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There are over 1100
stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to
daily.
Click on http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com to read selected Sermons from over 50 years of Rev. Wyrick's ministry.
I
Corinthians 15: 35, 42-44, 50
And some will ask, how are the dead raised?
With what kind of body will they come?
You foolish people. What you sow
will not come to life unless it dies.
What you sow is not the body, which is to be. What you sow is merely a kernel of
wheat. And so it is with the
resurrection of the dead. What is sown
in the ground is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in the ground in dishonor, but it
is raised in glory. It is sown in
weakness but it is raised in power. It
is sown a physical body but it is raised a spiritual body. Physical things like flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom
of God
It is wisdom to face the fact of death, and definitely foolishness
not to. However, there are those who seem unable to. It may be their own death they avoid thinking
of or the death of a loved one, but if they haven’t, or can’t, only trouble
lies ahead. Denial may seem to have
solace in it but it doesn’t, it only drives the pain deep down inside where it
can and will do even greater damage.
Her hair is white, her face lined with pain; each day she writes
a letter to her beloved Eddie. But he never receives the letters for her
son is dead, and has been for years. In
the state hospital she is but one of many who have been unable to endure their
grief.
Before the time comes for
each of us personally to receive our one way ticket to heaven, it is best if we
truly believe Christ’s words "...be of good cheer. I have overcome
the world." By such doing, the
valley of the shadow of death becomes a green and growing thing, rather than an
arid frightening place of nothingness and despair. Stand before eternity alone and panic has to
step in. Stand there with your Savior by
your side and there is all the difference in the world.
Her name was
Catherine Marshall and this is how she described the death of her well known
preacher-husband Peter Marshall. "On the (dull) gray morning of January 25, 19 498:15 AM , my
husband's tired and damaged heart stopped beating. Five minutes later,
the doctor called. The measured words coming through the telephone
receiver were like physical blows from which I instinctively recoiled...'Oh,
no! Not that!' And then a deep breath, like that of a drowning
person gulping for air.. 'How? Why? Please tell me what happened.' ”
One of England
It may, indeed, be better to have loved
and lost than never to have loved at all, but it still hurts. When you
have developed a deep affection for another human being, and that bond is
broken, it creates a pain like no other that can be named. To watch a
father or mother die, to bury a lifetime at the funeral of a wife or husband, it
numbs. For a time the grief may seem unreal, as if it has not happened,
and then it is a scream, a shock, a ragged edge that rips at your composure.
"Why God?" and it is a question. "Damn you God!" and it is
a curse. "Please God," and it is a prayer. All of these
phrases, or some of them, pour forth from your private cup of agony.
What was it like the last time you sat
with sorrow? Or do you sit with sorrow now at this very moment - newly
minted from what has happened not that long ago. "I am dead
inside," was one man’s response as he struggled with the death of his wife.
We humans do not take too easily to dying. There is too much of mystery to it. We have
never done it before. Which is why we
need to put the signature of our soul on the dotted line that reads, “heavenly
real estate.” Hear Jesus words, “Because
I live ye shall live also…In my Father’s house are many mansions,” and accept
them. Allow ourselves to be overwhelmed
by the eternal thrust of such pledges and promises.
V. A. Koskenniemi,
a Finnish poet-philosopher who died in 1962 wrote, “Man is not free in life
unless he is free from the fear of death as well.”
As the young man sat holding his aged father’s hand he said, “Give
mother my love and tell her I still miss her.”
Death was near, yet these two men talked of the father’s upcoming
journey with perfect Christian calm.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “(Your body) is sown in corruption, it
is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is
sown in weakness; it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body; it is
raised a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians
15: 42-44)
In today’s jargon,
this Disciple of old might have said, “Loosen
up, stop worrying about getting so old that one day you don’t get any older
because you just died. Cool it, you’ve
got a Christ who has gone before you.
You’ve got a soul that can follow after.”
You cannot believe in Christ and not
believe in heaven - they are intertwined.
Life after life not only makes good sense, it makes God sense. The Bible teaches that we are not a thing on this earth, but rather a person
made in the image of God. And that after
death when we are in heaven, we retain our personality for herein lies our
identity. To claim we live after we die
but are not who we are, defies what the Resurrection is all about. To live after we die as someone or something
else isn’t a resurrection. It’s a
complete destruction followed by a completely new creation, and that is not
what Christ promised.
“I am the
resurrection and the life; whosoever believes in me shall never die.” Wow!
Life as a highway that, after a bend in the road called death, goes on
forever. Wow! Not buried in a coffin with no hope and no
future. Wow!
What is Christ saying? He is saying that in His father’s house are
many mansions and you will recognize yours because He will have put a light in
the window for you. Wow!
