Fred.Cox

2 Corinthians 4:16–5:1 NIV

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

Introduction to the Scriptures

The Bible does not glamorize death. The authors of Scripture fully acknowledge the harsh reality of lives coming to the end and the grief of being separated from someone we love. But the Bible never ends the story with the darkness of death. The Bible follows up by showing us the brightness of the glory and power of God. Not only do we believe that the power of God is at work in our lives, but God keeps on working in death.

I want to share a passage that talks about our physical bodies. The harsh reality is they come to end. But the Bible tells us for followers of Jesus Christ, there is a new, better, eternal body waiting for us. Here the Word of the Lord:

2 Corinthians 4:16

2 Corinthians 4:16–5:1 NIV

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

This is the Word of God for the people of God. The Bible refers to our bodies as a building, or a tent.

I’ve had the privilege of being Fred Cox’s pastor for almost 2 years. My first memory of Fred is his coming into my office with Esther and giving me a history lesson - an overview, HUMC history 101. He and Esther led a team that wrote a history of Huntingtown United Methodist Church. But Fred did more than research and write the history of HUMC - he experienced and shaped a lot of it. He built alot of it too.

I admire people who can build and create things and build them well. Some of the most precious gifts are those that were built for us. We know that so much more than money was spent to provide this gift. Because it’s something that can stay when you leave. There’s a memory attached to it. Fred built things as a hobby, and also for people and HUMC.

He built the manger that was used during Advent and Christmas. I don’t know if he noticed it, but this past Christmas someone loaned us a life sized realistic looking baby, and in that hand crafted manger it looked great. Someone told me that it looked real.

He built the crosses in Celebration Hall. These are more than decorations. When we come into that place of worship, the cross helps us remember why we’re there.

Fred built some of the tool boxes for the Appalachian Service Project trips. Those trips, those tool boxes, remind us that we, the church, are so much more than a people that gather on Sunday - we are a people sent out into a hurting world.

Just because you build, you need to build it well. Don’t build a manger or a table that falls over. Don’t build a cross that isn’t shaped quite right. Don’t build a tool box that aren’t durable. Fred was a builder. He did it well.

But building isn’t just for the wood workers. Fred helped build our nation when he served in the Army. He and Esther built a loving family together. He built lasting friendships in the community. Fred was a builder and he did it well.

We are all building right now. And what we are building will be there when we move. Much of what we are building will outlive us when we die. "What are we building? Are we doing it well? Are we building something that will outlive us, and continue to bless others even after we’re gone?

We’re not the only ones who are builders. God is the Master Builder.

Our bodies are described as buildings. More specifically they are described as tents. Tents are definitely good. They have an important purpose. But we have an assumption that were never intended to be a permanent dwelling place. The same with our physical bodies. Created by God, the Master Builder. God made them so they are definitely good, and designed for a purpose. But they were not intended to be permanent dwelling places.

In one of his public roles Kenny was a plasterer and he laid tile. He was a builder, and the results of his labor are all over this area. Kenny’s left his mark here in the Level area. You could say he’s left his mark in this world in the form of plaster and tile. Let’s not forget the major role here at Hopewell, when the congregation voted to build a new building. He chaired the building committee, which is a huge responsibility, especially when the building process gets stuck and people felt frustrated.  Kenny was an important leader during that important time in Hopewell’s history. Kenny was sad about 2 things: he missed Betty, and he was sad that his health would not allow him to build with his hands any longer.

Anyone who knew Fred could tell you that he was a competent and reliable builder.  Yet he put his trust in a builder far better than himself, one who builds building not for this earth, but for a glorious eternity. I’m not just talking about our homes in heaven (Jesus does say that he is preparing rooms for us) -- I’m talking about our perfect, resurrected bodies that followers in Christ will receive one day. By faith Fred knew their was a building project taking place that we can’t see.

Sometimes the old facility had to be demolished if another was to rise up on the same site. He realized the same must happen with him -- the old building (the earthly tent, the body) had to be torn down so better building could be built -- a spiritual body, an eternal body -- a building not build with human hands, but a building from God, eternal in the heavens. Fred trusted in the master builder.