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A Public Servant
Proverbs 22:1
This country has lost one of its most useful and dedicated citizens.
Early on Wednesday morning the soul of (name) left a worn, weakened, body and passed to heaven's joy
and into the bosom of God.
For him the door on earth's life has closed; the portals of eternity has opened wide.
Life's most important journey has now been completed.
Angel choirs were singing:
"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth...
that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them."
He was a tall man and he stood tall among his friends and neighbors -- the number of people here bears testimony to that.
His life has been interwoven in the life and development of our community.
Many could give testimony of his many achievements.
He had a jest for living which enabled him to have an optimistic spirit.
Jesus said, "Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." (Matthew 20: 27)
It was his joy and delight to serve others.
We cannot think of this man without thinking of his home.
- His family was the pride of his life.
- His family and he were close and loving and his epitaph would surely be, "He was a family man."
He leads to his family "a good name" which is "rather to be chosen than great riches." (Proverbs 22: 1).
Life was meaningful to (name).
He understood the meaning of life.
- He who was "come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10: 10) was
the source of his strength.
- His faith in God and His gift of grace in his son brought him assurance of eternal life, and the thought of death
brought no fear to him.
(Though he knew of his impending death for many weeks... there was no talk of it to burden his family...)
His 66 years brought him many responsibilities and he always approached them with dedicated stewardship.
Life, to be truly meaningful, must have a goal.
It can be said today of this man, as it is written in Numbers 21: 11, that he "journeyed... toward the sun rising."
The assurance is sweet that in his death all his suffering (and he did suffer) was laid aside and this child of God
has entered a place of joy and peace prepared for him.
"Oh noble soul, oh,
Faithful heart
Your day has come, not gone.
Your sun has just arisen, and not set.
Your life is now beyond the reach of death and toil, and pain and change."
Blessed is that man whose steps honor of the Lord, whose children honor him, whose neighbors believe in him,
whose friends respect him, and whose leaving will leave an aching void.
Memory is a gift of God and can be a very beautiful gift.
I would remind you of that which you already know.
You have precious memories to last another lifetime, and the Bible says, "the memory of the just is blessed."
(Proverbs 10: 7)
Memories furnish such clear pictures to the mind that words seem unnecessary.
(name) biography has been written so vividly that he did not and would not want an eulogy.
However, to eulogize his life would be to glorify Christ, for he has gained the promise of his home in heaven,
and is now in the presence of his Father.
His death is our loss and his gain.
In closing – just a few words to you his beloved and devoted family – you who were so near and dear to him.
God in His mercy permitted you to prepare yourselves for the departure of your loved one, and to help in easing his pain
and to be at his side until the last moment.
- You know that when the final summons came to him – he was ready.
- You also know that his soul has now entered into the heavenly rest that remaineth to the people of God.
Though sorrow fills your heart, it is mingled with joy in the full assurance that he is now with Christ,
which is far better than anything that we could ever imagine.
The Saviour's promise has been fulfilled in him: "And I give unto them eternal life..." (John 10: 27)
I believe his convictions and beliefs are expressed in these words:
"Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar
When I put out to sea.
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark.
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I could see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar."
With that assurance, and in the confident hope that all who die in Christ will meet again in heaven:
"We'll meet again – of that we may be certain,
In that bright home so wondrous and so fair,
Whose glories, veiled to us as by a curtain,
Through God's redeeming grace we are to share."
Now may the peace of God which passes all understanding abide in your hearts to give you comfort
and keep you in union with Jesus Christ – now and forever. Amen.
Sermon By Dr. Harold L. White
Email Dr. White at hleewhite@aol.com
