Funeral Services for Church Members

Funeral Message for Billy S.

September 7, 2004

First Apostolic Church

(Billy S., 25, had Muscular Dystrophy. He lived five to seven years longer than most MD victims. He spent most of his life in a wheel chair. Baptized as a child, Billy received the Holy Ghost several years before he died.)

2 Cor 5:1-10

5:1 For we know that when this tent we live in now is taken down; when we die and leave these bodies, we will have wonderful new bodies in heaven, homes that will be ours forevermore, made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 How weary we grow of our present bodies. That is why we look forward eagerly to the day when we shall have heavenly bodies that we shall put on like new clothes. 3 For we shall not be merely spirits without bodies. 4 These earthly bodies make us groan and sigh, but we wouldn't like to think of dying and having no bodies at all. We want to slip into our new bodies so that these dying bodies will, as it were, be swallowed up by everlasting life. 5 This is what God has prepared for us, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

6 Now we look forward with confidence to our heavenly bodies, realizing that every moment we spend in these earthly bodies is time spent away from our eternal home in heaven with Jesus. 7 We know these things are true by believing, not by seeing. 8 And we are not afraid but are quite content to die, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So our aim is to please him always in everything we do, whether we are here in this body or away from this body and with him in heaven. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged and have our lives laid bare-before him. Each of us will receive whatever he deserves for the good or bad things he has done in his earthly body. TLB

Five years ago while I was up on a scaffold working on the Family Life Center, I got a call to come to the hospital quickly. They had taken Billy S. there because he was fighting for his life. I remember a team of nurses and doctors pushing Billy down the hall on a gurney, manually venting his lungs. He was turning blue around his lips and I could see panic in his eyes. At that time, he was twenty years old, a relatively long survivor of Duchene’s, more commonly known as muscular dystrophy. I wrapped my arms around Doug and Kathy as they broke down in tears. Was this the end? No, God had five more years to give Billy in this life.

There were several close calls in the intervening years, but each time Billy fought back and kept going. His amazing resiliency of spirit, his insatiable desire for his hobbies and interests, and his determination to overcome the condition that dogged him every moment of his life proved to be not only enough inspiration for himself, but for those around him as well. Billy never complained about his lot in life. He never permitted his limitations to dictate how his attitude would show itself.

Billy lived on two levels. He was very much aware of the machines, tubes, needles and medicines that he depended on for his life. But he never obsessed on them. They were just necessary evils to him. After all those things were taken care of, he focused his attention on another level, a wealth of collections, emblems, games, hobbies, activities and people. He lived vicariously through the exploits and adventures of people in the big world, and enjoyed those experiences as much as those who actually did them. From his special room that Doug remodeled from the front porch of their modest home on Jackman Road, Bill had a virtual window on the world, and he sat at the controls.

Billy had a surprising sense of humor. One of my favorite stories about him took place back in grade school at ACA. The teacher assigned the students to name their favorite food and give the recipe for how it was made. While she read all the papers about cakes, pies and mashed potatoes and gravy and the steps to prepare them, she came across Billy’s paper. It said, “Jello…read the directions on the side of the box.” Someone said that they talked to Billy today. He said it was the Braves in five. Billy would have enjoyed that kind of humor.

Billy also liked girls, although he only talked about this with his mother. When his sisters were searching through his CDs for some background music to play at the funeral parlor, they came across an album by a young, female artist. Knowing that he didn’t like her particular style, they asked why he had this CD in his collection. Someone knew. “Oh, he didn’t play it. He just bought it because he liked the picture of the pretty girl on the cover.”

We could continue to talk about Billy. He had such wide and varied interests. I think his dad captured the essence of Billy’s life and personality in his letter. But, we cannot satisfy our quest here this afternoon in this service unless we step back and reflect on the purposes, the whys and wherefores of Billy S. This has been a source of untold agony for Kathy and Doug over the years. How could this be? How could this seeming contradiction of God’s love and perfection even exist? It this divine punishment or disfavor? Is it an attack of Satan himself? Do we attribute it to a woeful lack of faith on our part? Is it just meant to be? Sometimes the questions were obscured behind the day-to-day realities of caring for Billy. At other times they bore down with hurricane strength.

