<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></head><body>Forwarded: <div><br></div><div style="font-size:100%;color:#000000"><!-- originalMessage --><div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: Judy <judy_boli@ecunet.org> </div><div>Date: 11/12/17 3:23 AM (GMT+01:00) </div><div>To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic@ecunet.org> </div><div>Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 27A: “How Do Christians Think about Death?” </div><div><br></div></div><div dir="ltr">
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">Dear Friends,</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “How Do
Christians Think about Death?” and deals with the gospel (Matthew 25: 1-13).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Here it is: </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 7px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">These are hard times.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Last week,
our beloved sister Mary Howard called me early in the morning to say that her
father and retired head usher, Mr. John Howard, had died.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As you know, we buried him Friday.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He will be greatly missed.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You know- it’s not just John.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>One day one of our loved ones will be making
that phone call about us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We’re all
going there- one way or another, unless Jesus returns first.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Since death is a given, I’d like us to look
it squarely in the face.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our culture
teaches us to avoid thinking about death. We have all sorts of ways to avoid
this serious kind of thinking. We seldom say someone died; instead we say that
they “passed away.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Undertakers make the
departed look as if they are in the best of health- just asleep.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Often loved ones won’t talk about their
impending death- everyone pretends all is fine.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Today I’d like us to do the unthinkable I’d like us to think about a
hard subject: DEATH.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Specifically, I’d
like us to do the unthinkable- think about what the Bible and the church teach
us about death and the implications for our own personal lives right now.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></font></font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 7px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">FIRST- DEATH IS A BIRTH PROCESS.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on <span style="margin: 0px;">January 15, and our society honors him on this day- which is fine-
actually- it’s about time.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The church,
however, also honors him on April 4, the day of his death.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Why?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Because all of the saints are honored on their death day, since that day
is an even more important birthday- their birthday into heaven.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For us to remember- dying is a birth
process.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It is our birth into the next
stage of our life.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We’ve gone from being
in the womb to being born into this training ground- Earth to being born into
heaven.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Getting dead is frequently
extremely unpleasant (as is any birth process), but being dead on the Earth is
wonderful because it means we have been born into heaven.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The nice thing is- we won’t have to
wait.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When did Jesus say the penitent
thief would see him?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(Yes, today.)</span></font></font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 7px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">SECOND- WE WILL HAVE BODIES LIKE JESUS’
RESURRECTED BODY.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You know how people
tend to wonder what kind of body we will have in heaven.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In fact, some people wonder if we will have a
body at all, or if we will just be like ghosts.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>If they read the Bible, they would know.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>St. Paul
reminds the Corinthian church that Jesus is the firstfruit (1<sup>st</sup>
Corinthians <st1:time w:st="on" minute="23" hour="15">15: 23</st1:time>).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Who loves tomatoes?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You know that first tomato that you pick from
the vine every summer- how wonderful it tastes!<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>When you bite into that tomato, you know it’s only the firstfruit- there
are more to come.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our heavenly body will
be like Jesus’ resurrected body.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 7px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">THIRD- YES, OUR DEAR ONES KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING
DOWN HERE.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Do you recall how the author
of the Hebrews reminds us that since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of
witnesses (those who have died), let us run with patience the race that is set
before us (Hebrews 12:1)?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s like we
are in a huge stadium with those we love who have already made their transition
cheering us on and encouraging us and praying for us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Let me give you two examples.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Think back- way back- how hard Rev. Sims
tried to get us to sing loudly to the glory of God.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He fussed and begged and pleaded and almost
threatened to get our congregation to sing, with very mixed results.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Now that Rev. Stan’s in heaven with Jesus,
look how well we sing!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s amazing, but
we shouldn’t be surprised- he’s probably bringing our voices and worship to
Jesus.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Now tell me- how can we not
sing?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Another example: When I was a
little girl, I loved Superman; in fact I loved him so much that I used to put a
