Yesterday I saw a great sermon.
I was attending the funeral of a dear
saint, Karl Smith. He and his wife, Doris, had been members of our church, but
quite some time ago joined a congregation in Warren.
Still, both had continued to come to many services and functions at First
Presbyterian, and remained close friends of the congregation.
Karl loved Jesus with all of his heart.
The last time I had seen him was at the funeral
of another saint last Friday. Afterward, Karl and Doris thanked me for
preaching a message of salvation that morning. The next day he died of a sudden
and massive heart attack.
Doris was on the phone with me minutes after
his death, asking if I would come to their church and give a salvation
message at his funeral. It was humbling for me to realize that the last sermon
he had ever heard had been the funeral message I had shared the day before.
My words were at Karl’s funeral were ok, but
the most powerful message of the morning was lived by Doris. At the end of the
service, as we sang "Because He Lives," she hobbled to the casket,
supported by her cane. She placed on hand on the casket, lifted the other hand
toward Heaven, with tears running down her cheeks and a radiant smile on her
face, she sang with us...
"Because
He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives."
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives."
It was one of the greatest sermons I ever
saw.
Jeff
Wildrick
Because He Lives
God sent His son, they
called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!
Words: Bill & Gloria Gaither
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!
Words: Bill & Gloria Gaither
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