Comfort of the Gospel

Dear friends and family of Dee, brothers and sisters in Christ. Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

In my time of knowing Dee and through conversations with the family. Dee was someone who loved her family - she loved being near them and spending time with them. Dee was someone who was loved by her family and friends here at Bethany. She loved serving other people in name of Jesus and found ways to get invovled at church. But, in my time of knowing Dee - I picture her smile and her joy as she walked up the steps for church on Saturday. Normally, when she got to church - Kama her daughter - would go to the sofa’s over there and grab a pillow for to use as support. I think this is beautiful image of how Dee saw the power of Jesus’ love and grace for her. Dee - was someone who found comfort here at church - but also found comfort in the Gospel; comfort through the work of her Savior Jesus.

This reminds me of the text that Dee underlined and highlighted in her personal Bible that helped pick the verses for today. In our first reading, the reading from Ephesians, Paul is writing to the church and he starts out by reminding them of who they once were. He says at one time - you were like everyone else of this world, at one time you followed the ways of the world, at one time Paul says you were dead in your sins and trespasses. That isn’t a comfortable thing to hear. That isn’t a positive message being called dead in your sins. And this uncomfortable statement isn’t just true about the church in Ephesus, but it is true of you and me today. At time we were like this too. At one time, sin reigned freely. But then we get to the comforting message that Paul gives the church - you, me and the message that Dee heard and believed: But God, being rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved…” It’s through Jesus that His grace that He has made you alive. It’s through Jesus and His work on the cross that you have brought from death to life. You were once caught dead in your sins , but it’s through Jesus that you are completely forgiven! What a comforting, powerful message for us - we are given life through the work of the Savior.

The message and life and love that Jesus has for you, one of forgiveness and life - isn’t dependent upon your work. It isn’t based on what we do in our lives - but Paul says in this passage from Ephesians that is purely a gift from God. That’s how much your God loves you and cares for you. That He would send His Son Jesus to take you sins upon Himself that you may have life!

For you, friends and family of Dee, this is a day filled with grief and with sadness. On the days and weeks ahead - as you continue to feel and experience the loss of Dee in this world, I encourage you just like Dee to continue to look to Jesus and find comfort in the promises He gives. I encourage you to continue to look to Jesus the One who loved you so much He called you out of sin and has given you life. In the moments, where grief maybe overwhelming - look to Jesus the One who loved you so much He endured the cross for you to forgive you completely.

As I said earlier, Dee was someone who found comfort here at church, she was someone who found joy and comfort through the message of Jesus for her. In moments of difficulty, especially in the last months of her earthly life, she found comfort in the message of Jesus; she clung to the promises that Jesus freely gives through the power of His Word. She rested in the work accomplished for her. Now resting in Jesus doesn’t mean we sit around and doing nothing or never interact with Jesus and His Word. Resting in the Lord, doesn’t mean we sit up and kick our feet back and become stagnant in our relationship with Jesus. Resting in the Lord is trusting that He has done it all for you - it’s looking to Jesus in confidence knowing Jesus has completed the work of salvation.

Just like Dee, I encourage you to grab out those pillows, to sit and hear the promises of Jesus clearly, resting at His feet, clinging with hope to the words of comfort for you. He has done it all for you! He has given you new life in Christ.

Now may the grace of God the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, may it guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.