All of us see through a glass darkly, but the Apostle Paul’s experience gently moves us toward the answer: He writes in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

This thought began to form in my mind as I stood beside Billy’s hospital bed in January when we knew that the end was near. I decided to preach his funeral sermon to him then, although I didn’t tell him what I was doing. I told him that he must not think that his life was wasted or in vain. He had a powerful, positive effect on everyone who knew him because he brought out the best in them. God used him to develop grace, love and compassion in his family and friends. The greatest tragedy of this entire episode would be for us to fail to recognize God’s hand in creating divine attributes in creatures clay. As surely as Moses picked up a rod and caused the sea to roll back, as surely as David picked up a sling and felled the giant, so also God picked up Billy S. and brought forth marvelous graces and heroic deeds from ordinary human beings like us.

Billy taught us patience through the laborious task of caring for him.  Billy taught us peace through his calm reaction to daily challenges.  Billy taught us thankfulness because he showed such gratitude for his care.  Billy taught us happiness through his refusal to complain.  Billy taught us appreciation for so much because he had such appreciation for his limited opportunities.  We cannot measure Billy’s life by what he did, but by what he caused others to do.

You see, in a larger context, Billy’s life was a sermon. He illustrated the very heart of God at the dawn of creation when our human parents fell into sin. Instead of destroying their souls in an act of divine retribution, he devised a means to redeem lost mankind back to a state where they could have a relationship with him. That means took form on a cruel instrument of execution. Calvary was not born out of the murderous hearts of Christ’s tormentors, but out of the flaming sword that prohibited the entrance into Eden by sinners. We are not saved by a stunning display of God’s power, but by his incredible willingness to show us his weakness.

Philippians 2:5-8

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 

Never think that you would have designed a better life for William T. S.. I dare say that not one person in the family of Doug and Kathy S. will have more impact upon their lives than did Billy, stricken with muscular dystrophy, but blessed with and ebullient spirit and a triumphant life. Billy was so much bigger than a wheelchair. He roamed a far greater world than an 8x10 remodeled room. He wrestled much more powerful opponents than Bobby Quance or B Boy---and body slammed them! He was a star player on a team far superior to the Braves, and even his beloved Michigan Wolverines weren’t good enough for him. His winning streak lasted for twenty-five years. Billy taught us how to win.

Billy’s teaching career ended last Friday at about 4:00 pm. He taught his last lesson, cleared his desk and began his long awaited summer vacation. This is where the text I read at the beginning comes alive. No more virtual reality; no more plastic models; no more figures on a screen moving around and enjoying unlimited freedom. Today, Billy has the glorified body that surpasses all of ours. The physiological make-up of his new body is still under wraps, but we have wonderful assurances of its nature. Philippians 3:20-21 says, “But our homeland is in heaven, where our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is; and we are looking forward to his return from there. 21 When he comes back, he will take these dying bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer all else everywhere.” TLB. Can Billy walk today? Only if he wants to. More likely, he is running. Hey, he may even be flying.

Why can we speak with such confidence about the unknowable future? Because the scriptures illuminate the pathway that leads to an eternity with God. Billy repented of his sins; as a little boy, he was baptized in the sin-remitting name of Jesus Christ; and a few short years ago, he received the gift of the Holy Ghost right over there in this sanctuary. The exciting fact about the indwelling Spirit of God is that it is the earnest of our inheritance; it is God’s security payment to guarantee that he will resurrect us and take us home to live with him forever.

The last word we heard from Billy was, “Braves”, which was the inscription on the front of his jersey that he wears today. What an appropriate word, a word that ironically applies best not to a baseball team, but to Billy S. himself. I would like to speak a few more words on Billy’s behalf that I think he would have wanted:

Thanks, Gary. No one knows how much your friendship meant to Bill.  Thanks, to the team of doctors and nurses who constantly worked to make life more comfortable and prolonged the ability for Billy to stay with us.  Thanks Rachael, Marie and Jennifer. No one ever had sisters that loved him more.  Thanks, Dad. You were Billy’s best Bud. You grew stronger as he grew weaker.  And, thanks Mom. You dedicated your life to love and care for Billy. When he suffered, you suffered. When he laughed, so did you. You have no reason for regrets today.

And to all of you, Billy loved you.

Friday afternoon, I stood at Billy’s bedside and reminded him not to be afraid. I told him he was about to cross a river, a river bigger than the Maumee or the Ohio. His brow seemed furrowed so I gently rubbed my thumb across his eyebrows and told him not to frown. A hint of that same infectious smile appeared, and you could almost envy the peace that enveloped his countenance. I can tell you that there was no fearful spirit disrupting the spiritual tranquility that filled the room. Billy finally let go of his hold on this life because he now had a hold on a much better life. As Paul said, “We are not afraid but are quite content to die, for then we will be at home with the Lord.” This hope takes us through this life and bridges that river into the next.

I have hope, when trouble comes my way

I have hope, since Jesus has come to stay

I have hope, oh yes, when things are not well with me

I have hope, it's a beautiful hope that sets me free

Verse:

Now, when in distress, He said, "Come unto me."

If you're oppressed, I know, He'll give you liberty

Times may find, times may find you, at the end of your line

Just keep the faith, don't you ever doubt, the Lord'll be on time

Chorus:

Verse:

The darkest night is just before the dawn

But, the hardest fight, that I know, is just to keep holding on

When you get weary, when you get weary, and each hill seems hard for you to climb

Just keep looking up, don't ever doubt, the Lord'll be on time

1 Cor 15:48-57

48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.  49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.  50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Memorial Service for Chuck C.

March 2, 2002

(Chuck C., 70, retired Air Force officer, died of lung cancer. He was baptized many years prior, but he received the Holy Ghost on his death bed.)

• Scriptures
• Obituary
• Prayer
• Reading
• Video
• Remarks
• Message
• Prayer

Chuck C.

Chuck C. was a man of few words, but he always had a smile and a pleasant word for anyone he met. He had a favorite chair he sat in out in the church vestibule and he always greeted people as they went by. In the last few months, he more often came into the services and sat with his wife. He also would come up for prayer, and whenever I visited him, he always wanted me to pray for him. I know he appreciated every effort anyone made to see him or help him in any way.

He was kind. He was generous. He liked to work with his hands.   He was patriotic. He never talked about people.  He never wanted to be a burden on anyone.  He was a good husband and a good father. He loved his family.

Chuck never talked very much about the Lord with me, but he had great respect for the things of God. He never accosted me with a complaint or even tried to offer me a suggestion about anything around the church. If he had any opinions, he kept them to himself. I would have liked for him to get involved more in worship and the Word of God, but I am convinced that he had some reasons for not doing so that he didn’t want to discuss. It is possible that some things happened to him while he was in military action or service that he never felt comfortable talking about. I do know that towards the end, Chuck began to pray and worship at home, and just before he left this world, he seemed to be lost in worship. It is likely that he received the Holy Ghost just before he died. He had been baptized in Jesus’ name many years ago.

Although Chuck had been battling cancer for nearly five years, he only truly understood that it was a terminal condition less than two weeks before he died. He no doubt had an idea that he was losing the battle, but he didn’t get a confirmation from the doctors until the first of February. Even at that, he didn’t allow it to change his attitude. He seemed to face death with the same matter-of-fact approach with which he faced living. I think that is amazing in itself. For death to be sudden and unanticipated is one thing; to know that it is coming in the next few days or weeks is another.

There are three main concerns that a person faces at the point where they cross over into the next life.

First, do I have any regrets for things I did that I shouldn’t have, or that I didn’t that I should have? That involves one’s own personal life.

Second, did I take care of all my obligations and responsibilities given to me in life? That involves your family and friends.

And last, am I ready to meet God? That involves the condition of one’s own soul. While we are here to share a memorial service for Chuck C., he is not the one who stands to gain from this service. We are, but only if we honestly and sincerely think about these issues.

First, any regrets? In a parable Jesus told, a man who had been blessed with the abundance of life did not entertain any thoughts of God, but only of himself. He decided to pull his barns down and build bigger ones to store his crops for himself and provide for his own future. God spoke to him that very night and said, “Thou fool, this night thy soul is required of thee.” Contrast this with the words of the Apostle Paul. “I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” The time to make sure there will be no regrets is while you have the strength and the time to do something about it.

Second, what about your obligations and responsibilities? One time, Jesus was asked about the commandments. He said that the first great commandment was the love the Lord with all your heart, and that the second was like it, which was to love your neighbor as yourself. The world we live in is increasingly more selfish and self-centered than ever before. When we reach the end of our earthly existence, we need to be surrounded by people who love us---and by people we love. Doing the right things, accepting our responsibilities and taking care of the duties God has assigned to us in life---just like Chuck did---is supremely important.

Last, am I ready to meet God? Anyone who successfully finishes this course of life must answer this question. The bible teaches us about the soul of man that shall live forever. God judges the eternal destiny of the soul, but each of us decides what that judgment will be. The power lies within our hands. The Apostle Peter preached a powerful and convicting message on the Jewish feast Day of Pentecost, in the second chapter of Acts. The people who heard him were so moved that they asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Let me move it from the plural to the singular. “What shall I do?” His answer was clear. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” To be prepared to meet God is to meet the Bible standards for full salvation. It is to embrace the eternal nature of the soul. It is to understand that life extends beyond happiness and contentment on this earth, but that it is waiting chamber for the greater life on the other side.

Today, we remember Chuck C., and we bid him farewell. He has now gone the way all of us will go at our appointed time. Make sure you have no regrets. Make sure you take care of the people in your life. And, make sure that your ultimate encounter with God will be in peace.

Let’s pray.

Funeral Message for Dorsey C., Sr.

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

(Dorsey C., 55, died of an apparent brain aneurism. He was a faithful servant of God for many years.)

I consider it a great honor to conduct this service today for Dorsey C. He was the kind of man that every pastor deeply appreciates. When I heard of his unexpected passing, the twinge of pain I felt in my heart was for his wife and family, for our church and for me…it was not because I was uncertain of his eternal reward. Although he was a man of few words, his character and life spoke a far better sermon than the greatest preacher among us could preach.

To lose Dorsey so unexpectedly and at such an untimely point in his life presents the greatest challenge to us, and especially to his family. All of us could wish for answers to this devastating blow…and I believe that the answers will come in time…but let us not be so overtaken with grief and sorrow that we fail to see what God may be doing in the larger picture of life. - Kathleen Norris , in Hands Full of Living says, "None of us knows what the next change is going to be, what unexpected opportunity is just around the corner, waiting a few months or a few years to change all the tenor of our lives."

There is peace in the midst of the storm. And the surest source of peace is keeping our focus securely in the hands of the Giver and Sustainer and Determiner of our lives.

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!  34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?  35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?  36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Rom 11:33-12:1

Dorsey C. was not a pretentious man. He was plain-spoken, hard-working, truth-telling, honest-living and God-fearing. Lying before us here this morning, dressed in workclothes and showing a serene smile on his face is a huge message for us all. The way he chose to live was not just hereditary. It was not because he was afraid to be the biggest, baddest, meanest and sickest character in the county. No. There is a major reason why he lived the way he did…because he saw this day coming. He knew there was an eternity attached to the decisions and actions of this life. He may not have said it all this way, but let me put it into words for you.

He was a faithful man.

“Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?”  Proverbs 20:6.

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” 1 Cor 4:2

Faithful means that he was consistent, unwavering. Faithful means that he served God in good times and bad. He came to church whether it rained or snowed. He paid his tithes regardless of how much money he had left over at the end of the week. Faithful means that you could count on him standing at his post of duty as an usher if he was sick or well. Faithful means that he permitted nothing to hinder him from doing God’s will.

Is it important to be faithful? Absolutely! “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Rev 2:10.

He was a responsible man.

We live in an age where many people refuse to take responsibility for their actions or for their families. Much of the heartache and heartbreak that we deal with stems from the carelessness and irresponsibility that clutters the social landscape around us. Dorsey C. shouldered his burdens and responsibilities with a seriousness and determination that made us admire him greatly. A few years ago when he lost his job, he could have thrown up his hands and given up. Not this man. He did whatever he could do until he finally worked his way back into a job situation that he could support his family and pay his bills. Never one time did he come to me with bitter complaints or anger. He just took care of his responsibilities.

In the story of the Good Samaritan, we read: “And [he] went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” Luke 10:34. I wonder if God peeked ahead in time and patterned his story after Dorsey?

Is there an eternal reward attached to our responsible behavior in this life? Yes.

6 [God] will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:  Rom 2:6-7

Finally, Dorsey loved God and loved to come to church. Sue told me several times since last Friday that God and church was his life. From the day he repented of his sins, was baptized in the name above every name…the name of Jesus…and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, Dorsey knew what he wanted to do and what he had to do. I am convinced that he chose this kind of life because he knew what lay beyond February 26, 2005.

5:1 For we know that when this tent we live in now is taken down-when we die and leave these bodies-we will have wonderful new bodies in heaven, homes that will be ours forevermore, made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 How weary we grow of our present bodies. That is why we look forward eagerly to the day when we shall have heavenly bodies that we shall put on like new clothes. 3 For we shall not be merely spirits without bodies. 4 These earthly bodies make us groan and sigh, but we wouldn't like to think of dying and having no bodies at all. We want to slip into our new bodies so that these dying bodies will, as it were, be swallowed up by everlasting life. 5 This is what God has prepared for us, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

6 Now we look forward with confidence to our heavenly bodies, realizing that every moment we spend in these earthly bodies is time spent away from our eternal home in heaven with Jesus. 7 We know these things are true by believing, not by seeing. 8 And we are not afraid but are quite content to die, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So our aim is to please him always in everything we do, whether we are here in this body or away from this body and with him in heaven. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged and have our lives laid bare-before him. Each of us will receive whatever he deserves for the good or bad things he has done in his earthly body.  2 Cor 5:1-10  TLB

I know I am speaking today to a varied audience. There are those today who have embraced the same faith that Dorsey C. lived by. But there are others who find themselves still searching, still wondering, still looking for the way you want to live your lives. Let this man’s life speak to you today. He was a tower of strength…a tried and true example of Christianity…a man of sterling character and undaunted faith. He got that way because he had his hand in the hand of the man who walked the waters!

Resurrection morning is coming. Jesus said he was the resurrection and the life. That was Dorsey’s life-sustaining hope. You need to make it yours as well.

Let us pray.

Funeral Message for Fernando A.

August 26, 2004

(Fernando A., early sixties, died of stomach cancer. He was saved later in life and was a deacon in the church.)

Like a Tree

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.  5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1 (KJV)

1 Blessed was Fernando A. who walked not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of the scornful.  2 But his delight was in the law of the LORD; and in his law did he meditate day and night.  3 And he was like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brought forth his fruit in his season; his leaf did not wither; and whatever he did prospered.  4 He was not like the chaff which the wind drives away.  5 Therefore, Fernando A. shall remain standing when the judgment is over, and he will be included in the congregation of the righteous.  6 For the LORD knew the way of Fernando A., a righteous man: and the way he took is the road to eternity. Psalm 1 (JMJV)

Fernando A. was a unique man. He came north with a family of migrant workers, like tens of thousands of others, and learned to work hard as a small boy. From those humble beginnings, he established himself in the community of Delta, became a family man, a home-owner and, later on, a businessman in lawn service. He overcame many obstacles that faced him---a new language, a new culture, adverse feelings toward his ethnicity, limited opportunities for education---and quietly succeeded in his quest. If you asked him how he made it, he would have said, “Jesus, and Virginia.”

I didn’t get acquainted with Fernando (we called him Brother A.) until about eleven years ago when he started attending First Apostolic Church in Toledo. His smile and his humble personality immediately won all our hearts. He served as an usher, a member of the Advisory Board, and was always busy doing something around the church. He and Virginia came every month to polish the brass in the sanctuary. He got involved in many projects around the church, especially when we built our Family Life Center several years ago. The display you see here of his work clothes and other articles were not just for show. That was his life. He knew how to work hard, and he did.

I looked up the word “A.” in a Spanish dictionary in preparation for this service. I had a feeling that it might mean something special. My premonition was right. The word A. means a shelter or a covering, like an overcoat. Fernando A. assumed the responsibilities of taking care of his family and many others as well, of providing a shelter to protect them from the harshness and troubles of life. When he said, “I’ll take care of it,” he meant exactly what he said. His word was like a written guarantee.

Fernando was an honest, straight-forward man. All of you who knew him can attest to this character trait. When he earnestly began to find out about the matters of the soul, he came to the conclusion that obedience to the Bible was the most important thing he could do. I know that he would want me to tell you how he found salvation and how he came to love Jesus. When he saw that the scriptures taught about repentance from sin, he did it. When he saw that the Bible taught baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins, he did that. When he saw that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was the scriptural example for him to follow, he received that gift too. Because of his humble nature, he may not tell you that he accepted these Bible truths in a beautiful and pure way. He was a seeker of truth---not status, not acclaim, not to impress others---and so he very simply and honestly obeyed the clear instructions of the Holy Writ.

We at the First Apostolic Church knew Brother A. as a worshipper. Perhaps those unfamiliar with Pentecostal worship may not understand this, but this man’s worship was wholehearted and inspiring to others. He would leap for joy, clap his hands, and praise the Lord, regardless of how he felt or what others thought. He was a delight to see. When service was over, he would make a point to talk to visitors and give them spiritual encouragement and instructions.

Turning to the text I read at the beginning of this message, I could not help but see Brother A. in every aspect of this Psalm.

Psalms 1

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

This man considered carefully where he walked, where he stood and where he sat. He chose not to do anything or form any relationship that would jeopardize his relationship with God.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Few Christians enjoy their salvation like Brother A.. Joy and delight was written all over his face, whether he was in church or on the street. He made sure that his mind was focused on Jesus all the time. The little sign placed beside him in the casket was actually in his shop. He kept a Christian radio station on all the time. Why? Because his delight was in the law of the Lord. That was his source of strength.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Fernando knew about trees. He made his living working with plants, and grass and trees. He knew how they grew, what was good for them, what was bad for them and how to make them healthy.

The description given by the Psalmist of this kind of man, the man who shuns ungodliness, rebellion and hatred, the man who makes the substance of his day the word of God, the man that Fernando A. was, has found the secret. Where would you plant a tree to have the best chance of growing strong and healthy? You would find a place near the rivers of water where an abundant supply of strength and nourishment was available.

That’s the story of the man we come to honor today. He stayed close to his source. The result was that he produced good fruit. The things he did were right and did not wither away. He didn’t waste his life on things that didn’t count. He wasn’t out just for himself. Whatever he put his hand to prospered.

4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.  5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

What does the judgment hold for Fernando A.? God is the judge of us all, but he has given us a clear picture of the future for those who obey and serve him.

“Now we know that if the dwelling earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

“ Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. “ NIV

“I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 NIV

Stand firm. Stand strong. Like a tree, planted by the rivers of water. Whenever you drive by a tall, strong tree, think of this Psalm…and think of Fernando A.. He was like a tree.

This body you see lie in state before you today only housed the soul of the man. The soul now rests in the arms of God.

One of these days, a wonderful family reunion will take place over on the other side. Everyone who wants a hope of taking part in that reunion can follow the honest, straight-forward path that this husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend walked himself.

What is it going to be like over there where he is today?

22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5 KJV