A Generic Funeral

I. Introduction. Over the past few days I have heard many comments about ______. The comments reveal ______to be a rare type of person. Here are some of the attributes that other people and I have seen in ___.

He was a good man-kind-mannerly. Several have described has as dignified. And that he was. He stood tall. He as handsome. I think his silver hair always combed in place added to his dignity. He was always dressed extremely well. Just a few evenings ago, my wife and I were going somewhere in the late afternoon. We met ___ and ___. I told my wife that I suspect they had been out to eat. And then I commented to her---Look at his tie!

_____was a generous man. Continually he would give liberally to this congregation. In no small way, he helped with the construction of this building.

He was a wise man. Every time I talked to him I enjoyed listening to his deep understanding of people and of affairs related to people. At 4 O:clock on the day he died I went by the house to visit with ____ and ____. I am sure he thought that I was there for his benefit but the truth is it was more for mine. I always found strength in his wisdom.

_____ was a faithful man. His commitment to God was based on a deep knowledge of God's word. ____ and ____ have been involved in a daily Bible reading for years. In fact, we recently implemented a daily Bible reading program here for all members of the congregation. This was because of their influence. He was faithful in attendance. He involved in visitation. He tried his best to live daily as our Savior would have him to live and searched the Scriptures continually in an effort to improve his relationship with God.

Now I say all of this and in no way do I stretch the truth to make this one point.....When servants like this leave us it creates a tremendous vacuum in our lives. Our hearts break___our eyes fill with tears___and we wonder what we will do without him/her?

II. Examples

A. Dorcas. In Acts ch. 9 we read the story of a woman maned Dorcas. She lived in the city of Joppa. She to was a faithful disciple of the Lord. The scripture says that she became sick and died. They took her body and prepared it and placed it in an upper room. Then, some of the disciples learned that Peter was in a near by town called Lydda. They sent for him to come quickly. Peter went to the room where Dorcas laid. In that room, many widows stood crying and they began to show Peter the robes and other clothing items that Dorcas made. She apparently had been very kind and generous. She had helped so many of them in so many ways. Her death was a travesty to all.

B. Barnabas. The New Testament does not record the death of a man named Barnabas. Even though we do not have the record of this Christian's death we can only imagine what it was like for those left behind. Remember, Barnabas, like ____ was a generous man. It was Barnabas who took his land and sold it to make sure other members of the church needed nothing. He brought the money and laid it at the apostles feet for distribution to those in need. It was because of deeds like that that the apostles started calling him by the name "Barnabas." He was always encouraging people. He even encouraged Saul more than once. It is my view that Saul would not have been as important figure in the church as he was without the encouragement of Barnabas. He encouraged John Mark, the church at Antioch. Barnabas was a great man and he touched the lives of those around him. There can be no doubt that he was missed after his death.

_____ was like Barnabas to this congregation. Certainly he was to me. Many times ____took me aside and encouraged me with words about my lessons and activities. I will miss that. Mrs.___ I know he kept you and your children encouraged much of the time. All we need to do is look at this fine family and the success of his faithful sons and daughters.

III. The Bright Side

Although times seems bleak at the moment, brighter times are coming. If ever there was a man who was to live with the Lord it will be _____.

John Henry Newman wrote these words. " Fear not that your life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning." I know for a fact that ____ did not fear death. On the very day of his death, he told me in several words that he had his house in order. The nurse in the intensive care unit said he showed no signs of fear at all. Many in this world cannot understand that, but you and I can. ____did not fear that his life would come to an end because sometime back as a young man he started a new life in Christ Jesus. He recognized he was a sinner and that putting on Christ was the only responsible course to take. ____ was baptized into the Lord in day/month/year.

This man was an obedient Christian and a child of God. He as a Saint. Now, God has taken him home to a place of rest and peace. No more pain and suffering, just peace with Jesus ever more.

Shall we sing.