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Piano or Organ Music

Tragedy

James 4:13–15

1.

Three pressing burdens of a preacher

I. Bring a Word of Comfort to All

A. Two outstanding characteristics of God

1.

His justness (justice)

a. Moses’ evaluation—Deut.

32:4

b.

Paul’s statement—Gal.

6:7

c.

Jesus’ revelation—Matt.

10:42

d.

Glimpse of judgment—Matt.

25:31–46

2. His great mercy

a. Lord’s own estimate—Jer.

3:12

b.

Publican’s plea—Luke 18:13

II.

Bring a Word of Understanding to the Young

A. The young have many questions about death

1.

What has happened here?

a. From human viewpoint—a tragedy

b.

Life and death can be illustrated by filling a jar with lake water and then pouring it back into the lake (Gen.

2:7)

2. Why has this happened?

a. Generally speaking—Rom.

5:12

b.

Specifically, no one can say

c.

We trust in God’s wisdom—Rom.

8:28

d.

We believe someday we will know all “whys”

III.

Bring a Word of Concern to the Unsaved

A. Tragedy reminds us of our text—life is uncertain

B. This fact alone should cause concern

C. if one is saved, maybe the “why” will be answered

Dear God of eternity, life is so precious to each of us that all that is within us says no to death.

We see death as the dark, mysterious enemy that destroys the good that You have created.

Help us to see death as You see it: not the end but the beginning, not a wall but a doorway, not a dark road but a path that leads to eternal light and life.

We will miss our loved one, but we thank You, Lord, for memory.

May our minds and hearts be filled with the wonderful recollections of the past.

Help our sadness to wear a smile as the passing of time wipes the tears away.

Time can be a great physician, healing the void that we now feel.

Every life is a gift from You, dear Father.

Thank You for sharing this special person’s life with us.

We will cherish the memory forever.

Amen.

Memories

Richard "Dick" Paul Farmer, age 77 of Arcanum, Ohio passed away suddenly and peacefully in his sleep Tuesday morning February 13, 2018 at his winter home in Lakeland, Florida.

Born May 13, 1940 in Palestine, Ohio and the son of the late Willard P. and Helen N. (Spencer) Farmer.

Dick was a kind and gentle family man.

He loved being outdoors and was always willing to help those in need.

He enjoyed camping and working around the house.

His favorite pastime was wood carving and he was a member of the Miami County Wood Carver's Association and the Greenville V.F.W.

Dick was a graduate of Palestine School in 1959 and served 8 years in the United States Air Force during Vietnam.

In 1970 he met the Love of his life Penelope Ann Cable and they got married on April 3rd 1971.

He worked for NCR for a short time before making a career as a shift supervisor at Fram/Honeywell in Greenville Ohio.

Dick is preceded in death by his parents, sister Martha, and brothers Terry and Kenny.

He is survived by his wife Penelope Ann of Arcanum, sons Darin of Ogden, Utah, Greg (wife Tina) of Canton, Ohio and Hollis (wife Angela) of Greenville; grandchildren Brandon, Jacob, Wesley, Hunter, Trenten, Kianna, Teresa, Danielle, and Evelyn; sisters Carolyn (Marvin) Miller of Sebring, FL., and Esther (Kent) Winterrowd of Tehachapi, CA; brothers Robert (Linda) Farmer of Greenville, Denny (Linn) Farmer of Leo, IND., Jim (Clara Joe) Farmer of New Madison and Mark (Karmey) Farmer of Arcanum; sisters-in-law Gail Farmer and Marine Farmer both of New Madison as well as numerous Nieces and Nephews.

Beloved, let us seek comfort in the assurances of God’s Word.

Ecclesiastes

The Sovereign

of the Sudden

(A Sudden, Unexpected Death)

1.

Three pressing burdens of a preacher

The Sea of Galilee is a sparkling jewel in the northern part of Israel.

It is not large.

It’s more like a lake than what we think of as a sea.

Only thirteen miles in length, seven and one-half miles at its widest point, surrounded by hills, including the Golan Heights, it was the chief source of revenue for its fishermen, of pleasure, and of beauty for those who lived around its shores.

Jesus made his headquarters here.

Many of his miracles and much of his ministry took place here.

He called the early band of brothers, his disciples, from this area.

The Sea of Galilee is a sparkling jewel in the northern part of Israel.

It is not large.

It’s more like a lake than what we think of as a sea.

Only thirteen miles in length, seven and one-half miles at its widest point, surrounded by hills, including the Golan Heights, it was the chief source of revenue for its fishermen, of pleasure, and of beauty for those who lived around its shores.

Jesus made his headquarters here.

Many of his miracles and much of his ministry took place here.

He called the early band of brothers, his disciples, from this area.

Seeking a break from the demand of the excited crowds that had begun to follow him, Jesus took a boat, and with some of his disciples, drifted off for some rest and relaxation.

But suddenly their leisure day was disrupted by a violent storm.

This was not unusual.

The sea is 680 feet below sea level, surrounded by hills that send the cool air from the heights of Mt.

Hermon hurtling through their ravines that serve as giant wind tunnels to collide with the warm, moist air flowing east from the Mediterranean Sea.

The result can produce a very dramatic storm.

In that sudden storm, Jesus did an astounding thing.

And in that we learn some things that counsel us in the light of the devastating experience that we seek to navigate through in these days.

I. Bring a Word of Comfort to All

A. Two outstanding characteristics of God

1.

His justness (justice)

I.

No Guarantee Against the Sudden

a. Moses’ evaluation—

b.

Paul’s statement—

First of all, we are reminded that although the Sovereign of the universe is on the boat, it is no guarantee against the sudden—in this case, a sudden storm (v.

37).

It has been the mistaken notion of many that if a person is a faithful follower of Jesus, he or she is protected from the troubles of life.

Their children will be successful, sickness will never come their way, their financial ventures will always succeed, and disappointment will never knock at their door.