Celebration of Life
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GREETING (PDarrin)
PRAYER (PDarrin)
SCRIPTURE - Ps 23 (PDarrin)
MUSIC: VIDEO “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)”
Gabriel
Larry W. Brown Obituary
Larry W. Brown, age 73, of Allen, passed away in his sleep, shortly after being declared cancer free, Monday, April 15, 2024, at his home. He was born March 30, 1951, in Hamilton, OH to Grant and Jannie (Creech) Brown.
Larry was a hard working and talented woodworker and restored antique furniture, before starting a small business selling used tires. At the age of 17 he joined the Army and went to Ranger School. He loved to cook and blessed many people with meals and his special brownies. He was always looking out for ways to help people and brighten their day and would literally give you the shirt off his back. He had a special sense of humor, and a great laugh which he kept even as he battled throat cancer. He always had some word of encouragement and made sure to share his love for the Lord wherever he could. He made it a point to tell people how much he loved them and cared for Paula’s grandchildren like his own. He Loved to sing even though he couldn’t carry a tune and praised God with all that he had. He lived up to his motto of “Larry it’s not about you” and never held a grudge against those who mistreated or took advantage of him. Even though he struggled with addictions he continued to fight against them to the day he died and his life exemplified the transforming work Jesus can do to anyone no matter how big their sins are. He will be greatly missed.
Survivors include two children, Lorie Williams and Larry Brown, Jr; two stepchildren Marcey Kosachuk and Howard Melrose Jr. (Kimberly); sisters, Sharon Bailey (Al) and Sandra Marteney; grandchild James Roy; step grandchildren, Gabriel Kosachuk, Abigail VanDyk (Stephen), Luke Kosachuk (Racheal), Ethan Kosachuk (Katherine), Andrew, Grace, Josiah, Obadiah, and Isaac Kosachuk, Breanna Villwock (Calvin); step great-grandchildren, Josephine, and Robert Kosachuk, David VanDyk and Zebulon Kosachuk.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Jannie Brown; wife, Paula of 26 years; sister, Brenda M. Brown; brother, Ulysses G. Brown; brother-in-law Charles M. Marteney Jr.; and stepson in-law Will Kosachuk.
SHARING STORIES ABOUT LARRY
VIDEO - SLIDESHOW “There was Jesus”
MESSAGE
Intro:
Larry was a memorable man. He always made an impression on people wherever he went.
Larry had his struggles, his past was rough and sometimes he was a little rough around the edges.
I remember Larry shared the story when he first met Paula. Paula reached out to Larry while he was in jail and she told him about Jesus and he rudely and bluntly rejected her invitation. He said she was being too sappy and he wanted nothing to do with that.
Paula then changed her approach, she just started to be his friend… his pal. They wrote letters, she continued to reach out to him and eventually he found Jesus through Paula and the rest is history.
Paula showed Larry Jesus by going down to his level. Paula wanted Larry to know who Jesus so badly and truly Jesus changed everything for Larry. He was never the same.
Larry reminds me a lot of Peter.
In John 21 Jesus showed up to the Sea of Tiberias after HIS resurrection. There HE found 7 of HIS disciples fishing. Thomas, James, John, Nathanael, Peter, and 2 others were carrying on the livelihood they used too live… fishing.
It was like Jesus showed up the first time inviting Peter James John and Andrew to come and follow ME.
It was early in the morning after a long night of fishing and catching nothing, that was until Jesus showed up.
4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.
Then John said to Peter… it’s the Lord so immediately Simon Peter put on his outer garment and jumped in the sea and swam to Jesus on the shore. Meanwhile the other disciples dragged the net full of fish back to shore.
When they got to the land, Jesus had a charcoal fire lit with some fish already cooking. Then Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish that you’ve just caught over here.”
They caught 153 large fish without breaking the net. This was a breakfast they would never forget.
But Peter, still living in guilt of his previous denial. Peter’s guilt caused him to give up on Jesus and go back to fishing. Peter thought, there is no way that Jesus would ever take me back.
While Jesus needed Peter the most, he folded. Jesus was being condemned to death alone.
Peter was standing by a charcoal fire getting warm when the denial took place.
Last time Peter smelt a charcoal fire he failed Jesus. It was that smell that reminded him of his guilt. Even though Jesus warned Peter he would deny HIM 3 times, Peter never believed it. He never heeded Jesus’ warning.
Now, here HE was, alive from the dead, eating breakfast with HIS disciples.
There was no condemnation, just friendship, only love and acceptance… No guilt, just grace.
After their meal, Jesus talked to Simon Peter and asked him some tough personal questions.
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
3 times… Jesus asked Peter “do you love me?”
2 different types of love.
Agapè - A close intimate self sacrificing love
Phileo - A friendship, a pal, how you would love your own.
First time…
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
Jesus said Agape
Peter said Phileo
16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
Jesus said Agape
Peter said Phileo
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Jesus said phileo
Peter said phileo
Jesus came down to Peter’s ability to love. Jesus recognized that Peter was not able to agape Jesus but he could be a friend of Jesus.
Jesus knew that Peter was not ready to agape Jesus. Jesus never condemned Peter… there was no shaming of Peter… no guilt.
Jesus was willing to go down to Peter’s level so he could know HIS love, HIS forgiveness, and HIS presence that can bring real transformation.
Paula was willing to come down to Larry’s level so he could see Jesus at his level.
Jesus is still willing to do the same thing for us.
No matter where you are now, Jesus wants to pull you up from your guilt and shame.
Jesus came to give you real healing, hope, and purpose even if the love is just a friendship.
But the thing is… Peter did not stay there for long. Throughout the Book of Acts God used Peter to start a movement called the church and that movement changed the course of history.
When the Holy Spirit filled Peter, Jesus was more then just a friend to Peter.
Peter’s love went from phileo to agape.
Peter was no longer defined by his denial, he was defined by his boundless love for Jesus.
Peter was willing to give everything to Jesus.
Peter needed the love of Jesus to heal.
Peter needed the love of Jesus to obey.
Peter needed the love of Jesus to fulfill HIS purpose.
Jesus gave Peter this command… “feed my lambs”
Jesus even told Peter how he would die (vs. 18).
18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
He would die on a cross just like Jesus but upside down. When Peter faced death because of his love for Jesus, he said he was not worthy to die like Jesus.
After Jesus told Peter then end of his life Jesus gave Peter the invitation that he gave him when he first called him.
Jesus said… “Follow Me”
New beginnings are the best. Jesus will never stop giving us new beginnings.
Jesus did that for me, HE did that for Larry, and Jesus wants to do that for you as well.
Don’t let your past define you let Jesus change you.
Come to Jesus, receive HIS love, and let HIS love fulfill that new and wonderful purpose HE has for you.
Larry loved to worship Jesus will all of his heart. He didn’t care what people though, he was just so overwhelmed by the fact that God still loved him… that he was no longer defined by his past but it was the love of God that compelled him.