Soli Deo Gloria

I had the priviledge of writing a family reflection for my 90 year old grandfather’s funeral this last week and I wanted to share it here. My grandfather was a godly man, one like David after God’s own heart and like David, stooped low in his share of sinful desires as well. He became a gideon and lay minister and touched the lives and hearts of many who crossed his path.

Here is the family reflection I requested the pastor read to the congregation at his funeral…

Picture a bench at a mall and you can easily picture Grandpa sitting on that bench waiting on Grandma to finish her shopping.  I remember many times walking through Dutch Square mall to find grandpa sitting on the bench right outside Belks.  From a distance there would always be someone sitting beside him talking with him.  I’ve learned that it was not that this person came to him but that he would seek people out to have conversations with them.

There were two people on that bench that day. 

Let’s start with the friend he found that day…

Look to the person sitting beside you right now and ask them  “Can I Tell You About Jesus”?  That is most often the first thing my grandfather would ask to anyone he laid eyes on.

You see, my grandfather understood what grace truly is.  “Amazing Grace” is so much more than just a song. It’s about our awesome God that gives the free gift of salvation through His glorious Son Christ Jesus. Let me stress free…  nothing we can earn, nothing we can do.  My grandfather told others very bluntly that if Christ could save such a sinner as he that anyone can be saved.  He humbled himself before God and accepted the free gift of salvation years ago. The Bible is clear that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. (Rom. 3:23)  We all deserve the divine punishment from a just and Holy God.  Not one of us in this sanctuary deserves anything from God except just punishment.  “Who has given [God] a gift that he might be repaid?” (Rom. 11:34)  It’s when we are enlightened to the fact that we are hopeless in our sins in the sight of our Holy, Glorious creator that we come to the realization of our utter need for a Savior.  This was the part Grandpa enjoyed the most in his conversations.  He would look them in the eyes and let them know that there is hope.  That there is glorious good news of the love God has for his creation in that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Rom. 5:8)  His eyes would light up in sharing the glorious gospel or “good news” of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus alone.  He would share his own testimony that no matter what that person has done or how grievous their sins are that the blood of Christ Jesus is all-sufficient.

My grandfather’s concern if he were standing here today would be for one thing… for the preaching of the Gospel message of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to all who are sitting here today.  Please know my friends that if you are here and do not know Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior there is no better time than now to experience God’s unlimited grace and mercy through His Son.  Romans 10:18 tells it all…  “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;”  This is a promise from God.  This is His free gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus.  Come to Jesus.  Fall into his loving arms and savor the awesome grace of God.   Grandpa after sharing the Gospel message would smile and offer a prayer to those eager to accept that grace in Jesus.  Another day would come and echos of “Can I Tell You About Jesus” would be heard where ever he would go.

Now Let Me Tell You about the other person on that bench… my Grandfather.
This message is for those of you today who know Christ as Lord and Savior.  Maybe you are here because Grandpa touched your life and shared the Gospel message to you and because of that you now have eternal life through Christ.

This is a call to the saints in the congregation to look at this man’s life.  A life sold out to Christ.  A life dedicated to taking up his cross and following Christ no matter what.  A man who put Christ above all.   A man who took every opportunity to share the gospel of Christ Jesus with everyone and anyone… from homeless men at the Oliver Gospel mission to hardened criminals through the prison ministry to the bustling shoppers at Dutch Square mall.  He realized they all need to know Christ.  They all need to hear the most important news they will ever hear.

Oh what we all can learn from my grandfather.  You see, he savored and basked in the glory and awesome love of God through the face of Christ Jesus.  He saw and gloried in that love so much that the thought of anyone not knowing Christ would crush him.  He understood that heaven was Christ himself.  He could rightly answer the question that “if Christ were not in heaven would you be happy there?”

Jesus tells us to let our light shine before men so they will see our good works and glorify God.  It’s all about the glory of God.  Grandpa understood that and lived a life to glorify Him.  Pause today and reflect on that life.   As Christians, meditate with God today and ask Him to use you to further His Kingdom in a way that brings Him the glory.  Grandpa gave us a living example of that life and I know that he would want his light, the light of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, to become one you can take with you to continue asking that all important question…  “Can I Tell You About Jesus?”

In closing, there are two people on that bench.  Everyone sitting here today is one or the other.  My grandfather would be the first to stand up in this congregation and let you know that if you do not know Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior that He is standing with open loving arms waiting on you to accept the free gift from God.   If you are sitting here today and know Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior he would stand before you today and tell you to do as Jesus says…  “Let Your Light Shine”!

I miss my grandfather.  I will miss talking and praying with him.  However, let us not mourn.  Today is a celebration.  Today my grandfather is in the arms of King Jesus.  I envy him.  Today is a testimony to the Gospel message he loved to preach.  Jesus told Martha when Lazarus died…

“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.”

Grandpa, at his final heartbeat kissed the world goodbye and went in peace to be at Glory’s side.

Daily Walk