Bonnie Adams Funeral

Bonnie Adams

2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8

“Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised” (Prov 31:30)

6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

The Words that we could use to describe Mrs Bonnie

-Encourager

-Prayer Warrior—intercessory prayer

-Walked with the Lord

-Serious

-She enjoyed and loved her family

-Spiritual Mother—

FAMILY

-she invested in the lives of those around her.

-Her whole life she gave up her needs for the needs of others.

-She gave her love, time and possessions to others—she knew how to make you feel special.

-She would always call everyone on their birthday and sing Happy Birthday

to them.

-At Christmas, she made sure one of her grandchildren would read the Christmas story, and then they would play and sing some traditional songs.

-I have heard so many testimonies about how she invested in others—

-Her grandchildren tell of her having her radio playing Christian music, worshipping Jesus while she was working in the kitchen.

She was a pastor’s friend

FAITHFUL

6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God.

The time of my death is near.

“poured out”-the picture is that of pouring out oneself; to offer one’s strength and life; pouring oneself to the ministry.

The following was found by her family—something she had saved:

Generosity

We who are older have a wealth of riches to share with our families and others around us. Our riches may not be material, instead they may be our time, our wisdom, our ability to listen, or simply our love. Whatever we have much of, God calls us to share it with those in need—and then He too will share with us in abundance.

She lived her life, pouring herself out to:

God- an act of worship

She loved the Lord Jesus Christ.

Her Mission—she loved to share her love with others; loved studying the Word, when possible, she wasn't gonna miss church

“time of my departure”- Paul describes his death with this verb picture—the departing of a ship by lifting its anchor. Ships were never meant to stay in the dock—they were built to sail. The picture is “untying the rope” and letting the ship sail.

Her setting sail was not something any of her family would have imagined.

While she was alive, she lived. She didn’t stop living before she died!

FOCUSED—

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.(2 Tim 4:7)

In this verse, we see three metaphors that reflects the struggles of his ministry—life.

Paul is not thinking of a battle or even a gladiatorial combat—he has in mind an “athletic contest”, the energetic striving for a prize which can be secured ONLY by straining every muscle in a masterly effort to the very last.

Paul considered what he was doing to the be grandest—the ministry of the gospel. His life had purpose.

Mrs Bonnie lived with purpose—

“good fight”- not that she was the best at the fight, but she knew that she was in the right ring—focused on the right focal point.

“the race”-Paul was not commending himself for having run the “full distance”, but was stating that he had followed the course laid out by the Lord. Mrs Bonnie desired to be where God wanted her to be.

I have remained faithful.- the picture here focuses on “maintaining a personal trust” in Christ. She never once lost that focus.

—she was diligent in preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace

—she was focused on her life being pleasing to God—she was a treasure holder.

—she stayed focused on the Word of God

- Her worship was important to her.

- Her presence was a blessing

Family, Faithful and Focused

How we can see the beauty and providence of God’s amazing work!

Probably her last view of scripture was her devotional thought for March 9—“Weeping may remain for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5)

What about you today? If Jesus comes for you today, will there be joy? Do you know Him as Lord and Savior today?

FINISH

8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

“The Victory Wreath” given to us by the Lord

This wreath is unfading and imperishable.

She reminds me of the lady who spoke with her pastor before her funeral—“When they bury me, I want my Bible in one hand a fork in the other hand”.

“I have been thinking about all of the church dinners and fellowships that I have attended through the years—one thing sticks in my mind. When the meal was almost finished, I can remember that I was told, “You can keep your fork”.

You know what they meant? Dessert was coming!! The BEST was yet to come.

The New Jerusalem

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.* 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.