Three days in a row and three new sermon summaries. Idk... I'm just feeling really productive this week. Still working on catching up so I'm less bogged down later. The only news today is that Jeremy is going to be in the Philippines longer than I had remembered. His message from early this morning mentioned not coming back to the States until November 5th. Meanwhile, he's struggling with how much physical contact he and Sharon should have before he comes home. Thus far, they have been celibate; but both know that their desires may overpower their respect for her parents. I realize no one will likely read this until it's too late to pray about it; but at the same time, I can't guarantee that, so I post it anyway. Just in case.

Now, as you will know if you've read my post from yesterday, I've started to open up about my personal experiences with the spiritual world aside from my relationship with God. As always, I try to be transparent about my life on here. At least to the degree it relates to the subject at hand. Yesterday, the theme was demons. I told my one story that proves them real. Today's is about death. I will now tell you of an encounter my ex-husband had relating directly to me, and the update that came some years later.

Early in our relationship, before we were even married, Rich was visiting me at home with my parents. On this particular day, we were showing him a few things around town that were in walking distance since it was so nice out. One of the places we took him was the cemetery where some of my mother's family is buried. Among them is my younger brother. What is now know as SIDS was simply called Crib Death back in 1972. Lester Sherman Ellis was only 2 1/2 months old at the end. He was named for my grandfather and one of his 3 brothers. I was only 3 yrs. old. My one personal memory of him is sitting on the couch and holding him for about 10 minutes. I treasure that dearly. Now, as I said yesterday, Rich has a long history of Spiritual Warfare. He is also a Medium for souls who are not at rest; but only if he knows a living relative personally. (Yes, there may be fakes out there, but Rich is not among them.) As a result, he spends as little time as possible in cemeteries, generally speaking. While we were standing nearby, Rich bent down toward my brother's gravestone. He was there for a couple of minutes. When he stood back up, he LITERALLY looked like he had seen a ghost. We immediately left to go back to the house. It's a good 10 -12 minute walk. When I tried to ask what was wrong, all he said was, "Your room, ASAP." Upon arriving back in my room, he closed the door and had me sit on the bed. He related his experience to me at that time; the gist of which was "You have to let your brother go." Although I had pretty much surmised this on the way back, his words, said out loud, still struck me. I started crying, knowing full well that my occasional history of pretending my brother was still around to talk to was a problem. Other than him, I was an only child with very few friends and a difficult mother. My father was pretty much my best friend. Anyway, I did the only thing I knew how to do. I got myself into an attitude of prayer, and released my brother; reassured in the knowledge that I'll meet him again one day with the Lord.* A few years or so later, Rich and I had been to the cemetery again. He came away that day at ease. He told me my brother was proud of me, and that he was, indeed, at peace.

Now, I realize this was more Rich's encounter than my own; but it still proves the truth. The spiritual realm is very real. Hebrews 12:1 bears this out by mentioning the "cloud of witnesses" who observe us every day. My own encounters with ghosts have been numerous, but only involved 3 individuals. But those are stories for another day, as this one has proven long enough for now and is the most relevant to our opening passage below.

As Pastor Matt opened this message on August 3rd, he observed that it was kind of rough timing for it. This was due to the fact that CenterPoint has been in the habit for a number of years now of having "All Together August". This means that the kids join us the entire time rather than being dismissed for Sunday School. Discussing the death of a child is hardly a happy subject to have kids in on; but he pressed forward, encouraging the parents to have the "hard conversations" at home later.

All of that having been said, let's turn to our Scripture for this afternoon --

Mark 5:21-43

New International Version

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman

²¹ When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. ²² Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. ²³ He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” ²⁴ So Jesus went with him.

³⁵ While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

³⁶ Overhearing^[a] what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

³⁷ He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. ³⁸ When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. ³⁹ He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” ⁴⁰ But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. ⁴¹ He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). ⁴² Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. ⁴³ He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

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Now, you'll notice here that I split the passage. This is because the story of the Woman with the issue of Blood is not relevant to our theme today. The fact that it disrupts Jesus on His way to the child is moot in this moment. And, actually, we won't even be focusing on Jairus' daughter; but on the victory Jesus has since gained over death for all of us. This story was simply next in line as we journey through the book of Mark. It makes for a good catalyst to explore other passages in relation with death, however, so be prepared to flip over to them in turn.

In officially opening his message, Pastor Matt reviewed briefly the other ways in which Jesus' power had been displayed in our series thus far. We've seen His authority over wind, waves, and spirits. The "takeaway" thought for this passage is this -- "Here, we see His power over death itself; and it gives us life."

