02/11/2026
Here is todays message: DAVID JETHRO WARD
Grace mercy and peace to you from a God who loves you with and everlasting love and that love is seen on the cross of Jesus Christ. Amen!
Our message is: An Incredible Faith. Our text is: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 13Keep alert. “Stand firm in the faith.” Demonstrate manly courage. Be strong. 14Let everything you do be done in love.
First I will say that Davids’ favorite color is red! And David would often say, “I am so blessed...the Lord is good.” David had already preached this sermon for me. He preached it every day of his life. Dave was such Spirit filled a nice guy. So giving, so caring, so loving, always smiling, and had a big heart too. He was so humble, so positive, so willing to help and serve others. So willing to lend me his wheel-barrel. Or to help me with my rottotiller.
He loved his Lord. Believed in his Lord. Followed his Lord. He loved his family. He also loved his Chevelle. He was all American, and l supported his free country and even spent four years serving in air force. And his casket today is air force blue too.
He was not just a good Christian, he lived it, and was a good example for everyone. He went to church regularly. He confessed His sins often and heard Jesus words of absolution. He went to communion often and cleaned the communion-ware when it was over. He served the church and his Lord. He did not waist time trying to be good enough for God. Rather it was faith that taught him, to simply claim Christ’s righteousness. And from that God worked his righteousness in David! And David would tell everyone how great the good Lord is.
But that is not why we are confident he is with the Lord. We are confident because of the faith he demonstrated every day of his life. Like his verse says, “Stand firm in the faith.” David knew
Ephesians 2:8-9 “Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith―and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God ―not by work... “
He knew he was not going anywhere by his good deeds. He was not bashful, David said again and again… I am just a filthy sinner. Also with David there was no pretense. He knew the way to heaven, and it wasn’t by his good deeds. In fact David believed as Paul said in Romans “The just will live by faith.” Not only in this life but he knew it was the passport through the narrow way to heaven. That is what made David...David.
It was through faith or nothing with David. In fact one time he said “Without Jesus, without faith, I couldn’t do anything.” Now by faith, with “no claims” of good deeds in his hands, no goodness in his pocket, he has met Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. He has spoken to Martin Luther himself…and that will make his day and fill him with joy. He will in time meet, the Apostle Paul and all the saints the angels, and all his family. I even saw a picture of Jerry on the TV. He will see him too! And he will live that joy for an eternity. That is all good for him up there!
However, down here on earth, he will leave a big hole in a bunch of people down here on earth. He will be missed!! He will leave us with an empty place at the table and in our hearts. But in time, Jesus, can back fill that hole. Yes, It will take time, plenty of time. We have support from the church…especially by others who have also lost loved ones. And now it’s their turn to help you! To call you, and to give you words of hope, from Jesus.
And there is also healing in finding ways to serve the Lord while we await the Lord’s return. Or we await our grand reunion. And it seems that the wait will not not be long now. Many are saying it seems the end is very near. And we can pass the time by doing what David has taught us.
We honor him by remembering Davids’ example: praying hard, praying often, going to church, confessing sin, receiving the body and blood for forgiveness, praising God, loving family, loving our neighbors.
And we honor him by remembering in faith the utter joy it will be when we meet up again on the other side. It promises to be so grand. Such a great happening. We can think about enjoying each other’s company again. David would say, that’s a promise of the good Lord Jesus! So finally, we do what Dave would want us to do. What Dave said all the time. Continue as the verse says, “stand firm in the faith.”
It is what David did do. He had been in the Hospital a number of times and every time, he’d say, Well I am here, the good Lord willing. He had so much faith, I thought he had it made. I should not have been so cavalier but rather had given him a hug. But looking back, the good Lord did take care of him. God is taking care of everything now. David will have a new body no diabetes no ailments and a great heart! When Lazareth had died, Jesus met with Mary. He knew he was going to raise Lazareth to life in just a few moments, and still the text says, and “Jesus wept”...the shortest verse in Bible. Well Jesus weeps with us today...knowing the resurrection and the joy that is on the other side….because he cares about you deeply. In the end we will all be together! We are confident David is with the Lord. We are confident because of the faith given to him by God, and he demonstrated every day of his life. He has met Jesus, and Jesus has wrapped his arms around him and welcomed him to his eternal home.
He will sit at the banquet table, with the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. He is meeting Luther and all the saints. And he will live that joy for an eternity. All of that is good, however, he will leave a big hole down here on earth. He will leave us with a big empty hole. Sometimes it is called a veil of tears. But in time we can back fill that empty place. For now we can focus on the utter joy of seeing each other again.
And then just talking and enjoying each other’s company again. For now, we honor him we give up on the good works and rely on faith...so we can see him again by “standing firm in the faith, demonstrate manly courage, by being strong. And 4 let everything you do be done in love.
So “be strong in the faith”...and the good Lord willing! And that would put a smile on his face!!!
In the name of Jesus. Amen. May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your hearts strong and courageous in the faith. Amen.
