Abide with us – Funeral of Hogard Heinrich Joosten

We welcome everyone in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the author of life and death. We pray that this hour would be blessed.

Jabulani Dube

Luke 24:29
These two disciples were on their way to Emmaus: Cleophas and another man. They conversed about what had happened. Suddenly Jesus joined them. He asked them what things they were speaking about. They asked Him whether He was the only one who did not know what had been happening in Jerusalem. People can be amidst revival and yet not know it. They cannot recognise that God is speaking. These two men did not see that Jesus was speaking to them. Some minds are darkened, and they do not realise that God is speaking. He reprimanded them with the following words:  25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” Luke 24: 25 - 32

These troubled disciples said: Did not our hearts burn within us? If your heart does not burn within you, you will not recognise that this is God at work. Though you walk with Jesus, if your eyes have not been opened, you will not see God at work. You will only see the person bringing the word. When Jesus rode a donkey, it was honoured because of that.  Jesus can speak through your wife, or even your child. You need to discern whether it is God speaking or not.

When they thought Jesus was a ghost, He asked for food. Their minds were opened, and they realised that Jesus was speaking. We need our eyes to be opened, believers and unbelievers, to see God and see Him working. God is working even today.

What will we meet up with when we leave this world? Ask the Lord to open your mind and eyes that you may recognise the working of God. Did not our heart burn within us? They were one – in unity. There is one heart Isaiah 35. You have not yet recognised the working of God. Ask God to open your eyes. Now in Zulu it says didn’t our heart - in the singular- which means they were one. We are one in heart here.

We weep with the Joosten family. In John 14 the Lord says let not your heart be troubled. As a congregation we are here, we are mourning the passing of their father.

And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.
No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. Isaiah 35:8

When we go to the Lord we will walk on a highway. Those who walk the way of holiness will walk on this highway. The unclean will not walk on it. Those who are unclean, those with anger; those with grudges and bitterness are unclean and they will not walk this way.

This is an exalted way, and no ravenous beast can walk on this way. We must walk this high and exalted way. No slanderous language is allowed here. If someone speaks in this way, you rebuke them.

Even fools will not go astray. They will walk this way and not go astray. They will go directly to the Lord. The redeemed will walk there. Those who have been delivered from evil spirits and Satan will go this way.

10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35:10

Where Onkel Hogard is now there is no more pain or suffering. There is no heat - like the heat of today. He is experiencing great joy. He no longer groans in pain. We need to abide and walk with Jesus. Make sure that the Lord is walking with you. Before you sleep pray and ask the Lord to abide with you.

These men realised that this Man had a different spirit. When Jesus sat with them and broke the bread they said, “Didn’t our heart burn within us?” They realised who Jesus was. If you are committing sin, where is Jesus? Brethren, we need to have a burning heart. You can be where God is working and yet not know it, because your heart does not burn.