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 Titus 1 - Funerals and Leadership

I am eager to get into Titus as it hits at the core of servant leadership characteristics.  But before we jump in, just a short comment today.

Our 23-year-old son, Solomon, graduated with his undergrad in Psychology last December.  One of Sol's best friends from his Psych classes is a beautiful young woman named Jess, from Clinton, North Carolina.  Her family gave Sol a pup from their litter of lab/shepherds a few years back.  So I guess we are related through dogs.

        Jess texted Solomon last Wednesday with the tragic news that her brother had just died in a car crash.  Jared was 24 years old.

Kari, Sol, and I drove the four hours down to Clinton yesterday for Jared’s funeral.  There is nothing like a funeral for a reality check on the meaning of life (Ecclesiastes 7:2).  We didn’t know Jared.  But we wept through the entire service as pastors and family members shared joyful stories of his life, passions, talents, and dreams.  

The church was packed to the rafters.  Before the service began the casket and the entire family were lined up at the front of the big church.  Everyone entering the church went single file to the front to hug, shake hands with, and share Christ’s comfort with the family.  Man, heart wrenching.

        Oh, the crushing pain on that family and on the entire community of losing a child, a teammate, a sibling, and a friend.  You could feel, hear, and see the Holy Spirit move amongst His people yesterday.  God’s comfort and new life were on full display.  I’m so thankful that Solomon invited us to join him to share the grief of his friend.  I pray for God's comfort and blessing on the family today as they continue to deal with the loss.  What a reminder of the brevity of life.

        As the slide show played photos and video clips of Jared’s life I saw in his family our family.  I saw in Jared’s community the family of Christ.  The pastors did a remarkable job.  They exemplified shared sorrow, grief, and love as they encouraged the family and the community.  They shared moving stories of Jared’s passions and strengths and the godly character of the entire family.

        During one of the prayers the pastor asked the congregation to keep their eyes closed and if anyone desired to trust Jesus with their lives and to accept God's free gift of life for the forgiveness of their sins.  At least four people accepted Jesus as their Savior (Romans 10:9).  I had never seen that before at a funeral.  New life, eternal life out of tragic death.

        One pastor shared that one of Jared’s beliefs was that God was bringing revival.  That’s my belief as well.  For this nation and across the globe.

        Funerals bind Christians together in Christ’s love and comfort.  They remind us that we each live, die, and face eternal judgment.

        We are God’s people.  To change the heart of a nation requires changing the hearts of men.

        The good news is that it is possible with God.  Any nation, province, or community can turn to Jesus for forgiveness and new life.  This is true.  So start now.  Start today.  Life is short.

        I pray that many come to Christ today.  And that every person may have a deep love and understanding of God’s word, God’s love for us.  We don’t study God’s word for checking a box or taking a class at school.  It is what we do to hear God and to have confidence in eternity with Him.

        Lord Jesus, thank you for your church.  Thank you for how you comfort and bind us together.  Thank you for reminding us of the brevity of life and the necessity to get right with you.  We know life is not easy.  Please help us to live wisely with this day that you’ve given us.  For we know that with you we can be good and we can live lives that reflect the new life you’ve given us.

        Help us Lord God of Heaven to be your men and women.  Help us to increase our faith in your message of grace and truth.  And please give us wisdom to clearly show those who oppose the truth where they are wrong.  Amen.

New life through Christ's death.


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