Bill Wagner

Funeral  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
0 ratings
· 1 view
Notes
Transcript

CONTEXT:

The psalms are the prayer book of the Bible.
Prayers for all occasions, for joy, for thanksgiving, for danger, for grief, for hope.
Psalm 23, a beloved psalm. A psalm of affirmation of God’s love, faithfulness, and guiding care over life.

EXEGESIS 1: THE LORD PROVIDES

Psalm 23 written by David. The great king of Israel. Famous for slaying Goliath. But before all that he was a shepherd boy.
This psalm hearkens back to his shepherding days. He took care of a flock. Lead it. Fed it. Protected it.
The LORD is like a shepherd (for Israel)
he lead Israel out of slavery
He is MY shepherd
I am not just on my own. Wandering.
He provides me food in green pastures.
He provides rest and refreshment in cool waters.
He leads me in righteousness
Was David immune to feeling lost, to feeling uncertain, no. Hunted by Saul, exiled in foreign lands, experiences of personal failure, loss. But he recorded his faith when he had it.
Summary: Therefore I shall not want; I am not left to my own devices.

APPLICATION 1: WE CLING TO GOD’S FAITHFUL PRESENCE

During this time of grief we remember that the LORD is faithful and present.
He was a shepherd to Bill in life,
Started out as a boy from a small farm
hard worker, smart and funny.
He graduated college in 1961 from The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
He worked for the federal government in the Social Security Administration for 39 years.
Marriage to Mary Ellen for over 60 years.
3 boys, wives, 9 grandchildren.
Husband, father, grandfather, friend to many.
Retired here in Ormond Beach.
Could he imagined all that that while a child on a farm in Wisconsin?
No, God guided and provided for Bill.
None of us can imagine all the paths our life will take. But we can have faith that God is the shepherd who guides us.
Now is a time to draw near to God and to ask him guide us.
Especially, as we must navigate the valley of the shadow of death.

EXEGESIS 2: THE LORD PROTECTS

David knew the bitterness of death. A warrior. A man who lost friends. family members.
Valley of the Shadow of death. Valley, where he was walled in.
But even there the LORD is with him.
Thy Rod and staff that comfort and guide
Switches to 2nd person. Not “The LORD’s” rod and staff “YOUR” rod and staff.
David’s religion was not just a doctrine, but a personal affirmation.
Your rod and staff — tools of guiding a sheep and beating off predators. They protect me.
David and Goliath. The Lord has protected me from lion and bear, and will from you also! Brash as a young man, idealistic young faith.
But even as an older man, affirmed, God is with me no matter the danger or sorrows I face.
Even there the LORD richly provides for him (a banquet before enemies)

APPLICATION 2: WE TURN TO GOD’S FOR PROTECTION FROM GRIEF

We can feel walled in. That all we see is death.
Psalm like this reminds us that God is nearer than we think. Not just a religious proposition, but a personal experience.
That was true for Bill.
Life-long Christian.
God was shepherding him through even the most difficult times.
last few years were very difficult. But his faith was on God whose rod and staff were his support.
Rod, his word to guide his thoughts
Staff, the community of men here, the faith of his family, to support him
Jesus’ promise, Jesus said I am the good shepherd, and I lead my flock.
Bill demonstrated amazing resilience. Drawing his comfort from God through Christ.
Now is our time to also lean on the rod and staff of God, let him protect and guide through grief to the day of joy.

EXEGESIS 3: THE LORD PROMISES ETERNAL LIFE

The notion of the afterlife somewhat muted in the OT.
Revealed in the NT by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead
David prophetically looks forward
Surely Goodness and Mercy in this life and I shall dwell in the House of the LORD forever.
The journey has a destination. All the ups and downs, the provision, the protection, all oriented toward promise of eternal home.
Jesus said, I am the good shepherd and I lay down my life for my sheep. I take it back up again, so that they may have life.

APPLICATION 3: WE TRUST GOD’S PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE

Bill believed in eternal life through Christ.
That gave him the peace he need to go home to the Lord bravely.
Promise of the gospel. We do not end up alone. But we end up together.
He trusted that God will now care for you all, as God cared for Bill, and as he loved and cared for you.

Conclusion

God led Bill. Is still leading us.
God was Bill’s strength. He is ours.
God has welcomed Bill into his house forever. We will join him there.
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more
Earn an accredited degree from Redemption Seminary with Logos.