Service for Barbara Goldsmith

Introduction

Today we are here to celebrate the life and home going of Mrs. Barbara Goldsmith.

Mrs. Goldsmith was able to see lots of different places during her lifetime.

She was born in New York, lived in Phoenix, and in Washington before moving to Claremore.

She loved to travel and visit new places.

Today she is enjoying the scenery and experiencing all that her new home has to offer her.

That’s because Mrs. Barbara was a child of God.

She is in heaven today because during her life, she placed her faith in Jesus and asked Him to forgive her of her sins.

Mrs. Barbara was a dedicated nurse for most of her adult life.

Even after she retired, she kept her license active just in case she ever was able to go back to work.

She had a desire to serve others and minister to their needs.

We see the basis for this in Jesus when he revealed the reason that he came to earth in the first place.

Mark 10:45 KJV (WS)

45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Jesus knew that humanity was sick with a disease that they could not heal themselves.

Romans 3:23 KJV (WS)

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

As Mrs. Barbara worked year after year helping to heal her patience she was illustrating for us the same love and compassion that Jesus has for every human, every sinner that has ever lived.

He sees us in our sin and he desire to heal us of them.

Mrs. Barbara was also a talented bowler.

She was involved in several state and national tournaments.

You know even in bowling we see an illustration of salvation.

The bowler stands a far distance from his goal.

He wants to have an affect on those pins, but the pins cannot come to him.

So, the bowler sends his messenger across the gap to meet the pins.

God didn’t let our inability to come to him stop him from impacting our lives.

He sent his messenger across the gap to reach us.

John 3:17 KJV (WS)

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Romans 5:8 KJV (WS)

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus came to us while we were yet in our sins and unable to come up to God.

Jesus made a way through his death, for us to be forgiven of our sins.

Mrs. Goldsmith had received that forgiveness.

Mrs. Barbara was also a wood carver.

A wood carver take a formless block of wood and reveals a beautiful piece of art.

This happens as the craftsman whittles away all the pieces that shouldn’t be there.

Slowly through an extended process the master transforms the wood to his vision for it.

This is exactly what the Bible promises God will do for those of us who are saved.

Romans 8:29 KJV (WS)

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Ephesians 2:10 KJV (WS)

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We are being crafted by our heavenly Father into the image of his son.

He sees what he wants us to be, just like a wood carver.

He is removing those pieces that are preventing us from fulfilling his will.

Someday when we are reunited with our loved ones in heaven, we will be perfectly transformed.

That is true for Mrs. Barbara today.

This can be true for you this morning as well.

Jesus is the answer for your greatest need.

He is the cure for your sin sickness.

Everyone needs to be forgiven.

Acts 4:12 KJV (WS)

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

You cannot get to God on your own.

You cannot get to heaven based on your good works.

We needed someone to be sent from heaven to bring us to God.

Jesus came to save us.

Believers are being shaped into the image of Christ.

One day that work will be complete when leave this world.

That’s why we celebrate the home going of a child of God like Mrs. Barbara.

At a time like this it is appropriate to think of our own condition.

Jesus didn’t just come to save Barbara; he came to save you too.

Have you asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins?

He is the only one that can.

He is the only one who was without sin and died in your place.

If you believe he died for you, and you are repentant of your sins He will save you right now.

He will instantly begin working on transforming your life.

Eventually you will join the billions of others who have been saved before in heaven.

I’m going to be there, Mrs. Barbara will be there.

Will you?