Life Sunday - In Life, In Death, Abide With Me

Life Sunday: In Life, in Death . . . Abide with Me

Dear Friends of Life,

“Christ will be exalted in my body whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20b). It is not his circumstances that give Paul such assurance and hope. It is the abiding presence of Christ in his circumstances. Christ will be at work and be exalted if Paul should die, and Christ will be at work and be exalted if Paul should live. What a message to share with God’s people as they struggle with issues of life and death. They are not alone. Their Savior is at work in all circumstances of their lives, and He is at work for their spiritual good.

Our prayer is that these Life Sunday materials will help share this message. Our materials may be used to focus on God’s gift of life and His presence in our lives at any time during the year. Here is a brief summary of the four sermons available:

More to Suffering than Meets the Eye (Hebrews 2:8b-10)
Dr. Richard Eyer begins, “In suffering we see only suffering.” After developing this text, he is able to conclude, “There is more to suffering than meets the eye, because we know Jesus Christ!” Whether dealing with end-of-life issues or struggles in the midst of life, the cross of Jesus helps make sense out of our suffering.

In Life, In Death, Christ is Exalted (Philippians 1:20-26)
Based on Paul’s words to the Philippians, Dr. James Lamb points out that it is not what we are able to do in our life or at the time of our death that exalts Christ. He is present and at work in all circumstances of our lives. He is exalted because of what He is able to do. Therefore every life, regardless of circumstances or state of health, is a life through whom Christ can be exalted.

In Life, In Death, Abide in Me (Philippians 1:20-21)
Dr. Glenn Schaeffer begins his sermon with the story of Marcel Tremblay who suffered from chronic lung disease and saw no meaning to his life. He committed suicide by placing a turkey basting bag over his head and filling it with helium. Dr. Schaeffer gets to the heart of his message when he says that Tremblay did not need a turkey basting bag and helium. “He needed to know of the God of love and grace who gives us reason to live even when we experience the worst of times.”

Reluctant Messenger—Powerful Message (Jonah 3:1-5, 10)
For those who prefer preaching on one of the readings for January 22, Dr. Lamb offers this sermon based on the Old Testament reading. His point is simple and relevant. “We do not have to be reluctant messengers of life when we have such a powerful and positive message of life.” We have the message of the cross, the empty tomb, and a very living and present Savior who abides with us.

Our Life Sunday materials are designed to compliment one another. We encourage you to use as many as possible to help God’s people better understand what is called the “Theology of the Cross.” God is at work in and through suffering. It is not the absence of suffering but the abiding presence of Christ in our suffering that makes the difference in how we value life.

May God bless you as you make preparations to help people better understand what it means to sing and pray, “In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.”

Your servant For Life,

Jim Lamb, Executive Director
National Lutherans For Life

(Posted January 2006)