Sermon Tone Analysis

OoS:

Obituary Reading: Fernandez

Song #1: “All of My Tomorrows”

Sermon: Fernandez

Song #2: “Christ Will Be My HideAway”

Closing Prayer: Fernandez

Obituary:

Eddie Ray Clifford died May 5, 2022 at the age of 74.

Eddie was known to many as Ed.

He died peacefully at his home in West Chester, Ohio.

Ed was born to Edward and Eva Clifford and is survived by his wife, Lori A. Clifford, his brother Thomas A. Clifford (Beverly), his daughter Missy A. Clifford (Barrett), his son Douglas E. Clifford, his grandchildren Hunter, Phoebe,  Jake, Donovin, Brayden and many nieces and nephews.

Ed was born and raised in the Cincinnati area before moving to West Chester, Ohio.

He worked at the Cincinnati Electric company most of his career.

Ed loved the Lord and he loved people.

He was happiest when serving others through Church outreach ministries.

He also enjoyed Train modeling, fishing and boating.

His life was marked by kindness and generosity.

His family and friends will miss his sweet and tender spirit.

Ed Clifford had become a gentle man.

I cannot speak for his early years, but I can speak for his later years.

His gentleness was clear at several points: (1) His love was expressed in word and deed.

He loved Jesus Christ, his wife, his family, and his church.

(2) His love was expressed in temperament.

His calmness was something soothing about his temperament.

(3) His love was communicated by his giving to those in need — in particular through our Enabled Ministry to the poor and needy of this local community.

His words, deeds, and actions communicated a gentleness that was endearing and attractive, especially in a time when there is so much violence in our world.

Violence was not too far from Ed’s experiences.

Ed would share stories, of when he was a meter reader, of dogs chasing him or guns being pulled on him.

There were instances where police had to be called, and all Ed was doing was his job.

Though there were instances like this, Ed maintained his gentleness into his later years; but why?

What became his motivation later in life?

What work was happening inside of him that he would want you to know?

There are a few responses to this question.

Ed would want you to know that...

(1) Violence is old (Matthew 11:12).

(2) Violence is evidence of an unsettled soul (Matthew 11:15).

(not just actions)

(3) God has offered a way to settle the soul.

(Matthew 11:19)

(4) Receiving this soul rest from God requires a specific response (Matthew 11:28-30).

Humility to come to Jesus (v.

28) - Come unto me

Agreement about the heaviness of your soul (v.

28) - labor and are heavy laden

Admission that you need something that your physical labor cannot provide (v.

28) - I will give you rest

An exchange (v.

29) - Take my yoke; I am meek and lowly in heart…yoke is easy, and my burden is light...

How can this be?

To rest in Jesus is to rest in his perfection.

To rest in Jesus is to rest in his sacrifice.

For him to exchange something, He has to give something up.

II Corinthians 5:21.

Jesus was violently treated, suffering agony of soul, so that those who have him could receive rest of soul.

Jesus endured death for sins, so that sinners could have life.

Jesus was raised from the dead, so that the full exchange could actually take place.

Conclusion:

Rest of soul is what we long for the most, though we do not always realize this.

Rest of soul is only experienced by those who humbly receive Jesus Christ.

Ed had learned this secret — that a world at unrest is evidence of souls at unrest.

Ed rested in the gentle and lowly Savior, and this became his motivation for his gentleness in later years.

This rest in the Savior became the power by which Ed could increasingly grow in gentleness and meekness.

What about you?

Are you at rest in your soul?

If you have believed who Jesus is, will you call upon the Lord to save you because of Jesus?