He went on to say, quite accurately, that nothing is more offensive than the death of a child. It's an incursion on the lives of the family and friends connected with it.* The fact is that no age or position in life can stop it. (As shown in Jairus' situation.) Adam's and Eve's rebellion resulted in the curse of death on mankind in Genesis 3. This is where the saying, "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust" comes from.

Our next passage is found in 1 Corinthians --

1 Corinthians 15:20-25

New International Version

²⁰ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. ²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. ²³ But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. ²⁴ Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. ²⁵ For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

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In this passage, we find that the Resurrection of Jesus results in the availability of Eternal Spiritual Life for all. We take note of verse 25 in particular. The LAST ENEMY of God is death. This shows us that death is even offensive to Him. In spite of this; Jesus faced His own death with peace and love.

We then skip down to verses 54-58 --

1 Corinthians 15:54-58

New International Version

⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”^[a]

⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory?    Where, O death, is your sting?”^[b]

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

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This passage sees Paul talking about the perishable (physical) body putting on the imperishable (spiritual) body. (This is evidenced by Jesus when He appeared following His Resurrection. There will be familiarity, but with lasting elements.) One question asked in this passage is "Where is the sting of death in light of Jesus' Resurrection??" We can be encouraged by Paul's inspired words here that, in Christ, we have the same victory over death as He does. This gives us the strength to stand firm in the Lord. Jesus has overcome!! Death does NOT get the last word!! It's not about not feeling our emotions*; but having hope in Eternity.

Speaking of this Eternal hope, let's take a "sneak peek" at it, shall we?? Turn with me to Revelation 21 --

Revelation 21:3-5

New International Version

³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’^[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

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Here we see that, in the New Heaven and New Earth, God will be with us. No more tears or pain.* God clearly says, "I am making everything new." This will complete God's victory over everything listed in our previous passage. There will be peace and healing (imperishable bodies can't get sick or hurt). Eternal Life in Christ will be ours.

Pastor Matt related a brief story at this point about a little boy, it may have been him, but I don't remember for sure. Anyway, the great grandfather has died and the 3 yr old asks his mother where he went. She tells him that he's in Heaven. The child replies, all aghast, "I don't want to go to Heaven, I wanna stay in the car!!" lol

Our final Scripture of this message is in John's Gospel --

John 16:33

New International Version

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

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In closing, Pastor Matt shared briefly about 4 people in our Church who exemplified the reality of Jesus' victory over death in today's time.

The first and third were of women standing strong in the mourning of their husbands passing. The second was of how my classmate, Anne's, father held his wife's hand in Hospice as she died. The fourth was of a family friend who was one day from heart replacement and rescued a woman on the beach.

My friends, the Bully has been defeated; and we have life!! Amen!!

-- God Bless!!

Footnotes:

1. As I've said on here before, I believe that infants, young children, and those with severe Mental Illnesses get a Free Pass. God is loving. He would never judge against someone who was inherently unable to understand Salvation. Now, in knowing just what those limits are, only God knows. The only indication in Scripture that points in any way to an "age of accountability" is found in Isaiah 7:15, looking ahead to Immanuel. It represents a child at an age of moral understanding; and suggests a time of basic joys in the midst of troubled circumstances.

2. In the many years now since my brother's death, I have observed that my parents have most always put a brave face on during Mother's and Father's Day celebrations, as well as on the 4th of July, which was his birthday, and although we really don't take note of it, September 22nd, which was when he passed. Perhaps the most evident thing has been that my mother can't bear to hear the 2nd stanza of the wonderful worship song, "Because He Lives". For those who may not know, the stanza opens with the view of a newborn baby. Any time one of the soloists at South Weare Church, where my mother used to play during the Summer, requested to sing it, she had to have them skip that part in the song. They understood after hearing her reason for this.

3. Following on the heels of this post, I will be doing a Reflection post based off my footnote from yesterday concerning how my generation (Gen Z) grew up in a time when our emotions were repressed rather than dealt with in more healthy ways.

4. Based on our passage in Revelation here, the fact that there are Preterists who believe that the 2nd Coming of Jesus happened in 70 AD at the Destruction of the Temple is simply astounding. The evidence of this being complete crap is undeniable. I have even asked them before, "Do you still see people crying in the world?? Do you still experience sickness??" "How then, can you possibly think that Jesus has already come back??" It boggles the mind, honestly!!

Music - No rights in sights!! (The presence of "Because He lives" in this list is purely coincidental to my story above; although I totally would have included it otherwise, just to show about the 2nd verse.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bnSX5W57yg&list=RD9bnSX5W57yg&start_radio=1