Raymond Beaty Funeral

Obituary

Raymond E. Beaty, 63 of North Little Rock, passed away March 6, 2023.

He was born September 5, 1959, in Las Vegas, Nevada, to the late Waylan and Elma Lee Beaty. He was preceded in death by his parents, and grandparents Elmer and Clara Meritt.

Raymond was a lifelong member of Baring Cross Baptist Church and was involved in many church activities. He also loved watching his nephews play sports.

He worked for the John L. McCLellan Memorial Veterans' Hospital in Little Rock for over 40 years.

He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Nancy L. and Don Bryan; two nephews, Jacob Bryan and Ian Bryan and his wife Lauren; great-nephew, Bentley Bryan; and his aunt, Rosemary Meritt.

Message

As I walked through this week, the Lord drew me to a passage in 2 Corinthians and I could not get away from it. In the passage, Paul shares some hard truths (or realities) of this world. I think these realities share a testimony of Raymond’s life as well as our own. May you find comfort in these words today found in 2 Corinthians 4:7-18.

Reality 1 — We are a treasure

2 Corinthians 4:7–18 (ESV)

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

God has created each of us the way that He intended. Scripture tells us that we are created unique in the hand of God. Raymond was formed unique in the eyes of God, a treasure in the Masters hand. Did you know that you are too?

Our reality, if we are honest with ourselves, is that we are earthen vessels. Each vessel looks different and functions different. What should matter is not the things that we cannot control, but what we can. So, what kind of vessel are you? Are you clean, open, and available for God to work in you?

2 Timothy 2:21 ESV

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

Reality 2 — Brokenness affects everyone

At times, our vessels experience the brokenness of the world. Our vessels become weak or broken. Raymond surely felt this reality, and I am sure that you do too.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

These things happen so that the glory of God in us can be experienced by those around us. When we handle our brokenness well, with integrity and humility, we do not reveal the weakness of man but the power of God.

How do you handle your brokenness?

Reality 3 — A future hope is available

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Our true reality, is that the affliction we face in the world will pale in comparison to our future hope found in Jesus Christ. While spiritual renewal in this broken world is tedious and filled difficulty, a day will come when it will become complete and eternal. What is to come cannot even compare to the good things that we experience in this world.

Raymond has experienced this transition. He has found complete renewal. Not just spiritual renewal through faith in Christ, but not physical renewed because of his faith in Christ. Do you have hope for the future in Christ?

Respond

Are you clean, open, and available for God to work in you?

How are you handling the brokenness in your own life?

Is you hope secure?

Closing Prayer

Committal

Death is one of the ugly realities of life, a reality which we must all face. It separates the spirit from the body, a brother from his family, and a friend from friends. We are torn by the loss of the person we love. Our gathering here is to honor the memory of our loved one. It is also to find comfort and affirm the hope of the Gospel. It is natural to have a reaction. From shock to grief…Whatever your reaction today, know that our Lord understands. The words in Isaiah 41 affirms us that “the Lord takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear I will help you.” Allow Him to provide comfort for you during this time.

Trust in the promise of God that Paul reminds us of in 2 Corinthians 4 — “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

This eternal glory, the hope of heaven, is found through belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Raymond had that hope, and on March 6, that hope was fulfilled. In light of this promise God has given us in His Word and in as much as it has pleased the Lord in His sovereign wisdom and purpose to take him from our midst, whom we have loved, we now commit his body to its final resting place to await the fulfillment of another promise of Scripture. That day soon when we will be reunited with Jesus and Raymond in glory.

In our grief, let us remember the words of Jesus from the gospel of John…

John 14:1–7 ESV

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the glorious hope and for the great consolation concerning those who sleep in Jesus as believers in Christ. May we remember that Jesus has prepared a place for those who have placed their faith in Him, and that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Now for those assembled today, May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.