At the death of a loved one we gather together and listen to an obituary. A story, a short re-account of the birth, life and death of the one who has passed. There have even been times when the one who has died is able to write his own obituary, but more often than not, a family member pens the words to commemorate the loss. But if you were at a funeral, and God were to write the obituary, what do you think He say?
In actuality, God has written an obituary. The story, the obituary, begins in the early pages of the book of Genesis as God introduces the birth of ‘Death’ as man falls from grace in the garden. Separating mankind from God, spiritual death grows, matures and continues to dominates the life of all men. But as Christ comes into the world, spiritual death is put to death (Romans 6:9), and it’s then when we can better understand the obituary as spiritual death is conquered. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” (I Corinthians 15:55) Join us Sunday morning as we look at the obituary God wrote…
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, April 5, 2015
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Our God, He Is Alive” – 23
God is not dead! The title of a popular Christian movie this past year is the basis for our opening song this morning. “There is beyond the azure blue, a God concealed from human sight. He tinted skies with heavenly hue and framed the worlds with His great might. There is a God, He is alive…” He is risen and death has been conquered…Amen!
“Here I Am to Worship” – no book
A ‘contemporary hymn’ for this morning, but one that exemplifies our purpose today. We don’t come because we have to. And we don’t come to worship because we’ve ‘nothing better to do.’ We come…to worship! We come to bow down and to say publicly, “Jehovah is our God!”
“It Is Finished” – 369
Written by William & Gloria Gaithers, this song of resurrection is a strong depiction of the end of Christ’s life as He puts to defeats spiritual death. The battle between heaven and hell is clearly described in verses two and three; “On one side march the forces of evil, all the demons and devils of hell. On the other the angels of glory, and they meet on Golgotha’s hill. The earth shakes with the force of the conflict, and the sun refuses to shine. For there hangs God’s Son in the balance, and then thru the darkness He cries. ‘It is finished!’ “ As Jesus breaths His last, death glories in a hollow victory, only to see Jesus resurrection three days later. Certainly there is a double meaning in Christ’s last words…It IS finished!
“The Old Rugged Cross” – 313
What do you cherish in this life? Is there something you love and hold in the highest regard? More than 100 years ago, George Bennard wrote the words to this old spiritual song directing the reader to the cross of Christ. His words of encouragement were for us to cling to the cross of Christ as our hope for eternal salvation. Why? “For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above to bear it to dark Calvary!”
“A New Creature” – 619
Are you a ‘new creature?’ Have you been ‘buried with Christ?’ The song before our lesson will remind us that in Him, we no longer live for ourselves but for our God. You and I are ‘dead to the world to voices that call me…’ We are ‘living a new, obedient but free’ life. As a baptized believer I am, ‘dead to the joys that once did enthrall (hold spellbound) me, yet it is not me (I), but Christ that lives in me.”
“Only a Step” – 940
At our invitation we’ll sing, “Hear the sweet voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me, I am the way.” What does it take to come to Him? How do I start this walk with Christ? Like a child, we begin with the first step. To come we need only to take a step in the right direction. “Come, for He loves you so” much!
“He Lives” – 346
Walking out of services this morning my hope is for you to have this tune on your heart. “He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me, He talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives! Salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart.”
