“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.When Christ who is yourlife is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.”
Colossians 3:2-4 (NRSV)
The Bible tells us how God, in the beginning, created this earth we live on and the heavens (Genesis 1:1) in which we will one day call our home. God has graced us with this wonderful gift of a life sustaining temporal earth and His everlasting eternal heaven. We know as Christians that the end is not the end, it is the beginning. We stand apart from the world since we have this hope in the resurrection of the life to come.
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’”
John 11: 25-26 (NRSV)
One time, as I prepared to paint my house, my neighbor loaned me some scaffolding so that I could reach places much higher than my ladder would allow. Putting together all the bars, pins, footings, and platforms seemed like a complicated puzzle. My neighbor reminded me that with a puzzle you just pick up the pieces and start over. He went on to caution me that if my scaffolding was not built precisely and firmly, I would be the pieces someone would be picking up and I may or may not have the chance to start over. The entire time I stood atop the scaffolding my toes tensely gripped the platform and I had a sense of heightened anxiety with each stroke of the paint brush. I remember that there was lots of praying going on up there. With every slight wobble or gust of wind my doubts increased as I questioned my ability to remain alive let alone finish the job.
Did I follow the instructions correctly? Did I place the footings on firm enough ground? Was my platform level?
We celebrate “All Saints Day” every year on November 1st to commemorate those souls that have gone before us. In the year 600 AD the Christian church began to recognize those saints who were martyred for their faith. Years later it became a day of remembrance for all the faithful Christians who have passed away and are now in the presence and glory of God. We are reminded that they are washed of sin, born anew, entering the grand entrance of the great city in heaven. Oh, when the saints go marching home through the gates.
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.”
Revelations 22:14 (NRSV)
At AUMC we have a few sacred areas where some of our past saints have been recognized. Between our Wesley and Asbury halls there is a secluded courtyard area that was gifted by some special people to honor those from our church who fought the good fight and now rest in peace eternal.
Another special area we will be beautifying very soon is the location of the flagpole to the left of main entrance. There you can find inscribed bricks that serve as a small memorial to honor the saints who have departed us.
“So that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ So, these stones shall be to the Israelites a memorial forever.”
Joshua 4:6-7 (NRSV)
In Psalm 112 it tells us that the righteous endured forever and will be remembered forever. We reminisce in the blessings that these saints shared with AUMC. They worshipped with us, prayed with us, studied with us, and broke bread with us. Their presence and spirit are woven into the fiber of our Church. We are a better church for their steadfast contribution.
As part of our rich Methodist tradition, this Sunday we will celebrate and recognize those who have departed us during this past year. Join us as we honor their memory and legacy by lighting a candle in blessed assurance of their comfort in the eternal presence of God.
“Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.”
1 John 2:24-25 (NRSV)
Take a moment this weekend to remember dear family and friends of the faith that we have lost. Recall the rich life they lived. Be in gratitude for what they did for you. Be prayerful for their new life in Christ. Be joyful that you too will join them one day.
“It is sown a physical body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.”
1 Corinthians 15:44 (NRSV)
As believers we have this level and firm foundation laid by Jesus Christ. Those that have gone before us stand arm to arm with shoulders broadened by the grace-filled years they endured to create a scaffolding of faith. We stand on the shoulders of the saints who have gone before us. When our time is up on this earth, we will lend our shoulder for others to stand on. Christ is counting on us to do so. Our charge is to live our lives as if other saints are counting on us and indeed, they are.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that, as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God (as, in fact, you are doing), you should do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 (NRSV)
Standing arm to arm represents connection through the gospel that links our lives together. We live our lives loving God, church, and family as we focus on leaving a legacy of Christ. We stand shoulder to shoulder in unity to lift our brothers and sisters.
We are encouraged to be generous to the saints with eagerness. It should be our privilege to help our fellow Christian brother or sister. Paul reminds us to stay the course and not to overlook those among us who are in need.
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.”
2 Peter 10-11 (NRSV)
We are all saints for we were saved while we were still sinners. Perhaps not saints in the way of the famous apostles Paul or James, but certainly in the way we conduct ourselves especially with each other in the family of faith. Paul commended Philemon for his gracious care for those of the same faith.
Who inspired and encouraged your faith? Who sacrificed time and resources to help you grow your faith?
“I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.”
Philemon 1:7 (NRSV)
As true believers we are justified by the grace of Christ who has forgiven our sins. We are sanctified by the blood of Christ as we transform into the likeness of Christ while living in righteousness through our faithful obedience to God. Through it all we remain mindful of the saints among us.
Charles Wesley picks up on this theme in hymn #709 that appears in our United Methodist Hymnal as “Come, Let Us Join our Friends Above.” In the first verse, he offers a wonderful image of the Church through the ages:
Let saints on earth unite to sing, with those to glory gone,
for all the servants of our King in earth and heaven, are one.
“So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.”
Galatians 6:10 (NRSV)
The Apostles’ Creed reminds us of whose we are, who we are and what we believe in. This “communion of saints” is calling us to remember to congregate and look out for each other. Christ commands us to be in the presence of other believers and we are called to honor our brothers and sisters. I will uplift them when they are not able, and I pray that they will do the same for me. One day we both will have life everlasting. Amen!
“I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.”
Hear the good news. In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth for each of us. It is so fitting that the last sentence in the Bible calls us all saints. Our earthly life can be a legacy for those we leave behind. Our death opens the door to everlasting life in heaven. As saints we march onward to the sound of the trumpet ready to stand shoulder to shoulder. This week remember those we love who have departed.
How did they impact your Christian life?
“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.” Revelations 22:21 (NRSV)
Peace be with you,
Kenny Shortsleeve, Lay Leader
Oh, When the saints go marching in
We are all traveling in the footsteps
Of those that’d come before
And we’ll all be reunited
On that new and sunlit shore
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh when the saints go marching in
I wanna be in that number
When the saints go marching in
Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
When the trumpet sounds its call
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the trumpet sounds its call
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh when the saints go marching in
How I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching…
Louie Armstrong (1938)