Sermon Tone Analysis

When I received the news Sunday morning of Myrtle’s passing, one scripture came to my mind, a scripture that, I believe, capsulizes Her life perfectly and I knew that I had to make it the bases for my message here today

The passage comes from Paul’s second letter to Timothy right near the end of the letter

Paul knew that the time of his death was near and he was encouraging the younger preacher to pick up where he was leaving off when he penned these words,

2 Timothy 4:6-8

Allow me a couple of moments to show you why this passage so perfectly capsulizes Myrtle

First it is a great description of how she lived her life; in service

Paul uses the description of the “drink offering”

A drink offering was given after sacrifices involving fire had been offered to God

A person would approach the alter of still hot coals with a skin of wine and pour it on the coals

The wine would instantly evaporate giving off a cloud of smoke and and a sweet rich fragrance

It was to be a symbol of the works of the worshipper

Myrtle lived her life working in service to God, she lived her life working in service to others

I could go on for a while describing all the different things that Myrtle did for others but the fact that you are here indicates to me that in one way or another you probably experienced those acts of service in your own life

But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the children, Myrtle is perhaps the best example I have ever witnessed of what it means to serve the children

It wasn’t a task of obligation, it was an expression of love

In Paul says,

Myrtle lived her life just like that, with joy and passion and enthusiasm she served God by serving others and I know that as she poured out her life upon the alter it offered up a sweet aroma to God

Not only is our passage a great description of how myrtle lived but it is a great description of how she died

2 Timothy 4:

Myrtle faced a lot of adversity in her life time, but that being said, she NEVER wavered in her faith

Her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and saviour remained solid in the good times and in the bad

A little earlier in this same letter to Timothy Paul worded it this way,

2 Timothy 1:8-

Myrtle was secure in the knowledge that christ had redeemed her through His work on the cross and that no matter what came her way, even this despicable disease that would take her life, nothing could separate her from that love and she remained faithful right until the very end

She never gave up, she fought a GOOD fight, right up until the very end, and not only did she finish the race, she finished strong, with a determination and strength of character and faith that we could all learn from

Another reason why this passage immediately came to my mind is because of what Paul said in verse 8 which is a great description of Myrtle’s current situation, “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day”

Listen to what Peter said about this

1 Peter 1:3-4

1 Peter 1:

That moment that Myrtle shed this mortal body, she entered into the presence of her Lord and saviour Jesus Christ to hear Him say to her, ‘Well done my good and faithful servant.

Here is your reward’

And so for these 3 reasons I believe that this passage from Paul written to Timothy some 2000 years ago is the perfect description today for Myrtle

For it describes her life, her death and her reward

But there’s something else that, if I didn’t mention here today, I would be doing a huge disservice to Myrtle and to her memory

You see It Paul finishes this passage with what was his life’s passion, and dare I say Myrtle’s life passion, “—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Knowing Myrtle as I do I can say with certainty that she would much rather I spend less time talking about her and more time talking about Jesus for He was the reason she lived, He was the one to whom she entrusted her life and her death, and He is the one with whom she now spends eternity

And I know that her passion would be that you would do the same

If you do not already know and serve Jesus Christ, the greatest tribute that you could ever give to Myrtle is to trust Him whom she trusted so that you too can be where she is for all of eternity

There’s no religious formality to go through and there’s no organization you have to join, just simply pray and say, ‘I want to know the God that Myrtle knew’ and He will show Himself to you

Let’s pray