Jerry Drake (Welcome)

Welcome & Thankfulness

On behalf of the family, I want to welcome you and thank you for being here today

Your presence here today goes a long way

When talking with the family yesterday they began to express all the ways that you have loved them in this season

Whether that was through

your presence here today

your presence in their home the past couple of days

meals you provided,

or through your faithful prayers

You have been the hands and feet of Jesus to this family and because of that they have felt His love

So, on behalf of them, thank you

Scripture

Like I mentioned, Marty and I met with the sherry and some of the family yesterday to talk through the final details of the service

if there was anything they wanted to change

or anything they specifically wanted mentioned

The first thing they mentioned was that they wanted today to be a celebration

But then we kept talking and one of the things that Sherry and the family has shared, that I thought I needed to mention was this peace they have felt during this time

over the last few days they have been overwhelmed with a sense of peace

But what was unique about this peace was that not only had the family been experiencing it

But they had notice Jerry experiencing it as well even in his final days

This peace is one that I believe doesn’t come from circumstances or from personal strength, but from Christ Himself

It’s a peace the Jesus told his disciples about the night before His crucifixion

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus doesn’t deny the reality of suffering

He says plainly: ‘In this world you will have tribulation.’ 

Jerry knew that reality all too well in these last weeks as cancer took its toll

And we all know it too…

through loss

sickness

and hardship

Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t stop there. ..

He tells them: ‘In me you may have peace.’ 

This peace in Jesus is not a peace that the world can manufacture

not the kind that fades when trouble comes along

but a peace that holds steady in the midst of tribulation, because it’s grounded in Him

Jesus gives the reason this kind of peace can holdfast through anything when He tells them: ‘I have overcome the world.’

Jerry had peace in the midst of his battle because his hope was in a Savior who had already overcome the world

who defeated sin

who conquered death

and who rose from the grave

The family has experienced that same peace, because while they grieve, they do not grieve as those who have no hope

Their hope is in Jesus, the One who has overcome

And that is what we celebrate today…

Jerry’s life points us to the victory of Christ

Death has not won

Cancer has not won

Jesus has overcome, and because of that, Jerry is with his Savior today

Healed and Redeemed

Ending

That is why today can be a celebration, because of the

the victory of Jesus

the victory that gave Jerry peace in the face of death

and that continues to give this family peace in their grief

And here’s the good news:

this peace isn’t just for Jerry

and it isn’t just for his family

Jesus offers this same peace to all who turn to Him

a peace that holds us now, and a hope that carries us into eternity

That said, it’s my prayer, the family’s prayer, and I’m sure Jerry’s prayer that everyone here would know and experience that peace today

Prayer

Let’s pray together…

“Father, we thank You for Jerry’s life, for the memories we share, and most of all for the hope we have in Jesus. Thank You for pouring out Your peace on this family, even in their sorrow. Thank You for the love of Your church that has surrounded them and carried them. And thank You that because of Christ’s victory, death is not the end — Jerry is with his Savior.

May everything said and sung in this service today point us to that hope and fill us with joy in the gospel. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”