SMyers

Intro:

entrance and Welcome

Song 1

Obit

Shirley Myers

Shirley was a member of East side Baptist Church and studied her Bible diligently.

She had a loving heart, was known as a caregiver

Always well put together with her hair done, nails painted and jewelry on

She worked for many years in the Garden Center at Walmart and in later years at Marie’s Christian Bookstore.

She was also known for playing games and Bingo was her favorite.

She has been in deteriorating health, and sadly, we all knew this day was approaching. Knowing that allowed some level of preparation. As the time for Shirley to go home to heaven her family was able to see her and communicate with her.

Averyee, her great granddaughter, wrote this for Brenda to read to her.

Granny I love you so much don’t forget about me. I have loved every second I get with you I still have all of the blankets you made me every Christmas and sometimes just on a regular daily basis I will miss you very very much I will pray to god everyday that you will always have me in your heart ❤️ I will see you again one day but for now it’s just you watching over me. Love you so much

Upon hearing it, Shirley released a big sigh.

She was surrounded by such love until she crossed over to Heaveen

Personal- I had the privilege of being her pastor at Craft Baptist Church.

Psalm 23

Song 2

Sermon:

Sickness and eventual death is common to the human condition. It is easy on days such as this to let our minds dwell on the frailty of life if we aren’t careful.

However, for the Christian, this is just a small portion of our life!

Our true life is eternal!

Through Jesus, when we draw our final breath here, we are present with the Lord

2 Corinthians 5:8 NKJV

We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Furthermore, we have the promise that this is not the end. The resurrection is coming in the future when we will be reunited with friends and loved ones.

A picture of the Christian’s triumphal entry into eternity with Jesus Christ is found in 1 thes 4

1 Thessalonians 4:13 NKJV

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:14–18 NKJV

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 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 by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

When the Apostle Paul wrote these words, he was writing to the church to fix a problem that was causing conflict and confusion in the church.

While waiting for Jesus’ return, the Thessalonians had become concerned that friends and family who had already died would miss Jesus’ great appearing at His Second Coming.

They feared that their loved ones had missed the Kingdom due to their deaths

Paul wrote because he wanted to clear up this matter, so there would be no ignorance and grief.

A vital reality of the life of Christians is the resurrection.

Jesus’ resurrection was the Firstfruit of more to come

First-fruit- Jewish festival held by God’s command.

When the first of the harvest would come in, it would be sacrificed as a thank you gift to God and a statement of faith for the rest of the harvest to come.

Both produce and first animal born.

Jesus’ resurrection is the first of many!

When Jesus comes again, “the dead in Christ will rise first.”

They will have a head start.

Cemeteries all over the world will be sprinkled with empty graves!

Death seems so final, but it is not.

Jesus died, but death did not have the final word.

He rose from the grave, and because Jesus arose, those who die in Christ will rise from their grave as well.

Then those of us still alive at that moment will be glorified as well. We will be changed!

Then together we will be “caught up” with the Lord

That’s what we call the “rapture” -translated here as “caught up” and it brings great comfort to Christians because they are not at a disadvantage when the rapture comes.

One of the real tests of a person’s belief system is how that belief system stands up in the face of death.

Death is the final uncertainty we face in life; in fact, death is the darkest uncertainty of all!

Death hurts!

Even if you’re a Christian, death hurts!

But for the Christian, we don’t grieve in hopelessness, but our grief is infused with hope; because at the core of our Christian faith is the fact that Jesus Himself died, was buried, and rose from the grave.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 NKJV

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

We have hope today!

The cross and the empty tomb of Jesus change everything, including the way Christians grieve.

So, we can have confidence and trust today that our loved one, Mrs.Shirley Meyers is safe and secure in the presence of God.

We know that He is coming again.

And on that glorious day, those who trust and believe in Him will be caught up in the sky to join Him.

Mrs Shirley will be at the head of the class not because of her works and deeds, but because of her genuine faith and belief in our Lord Jesus Christ.

As we remember her life, ask yourself a genuine question: “Am I living a life so that others can see Jesus in me?”

Shirley’s most important day was the day she repented and believed in Jesus.

That is the day she was sealed for all eternity, and today if we have done the same, we too are sealed.

John 3:16–18 NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

This is not the end!

Today, we say to Shirley, see you in a little while.

Today, we declare our faith and hope in the resurrection.

Prayer

Song 3

Postlude:

At Graveside:

This past week, God chose in His great mercy to close the door of life on Earth for Mrs. Shirley .

At that same moment, He opened up a window in heaven for her to enter in.

Friends, we are blessed with the presence of Christ today.

For He is with His people in life.

He is with His people in death.

And He is with His people through eternity.

We rejoice today, even in our sorrow, for we know that the promises of our Lord have been fulfilled in the life of Mrs. Shirley Myers, and that she has received the crown of eternal life.

Stuart K. Hine penned these words:

“When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration

And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!”

1 Corinthians 15:42–43 NKJV

So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.

1 Corinthians 15:53–57 NKJV

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer