In Loving Memory of Adam Owens

Message given by Mark Tatty Gordon at the graveside of Adam Owens on Friday 17th April.

(Permission kindly granted by Adam's Mother Adele)

We are here to bid a Final Farewell to Adam James Owens who died on Monday 13^th April 2015 Age: 17yrs

We offer our deepest sympathy to Adam's Mother: Adele, Brothers: Mark & Gary, Father: Carl & Dawn and Sisters: Shadday & Nicole

We also remember the wider family circle & friends

The family have asked me to thank everyone who has offered sympathy and shown support at this time. Also thanks to all who have helped with and provided the refreshments afterward in the old Ebenezer Hall in Church Street.

I want also to thank the group of young people who over recent days did so much excellent work at Adele's home. Adam would be so proud of you.

Prayer: Reverend David Cooper will offer prayer at this point.

Context: Jesus had been crucified and his body laid in the tomb.

Reading: Luke 24v1-8

Why Do You Seek the Living Among the Dead?  In other words, ‘Why are you looking for life in dead places?’

Most people in this world today do just that, they look for life in dead places.

The drug culture is one of the dead places where people go looking for life. It offers pleasures, excitement, highs and great times – but never gives life!

The drug culture is a culture of misery, sadness, heartache, pain and death. It enslaves, it robs, it kills and it destroys individuals and families. Yet many believe its lies and get trapped in its web of deceit.

People think they will find life in the drug scene – but it is a dead place. It often leaves the worst of its victims lying in the gutter or the grave.

Adam Owens was only 17yrs old and is a victim of the drug culture.

It offered him pleasures, excitement and great times – but never gave him life! In the end it did it worst and killed Adam.

There is no life in the drug culture. It’s a dead place!

You can’t find life in dead places.

Adam’s family are also victims: suffering heartache, sadness and pain by his death. They now face the awful prospect of never again hearing his voice or seeing him. May God have mercy upon you and strengthen you for the days that lie ahead.

Why Do You Seek the Living Among the Dead? ‘Why are you looking for life in dead places?’

The only place where anyone can truly find life, can take a hold of the life that really is life, is in Jesus the Lord of Life.

It is Jesus and Jesus alone who gives abundant, everlasting life.

Anywhere else, no matter what pleasures it offers is a dead place.

I had the privilege of knowing Adam and enjoyed his company very recently. We travelled together on visits and a couple of journeys.

I spoke with him about Jesus and he listened intently. Well he gave the impression he listened but knowing Adam he probably wanted me to shut up but was too polite to say so.

Today it’s my hope that Adam took on board what I said about Jesus and that he is at peace.

Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life, whoever believes in me (including Adam Owens) even though they die, yet shall they live.

If you truly want life; trust in Jesus! Stop looking for life in dead places!!

As we bid farewell to Adam this afternoon, so we say goodbye to a:

• Loving Son

• A dear brother

• A much loved Grandson

• A Nephew & Cousin

• and a Friend

Adam will be greatly missed by so many.

As we commit the physical remains of our dearly departed loved one unto the Judge of all the earth, who will do what is right by him: ‘Earth to earth, ashes to ashes and dust to dust,’ so we commit Adam’s eternal soul into the hands of Almighty God, trusting he will keep him in his love.

Prayer