The Joyful Service Of Jerry Silva

Introduction

Illustration: Lessons From A Vacuum Cleaner

I learned some lessons about vacuuming one day. First, I learned that our cat is terrified of vacuum cleaners. That kept me entertained for about an hour.

AS I vacuumed in one direction, a stripe would appear. Going the opposite direction would create a stripe of a different shade. Entranced, I striped the whole room. Then I went crossways, creating a checkerboard pattern. I got so carried away that I dusted the furniture and straightened the entire house.

I was embedded in the easy chair working on a crossword puzzle, when my wife, Diane, came home from work. She struggled through the door with a bag of groceries under each arm, kicked the door shut with one foot then took in the house with an expert glance. Her mouth dropped open. Slowly the bags slipped from her grasp and dropped to the floor. “Who did this?” she asked.

“I did,” I said. Without warning, she attacked. Diving on me before I could get out of the chair, she smothered me with kisses and hugs. The kisses grew more passionate. We broke the chair. It was wonderful!

The vacuum cleaner taught me an important lesson that day: Love is express with more than just words.

Transition To Body- Paul’s Word of Encouragement

Paul & Barnabas (son of encouragement) at Antioch in Pisidia- people in need of encouragement

Acts 13:15 ESV

15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”

Deac. Jerry Was A Joyful Encourager

David- the man after the LORD’s heart

1 Samuel 13:14 ESV

14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”

Acts 13:36–37 ESV

36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption.

Body

Acts 13:36 NIV

36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.

David Served God’s Purpose

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 35.19 θεραπεύω; ὑπηρετέω; διακονέω; διακονία, ας

to render assistance or help by performing certain duties, often of a humble or menial nature—‘to serve, to render service, to help, service, help.’

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 30.57 βούλημα, τος; βουλή, ῆς

that which has been purposed and planned—‘plan, intention, purpose.’

Deac. Jerry Served God’s Purpose

In David’s Generation

own

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 57.4 ἴδιος, α, ον

pertaining to being the exclusive property of someone—‘one’s own, one’s property

generation

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. γενεά

the sum total of those born at the same time, expanded to include all those living at a given time and freq. defined in terms of specific characteristics, generation, contemporaries

fight

unify

praise & worship

prepare (the future generation)

In Deac. Jerry’s Generation

Illustration: Time magazine first used the term "Silent Generation" in a November 5, 1951 article titled "The Younger Generation", although the term appears to precede the publication:

The most startling fact about the younger generation is its silence. With some rare exceptions, youth is nowhere near the rostrum. By comparison with the Flaming Youth of their fathers & mothers, today's younger generation is a still, small flame. It does not issue manifestoes, make speeches or carry posters. It has been called the "Silent Generation."

The Silent Generation is the demographic cohort following the Greatest Generation and preceding the baby boomers. The generation is generally defined as people born from 1928 to 1945.

In the United States, the generation was comparatively small because the Great Depression of the 1930s and World War II in the early-mid 1940s caused people to have fewer children.It includes most of those who fought during the Korean War.

They are noted as forming the leadership of the civil rights movement as well as comprising the "silent majority"

After Serving God’s Purpose David Fell Asleep

After Serving God’s Purpose Deac. Jerry Fell Asleep

David’s Body Decayed

Deac. Jerry’s Body Decayed

Transition To Close- Context of passage is Psalm 16

But Jesus!

Acts 13:37 ESV

37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption.

2 Timothy 2:8 ESV

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,

The Son of Man Came not to be served but...

Matthew 20:28 ESV

28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus served God the Father’s purpose & died

John 17:1–5 ESV

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

In Your Presence There is Fullness of Joy

Psalm 16:11 ESV

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Close- Good Morning Jerry

Deac. Jerry was a burning & shining light for a little while

John 5:35–36 ESV

35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.

Deac. Jerry Ran A Little Bit Faster

2 Timothy 4:7–8 ESV

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Illustration: My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly lean on Jesus' name

On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand

When darkness veils his lovely face I rest on His unchanging grace In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil

His oath, his covenant, his blood Supports me in the 'whelming flood When all around my soul gives way He then is all my hope and stay

On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand

When He shall come with trumpet sound Oh may I then in Him be found Dressed in his righteousness alone Faultless to stand before the throne

So Do Not Grieve As Others Who Have No Hope

1 Thessalonians 4:13–15 ESV

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

Our Master’s Response to Deac. Jerry’s faithful service

Matthew 25:23 ESV

23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’