When There's No Way to Turn

Today we gather in this place to remember the life of Patricia Calhoun Russell, affectionately known as “Packy”. Let me begin by saying, thank you. Thank you to all of Packy’s friends for coming today to show your love, not only for Patricia, but for her family. Your being here shows a tremendous amount of support for this family in this time of need. So, thank you.

Last Friday I called Martha and spoke with her about Patricia, I was able to learn a bit about her. From the memories Martha shared with me it sounds like Patricia and I would have gotten along just fine! She spoke of some of her childhood antics, playing Superman and being pushed off a corn crib! She spoke of how hard a worker she was, a trait that is slowly leaving our society. She spoke of the love she had for her grandson. And I know today, as I stand before you, she will be missed.

Today is a difficult day, I know, but in this difficult time, let us hold on to the good memories and cherish, not the loss, but time we were given. Before the first song plays, let us pray together...

**Martha, family, and friends, as we continue this service, let me say to you that I know how difficult this time is. I know how overwhelming it can be. One minute you’re talking with your loved one, and the next they are gone. I know how fast life can get out of control, and I know that when something like this happens, it seems as if there is no way to turn. Listen to the words of Scripture Hebrews 12.2

Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

When it seems there’s no way to turn, notice that there’s someone...

Who is Touched With the Things That Burden Our Hearts

We can come to Him for Comfort (2 Cor.1.3)

2 Corinthians 1:3 KJV 1900

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

Paul refers to God in this passage as the father of mercies and the God of all comfort

Mercies in this verse means compassion and sympathy

When you sympathize with others, that means you put yourself in their shoes

It means you get them, you understand their loss

Be comforted today in knowing that God understands your loss

Because He understands your loss, He can comfort you!

Meaning that He offers consolation

I wish today that I had some means of taking the pain of your loss from you, but I can’t do that

But, what man is unable to do, God can.

God is touched with with what burdens our heart, so we can come to Him for comfort and...

We can share with Him our grief (Heb. 4.15)

Hebrews 4:15 KJV 1900

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Remember what I said about God putting Himself in your shoes?

That is true! God knows what it is to suffer loss

His own Son, Jesus suffered and died right before His eyes

God knows pain, God knows suffering, God knows loss

He is not some made up fake God that was designed by man, He is real, and He gets what you’re going through!

Today, when you feel as if there is no way to turn, turn to God who is touched by what you are feeling, and...

Who is Able to Bind Up The Broken-Hearted

We can call upon Him for help (Luke 4:18)

Luke 4:18 KJV 1900

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

There are many reasons God sent His Son to this earth, and one of them is to heal broken hearts

Right now your hearts are broken over the loss of Packy, I get that

If you weren’t hurting right now, there would be something wrong

I want you to know that when it seems like there is no way to turn, you can turn to Jesus!

He came, as we read in Luke, to heal the broken hearted

Do you know what that means?

2. We can count upon Him to hear us!

Right here today, it may seem to you that no one gets what you’re dealing with. Right here today, it may seem that no one is able to help you with the pain of your loss. But I want you to know that there is a God in heaven that knows you, knows your pain, and He is able to give you peace in this storm.

Remember, when it seems there’s no way to turn, there is One...

Who Has The Final Word Concerning The Living and The Dead

He was victorious over death

Yes Jesus, the Son of God died on the cross, but that’s not where the story ends!

Jesus rose from the grave! and because of this...

He has the keys to open death’s door (Rev. 1:18)

Revelation 1:18 KJV 1900

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

His resurrection was proof that He is the way for eternal life!

No one who puts their faith in Him will ever be separated from Him!

So remember when it seems there’s no way to turn, you can turn to the One...

Who Loved Us and Suffered For Our Sins That We Might be Saved

Revelation 22:17 KJV 1900

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

That means anyone can come to Him (Rev. 22:17)

That means anyone can be saved

These words are an open invitation to anyone and everyone, anywhere and everywhere!

You do not have to wander through this time without direction, there is Someone you can turn to

His name is Jesus!

Conclusion:

In a moment I’m going to take my seat while the last song plays, but before I do I want you to know right now, that in this most difficult time God loves you. Today, if you find yourself needing comfort, needing peace, needing closure, needing forgiveness of sin, you can turn to Jesus.

Let’s bow our heads together:

**Pray**