Richard Ford

I didn’t know Richard

But Four things stuck out as Judy talked about him

He like to hunt and fish and traveled around to various tournaments. However she was quick to tell me she was the first to catch something in their relationship

She said they had gone out fishing and he had this big tackle box full of tricks and she had found this broken lure with only one hook left and she tied it on and with that broken lure she caught the first fish and Richard wanted to help land it but she said she had it under control. After landing a few more Richard took her spot and then the lure too.

but Richard’s was more than a fisherman/hunter

He had served proudly in the US Air Force right after high school

But he was more than a military man

He also played Guitar and Bass and was played and Sang often in church

But he was more than a picker

Richard was a Son of God

He had given his life to the Lord and was known for his strong Christian Faith.

It is this faith that I want to focus on this morning.

Jesus promised in John 11:25-26

John 11:25–26 ESV

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

You see this life is not the end

Richard’s life is not over his life has just begun.

Listen to the reward that is promised to those who like Richard have placed their trust in God and made him Lord of their life.

Revelation 21:1–4 ESV

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

A new heaven and new earth

Revelation 21:1–2 ESV

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

new heaven and new earth - no sin

Sin dies with the old heaven and earth

We have a home waiting for us in heaven

Streets of Gold

Crystal sea

pearl gates/ walls of Jasper

Tree of life

All of our loved ones who gave their lives to Christ will be there.

You realize how big the family of God is going to be the immense party its going to be when we get to heaven.

We will find friends we know and lost like Richard, the saints of old like Moses and Paul, and Christians from all around the world and throughout time.

most importantly its a home with God

God dwells with men

Revelation 21:3 ESV

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

No longer will we be separated from God instead now we will dwell abide or live with God

God will live with us and we will live with him. Never separated never apart forever always with him.

Can you imagine what it will be like to see God face to face?

To live forever in his presence?

We will be his people and he will be our God

We will get to serve and worship God forever in heaven.

Richard was known here for worshiping God but there his worship will be so much sweeter due to the greater intimacy with God and His praises will never cease

No more death/tears

Revelation 21:4 ESV

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

In that last day God’s gonna wipe away the last tears from our eyes and we will cry no more no more mourning. There will be no sadness instead we will be filled with the Joy of the Lord

There will be no sickness or pain we will have new bodies un-poisoned by the sin of this world and full of strength and life.

And there will be no death for we have eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This is of great encouragement to the family and friends of Richard because though you grieve now as you should for your loss. One day those who follow Christ will one day not only see Richard again but we will never again experience death. Death is not the norm but is due to the sinful nature of this world but in the next life there will be no death no pain no suffering no tears because there will be no sin. One day this grief will be no more. Oh what a day that will be.

The Reality of Hell

However I would be remiss to fail to mention that not all receive this reward but only those who place their faith in Jesus Christ and make him Lord of their lives.

Revelation 21:8 explains that those who are faithless those who have rejected Christ and his Lordship over their lives and chosen to live in sinful rebellion will be cast into the lake of fire into the second death the eternal separation from God. What is often called Hell.

Richard made his choice he chose Jesus Christ he placed his faith in Jesus and will have his eternal reward the question for those of that are left is what choice will we make. Will we chose Jesus and make him Lord master ruler the boss of our lives forsaking sinful pleasures of this world for the greater riches of Heaven or will we choose to deny him and face eternity in Hell. When it comes time for your funeral will the pastor be able to speak boldly about your faith or will he struggle to provide some modicum of comfort to the family the choice is yours. Choose wisely.

Let us pray.