Deon Turner’s Homegoing Sermon

What can one say about Bishop, Pastor, and Evangelist Deon Turner?

One word that comes to mind is humble.

Bro. Turner was one of the most humble men I have ever known.

I had the pleasure of knowing him since 2002.

I will never forget, I went to the church he was pastoring during a time of spiritual warfare.

During that battle he preached a sermon that I want to take a few moments and share with you.

The scripture is found in Isaiah chapter 63.

Isaiah 63:1–8 (ESV)

1 Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.”

2 Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress?

3 “I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel.

4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come.

5 I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold; so my own arm brought me salvation, and my wrath upheld me.

6 I trampled down the peoples in my anger; I made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.”

7 I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

8 For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior.

Jesus' is with Us Through Our Struggles

The passage from Isaiah presents us with a vivid image of our Savior, clothed in crimsoned garments, marching in the greatness of His strength.

This is not a portrayal of a distant, detached deity, but rather, it's a depiction of a God who is deeply involved in the struggles of His people.

He is not a spectator, but a participant.

He is not indifferent, but intimately engaged.

He is not silent, but speaks in righteousness and is mighty to save.

This image of a God who is actively involved in our struggles is a comforting one.

It assures us that we are not alone in our battles.

We have a Savior who is not only aware of our struggles but is also willing and able to intervene on our behalf.

He is not a passive observer, but an active participant in our struggles.

The crimsoned garments that Jesus wears are a symbol of His sacrifice.

They remind us of the blood He shed on the cross for our sins.

They are a testament to His love for us, a love so great that He was willing to lay down His life for us.

His sacrifice was not in vain.

It brought salvation, not just for a select few, but for all who believe in Him.

The greatness of His strength is evident in His victory over sin and death.

He did not succumb to the powers of darkness, but overcame them.

He did not falter in the face of adversity, but stood firm.

He did not yield to temptation, but resisted it.

His strength is not a worldly strength, characterized by physical might, but a spiritual strength, characterized by faith, courage, and perseverance.

The fact that Jesus speaks in righteousness is a testament to His character.

He is not a deceiver, but a truth-teller.

He is not a manipulator, but a liberator.

He is not a destroyer, but a restorer.

His words are not empty promises, but powerful proclamations.

They are not mere opinions, but divine truths.

They are not intended to confuse, but to clarify.

They are not meant to condemn, but to convict and to comfort.

The phrase "mighty to save" is a powerful affirmation of Jesus' ability to deliver us from our struggles.

He is not a powerless savior, but a powerful one.

He is not a weak deliverer, but a strong one.

He is not a failing rescuer, but a successful one.

His ability to save is not limited by our circumstances, our failures, or our weaknesses.

It is not hindered by our doubts, our fears, or our unbelief.

It is not dependent on our efforts, our merits, or our worthiness.

It is solely dependent on His power, His grace, and His love.

Jesus' Victory Over Our Battles

Isaiah reports that Jesus is returning from battle in His crimsoned garments.

The color crimson, often associated with power and royalty, is also a stark reminder of the bloodshed in battle.

Here, it signifies the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross for our redemption.

His garments, stained with the lifeblood of His enemies, serve as a testament to His victory over sin and death.

This imagery is not meant to incite fear, but to inspire awe and reverence for our Savior who has conquered the greatest enemy of mankind.

In the second verse, we see Jesus marching in the greatness of His strength.

This is not a casual stroll, but a purposeful stride, a victorious march.

Jesus is marching in the greatness of his strength implies a determined and relentless movement forward.

This gives us a glimpse into the resolute nature of Jesus' mission to save humanity.

His strength is not merely physical, but spiritual and divine, capable of overcoming any obstacle.

In verse 3 Jesus is asked about His red apparel.

His response, 'I have trodden the winepress alone,' is a metaphorical expression of His solitary battle against sin ultimately conquering everything sin brought against humanity.

The winepress, a place of crushing and breaking, symbolizes the intense suffering Jesus endured on our behalf.

His solitary journey through the winepress underscores the unique nature of His sacrifice, a battle only He could fight and win.

Jesus' treading of the winepress signifies His victory over sin and death, a victory that He shares with us.

Jesus speaking in righteousness and declaring Himself as 'mighty to save.'

His words are not empty promises, but declarations of truth.

He is not just capable of saving, but mighty to save.

He gives us victory!

It is not a victory that is won through human effort or strength.

It is not a victory that is dependent on our abilities or our resources.

It is a victory that is won through the might of Jesus, through His power and His grace.

This victory is not just for the here and now, but it extends into eternity.

It is a victory over sin and death, a victory that brings us into a right relationship with God, a victory that secures for us an eternal inheritance in the kingdom of God.

The words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:37-39 resonate deeply with us as we contemplate this victory: "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

If there is anything Bro. Turner would want us to know tonight, it would be this, we are fighting from victory not for victory.

The battle has already been fought and Jesus won!

Jesus went before us and the path has already been made.

Let’s walk in the path and keep walking until the Lord takes us home just like He took Bro. Turner home.