The Resurrection and the Life
The Resurrection and the Life*
John 11:25-26
25 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.
Grace Cheryl, Donna, and Janet Family friends and loved ones, The grace of our Lord be with you today.
I remember in grade school we had to memorize a poem that begins "Two roads converge in a yellow woods..." The poem pointed out the fact that we all take different paths in life. Some people take the path where money and fame and power are important. Others chose the path of hard work and simple life. Still others pick yet another path to travel. But no matter what path of life you take, they all come to the same end, death.
Today we want to talk about a very special path, a path chosen for us before time, a path that leads us into life, a path that leads us Home.
Our Journey begins at birth.
We all are born in sin that leads to the path of eternal death
God in His mercy provided a way out of our road to destruction
Jesus paved the way to eternal life.
Born of the Virgin Both God and Man
Lived the perfect life
Suffered, was crucified and was buried
Rose from the dead
Jesus sets us on the path of life through Baptism
In Baptism our sinful nature is put to death
We die with Christ, are buried with Christ
We are born again as a new creation.
In Baptism God Adopts us into His family and gives us the promise of our eternal Home with Him.
In the Lord's Supper we are guided and nurtured along the path
We receive the forgiveness of sins
The Strengthening of Faith
The Assurance of our Heavenly Home
Our Path in life has been laid out for us.
The Scriptures tell us that whoever believes in Christ, not only has eternal life, but also has life on this side of the grave and has it abundantly.
Don journeyed with Christ on this path of life. He had an abundant life.
His life was made abundant when he was joined by Grace (even though they had to wait through most of WWII to be married)
54 years of a full life with the woman he loved. 54 years of opening the door for her, a simple way of stating his respect for her
Together they brought Cheryl and Donna and Janet into this world and Helped to lead them also along the path of abundant life
His abundant life included many many miles over the road especially trips to Chicago and Omaha
There were always bumps on the road
Times when his humanity got the best of him.
Times when His sinful nature leaked out
Times when His health began to fail and His heart became weak
There were certainly also high points on the journey
The family trips
The Pride he took in his lawn and garden and in doing any job well
Most certainly his life was made even more full by his great love for the grandchildren and great grandchildren
Along lifes’ journey there was always one other person, Jesus
His constant companion, comforting him, guiding him assuring Him that there was more to come.
This leg of Don’s Journey has come to an end.
Because Don believed in Jesus Christ as his savior, He will never die.
He has passed from Life to Life eternal.