“We could not whistle past this moment… this is our first Sunday service back without Lora…
• This church has lost some good people over the years, some closely connected to our church body, some connected to people within our body… mothers, fathers, children, friends…
Let us know where Lora is at, and the hope we have, if we are in Christ…
Matthew 22:31-33
31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” 33 And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.
We know that Lora’s life wasn’t easy…
Romans 8:18, 23-25
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
23 … we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope…
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
This was the hope that Lora lived with… that one day she would know Heaven…
Hebrews 11:13-16
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
We should not live for earthly kingdoms, but eternal kingdoms…
• This doesn’t mean we’re not present here… exactly the opposite… but that this earth is not our true home…
• Lora lived her life with a heavenly city and home waiting for her…
Hebrews 12:1-2
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
This “great cloud of witnesses” are cheering us on… and to what… to life of faith following Jesus… and how… looking to Jesus, not these people, to do the work…
• Lora’s now a part of that “great cloud of witnesses” cheering us on to life lives of love, truth and faith…
• A life that can only be lived through faith in Jesus Christ…
This is our great hope… yet it doesn’t mean we don’t mourn our loss…
• Walking through loss… Linear verses balloon…”