other. They were married for 41 years.

Paul loved his daughters. Rachel and Erin, Paul loved you very much. Most of the conversations I had with Paul was about you and your girls.

Rachel, he was proud of how resilient you have been in the midst of great difficulty and trial.

Erin, he was so proud of all of the many things that you have accomplished.

Paul loved his granddaughters. Laynie and MacKenzie, your grandfather loved you dearly.

Paul loved His life.

Paul enjoyed sitting outside on his front porch wherever he was. At his house in Versailles and his house in Frankfort. Paul had a very unassuming presence that made him really easy to talk to.

Paul loved the UK Wildcats. I am a Mississippi State Bulldog, but in honor of Paul, I am wearing a blue shirt instead of my maroon tie today. It takes a lot for me to do that.

Paul loved to travel. He and Ellen have travelled all over the world.

Paul enjoyed his work. Paul worked as a quality engineer in the automotive industry. He was very good at His work.

Paul loved his church and his Sunday School class.

Paul loved Jesus.

The song that was just played may be familiar to you. Paul and Ellen were in the hospital one day when a music therapist came by. She played this song.

When asked what the song made Paul think about, Paul said, “It makes me think about Jesus.” So many of us would have thought of our significant other, but Paul in the hard moments thought of Jesus.

He loved Jesus

FAITH

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Faith is something that keeps us through trial. Our faith, once placed in Jesus, saves and redeems us.

Paul had some hard days. And Paul endured some suffering. But Paul clung to Jesus through it.

I remember one specific day that I saw Paul in the hospital over the past few months. Paul was having a really bad day, but Paul was happy I was there and really wanted to talk to me.

While our lives on this earth will end, our inner self, our soul, our secret place before the Lord, can grow, flourish, and produce fruit.

When Paul tells us that our affliction is light and momentary, he is not downplaying our affliction. He is not saying that what we face is small and minute. He is saying that what awaits on the other side of our affliction is far better than our imaginations can produce.

Today, we see a casket, a cemetery, and the tears. But, I want you to know, Ellen, Rachel, and Erin, thats not what Paul sees today.

As I stand in the pulpit, I see the back of these displays. There are wires and mesh and the stand. And you see the other side which is infinitely more beautiful than the side that I see.

Today, Paul is in the presence of Jesus. And it is his faith - not his works or his character or his service - that allows him to stand there.

HOPE

Revelation 21:1–6 ESV

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.

Invitation