"I Didn't See A Sting"

Sorry, its been awhile. As you know, its just been really, really busy. This morning we went to the funeral home and made the arrangments. I think everyone knows but the visitation is set up for Thurs. 5 to 8 pm and the service will be at 10 am Friday at Jones Family Mortuary in Mooresville, Indiana. The funeral home bought a church building located behind the home. They have turned it into a very nice banquet hall/chapel. It is very spacious and should serve us well.

I really don't want to write too much about Dad's passing Monday at this point. Of course, it is still very fresh and emotional for me. Today on my way back from Indy, I received one phone call after another. Sometimes I would get choked up during the phone calls and many times weep in between the phone calls. It is as hard as I thought it would be but at the same time the joy I feel for dad is a great comfort. Truly, when a dad is saved and lives for God, his salvation is a wonderful gift to his children and wife when he dies.

One observation I do want to share about dad's passing. As I watched dad breathe his last breath and pass on into eternal life a scripture passage hit me in the face that I have preached many times. The scripture came from 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, " O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

I am here to tell you from what I saw UP CLOSE THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO STING IN DEATH FOR THE BLOOD-BOUGHT, REDEEMED BELIEVER IN CHRIST. The hebrew word for "death" denotes "point or poison." Some translate it as "hurt." At noon Monday, for the first time in my life I saw a body of a dear man that had held me, carried me, hugged me, kissed me, that gently and firmly touched me throughout my life turn lifeless. As painful as that was to watch, there was no stinger. Jesus removed the sting at Calvary and all my brother and I could do was rejoice with tears and hands raised in victory.

Well, I need to go. I have so much to do. Please KP family remember Linda Apke, Anna Hilton, Ken Brumfield this week in your prayers. And thank you so much for your prayers for me and my family. Like wings they have carried us. I love you!

-Pastor