When we talk about the Crucifixion and the Resurrection and what
it means for you and me, tears should form in your eyes. Maybe even begin to trickle down your cheeks
because it says it all - that what is
does not come to an end. The part of you and me that is eternal goes on and on and on.
The same Peter Marshall I referred to at the beginning of this
sermon, this beloved, outstanding preacher of over half a century ago, used to
describe the resurrection promise in the following manner. He would tell how one Sunday afternoon he was
listening to Berlioz’s Requiem Mass on the radio and how perfectly beautiful
the music was. It filled his soul and
made him feel better than he could have imagined. And then he turned the radio off and the
music stopped. It was still there but he
wasn’t tuned into it. It was all around him
but he could no longer hear it. And he tells
how he thought to himself that is how it is with some people and God. He is all around them but they turn Him
off. The Requiem Mass may be playing but
they have not tuned into it. The words, Jesus Christ is Risen Today being sung
but they never or seldom hear them.
Do you tune in to Godly music very often, or ever? Do you tune in very often to God? The sound and sense of God is always there,
so give the angels a chance to sing magnificently in the background of your
living - to triumphantly influence your life because you have tuned them
in. The shepherds in Bethlehem
The truth of
immortality is all around you, but you have to be tuning in. What a glad, good cry in the night and on
into the day is constantly being offered, but you have to be tuning in. Easter trumpets blare every day of the year
but you have to be tuning in.
“Forever! Forever and ever! Forever and ever!” Handel’s Messiah shouts in
song, but you have to be tuning in.
In the New Testament you will find the
word “Olem” 27 times. It means eternal,
everlasting life forever and ever. It
defines who God is. It defines who we
are because of the love of God. So keep
on tuning in.
Clement of Alexandria
Would you have that happen to you?
Then don’t turn off the message – the love of God, the timelessness of
God - keep it on all day long - this truth so full of exclamation points over
and over again. Keep tuning in.
Do you want to know what is really
exciting about paradise? You go there because of death, but death does not go there with
you. You go there because your earthly
body has given up, but in heaven a new body awaits you. The Bible says it straight out and straight
forward, “In heaven, there will be no more death and no more sorrow and no more
pain, for all the former things of death have passed away.”
I am always talking about taking Christ into your
heart and then exploding out into the community with love. Today, I want you take the fact of the Resurrection
into your head and let it overwhelm you for here lays the reason for
Christianity. Head and shoulders above
all other reasons. It takes a master
teacher and turns him into God. It takes
dying and turns it into a resurrection.
It takes what might have been only a great, philosophical biography and turns
it into a Gift from the Throne of Grace.
Indeed, if one turns away from their belief in life after death
and instead “…chooses doubt as a philosophy of life (it) is (like) choosing
immobility as a means of transportation.” (from the book “Life of Pi” by Yann
Martel)
Believe in the
resurrection and you give Jesus more than respect. You give Him your life because after all He
just gave you yours. What I am talking
about is confidence through Christ. Unfortunately,
there are those who have no such confidence in Christ or the Resurrection
because, they argue, “I cannot conceive it.
Therefore, it does not exist.”
Really?
Several centuries ago, when communi-cations and travel were
considerably less, a South Sea Islander could not conceive of the icy world of
an Eskimo. That did not mean it did not
exist. An Arab, several hundred years
ago, never living anywhere but in the middle of a desert was not able to
conceive of a snow capped Mount Everest in the
Himalayas . That didn’t mean no such mountain existed.
When it comes to man and God and immortality there
are only so many thoughts that you can have.
1. Man survives in the mind of God. After death, God thinks about us, remembers
that we were and does not forget that we once existed. Or,
2. Man survives in the mind of men. That
is to say, I will be remembered by my children and my children’s children but
with each new added generation I will be remembered less distinctly until in a
very short time I will not be remembered at all. Or,
3. Man survives in his work. Depending on what kind of work you do, the
remembering of you will extend only so far and then, if it is a building you
built, it will crumble. If it is a
sermon you preached, the paper upon which it is printed and perhaps reprinted
will disintegrate. Books without
republication become museum pieces and one day ashes. Or,
4. Man survives by the grace of God. Heaven’s population increased by one each
time a believer dies. Not a memory but a
reality.
Survival...ah
yes...survival.
The stars shine over
the land.
The stars shine over
the sea.
The stars look up to
God.
The stars look down on
me.
The stars will shine
for a million years,
for a million years
and a day.
But God and I shall
live and love,
When the stars have
passed away.
(author unknown)
Someone put it well when he said, “Coming to terms with death is
perhaps your finest act of worship.”
Not just some numb wandering through eternity but rather, after
death as the old hymn says, “Jesus, a closer walk with Thee.” This is what our Christian faith teaches, not
just eternal life but a relationship that is eternal. And
therein is all the difference in the world.