towel on my shoulders like a cape and try to fly off the kitchen table.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Well, Kathy Wilson Thompson has a daughter
who used to visit us occasionally- Taylor (Carla’s niece and my honorary
grand-daughter). When Taylor was six-years-old, she was also fascinated with
flying- so fascinated with it that she tried flying off the second floor
railing in her home and landed flat on her back.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><st1:date w:st="on" year="2001" day="1" month="9">9-1-1</st1:date> was immediately called, everyone expected the worst;
but Taylor
emerged without even a scratch and without even losing consciousness.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Who do you think was praying for her at the
very throne of God?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Sure, probably
Lucille Wilson- her beloved grandmother (John Wilson’s wife; Carla’s mother)
who had died about three years earlier.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>So count on those prayers and don’t do anything in this life that would
disappoint those you love in the next; because they can see you.</font></span></p>
<h1 style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-weight: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">KNOWING ALL OF THIS, WHAT ARE THE
IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR LIVES RIGHT NOW?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>After a person dies, the body is only a useless cast-off.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The person isn’t in it any more.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s like the chrysalis left behind after a
butterfly that has struggled out of that chrysalis and has flown free.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We treat it with respect because it used to
house our beloved, but they’re not there anymore.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Therefore:</font></span></h1>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">1.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Especially children- don’t be afraid of a
dead body.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There’s no magic, no power in
it.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s just the set of leftovers.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">2.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Since the body represents the leftovers,
think- what do you usually do with leftovers?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>If you get a new winter coat and the old one is still sort of good, what
would Jesus want you to do with it- throw it away?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Absolutely not, Jesus would expect you to
give it to someone who needs a coat.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>In<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>less than a month, we’ll
celebrate Thanksgiving.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If we have more
Thanksgiving leftovers than we can use, what would Jesus want us to do with
them- put them down the disposal?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Of
course not- Jesus would want us to share with those who don’t have enough to
eat.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Well then, if our loved ones die
and no longer need their kidneys or their liver or their corneas, because they
are getting new bodies from Jesus, what would Jesus want us to do with those
kidneys or livers or corneas?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s
obvious- give them to someone who needs a kidney to get off dialysis or a liver
so they can live or corneas so they can see.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>And yet when nurses ask about organ donation, I can’t tell you how many
families I’ve heard scream: “No!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Don’t
cut my baby!”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Tell me, is their baby in
that leftover body.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>No one ever said
following Jesus would be easy, but what would Jesus want us to do?</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">3.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Don’t waste money on funerals.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>A beautiful casket won’t make up for a life
badly lived and an inexpensive casket won’t take away from a life lived for the
Lord.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Don’t bury your money; use it to
help those still alive and struggling in this life.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">4.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Don’t preserve life here at all costs.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What woman who is giving birth wants labor
prolonged?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If your loved one is
suffering, put yourself in that bed and do for them what you would want done
for you.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Release your loved ones.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Let them go when their time comes.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">5.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Before we die, what would Jesus want us to
do?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He would want us to get ready; and
to make life as easy as possible for those loved ones left behind.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Therefore, make out a medical power of
attorney so someone can make decisions for you if you cannot speak for
yourself.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Get life insurance if you
possibly can, so your loved ones aren’t weighed down with debt from burying or
cremating you. Tell me if you want something read or sung at your funeral.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">6.
Don’t waste life.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Live until you die.”
(Thomas Hall- Mrs. Ellen Williams now deceased son)</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">For anyone who is interested, this
sermon and updated African-American wisdom statements are posted on our
parish’s web site under “Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: </font><a href="http://www.stpaulsepisag.org/"><u><font color="#0000ff">http://www.stpaulsepisag.org</font></u></a></font><font color="#000000" size="3"> .</font></font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">Blessed preaching,</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">Judy Boli</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">St. Paul's Episcopal Church</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">Saginaw, Michigan</font></span></p>
</div>
<p></p>
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