11,5,21 Martha Lofton Memorial Service

Martha

—“lady”; “hostess”; “lady of the house”

The Martha in the Bible and Mrs Martha Lofton had lots of characteristics in common:

-practical, active

-received people in their homes

-had faith

She was practical, she was a woman of sense; she was very active-—

TOP 10

1-she loved Jesus and lived her life for His glory

2-card writer

3-prayer warrior

4-she loved people- she wanted you to know that you are loved

5-she was your cheerleader

6-she loved the church family

7-she was acquainted with grief and hurt.

8-she was committed

9-she was unselfish

10-she wanted you to feel like your were the only person in the world- you were special.

On Sunday, nearly 2 weeks ago, she sat right there, went to lunch with her family and on Monday she was taken to the hospital. Now, a little more than a week later, here we are.

Was she planning this? Was she hoping to get well? Was she expecting to get out of the hospital and come back home?

When Is a Person Ready to Die? I think Simeon could tell us about this—Simeon, an aged priest, held Jesus when he was 8 days old. It was there Jesus was dedicated to the Lord.

Simeon lived in expectation of Jesus, the coming Savior. It had been revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah.

READ Luke 2:25-32

Luke 2:25–32 KJV 1900

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart In peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Like Simeon, Mrs Martha was not in fear, was not anxious—

1—She lived a life of Faith

Luke 2:25–27 KJV 1900

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

Simeon was noted to be a good man, just and devout. Mrs Martha was a devoted follower of Jesus. Being saved by grace, her life spoke loud of her love for Jesus.

Therefore, on Tuesday, she was at total peace!

She was the essence of a godly woman—it is not by accident that her Bible was opened to Proverbs 31 or that you see in your program Provers 31:10-28.

For Mrs Martha, this was not an issue of making it work—she lived a life of faith because her live had been changed by the God of her Faith.

I guess you can say—the PERSON who was in her lived in, through and manifested Himself in her Life

2 Corinthians 2:15 KJV 1900

15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

Isaiah 40:31 KJV 1900

31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run, and not be weary; And they shall walk, and not faint.

To live with faithfulness, to live with devotion, to live with obedience prepares one to die in Peace!

2—She Completed Her Life’s Work

We really don’t know much about Simeon. He entered the stage Luke

Luke 2:29 KJV 1900

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart In peace, according to thy word:

He exits to be heard of no more—Simeon was one whom we don't know a lot about. We do know that he served God behind the scenes.

Mrs Martha served God behind the scenes—

How many of you have received a card from her?

How many of your received a call from her?

If you recall when Jesus was on the Cross, He didn’t say, “I Am finished”—but rather He stated, “It is Finished” (John 17:4).

2 Timothy 4:6–8 KJV 1900

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

-For Mrs Martha, she is not finished, but God’s work with her here on this earth is finished!

3-She Acknowledged Jesus Christ as Her Savior

Once Simeon saw Jesus, read

Luke 2:30–32 KJV 1900

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

—“Mine eyes have seen thy salvation”

He saw Him as Salvation

He saw Him as one Prepared for All people

He saw Him as a light to the Gentiles

He saw Him as the glory of the People of Israel.

He saw Him as the Hope of man

Her hope was not in this world.

She was not ashamed of Jesus Christ

Romans 8:38–39 KJV 1900

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus Changes Everything

Share Jesus