ANOTHER WAY TO SHARE THESE ONE A DAYS WITH
FREIENDS...CLICK ON "MORE"
AT TOP LEFT OF THIS BLOG PAGE AND FROM THERE IT SHOULD BE EASY
CHURCH BOOK CLUBS ARE
USING REV. WYRICK'S 9TH BOOK "The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln."
It is
available on amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and many
other book sites.
A new quote
(posted SEPT 21) below from
Rev. Wyrick's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN (read the rave reviews below the quote)
If
Mary had not instigated another of her famous feuds the assassination might never
have happened, at least at this time in this way.
She had raised the ire of the wife of
Ulysses S. Grant and so Julia Grant refused to attend the play at Ford Theater
in her company.
Had the General been present that evening,
there might have been more guards.
Instead, the Lincoln’s sat alone enjoying
“Our American Cousin,” until John Wilkes Booth put a bullet in his head.
It placed him in a coma and pushed the
nation further toward chaos.
The time was 10:15.
"Positive,
powerful utterances...skillfully enhancing our understanding and appreciation
of Lincoln while revealing the Divine source of his strength."
Lt.
Colonel C.A. Olsen (Ret.) Asbury College (Professor Ret.)
"The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln is
an extremely well written book that investigates what might be
termed the spiritual side of President Lincoln. It's both scholarly and very
readable. I came away impressed at Mr. Wyrick's portrayal of the President and
with an altered and enlarged vision of the man:'
William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and
Wild Thorn
"Wyrick has authored a wonderful
examination of the spirituality of one of American history's most devoutly
religious leaders...a pleasant and readable book that has a rich depth of
information."
Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian
minister
"When it comes to invoking religion in
support of any of their decisions, politicians need to sit at the feet of
Abraham Lincoln. Reinhold Niebuhr once called him 'America's greatest
theologian.' Why so great? Because he invariably distinguished between human
works and the works of the Almighty. As Wyrick says, 'He wore
the mantle of humility easily: because he was more impressed with what God was
doing in the world than with what he, president of the United States in the
midst of an awful crisis, was doing. That is why in his last major speech he
distinguished between both human causes in the Civil War and the Almighty's
'own purposes.' Lincoln would have agreed that it is better to leave God-talk
out of politics than to decorate human proposals with divinity. This is a book
for our American time. Through his careful study of Lincoln's career, Wyrick
compels us to remember that piety belongs in politics only when piety
transcends politics."
Dr.
Donald W. Shriver
Emeritus professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York.
Author of An Ethic for Enemies: Forgiveness in Politics
"V. Neil Wyrick's fine work allows the reader to appreciate Abraham
Lincoln's Christian commitment and his prophetic role in American history.
Should have a wide readership."
James
H. Smylie Professor
of Church History (Ret.) Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Virginia
"Neil
Wyrick's The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln should be read by anyone attempting to understand the man who was probably
the most complex person to ever hold the office of president of the United
States. Dr. Wyrick is intent on demonstrating that the spirituality so often
expressed in Lincoln's writings and speeches was not merely lip service to a
Deity, but rather expressions of a profound faith in a real God. It was this
faith that provided the wisdom, compassion, insight and sometimes steel that
Lincoln would need in full measure as he led the United States through
the Civil War. Dr. Wyrick's clear and unpretentious style of presentation is
very much in keeping with the character ofhis subject, and in so doing, Wyrick
makes his point very well that Lincoln, his beliefs, and the faith that formed
them, are as relevant to a troubled America in 2004 as they were in 1863."
Daniel Allen Butler, author
of "Unsinkable"; The Full Story of the RMS Titanic, The
Lusitania and The Age o f Cunard
,
QUOTE BELOW IS FROM WYRICK'S
WRITINGS
There
is no other organization in the world like the church. It is a breed unto itself. It is a congregation of sinners, not a
country club for saints. To become a
member you have to profess your unworthiness.
CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING TO TAKE YOU THERE
(These are selected sermons from over 50 years of ministry and as a worldwide evangelist Rev. Wyrick preached them all the United States and all over the
world)
+++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++
CLICK ON www.go60.us
IT WILL TAKE YOU A NEW WEBSITE FOR SENIORS....click on
"Voice" on the home page and then on the list of authors click
on Neil Wyrick
Recent articles Rev. Wyrick has written for this web site are:
REFLECTIONS
·
Here Comes Summer (July 2012)
·
Spring (May 2012)
·
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
(April 2012)
·
Wayward and Windy (April 2012)
Just
remember that “the pain of discipline will cost you pennies, whereas the pain
of regret will cost you millions.”
