1963-1989
Funeral Service—March 24, 1989
Wollaston Church of the Nazarene
Opening Sentences:
I am the resurrection and the Life (says the Lord.) He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whoseoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die!"
Invocation:
Lord Jesus! Be with us here this morning to comfort, to guide our thoughts, to help us worship You for your love; to honor the memory of this good man.
Scripture Lesson: Psalms 46 and 27 Revelation 21: 1-7 Revelation 22:1-5
Eulogy:
Ten years ago this May Bob heard the diagnosis: "Cancer!" For ten years Bob fought his battle. And Bob was NOT defeated.
When asked if he had been given his choice eleven years ago to live his life as he did or not, he said he would still live the same life he had. He felt there were enough good times to outweigh all the bad.
He kept his sense of humor to the very last days. He made jokes out of almost every situation, no matter how serious. Even when he was miserable he made everyone smile.
Bobby was supportive. He was concerned about what he couldn't do (like shovelling the snow) and yet he didn't realize what he WAS doing to help others spiritually and emotionally.
One day he commented to his nurse (Marilyn) that he would never be a teacher. With wisdom she replied: "But you are a teacher already!"
He didn't realize all the things he taught those around him about strength, and about overcoming life's obstacles, about never giving up— and about LOVING!
Bobby had a way of drawing the best qualities out of people. They wanted to do their best for him.
He taught us all a valuable lesson:
No matter who you are and what adversities you face, you are alwasy able to GIVE and to LOVE. From these fields you reap great harvests.
Perhaps Bobby's biggest concern was how everyone else was going to handle his leaving us.
Our biggest gift to him now is to be thankful that he is at peace; and to seek to be as strong and courageous in our loss and sorrow as he was in his hour of trial.
May God bless his memory to us, and help us to live so that we can meet him again in the Presence of God.
Sermon:
Text: Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).
In the rough and rugged times of life I have found that often human words fall far short of what we would like them to say. But it is then that the Eternal Word of God speaks to us with power and healing if we will but listen.
These words from Jesus Christ come across nearly twenty centuries. They seem like ancient, dusty history to many who look at them with curiosity, from a distance. But if we will listen, Jesus Christ speaks them to each one of us:
It is God's latest word to us: It is the last word in the Bible ("And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him that heareth say, 'Come!' And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely"(Revelation 22:17).
It is the invitation to us all, and to each of us, individually: "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden."
God says "Come!" because God loves us very much. The Golden Text of the Bible tells of God's love. St. Augustine said that we were made for God and will be restless until we find our rest in Him. In the quiet times, in the good times, and especially when our hearts are aching, God says: "Come!"
[When a grandchild hurts himself or herself, my reaction is: "Come here!" I want to pick them up and comfort them! God's word is COME!]
Jesus told His disciples (in John 14) that He was going to prepare a place for them, and that they KNEW the way. But Thomas said: "Lord, we don't know where You are going. And how CAN we know the way?"
Jesus said: I AM THE WAY! You can come to God, and to God's LIFE and to God's comfort and to God's peace ONLY THROUGH ME!
How is this? The WAY is a Person?
Because Jesus is not an ancient teacher/guru. Jesus is alive today! He is living God! By His Spirit He is still coming into our lives to lead us to God. Thousands have found Him. Bobby was discovering the Way! You and I can, too!
God's word is always "present tense." Come— just NOW! Whenever you hear God speak, you can just then respond! The way we respond is not by WHAT we know—but rather by WHO we know— WHO we SEEK to know. The Bible pictures Jesus as standing OUTSIDE the door of the human heart, saying these words:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If ANY PERSON HEARS MY VOICE and will OPEN THE DOOR, I will come in and fellowship with him, and they with Me!"
When Jesus comes in He brings peace and forgiveness and life itself.
Here is a poem Bob did NOT write, but when I read it I thought he might have. Sherri and the family thought it might express how it is when we die in the faith:
When I'm gone remember me, I'm with Jesus. Then do not mourn because I've passed away. Life holds so many griefs and disappointments, And will you cry because I didn't stay?
'Tis for a spell we must part; Not many years on earth to us is given, And when my Savior tells me you are coming I'll go with Him to welcome you to heaven.
Grieve not because the eyes that looked upon you Shall never see your face again on earth. Rejoice because they look upon the Savior, Who gave His life to ransom sinful men;
Weep not because I walk no longer with you, Remember I'm walking streets of gold. Weep for yourselves, that you must tarry Before the blessed Lord you may behold.
Prayer:
Thank You, God, for Your word: COME! Thank You for the WAY to come to You: Your Son, Jesus Christ!
Prayer and Benediction:
The Lord's Prayer