Tim Bowman

I met Tim once when he was at Alpine here in Asheboro. Debbie had told me her brother was ill and having a tough time and wanted to know if I would come talk to him, of course I said yes. I’m glad I did. I quickly discovered that Tim was an easy person to talk to! He reminded me of one of my uncles, and maybe that’s why.

Last Tuesday afternoon when we all got together to discuss today’s service the stories you shared with me they really confirmed for me that my first impression was right. Tim was an amazing person, who loved sports…even if he was a Wolf Pack fan, we will forgive him. I’m told he taught one of his sons to pitch left-handed…I can barely throw a ball with my dominant hand, so to be willing, and able, to do something like that takes hard work and dedication…from both father and son. That is commendable.

He was polite, but I didn’t need ya’ll to tell me that, he showed me that himself. He had never met me before but he treated me like we were old friends.

There were some things about Tim y’all told me that I didn’t know, but they just reinforced what my first impression suggested. He was kind, I know that, but how kind, and in what way? I was told about a trip to the mountains y’all took some time back, just to get away and relax. One evening while Tim and everyone were sitting around a fire pit, enjoying themselves, he noticed that a young couple next door was trying to do the same…only they didn’t bring any wood! Tim noticed they were going out into the wood line and scrounging for fire wood and he wouldn’t have it! He saw to it that on the next grocery store run there was a bundle of fire wood purchased for that couple! Simple acts of kindness like that make all the difference in the world in our lives.

I’m told that while grocery shopping if he noticed someone counting price tags and putting items back, he would very often purchase those items for them, especially if it involved ice cream and cookies! “No kid should go without ice cream and cookies” (my girls would have loved Tim!)

Tim was kind and he loved his family, especially his mom. He loved his brothers and sisters, loved taking trips, but truth be told, he probably just enjoyed being around y’all. It probably didn’t matter much if it was the beach or the mountains, he just wanted to be together.

He loved his nieces and nephews, and I can say to those of you here, I know what it is like to lose a dear uncle. My uncles made some of the biggest impact on my life growing up and I know you’ll miss him.

Tim was a loving father. To his children, I would say I know what it is like to lose a parent. Remember the good times. Remember the laughs, the stories, the fun. But remember this…we’re not here to mourn his loss, but to celebrate his memory. Let’s bow for prayer.

When We Can’t See why Some Things Happen

If you will give me just a few moments of your time I want to give you something to consider about Tim. A question going through your mind, if not right now, then at least over the last several weeks and months is: “Why?” “Why Tim?” “Why now?” “Why this?” Here is my answer: I don’t know. If I knew then I would be God, but I’m not. Here is what I do know: God is in control, and even though we cannot see or understand why things happen, we know, God has a purpose in everything. Paul said this, 1 Cor. 13:12

1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV 1900

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

I have two points to make, the first regarding....

Some Things We Cannot See

We cannot see...

The purpose which God has in allowing certain things to happen

Ephesians 1:11 “11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”

Here is a hard truth for us to understand, God doesn’t need our advice and He doesn’t need our suggestion.

I do not know God’s purpose in Tim’s suffering

Maybe it was to bring the family together

Maybe it was to help heal old wounds

Maybe it was simply for this service today, to give someone a change to hear the gospel.

Whatever the reason, whatever the purpose, that is up to God.

The way which God has of being glorified in a person’s life

John 11:4 “4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”

In John 11, Jesus heard that his friend Lazarus was sick, and do you know what Jesus did? Nothing. For four days He did not go to Lazarus’ house and when He finally did, it was “too late.

Do you have any idea how many people believed on Jesus because He was four days late? People who would under normal circumstances never go to Bethany to see Lazarus were there.

Through his death (and yes Jesus raised him from the dead) and suffering God was glorified.

We cannot see the way that God uses things to deal with a person’s heart

Tim had been sick and suffering for a long time, but God used it his own good.

See, if Tim had never gotten sick, then Debbie never would have asked me to visit him. Our paths would not have crossed.

If I had never met Tim that afternoon I never would have had the opportunity to share with them the gospel. I never would have been able to explain to him how much God loved him, how Jesus died in his place, how that all our sins can be forgiven and we can KNOW that heaven is our home, if we will just believe.

I may not have an answer for Tim’s sickness, but I think I know the reason. Those are things which we cannot see, but what about....

Some Things We Can Clearly See

The Gospel is not just for those who are suffering and sick it is for everyone! We see that...

All men are sinners and need to be saved

Romans 3:23 “23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

John 3:3 “3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

That God loves us and has made a way for everyone to be saved

John 3:16 “16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Romans 10:9 “9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

That God will do what He promises if we will do what He asks

Revelation 3:20 “20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Romans 10:13 “13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Tim is not gone. His life is not over. On Monday, July 22 2024, Tim Bowman did not cease to exist, he simply made his final journey form earth to heaven. Right now he is in heaven waiting on you to make up your mind what you will do with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What will you do? Let’s pray...

With our heads bowed and eyes closed, I wonder if someone is here that would be honest with themselves and honest with God. You have never given much thought to eternity and where you will spend it. Yet here we are. Maybe today you’re concerned, you don’t know where you’d be. My friend you can know for sure right now that your sins are forgiven and that you have a home in heaven.

“How can I do that?” you ask. Simple - admit to God what He already knows that you are a sinner. Believe that what God says in His Word is true, that Jesus died for you took your place and rose again. and then call on Him to save you.

Song

Prayer for comfort