Sermon Tone Analysis

! Memorial Service for Dave Mitchell – NV 1~/23~/01

God is a God of all comfort, and as his people, we strive to provide a measure of God’s comfort when those we love are hurting.

Our intent tonight is both to pay homage to a good man, who served God as a Father and Husband, Grandfather and Brother, as a good friend, and a good brother in Christ to his spiritual family.

We also tonight intend to share some words from God’s Word in the hopes of providing a measure of comfort to a grieving family.

The Bible is filled with comforting words for the time of loss in life.

To grieve is a natural process, yet concerning grieving the lose of loved one’s Paul instructs Christians /Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope./ 1 Thessalonians 4 /13 /God has provided comfort even in death for those who belong to him.

We find this statement in Philippians 1, /To live is Christ and to die is gain./

Jesus came to this earth, not just to proclaim the gospel, but He came that there might be a gospel to proclaim.

The meaning of the term ‘gospel’ is simply good news and if there is ever a time when we need the good news of Jesus it’s during those times we grieve the loss of a loved one.

It is the gospel of Jesus that gives us hope, comfort, and peace within the storm and chaos of loss.

At a time when Jesus’ disciples were afraid and worried about the possibility of losing their Master, Friend, and Teacher, He spoke these words in John 14…I want tonight to remind the family, and everyone gathered, of the significance of these words spoken by the Savior so long ago yet spoken to us on this very night.

There is a message here from Jesus to you.

*1Jesus is concerned about your hurt*.

Just a few chapters earlier we see a vivid description of how Jesus senses and feels the hurts of others.

Concerning the death of Lazarus in John 11:35 we find two words which reveal the Savior’s feelings, “Jesus wept”.

Often Jesus is described as seeing the people and having compassion on them and healing their sicknesses and disease.

Here in John 14 Jesus senses and feels the pain within His disciples and He immediately seeks to ease that pain and speak words of comfort.

These words of Jesus could easily be placed in the words of a Father or Mother who takes their 2 or 3 year old to daycare or to the baby sitter’s house.

“Don’t be so upset, everything is going to be alright.

We are not going to be gone that long and I promise we’ll be back to get you (trust me).

If we could somehow hear the words of our loved ones who have died in the Lord I’m sure they would have a resemblance of these spoken by Jesus.

“Don’t let your hearts be so troubled we will be together again.

There is plenty of room here, and now I have plenty of time to wait.”

When your heart is broken and you cry, never think that you cry alone.

Jesus, filled with compassion, sheds your tears and in ways that we can never fully understand He provides a sense of comfort and peace.

This comes from simple trust in Him.

I would want brother Dave Mitchell to be in no other hands than the hands of our loving God.

And in no other place than in heaven.

*2Jesus provides hope for tomorrow*.

There is a better day coming!

The good news of Jesus is that there is always light at the end of the tunnel when you belong to Him.

Psalm 116 /15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

/Proverbs 14 /32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge./

Jesus said He was preparing a place for us.

Now, I can’t fully imagine what the architectural work of Jesus is like.

But, I’m sure this place is far beyond our greatest expectations.

A little girl was taking an evening walk with her father.

Wonderingly, she looked up at the stars and exclaimed; "Oh, Daddy, if the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, what must the right side be!"

That place called heaven is beyond compare.

It is briefly described in Revelation 21:1-4, 10-14.

Heaven is our real home.

We are just sojourners here on this earth.

Anonymous writer, about an American tourist's visit to a 19th century Polish rabbi, Hofetz Chaim: Astonished to see that the rabbi's home was only a simple room filled with books, plus a table and a bench, the tourist asked, "Rabbi, where is your furniture?"

"Where is yours?"

replied the rabbi.

"Mine?" asked the puzzled American.

"But I'm a visitor here.

I'm only passing through."

"So am I," said Hofetz Chaim.

Our Brother Dave Mitchell has gone home.

*Safely Home*

I am home in heaven, dear ones: Oh, so happy and so bright!

There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over, Every restless tossing passed;

I am now at peace forever, Safely home in heaven at last.

Jesus came to meet me In that way so hard to tread;

And with His arm to lean on, How could I doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely, For I love you dearly still;

Try to look beyond earth’s shadows, Pray to trust our Father’s will.

There is work still waiting for you, So you must not idly stand;

Do it now while life remains –You shall rest in Jesus’ land.

When that work is all completed, He will gently call you home;

Oh, the rapture of that meeting, Oh, the joy to see you come!

What a grand day that will be when we are reunited with our loved ones in heaven.

Our Brother Dave has gone to his real home.

There is the pain of loss, and yet there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Memories that now come to mind bring a tear, but in time there will be memories that bring a smile, and memories of a Father that will remind you of what is right and what is wrong.

Memories of a husband that remind you of the joys of love.

Who we love and who loved us is the issue to life.

David Mitchell was loved by his family and friends.

David Mitchell loved His family and friends.

Prayer

May God bless you and keep you; May He allow His countenance to shine on you; May He allow your days to be filled with a loving family, and your minds filled with memories that bring the smiles and comfort of knowing you were loved.

May you live in expectation of a grand reunion one day at the feet of the Savior.

Though there is pain we ask your comfort.