Eulogy for Elder Daniel O. Napper
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Goals:
Speak well of Elder Napper.
Speak words of comfort to the family.
Encourage commitment to Christ.
I. Speak well of Elder Daniel O. Napper.
He was the oldest member of the Bibleway Church.
He was faithful in his service to the church for many years.
He matriculated from being Brother Napper to Deacon Napper to Elder Napper. He served faithfully as Bishop’s armor bearer. He loved Bishop, he respected Bishop......which is somewhat unheard of in today’s time because he was Bishop’s senior.
Elder Napper made sure Bishop was taken care of, he would retrieve his bible for him, do things for him, made sure he’d have something to drink after preaching, and just made sure he was alright.
II. My experiences with Elder Napper.
Initially for me, my first encounters with Elder Napper was rough. There were times when the Victory Chorus would have rehearsal that I would forget my keys to the church. And I’d have to go to Elder Napper’s house to get him to come down to the church to open the doors. Elder Napper use to fuss at me, evidently he was busy doing something and would have to stop what he was doing to open the church for me.
Unfortunately for me it was a common occurrence and I would dread having going to knock on Elder Napper’s door. Initially I thought Elder Napper was mean........but the old saying......”NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER”.
Elder Napper is a good man......he is a sweet man. I had to change from past-tense to present tense because I don’t want to talk like he doesn’t exist anymore. His body is here, his life has gone out of his body.....but he is present with the LORD.
The greatest honor I received from Elder Napper is when he called me his pastor. He was so excited that he had the privilege to be under 3 pastors: Elder Robert K. Ingram, Bishop Joe H. Adkins, and now Elder Marc S. Adkins.
III. Comfort for the family.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
Situational clause “When my father and my mother forsake me.”
There is a part of you that suffers loss. They have left, the communication is servered. You no longer experience acts of love towards you from them.
You miss the wisdom that they impart to you.
When you lose a loved one, their love for you prompted them to protect you. Not just physical protection, but the protection or the insight they gave us in making right choices.
And I know Elder Napper, and I know for a fact that Elder Napper loved his family and he looked out for his family. And if you were out of line, he’d let you know that you were out of line. And if I know Elder Napper correctly before he passed he probably told his family members to stick with the LORD......and if you were out of church.....get back in the church.
But now he is resting in the LORD and the only thing left (seemingly) is the words of encouragement left behind that he encouraged you with.
David pens “When my father and my mother forsake me (when they leave me or even if they abandon me).......abandon me......suggests the idea that the individual does not want to see their parent go.
Hence comes the reality of death, because we’ve seen our loved ones operate in strength for many years. Elder Napper was a blessed man.....he lived 95 years. And in our minds, we feel like just certain people are suppose to live forever.
I don’t want to see them go because I depend on their love.
I don’t want to see them go because I depend on their wisdom.
I don’t want to see them go because I depend on their strength.
I don’t want to see them go because I love them so much, I don’t know how I’m going to live life without them......in this new reality, there is an emptiness there a void that death has left.
How do I adjust to this new reality. I was use to taking care of Dad, I was use to hearing his voice, hearing his laugh, hearing his wisdom. What do I do now......and I know that we are grown.....but even when we are grown we ask the question “who’s going to look out for me.” Because I knew that if anyone had my back.....Dad or Mom had my back.
And I had the confidence in knowing that if I found myself in trouble.....I could count on the prayers of my Dad or my Mom. But now they are no longer here to pray for me.
David answers the question in the same verse:
He says “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.”
And those are the words of encouragement that I want to give to this family today. That as you navigate through this season of life, as you navigate through mourning......when you have days in which it seems like you have very little strength, when your heart hurts, when the reality sets in, I want you to remember what David says here “The LORD will take me up”.
The verb here......what is the LORD going to do about my situation, I’m alone, I feel abandoned, I feel forsaken. The answer is “The LORD will take me up.”
HE’S GOING TO DO SOMETHING! I know this message is primarily for the family......but I need to encourage anyone who is here......you feel abandoned, you feel forsaken, maybe the people who you thought had your back betrayed you.......the word of the LORD says “GOD IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING!”
What is the LORD going to do?
He’s going to take you up!
Family encourage another family member and tell them “The LORD is getting ready to take you up!”
Now the devil he wants to try and bring you down......but when God gets involved “YOU’RE GOING UP!!!” AND IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW BAD IT MAY SEEM......DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOU FEEL RIGHT NOW.......GOD IS GOING TO TAKE YOU UP!!!”
To take up means in the Hebrew “Qal” He’s going to gather. He’s going to bring you in......He’s going to wrap his arms around you. He’s going to bring up the rear! He’s going to get you through this.
Encourage someone and tell them “The LORD is going to get me through this.” And when you don’t have the strength to walk......The LORD is going to pick you up and carry you!
But how can this happen? Here is the secret: Verse 4
David records:
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
David’s earnest desire, the one thing he asked the LORD for, the one thing he sought the most........that’s what we gotta do. Make this your priority.
IT IS TO LIVE IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, TO BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD, AND TO ENQUIRE IN HIS TEMPLE.
IN OTHER-WORDS DAVID SAYS, I WANT TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, I WANT TO DELIGHT IN THE LORD’S PERFECTIONS AND MEDITATE IN HIS TEMPLE!
And I’m sure that’s what Elder Napper wants of his family!
Because when you earnestly desire to remain in God’s presence, when you seek after the LORD and enquire in his temple:
THEN:
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.