What To Do When You Lose Someone Close
None • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 25 viewsWe can mourn our loss while staying true to Christ, yet we must also learn life lessons from those who have gone on and imitate their noble qualities
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
November 26, 1943
3000+ Sailors
His home town
His family and his friends
When we have lost someone close, we need to commemorate, to recollect, rehearse, and remember.
He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific. One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship he saw something that turned his blood cold. A squadron of Japanese aircraft were speeding their way toward the American fleet.
The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was defenseless. He couldn’t reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber’s blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly.
Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O’Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival he reported in and related the event surrounding his return.
The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch’s daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had in fact destroyed five enemy aircraft.
This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy’s first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O’Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.
In our text, we have a MEMORIAL for Jonathan and Saul instituted and set up by David.
Three times in verse 19, 25, 27 we find the words, “How are the mighty fallen.”
There is a LOSS TO BE LAMENTED - Saul and Jonathan have died
There is a LOSS TO BE LAMENTED - Saul and Jonathan have died
Many have fallen through DEATH
Many have fallen through DEATH
Take time to grieve
Take time to grieve
a) The Word of God doesn’t tell Christians not to grieve
a) The Word of God doesn’t tell Christians not to grieve
The Word of God doesn’t tell Christians not to grieve
The Word of God doesn’t tell Christians not to grieve
It tell us not to grieve as those who have no hope
It tell us not to grieve as those who have no hope
Some have fallen through DISCOURAGEMENT
Some have fallen through DISCOURAGEMENT
Few have fallen through DISGRACE
Few have fallen through DISGRACE
There are some LESSONS TO BE LEARNED in this story.
There are some LESSONS TO BE LEARNED in this story.
David “told them teach the children of Judah the bow.” David used this time to instruct the people and commemorate his friend Jonathan.
David “told them teach the children of Judah the bow.” David used this time to instruct the people and commemorate his friend Jonathan.
REMEMBER THAT ACTIVITY IS A VALUABLE COMFORT IN ANY LOSS
REMEMBER THAT ACTIVITY IS A VALUABLE COMFORT IN ANY LOSS
To take their minds off their sorrow, he, at the same time, issues an order to teach the children of Judah the use of the bow
To take their minds off their sorrow, he, at the same time, issues an order to teach the children of Judah the use of the bow
Activity is an remedy in the time of sorrow
Activity is an remedy in the time of sorrow
Certainly the opposite of it would tend towards depression and despair.
Certainly the opposite of it would tend towards depression and despair.
In any loss activity is valuable as a comfort.
In any loss activity is valuable as a comfort.
Do not just sit and brood over your loss.
Do not just sit and brood over your loss.
Do not shut yourself up to meditate upon the great loss that has befallen you.
Do not shut yourself up to meditate upon the great loss that has befallen you.
Do not fall under the temptation of Satan to cease from your daily activity.
Do not fall under the temptation of Satan to cease from your daily activity.
Nothing is healthier than to have work to do.
Nothing is healthier than to have work to do.
David was absolutely correct
David was absolutely correct
The way to raise the people out of their despondency was to teach them the use of the bow
The way to raise the people out of their despondency was to teach them the use of the bow
1. The way to raise the people out of their despondency was to teach them the use of the bow
1. The way to raise the people out of their despondency was to teach them the use of the bow
Their own arrows would slay their grief—and the way to get you mourning ones out of your sorrow is to get them to in love themselves in an activity
Their own arrows would slay their grief—and the way to get you mourning ones out of your sorrow is to get them to in love themselves in an activity
RECOGNIZE THE LESSONS OF OUR LOSSES.
RECOGNIZE THE LESSONS OF OUR LOSSES.
What was the tragedy?
What was the tragedy?
Saul had been shot by archers.
Saul had been shot by archers.
The Philistines were good in the use of the bow
The Philistines were good in the use of the bow
Saul’s army was weak in this area
Saul’s army was weak in this area
As a result, they were not able to strike the Philistines at a distance.
As a result, they were not able to strike the Philistines at a distance.
We all have met with failures and sometimes even great loss
We all have met with failures and sometimes even great loss
What shall you do? Sit down and fret and trouble yourselves, and give up in despair?
What shall you do? Sit down and fret and trouble yourselves, and give up in despair?
Gather wisdom from that which has beaten you!
Gather wisdom from that which has beaten you!
a) Learn where your weakness is. Determine to know the cause and reason for the defeat.
a) Learn where your weakness is. Determine to know the cause and reason for the defeat.
Learn where your weakness is. Determine to know the cause and reason for the defeat.
Learn where your weakness is. Determine to know the cause and reason for the defeat.
Peter was stronger after his fall than before it, and he set out to strengthen his brethren.
Peter was stronger after his fall than before it, and he set out to strengthen his brethren.
Learn the use of the bow and be more ready the next time.
Learn the use of the bow and be more ready the next time.
RESOLVE TO LIVE IN HONOR OF YOUR DEPARTED LOVED ONE BY IMITATING THE QUALITIES THEY POSSESSED.
RESOLVE TO LIVE IN HONOR OF YOUR DEPARTED LOVED ONE BY IMITATING THE QUALITIES THEY POSSESSED.
How does that come from the text?
How does that come from the text?
When Jonathan and David met together on one occasion, they determined their meeting by Jonathan’s shooting arrows.
When Jonathan and David met together on one occasion, they determined their meeting by Jonathan’s shooting arrows.
It is obvious that Jonathan was a man who used the bow.
It is obvious that Jonathan was a man who used the bow.
If you want to keep a memorial to your loved one, exhibit in yourself the virtues that shined in them.
If you want to keep a memorial to your loved one, exhibit in yourself the virtues that shined in them.
No remembrance is more fitting than imitation—be a reflection of the departed by exhibiting within yourself all that was good in them.
No remembrance is more fitting than imitation—be a reflection of the departed by exhibiting within yourself all that was good in them.
Imitation is the highest compliment that can be paid an individual.
Imitation is the highest compliment that can be paid an individual.
How much should you and I emulate Christ! Walk as He walked...love as He loved...forgive as He forgave.
How much should you and I emulate Christ! Walk as He walked...love as He loved...forgive as He forgave.
Build up within yourself, by the power of God’s Spirit, the Christ-like character of their departed loved one is by far a better memorial than any window that could ever be purchased.
Build up within yourself, by the power of God’s Spirit, the Christ-like character of their departed loved one is by far a better memorial than any window that could ever be purchased.
Conclusion:
When David taught these people the use of the bow, every time they stringed an arrow they would remember Jonathan! Every time they shot an arrow, they would remember Jonathan.
And whenever a regiment of archers went through the streets to the battle, they brought Jonathan before the public mind.
David instituted this form of royal artillery, on purpose, so that Jonathan might be kept in mind before the people.
Every time you go forth to do the service of God, obediently and zealously, as Jesus did it, you put men in mind of Jesus and they say, “God has set these men in the world to be witnesses for Christ, to keep His name alive in the earth. These men are a blessing because Jesus, Himself, has blessed them.”
I would thus stir you up to endeavor all the days of your life to live and serve God, that the name of Jesus Christ shall be kept alive in this nation of ours and throughout the world!