++++++++++++++++++
How can
we keep our faith from being a weak and fruitless thing? How can we not be foolish little men and
women groveling in the dark shadows of overeager egos.
Well, first we must do more than just pray. We must believe in our own prayers.
+++++++++++++++++++
Anxiety
out of proportion makes us become like a centipede trying to put his best foot
forward.
++++++++++++++++++
It's
an old joke, I went to the doctor and I said, “Doc, when I do this, it hurts.”
And the doctor said, “Then don't do that.”
++++++++++++++++++
How many things have you been anxious
about that were things which you knew before you got into them were probably
going to create some problems for you?
And if you asked your doctor, or your minister, or common sense and your
God, all of them would have said, “Don’t do that.”
++++++++++++++++++++
To buy into the
community of accountability we have to realize that like bikers we are divided
into two categories. Those who have fallen and those who will fall for anything. None of us are perfect.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Think
on it this way, some philosopher of old wrote it and it endures because there
is so much truth in it… every right
implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a
duty
++++++++++++++++++++++
Some of the sermon titles
posted recently
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Before you decide
to purchase or not purchase his book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN.... view his Award Winning One Man
Dramatization of Lincoln (since he wrote the script
for this drama it will give you an insight into what you will find in the book
itself)
Available on
Amazon.com in printed form and on Amazon Kindle Books. and at
many other sites
TO VIEW THE LINCOLN
One Man DRAMA and 3 other dramas; Ben Franklin, Martin Luther & Charles
Wesley
click on the
following URL
http://www.speakerneil.com/
++++++++++++++++++++++
BELOW
ARE MORE QUOTES FROM NEIL'S RECENTLY POSTED SERMONS
++++++++++++++++++
A QUOTE FROM THOUGHTS POSTED ON MY
OTHER BLOG WYRICK'S WRITINGS ON SUNDAY APRIL 15. ENTITILED
Two stores faced each other across a very
busy street. Their owners were in constant competition
with each other. One day, the owner of
one store put out a sign that read – If
you want it, we have it!
Almost immediately the other owner put out a
sign –If we don’t have it, you don’t
need it!
A QUOTE FROM THOUGHTS POSTED ON MY
OTHER BLOG WYRICK'S WRITINGS ON THURSDAY APRIL 13TH. ENTITILED
WHO ARE
YOU?
NO…WHOSE ARE YOU?
Who are you? Whose are
you?
You influence and are influenced
according to the answer you give.
Are you are the flavor of the month because
you are determined to be like everyone else no matter what? If so, consider being more independent in our
thinking and actions...because God wants you to grow up.
It may be easier being someone's shadow but
wouldn't you really rather be a sun.
QUOTE FROM THOUGHTS POSTED ON WYRICK'S WRITINGS THURSDAY APRIL 5 FROM THOUGHT ENTITLED "Who
Are You? Whose Are You?"
This is an old quote, and a romantic one
as well but, nevertheless, can anyone say of you, “I love you not because of who you are,
but because of who I am when I am with you.”
QUOTE FROM THOUGHT PIECE POSTED
ON WYRICK'S WRITINGS TUESDAY APRIL 3 FROM THOUGHT ENTITLED
" WHEN A NATION STRAYS TOO FAR FROM BEING MORAL IT IS WELL ON IT'S WAY
TO BECOMING A MESS
James 4:17
To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it,
to him it is sin.
Someone once said: “A
belief is what you hold, a conviction is what holds you!”
So what holds you,
constructs you, leads you with a push when needed?
Quotes
POSTED ON WYRICK'S WRITING THURSDAY MARCH 29th THOUGHTS ENTITLED WHO
ARE YOU?
NO…WHOSE ARE YOU?
In a Peanuts
cartoon strip Peppermint Patty is shown talking to Charlie Brown.
“Guess what, Chuck? It’s the first day
of school and I got sent to the principal’s office.
And it’s your fault!”
Charlie Brown responds, “My fault? How
could it be my fault? Why do you say everything is my fault?”
To which she declares, “You’re my
friend, aren’t you, Chuck? You should have been a better influence on me.”
In the comics, it’s funny… but in real life it’s much more
complicated.
Would you like to read the entire thought
piece? Then... TO TAKE YOU TO THE WYRICK'S WRITING'S
SITE
click on the following
Yes, God loves you the way you
are but he loves you too much to let you stay that way.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Click on the URL below to WATCH NEIL IN
HIS WORLD FAMOUS ONE MAN DRAMATIZATIONS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, BEN FRANKLIN,
CHARLES WESLEY AND MARTIN LUTHER
To
Order and Read
Neil's 9th book THE
SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN
GO TO amazon.com
QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book
STILL RECEIVING RAVE REVIEWS 8 YEARS AFTER IT'S PUBLICATION.
++++++++++++++++++
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