Keith Armstrong Funeral

Introduction

I’ve been the pastor of this church for the last 5 years.

During that time many of our older members have introduced me to different members of their family.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, this is so-and-so, they used to be members of this church.

So, I can’t tell you when I first met Keith Armstrong.

But, between 1.5 - 2 years ago, Keith started coming back to church at the Baptist Tabernacle.

At first it was occasional.

Then, it became more and more regular.

Eventually, Keith was coming to CBT as much as anyone else.

Everyone at the Baptist Tabernacle loved being around Keith.

He was always ready with a smile and a warm hand shake.

It didn’t matter who you were Keith was always genuinely glad to see you.

You could find him in the foyer visiting with the other men.

You could find him sitting with the older folks eating and talking about different things.

It didn’t take long for the people of our church to be reminded of what his family knew all along.

Keith Armstrong was a kind-hearted, people person.

Keith grew up here at CBT.

His family has been an integral part of our church’s history for decades.

Keith was active in youth group.

Growing up he loved sports, especially wrestling.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

A few months ago, Keith and several other men for our church went to a men’s conference in Stillwater.

That night after the services were over, we made our way to the house we had rented for the evening and several of the men gathered in the living room to visit.

Most of these guys were younger parents, I believe Keith was the oldest one in the room.

Keith was very open and transparent as he talked to us that evening.

He talked about how much he loved his family.

He talked about how proud he was of his daughter.

He also talked about some of the regrets that he had.

Keith, like so many others, drifted from the Lord for a time.

Keith had a heart for helping others.

He loved to coach.

Though he never preached a sermon, as far as I know, his testimony that night was a message to those other men.

Keith had battled addictions and won the victory.

Keith told us about the pain of having to say goodbye to his son, Austin, and how he wished there would have been more time.

If you talked to Keith, you would never know this optimistic and generous man had gone through such trials.

Though we have prayed for Keith in our services, I bet most didn’t know about the physical struggles Keith faced.

As his kidneys gave out on him, Keith refused to give up on life.

He stayed active and engaged with his family.

He did everything he could to make the most out of every day God gave him.

Just last week he drove down for cousin camp with his family.

The Sunday before that, Keith was serving on our safety team, keeping the church safe as we worshipped.

He maintained his full-time job at American Airlines.

As Keith’s body got weaker, his spirit was getting stronger.

If you came early for church, like Keith did, you would usually find him in his pew .

As he waited for me people to get to church, Keith would sit with his Bible open reading.

I could see him listening intently when I was preaching, as he sat there by his long-time friends.

He said to his sister just last week, “don’t let your knees get lazy.”

In other words, don’t get lax in your prayer life.

Keep praying, and I know he was praying for others too.

I believe that Keith’s life is a testimony to God’s grace.

2 Corinthians 12:9 “9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

God’s grace is available to all of us.

Grace is the undeserved favor of God.

We look at Keith’s life and see God’s grace at work.

The greatest expression of God’s grace was when Jesus died on the cross in our place.

He paid the price of for our sins.

If we will accept this forgiveness by faith, we too can receive God’s grace in our lives.

Keith believed in Jesus.

Austin, his son believed as a child as well.

Because of Jesus, they are together today in heaven.

They are both healed.

They are both perfect.

If you will believe and confess your sins to Jesus today, then one day you too can be with them again.

Keith’s story is not over on this earth though.

His testimony and legacy now belongs to his family.

I challenge you to keep his memory alive by speaking of him often.

Keep the spirit with which he lived alive by following his example in showing kindness to others and determination no matter the trials that come.