AUTUMN LEAVES

ISAIAH 64:6

A. "WE ALL DO FADE AS A LEAF"
  1. There is something in words like these which we instinctively resent:
    1. Man is more than the leaves of a tree; he is the image of the invisible God
    2. He possesses the power of reason and functions as an intelligent being in control of the things in nature
  2. And yet, the word of God says, "We all fade as a leaf:"
    1. Most of us know that human life passes through the stages of growth, maturity and decay - Eccl. 12:1-6
    2. It will help us to sense the pathos and seriousness of life to walk through the woods and note how autumn is marked by the fading of the leaves B. DEAR SORROWING ONES - LET US CONSIDER THE WORDS OF OUR TEXT AND RECEIVE COMFORT FROM THEM
  3. The fading of the leaf in autumn shows:
    1. That the leaves have run their course and have completed their life's mission - the sap of the tree is receding - the leaves die
    2. And so it is with every one born of a woman, we all run a certain circle, short or longer, making our life's influence felt among men; but autumn comes, the energies, the vitalities of our being begin to recede - "we fade away like leaves"
    3. Many of us in the service are aware that with aging our strength recedes, we are no longer what we were when we were young
  4. But, dear ones, there is a brighter side to our text for our comfort:
    1. Many leaves of some trees look very charming when autumn comes
    2. The warm red and yellow of their coloring is simply enchanting to the eye
    3. Those who say they know, tell us that those colors were there all the time - their beauty is exposed to the eye when they die
    4. Much in this present life is taken for granted; it is perfectly human for us to either overlook or not to notice the beauty of the life of others until they die.
    5. We sorrow because we realize that we shall miss their beautiful life.
  5. What makes a person's life beautiful:
    1. Think of a darling mother - she is the most adorable and beautiful person - of all we know in this world
    2. Why? Because she is the emblem of perfect love; she is the embodiment of total sacrifice; she is the living hope personified; and what more can we think of to see in her the beauty personified; even when we look upon her in death
    3. And still more, the leaf fades but not until it has blessed its surroundings with its gifts
    4. So old age indicates our fading like a leaf, but if we have the consciousness that our life has made its marks upon others, brought blessing to them, we have reason to be comforted C. LET US NOTE THEN IN CLOSING
  6. "We all do fade like a leaf"
    1. The truth of that Bible testimony is seen in this service
    2. There are some of us who remember the days when the dear one was the picture of health and vigor
    3. But autumn has come for her, and she fades away like a leaf when it ides
    4. Note carefully, there is no exception to the fading away - "We all do fade away" - Rom. 5:12; Heb. 9:27
  7. But while the faded leaf reminds us of the dead of the leaf, there is still another thought that must come to our minds:
    1. What influence do we leave behind us?
    2. How effective was our life for God, His truth, and upon our fellowmen?
    3. Can God say to us, sweet rest, thou hast been faithful in thy life time and wilt enter upon thine inheritance when Jesus comes
    4. Can we close our life circle and say with Simeon, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation" - Luke 2:29-30
    5. Such a testimony of the dying takes away the bitterness of death; and serves as an ointment upon our wounded hearts


Design © John Bryant 2011