SF786 - IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL _ A Funeral Message (Romans 8 35-39)
Opening Song “The Rose” Barbara Byers
Eulogy Paul Byers
Message Pastor Tim McGhee
Obituary
Karyn S. Rogers
Age 54, of Brookline, on Saturday, October 26, 2002; beloved wife of Jim Rogers; loving mother of Barb (Paul) Byers, Rob (Margaret) Rogers, Bill (fiance Nicole) Rogers and the late Brian Rogers; cherished daughter of Barbara and the late Robert Henry; dear sister of Dennis (Helene) Henry and Terri (Brian) Lovenguth; dearest grandmother of Jack Rogers; also survived by nieces and nephews. Karyn worked as a nurse for the Little Sisters of the Poor and ministered to others with cards and letters of hope, compassion and fru-fru.
Romans 8:35-39
Introduction
In 1871 Chicago was largely destroyed by fire. Horatio G. Spafford, a prominent Chicago businessman, lost most of what he owned in that fire. Shortly after this tragedy, Mr. Spafford put his wife and four daughters on a ship for passage to England. On a stormy November 22 night, the ship on which they were sailing was struck by a ship from England, and in the confusion and turbulence that followed; all four daughters were swept overboard and lost. Upon arrival in England Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband just two words, “Saved alone!”
On the first available ship, Mr. Spafford sailed to join his wife in England. While he was at sea he asked the captain to alert him when they reached the spot where the ship had sunk. So, one night a steward came to his cabin and said, “Mr. Spafford, we are almost at the spot.” Mr. Spafford quickly went up to the deck and, as they passed over the watery grave of his daughters, the words of this song came to him:
“When peace like a river,
attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.”
In times like this, it is essential that we be sure it is well with our soul.
Paul sets forth three reasons why it can be well with our souls...
1A. God’s Astounding Love
1B. God’s love is amazing.
It is easy to see why God would ignore us, reject us, and even condemn us.
But why should he love us?
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell…
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure -
The saints’ and angels’ song. F. N. Lehmen
2B. God’s love is abundant.
His love is seen all around us.
“The mountains are God’s love piled high; the oceans are God’s love spread out; and the flowers are God’s love in bloom.”
His love is best seen in the cross.
Romans 5:6-8 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2A. God’s Enduring Love
1B. God’s love will endure the difficult times of life. (8:35)
Tribulation - pressures, burden
Distress – calamity, tight spots
Persecution – attack for without
Famine, nakedness – destitution
Peril or sword – grave danger
2B. God’s love will endure the daily trials of life. (8:38-39)
These things may separate us from health and wealth, from family and friends, from comfort and ease, but they cannot separate us from Christ.
Our relationship with God does not depend upon the way we die any more than it depends on the way we live; it is all of grace.
3A. God’s Conquering Love (8:37)
1B. He gives us inner braces for the outer pressures we experience.
2B. He gives us victory over our greatest enemies.
We have victory over sin through His death.
We have victory over suffering through His presence.
We have victory over death through His resurrection.
2 Timothy 1:10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
Application
Karen’s testimony
Karen was
Ø A loving wife for over 34 years
Ø A good mother.
Ø A caring nurse who love her patients at the “Little Sisters of the Poor”
Ø A fighter had suffered for years because of an injury she suffered in an auto accident in 1994.
Ø Known far and wide as the fru fru lady.
Ø An encourager her goal was to send a card to someone every day of the year, she almost made it.
But that is not the most important about Karen…
Ø The most important thing is that on a God appointed day in 1998 she heard the gospel in a way she had never heard it before.
Ø She heard it not with just her ears but with her heart.
Ø God by His grace opened her ears to hear His voice and gave her a new heart, a heart to love Him.
Karen’s peace and assurance
Karen knew first-hand what Paul meant in this passage, she knew what it means to be in Christ’s Love!
How can you have that same peace and assurance?
Confess to God that you are a sinner; that you have sinned against Him and that you can do nothing to save yourself.
Ask Jesus to help you repent and believe.
Seek God’s help and mercy.
Tell Jesus you want Him to be the Lord of your life.
Walter Winchill was a famous radio news commentator during WWII. Once, after a particularly dark week during which the port of Singapore fell, he closed his broadcast with this sentence, “Singapore has fallen, but the Rock of Ages stands.”
You may feel that your world has fallen…But the Rock of Ages stands!
Come to the Rock for comfort and for cleansing!
The Rock stands for you.
Marian – the most important passage in the Bible…
(Jude 1:24-25 NIV) To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy-- {25} to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.