“The Gospel According to Tom”
We live in a fallen world. In the wake of Tom Morris’ passing, you may want to read the book of Job again.
The easy part of doing Tom’s memorial service will be sharing what he meant to Bayshore Baptist Church—collectively and individually.
I am not going to try and play the part of cool-calm-collected cleric. Although I haven’t been around Tom on a daily basis in many years, I felt like we always picked up right where I left him and Vicki in 1975 and after their 1971 wedding. During the process of calling me to be interim pastor, Tom was kind enough to call me often and keep me informed about what was going on. I feel like I have lost a family member. Truth is, we all have—all of us in the Bayshore family!
He now knows the victory! We are still in the valley. Our tears are falling; his are being wiped away! He ran fastest. He finished first. We will see him again.
On Sunday, I want to bring a message from Zephaniah 1:1-7. With Tom’s death fresh on our minds, I believe it is a good time to focus on eschatology (doctrine of Last Things). Are you ready to meet God? Are things right between you and your Heavenly Father?
The “Day of the Lord” teaching in both testaments is not something we can relegate to dusty seminary libraries and dull lectures. There are signs. Thereare predictions and warnings. Jesus didn’t leave us clueless about His return. A great many of his parables are about his return someday.
If Tom’s sudden and unexpected passing pushes us to reevaluate our commitment and draws us closer to Christ and His church, he will not have died in vain.
Dan