Rebecca Grave Side
Notes
Transcript
Opening Remarks:
We have gathered this afternoon to remember the life of Rebecca and to commit her to the Lord. Death is always a great loss for those who us who remain.. and in times like this we need to remember that the Lord is near to us... He is both our counselor and our consoler...
The psalmist David, tells us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and he saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalms 34:18) The prophet Isaiah tells us that when we go through deep waters, that he will be with us.. because he is the Lord your God.
We have the assurance of Jesus promise AT HIS ASCENSION that His Holy Spirit would BE with us now and forever -- The comforter the Holy Spirit.. would be with us through life and transcends this life and would guide us into eternal life.
We are also, reminded that for those who know the Lord, as did Rebecca, there is the blessed hope of Resurrection and being with Jesus.
In John 11:25 “Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.’”
Because of the this Hope we can have thankfulness in the midst of our sorrow, because God has conquered death through His Son, Jesus Christ, and because of what death means to those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ.
Opening in Prayer...
Let's open in prayer... Father, we come to you this afternoon asking for you to be with us and for your presence to sustain us. We turn to you who is our strength the source of life --- the God of all encouragement.
We have the Hope of the cross and the death of your Son. knowing that Jesus rose on the third day, never to die again. We cling to his promise, that “Because you live, we also shall live.”.
We are thankful for his victory over death and for the grace and love that share that victory with us.
Comfort us in our loss, deepen our trust in our Savior; and strengthen our resolve to live for Him. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
SONG- CD
OBITUARY READING - Clinton
SCRIPTURE READING - Charles
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
SERMON:
As we heard in the reading of obituary this afternoon, Rebecca lived an extraordinary life... And as I thought about Rebecca's life this past week..It occured to me that Rebecca didn't live her life on the side lines...Rebecca was fully engaged in all that she did..and WHATEVER she did this with spirit of excellence.
This goes back to her.. early years growing up in Richvale and attending Biggs High School...She was active in sports and academics... and then After graduation from Trinity Western University.. .....she took a a year of her life teaching English in Seoul Korea... THEN LATER attending University of Notre Dame she didn't just graduate... but did so with the highest honors... Graduating, Magna Cum Laude...
Over her life she developed a wide array of interests and hobbies....And what ever she did she was committed - which included being a part of to her local church and developed meaningful friendships. She was commited to family and loved spending time with all of them and especially enjoyed being the dotting Aunty.
When you see how Rebecca lived her life... It is no surprise that when she was diagnosed with Brain Cancer 17 months ago that she faced it with the same tenaciousity and strength... Rebecca had incredible FAITH...
I remember when we visited Rebecca, that she told Pam and I that she was looking forward to the day of standing up and giving a testimony of being healed from her cancer.. Rebecca's LIVED WITH FAITH... I believe that Rebecca took up the challenge and fought bravely and she won the fight... Rebecca did finish... well... that she graduated from life with the Highest Honors. That death has been swollowed up in victory.
And like the apostle Paul - Rebecca can..
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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.
The scripture that was read today from John 14:1 - is where Jesus comforters his disciples before he departs and leaves them.. In this verse Jesus gives them the assurance that he is going before them to prepare a place for them.
Jesus first says to them.
1. Jesus said "Let not your heart be troubled."
Death has a way of troubling us, does it not? Just the very nature of death is troubling.
· The unknown
· The uncertainty: what will I do next?
·
But Jesus says, “Don’t let your heart be troubled or agitated because you believe in God.”
God brings us comfort today.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
, 4.
)God is providing for us the relief we need
II. We receive comfort when we realize there is a home.'
C. S. Lewis—“If we really think that home is elsewhere and that this life is a ‘wandering to find home,’ why should we not look forward to the arrival?”
For us Heaven is many mansions—not just a home, not just a room, but a mansion!
This home speaks of God’s provision. There is room for each of us. A weary traveler’s most dreaded sign is NO VACANCY, but that is not true with our home in Heaven. There is always room in his house.
This speaks of God’s care for his own.
3. We receive comfort in knowing that we have a destination.
Thomas, upon hearing that Jesus was leaving, was anxious. He asked, “Lord, we do not know where you are going—how do we know the way?” And with three words Jesus told us about the destination, which will give us the comfort we need in days such as these. John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.…”
Scripture
Committal
In the light of the promises God has given us in His Word and in as much as it has pleased the Lord in His sovereign wisdom and purpose to take from our midst one whom we have loved, we now commit Rebecca body to its final resting place
there might be the recognition that You work all things together for good for those who love you; and that precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints because death is the calling of a believer home and into God’s presence;
that there might be a casting of our care upon you to find comfort in the knowledge of what death means to the our dear friend who is now with you; and
that you would comfort and strengthen in the days ahead. Help the family and friends to rest and draw strength from you.
These things we ask in the name of the King of kings and Lord of lords, even in Christ our Savior.