“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).
It was a regular Sunday morning on December 2, 2007, when Alex strode the aisle to the pulpit. With great pleasure he addressed the congregation at New Community Church to prepare our hearts to receive the word of God. His brief message was a picture that encouraged all the believers present and, as Pastor Marshall said, “was just...wonderful!!” He spoke of a citizenship ceremony. A citizenship ceremony takes place when a person desires to be a resident of a new country. As an alien, he takes an oath and then instantaneously he becomes a citizen of that new country with all the rights, privileges, and responsiblities that go with it. He related to all of us who have been born again, that we were once strangers and aliens, separate from Christ, without hope and without God in the world, but then we were brought near by the blood of Christ so that we are now fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household as members of a new country. A mere sixteen hours later, Alex entered into that glorious inheritance, reserved for him in the eternal country - the dwelling of our holy God.
One can’t help but think of Hebrews 11 where the Holy Spirit recorded for us those who have gone before us who lived by faith. Alex lived by faith. And he has joined the ranks of the ‘so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let us too lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God’ (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Alex didn't know his race was finishing, but he finished well.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7-8).
It was a regular Sunday morning on December 2, 2007, when Alex strode the aisle to the pulpit. With great pleasure he addressed the congregation at New Community Church to prepare our hearts to receive the word of God. His brief message was a picture that encouraged all the believers present and, as Pastor Marshall said, “was just...wonderful!!” He spoke of a citizenship ceremony. A citizenship ceremony takes place when a person desires to be a resident of a new country. As an alien, he takes an oath and then instantaneously he becomes a citizen of that new country with all the rights, privileges, and responsiblities that go with it. He related to all of us who have been born again, that we were once strangers and aliens, separate from Christ, without hope and without God in the world, but then we were brought near by the blood of Christ so that we are now fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household as members of a new country. A mere sixteen hours later, Alex entered into that glorious inheritance, reserved for him in the eternal country - the dwelling of our holy God.
One can’t help but think of Hebrews 11 where the Holy Spirit recorded for us those who have gone before us who lived by faith. Alex lived by faith. And he has joined the ranks of the ‘so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let us too lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God’ (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Alex didn't know his race was finishing, but he finished well.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7-8).
3 comments:
This will forever be my last memory of Alex. I didn't know him well. I knew him by reputation from his wife and other dear friends, but I always loved it when he would lead worship, and I loved hearing him read scripture. He did a great job helping me focus and prompting me to worship (and I must mention that I loved the cute accent as well!! : ) ) His last call to worship, only hours before his death, was very moving to me. To realize how instantaneous citizenship really is. Like he said (speaking of US citizenship ceremonies) . . . you have a room full of aliens, and then a few words later they are full fledged citizens, with all of the rights, priveledges and responsibilties of a citizen. It is the same thing for those of us who are in Christ. At one point we were aliens, and then in an instant we became citizens of heaven. I remember when he was done talking, thinking, "It's just a shame that we carry on here for so long, as aliens in this world!" Little did I know that Alex would soon experience his heavenly citizenship to its fullest. I can just imagine that sweet accent praising our Lord, never to leave His presence again!
We always looked forward to hearing Alex read the Scripture for the service. (It's obvious that we were not alone in that respect!) His Scottish brogue was such a delight to listen to and he read the Scripture with real emotion. His last Sunday with us was a true blessing. The subject of heavenly citizenship was incredibly well-timed. Coincidence? Absolutely not. It was ordained in advance by a sovreign God who does all things well.
As an "alien" on the earth, Alex understood that this world was not his home. He was just passing through. Now he is at home in Glory with the One he loves most - Jesus Christ.
It is a tremendous comfort, knowing that some day we will also be home in Glory with Christ, and we will see Alex again.
In Christ's Love,
Scott and Betty
I enjoyed so much knowing my brother Alex. How appropriate his words just hours before he went home that he was a citizen of heaven. I recall how we started as ushers and I declared that I was his apprentice, as he had one week seniority on me. Alex could never be described as a dour Scotsman. The word GREGARIOUS was meant for him.
Fielding Poe
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