Randall Branch Funeral Service

Randall Branch Service

Philippians 1:21

I find word studies to be an interesting endeavor at times. The army expression “hooah,” came to my mind as I was thinking about Brother Randall and his tenure as a soldier. I found my study very humorous as I began to look at the possible meanings of the word and the possible origins of it.

Some would say that this expression could be used for anything and everything, other than using it to answer “no.” Some would say that the expression is to be used for excitement or to raise excitement within the group. Not all meanings or origin stories are fitting to repeat in this context and during this holy occasion… but there is a meaning and idea that came to my mind as I looked at the expression.

**Hooah: HUA – the acronym - Heard, Understood, Acknowledged.

There were some things that Paul “Heard, Understood, and Acknowledged/Knew to be True.”

What do we see in Paul’s life? A life consumed by Christ. He is absorbed and controlled by his passion for Jesus. Everything was about Christ…

Now, Paul is in jail at this point, Verses 19-20 – Paul speaks of his salvation, release or deliverance. But in the context, what salvation, release and or deliverance is he referring to? Through prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Christ… what kind of deliverance is he anticipating to experience?

Is he talking about a deliverance, or a salvation that is from prison or from his body to be with Christ? Well, in the context of everything that is said, we might conclude… “yes.” Paul doesn’t know which one of the two will occur. He just knows, one way or another… he will be set free, he will be released, he will be delivered, and he will be saved. This pain, these chains, and or distress will not last forever.

Prayer will be answered one way or the other. Christ is going to work to accomplish His desire and will. Paul has confidence and boldness about this. About what?

Christ is going to be magnified in his body, in his life, one way or another… either through his life (living)or by his death (dying). Prayer will be answered and Christ will be exalted.

(At the hospital praying with the family, for healing, and Cathy saying… and God that you will be glorified no matter what)

Paul has this earnest expectation and a hope that in nothing he shall be ashamed… The picture is of one sticking his neck out to see what lies ahead. And through this Gospel message, through the person and promises of Christ… He looks ahead and sees freedom, life, salvation, escape, deliverance… no matter what.

Church: What we see ahead makes a difference on how we live today!

There was this confidence that held him secure. He was not ashamed, and he knew that he would never be ashamed of what he believed or who he stood for.

(He has Heard, Understood, and has Acknowledged some things/he knows and Believes some things)

These things would happen. Christ was going to take care of him not matter what. Christ would be glorified through his life or death, and he would always have the promises and love of Christ.

*Listen to his faith and worldview:

Verse 21 – This is the way Paul sees it: “For to me… to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Now: This is not how the world sees it. The life and attitude of the world and unbeliever is, “This world is my life; this world is my heaven; to live is to have everything and to die is to lose.

That is not the Christian world-view. Paul’s whole life is summed up in the person of Jesus Christ. Christ was and is his reason for being and existing.

If you were to ask Paul the question: Why do you want to live Paul? Why do you want to breathe? Why do you want to get well, get out of prison, and loose the chains? Why do you want to read, study, work, earn…? What do you want out of life here, and now, and what do you want in heaven?

Paul says, “I want Christ! All for Christ! Christ is my life; Christ is my heaven. If Christ is not in heaven, it is not heaven. If all I have is pearls, mansions, and gold in heaven… without Christ… then it is not heaven. Everything, everyone, my life and death is all about and all for Him and Him alone.”

“And my death will not be a loss… it will be my gift and transition to be with the one who died for me.”

Listen: Death is not the end; it is the means used by God to exit this life and arrive safely into the wondrous presence of Christ. Jesus has destroyed ultimate death 2000 years ago.

We are only faced with a physical death, and Jesus has taken the sting and victory from it. But, it is still the greatest enemy and greatest fear to everyone who does not have Christ.

Yes, it separates families and friends for a season, but then reunites them in that land where there will be no good-byes. Today, here and now, we live in decaying tents… but through death we get to live in mansions with God.

And who clings to tents? Only those who can’t see the mansions…

Early church history records Christians going to their deaths, singing, praising, and being joyful… not because they were crazy, had a death wish, were suicidal, enjoyed pain or were sadistic. No. They just knew what was coming. They knew Who was coming. They had confidence and boldness that filled them. They knew Who and what they were living for. For them: To live is Christ… and to die is gain… was reality.

But… Christians today still have the tendency to forget this reality and they dread the thought of death… It is still a monster to them, and they live in fear. And if we live in fear, we won’t produce much fruit…

Now, to be honest… If I do not have a Living Savior and a Living hope… If I am still separated from God because of sin… If I am rejecting the Savior today and I am facing hell today… Well, I should be afraid.

But, for the Christian… We have a Savior and a Great Salvation without end.

You have been given a life to glorify God. What are you doing with the life God has given you?

Verses 22-26 – If I live on…I will produce fruit. I will live for Christ, lead others to Christ and help to build up the church for Christ. To remain on earth would be good for others… I will live to bless them. I will live to be a blessing and to be a servant to Christ for them…

Paul will work and enjoy other people’s progress and other people’s joy in the faith. He enjoys serving Christ in this life and he has great joy doing this…

Verse 23 – But, I am hard pressed between the two… I also have a great desire to be with Christ… which is far better. Nevertheless… to remain in the flesh is better, or more needful for you, and I am confident that I shall remain for you… that your rejoicing and confidence would overflow because of the Christ who was working through him.

Whatever happens… I will live for Christ. Through living or dying… I will live for Christ. To live is Christ, and I will live life to the fullest… knowing that even if it comes to death, there I shall find not my loss, but my gain.

The greatest pursuit of life is knowing God, and the joy of the end, is meeting Him face to face.

Do you believe this?

Mr. Randall has heard. He has understood. He has acknowledged. He was believing until the end.

Today, we have the loss. But today, Mr. Randall has the gain.

Mr. Randall has fought the fight. He has finished the race. He has kept the faith.

This is not goodbye. For all who are in Christ, will be with Christ together one day. For all who will place their trust, who will fall on the Lord Jesus Christ, and who will believe in Him… To each and every one of you… He will give eternal life, and we all will see Mr. Randall and other loved ones in the future.

But for those who are not ready… For those who are rejecting this Great Savior and this great salvation… You will be separated from loved ones and from God forever, for all eternity.

Surrender to Christ. Let Him be your everything. Serve Him as your great Treasure.

Live for Christ now. Serve now. Love your family, neighbors, and others for Christ now… for as long as you have breath… and then… when you take your last breath… You will experience your gain as well.

**Have you Heard today? Have you Understood the truth today? Will you Acknowledge and believe today?

Hooah.