The Dead Still Speak (Memorial Day Message)
THE DEAD STILL SPEAK
Hebrews 11:4 (NLT)
It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. God accepted Abel's offering to show that he was a righteous man. And although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us because of his faith.
THEME: An act of faith, a life of faith, makes an undying statement to others
I believe the dead can still speak
Jess Moody...Pastor FBC West Palm Beach Florida...one night needed a secluded place to study...went into the sound booth of the church....engrossed in his studies...suddenly heard two boys talking loudly, laughing, cursing..."Why don't you go up into the pulpit where that blankety blankety preacher gives his sermon and ask those blankety blankety deacons to take up an offering so you can buy a new car?"...Horrified...Was not sure what to do...Remembered he was in the sound booth...turned the sound full blast...Boys stood on the stage continuing to pretend to preach while cursing like sailors in the beautiful chapel...Boomed thru the sound system, "I am the Lord your God...You shall have no other gods before me."...You should have seen their faces! They tucked their tails and ran, and all I saw were two shirttails flying around the corner of the building...Those boys are now on the mission field, having heard the call of God in the night! (Not really)...
I don't believe in ghosts
I do believe in legacies
Reference is to the story of Cain and Abel, Genesis 4
Children of Adam and Eve
Cain was a farmer
Abel was a shepherd
Each brought an offering to the Lord
Cain brought some of his crops
Nothing particularly special- just an offering
Abel brought the fattest of the firstborn of his flock
The best of the best
Cain's offering was not accepted
God looked with favor on Abel and his offering
Rest of the story...
Cain became very angry at God, and his brother Abel
He seethed in anger
It became hotter and hotter
God warned Cain that sin was crouching at the door of his life, desiring to master him
But, right now, he could still choose whether to do it's bidding
Cain continued to allow his anger to fester
With premeditated intent, plotted the murder of his brother
Invited him out into the field
Killed him
Apparently he provided a convincing story that fooled all....Except God
"Cain, where is your brother Abel?"
"How should I know? Am I my brother's keeper?"
"What have you done? Listen..."
"Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground."
When Heb. 11:4 tells us, concerning Abel, "..he, being dead, still speaketh..."
I think, primarily, not a reference to his death
It is a statement concerning his act of faith
What do we know about Abel?
Did not live a long life
Cut short by tragedy
No record of a single word he spoke
Or a single magnanimous thing he did
Apparently a simple man, a tender of flocks
History records the circumstances of the tragic ending of his life
God says there is something far more important, worth remembering about Abel
In sacrifice to God, because of a heart that honored God, He gave the best of the best in service to Him
What an amazing legacy
"He gave the best of the best in service to God."
A fitting epitath
Epitaths:
On the grave of Margaret Daniel in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Va., are the words: "She always said her feet were killing her."
Some, like the novelist Virginia Woolf, remained defiant as they departed this mortal coil. "Against you I will fling myself, unvanquished and unyielding, O Death!"
But Frank Sinatra's was optimistic. "The best is yet to come."
Dean Martin's grave carries the first four words of one of his signature songs:
"Everybody loves somebody sometime."
George Burns and Gracie Allen: "Together again."
In Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery, the words "That's all, folks," are inscribed on the grave of Mel Blanc, the voice of Porky Pig, Bugs Bunny and other animated cartoon characters."
Belle Starr, the flamboyant western outlaw, had this thought on her tombstone: "Shed not for her the bitter tear, Nor give the heart to vain regret. Tis but the casket that lies here, The gem that filled it sparkles yet."
The statement of your life needs to be something more than a grave
Friend who used to ask me, several times, "Dave, if I were to die, I wonder how many people would come to my funeral?"
Really a statement of quite temporary popularity
I have been to the funeral of people who have lived quite rich and God-serving lives, who had very few to attend their funerals
Because they outlived everybody
Revelation 14:13 (KJV)
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
(1) God has gifted you with special relationships. Make them better people because you are connected to them.
Children, Parents, Friends
(2) Best way to make lasting impact on your world - love others as Jesus would love others
How can my time/talent/treasures be spent loving others?
(3) Make sure they hear, from you, that Jesus is the answer.
What a poor legacy for Cain: Selfish, bitter, injured others
What a fitting legacy for Abel: Gave to God the best of the best
Life is short...too short
“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” – II Peter 3:8
Saving Private Ryan
Certainly every soldier who has died for our freedom sayAlthough the Germans were soon driven off by U.S. air and ground reinforcements, Miller was fatally wounded. Most of Miller's men had also been killed. As Reiben sought aid for his dying captain, Miller's last words to Ryan were, "James, earn this. Earn it." With those words Captain Miller passed away, the tremble in his hand finally stilled. Decades later an elderly James Ryan visited Miller's grave at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France. Ryan sought approval from his wife in the hope that he had lived up to the sacrifice made by Miller and his men. |
"Every Christian who has sacrificed to minister to you says "Earn this. Earn this."
Every moment you and I live, because of the grace & love of God, we are to say to ourselves in amazed gratitude, "Earn this. Earn this."
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Jesus, who died on the cross, knows you can never earn it. Just accept it.
