From Pain to Presence
Notes
Transcript
Intro: Illustration of peace..
Illustration of peace
How can we find peace…how can we move from this point of sorrow… at which direction should we begin to gather the pieces and the strength for living? Many have suffered at deaths shadow but few…very few have reconciled in their hearts such loss such void. Though we sit here today we don’t all hurt the same…such is only reserved for those who must bid farewell. Such farewell is the pain of absence…absence of touch…absence of voice…absence of presence.
For they carry the greatest burden today yet for us all this reality....the reality of life’s transition from the natural to the spiritual is inescapable. Though we hold...hold on to those we love with both hands and all strength yet we will not prevent such a matter from befalling us. For none can stop the progression and timing of life. And for that reason I implore the hearing of us all today…that these words which are spoken in this precious setting of celebrating the life of Shumiaye; Will lighten upon our memories as we journey and equip us all with the strength and direction we may need to continue living though those around us have transitioned. For we are reminded today without our consent that life is fragile, life is fleeting, life is precious. Life is held by time and time is limited in this realm. Man is a prisoner to time.
How can we find peace…how can we move from this point of sorrow… at which direction should we begin to gather the pieces and the strength of living? Many have suffered at deaths shadow but few…very few have reconciled in their hearts such loss such void. Though we sit here today we don’t all hurt the same…such is only reserved for those who must bid farewell. They carry the greatest burden yet for us all this reality....the reality of life’s transition from the natural to the spiritual is inescapable. Though we hold hold on to those we love with both hands and all strength yet we will not prevent such a time for us all. And for that reason I implore the hearing of us all today…that these words which are spoken today may find you on your own journey someday and equip you with the resource you need to continue living though those you love transition.
So what is our direction… to which way do we proceed? In sorrow yes, but sorrow cannot be our residence....so where do we go? To whom shall we go? Many from the beginning of time have suffered at death’s strike but many have not transitioned properly from their loss.... the answer is found....
“Come unto me”
Illustration of peace
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The great timeless invitation that is the solution to our present circumstance … FROM PAIN TO PRESENCE.
Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness he requires
Is to feel your need of him.
“Come” is an emphatic interjection…one that is encouraging closeness.
*WHEN MOST OF US SUFFER WE PULL AWAY FROM GOD FROM FAITH BECAUSE IN OUR MINDS FAITH AND GOD SHOULD ALLEVIATE US FROM ALL PAIN. BUT IN HONEST THE FIRST PLACE WE SHOULD LEAN, SHOULD MOVE TO IN TROUBLE, IN SUFFERING IS CLOSER NOT FURTHER FROM THE LORD!*
*EXPOUND HOW THE INVITATION IS FOR US TO MOVE FROM THE POINT OF OUR SORROW TO THE LORD…NOT THAT OUR SORROW WILL DISAPPEAR BUT THAT THE LORD MAY HELP US HANDLE, NAVIGATE, INTERPRET THE PAIN PROPERLY. * EVERY PAIN CAN BIRTH A PURPOSE IN THE HANDS OF GOD.
Who is HE calling today? Well all of us of course...
THE WEARY, THE EXHAUSTED, THE FAINT HEARTED, THE BROKEN, THE LOST, THE DEPLETED,
HE’S CALLING YOU COME UNTO ME!
THE HOPELESS, THE MOURNER, THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN BEATEN BY LIFE....
HE’S CALLING YOU COME UNTO ME
THE DISAPPOINTED....DISCOURAGED....THOSE THAT HAVE STRUGGLED TO KEEP THEIR HEADS ABOVE THE CRASHING TIDES OF MISFORTUNE....
HE’S CALLING YOU COME UNTO ME
THOSE THAT ARE CLOSE TO QUITTING BECAUSE LIFE HAS HANDLED YOU HEAVY.....
HE’S CALLING YOU COME UNTO ME
THE FAITHLESS, THE FATIGUED, THOSE ACQUAINTED WITH HARDSHIP AND LOSE....
HE’S CALLING YOU COME UNTO ME
THOSE THAT STRIVE THROUGH THE STRUGGLE, THOSE THAT WEEP THEIR LOSS, THOSE DON’T KNOW HOW THEY WILL SURVIVE OR GO FORWARD...
COME UNTO ME! COME UNTO ME!
TODAY THE LORD IS GIVING US DIRECTION IN ALL AVENUES AND ARENAS OF LIFE....COME UNTO ME!!!!!
Let not conscience make you linger,
Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness he requires
Is to feel your need of him.
Expound yoke…joined living....joined struggle…joined weeping...
(pull in tandem. The simple yokes consisted of a bar with two loops..*YOKE IS DESIGNED FOR TWO…YOU AND THE LORD*)
pull in tandem. The simple yokes consisted of a bar with two loops..*YOKE IS DESIGNED FOR TWO…YOU AND THE LORD*)
Freeman, J. M., & Chadwick, H. J. (1998). Manners & customs of the Bible (p. 434). North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos Publishers.*YOKE IS DESIGNED FOR TWO…YOU AND THE LORD*)
EXPOUND “AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST”
REST = TO REVIVE..TO BREATHER LIFE BACK INTO…TO GIVE A PLACE TO REFRESH!
“and” shows us the contingency ....WE MUST GO TO HIM TO GET SUCH A REST!
Expound how the Lord’s rest is not an escape for life or experiencing the burden of life but a peace released through the revelation of the author of life.....
Expound yoke…joined living....joined struggle…joined weeping...
(pull in tandem. The simple yokes consisted of a bar with two loops..*YOKE IS DESIGNED FOR TWO…YOU AND THE LORD*)
EXPOUND VERSE 29 “LEARN OF ME” ....
UNDERSTAND WHO NOT WHAT IS HERE FOR YOU IN ALL YOUR ACHES, PAINS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS…LET HIM IN SO HE CAN LEAD YOU OUT!
EXPOUND THE REST OF YOUR SOUL
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Come unto me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one,
Lay down Thy head upon my breast.
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, and worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting-place,
And he has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one,
Stoop down and drink, and live.
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
I am this dark world's light;
Look unto me, thy morn shall rise,
And all thy day be bright.
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I'll walk
Till traveling days are done.