1.3.3a 12.22.2023 Funeral of Linda Hill 2 Thessalonians 2.13-17

• Invocation

• Obituary

Linda L. Hill, 76, of Evansville, Indiana, formerly of Grayville, Illinois, died Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Hamilton Pointe Health and Rehabilitation in Newburgh, Indiana.  She was born December 28, 1946, in Chebanse, Illinois, the daughter of Roy and Nina (Crowe) Creek.  She was married to Larry M. “Mick” Hill for more than 57 years, and he survives.

Linda loved her Lord and Savior and was a very active member of the First Christian Church in Grayville, Illinois, where she enjoyed Bible study and working with the youth.  She dearly loved her family (especially doing crafts with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren).  She enjoyed playing Bingo, cards, watching movies, and she was a big fan of the TV series, “Walker, Texas Ranger,” — all the while enjoying her candy mints.   Linda worked as a bus driver, Emergency Medical Technician, and teacher’s aide.

Survivors include her husband, Larry “Mick” Hill of Evansville; daughters Jennifer (Vinton) Brown of St. Peters, Missouri, Jody (Jay) Hanisch of Grayville, Jacquie (Vance) Sloan of Flora, Illinois; sister Judy Creek of Memphis, Tennessee; grandchildren Travis Brown, Parker Brown, Kayla (Ryan) Kelley, Lauren (Casey) Calhoun, Diego Hanisch, Trey Hanisch, Jayden Sloan, Mya Sloan; great-grandchildren Harrison Kelley, Cooper Kelley, Hudson Calhoun; and her adopted family Anita Scarlett, Todd Treadway, Cameron Scarlett, and Celeste “Dirly” O’Neal.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and brother Steven Creek

• I can Only Imagine

• The Hill Girls talk about their Mom

• Scripture Psalm 61.1-5

Psalm 61:1–5 ESV

1 Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; 2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, 3 for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. 4 Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah 5 For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

• Old Rugged Cross (Bob will lead first verse)

• Funeral Message

• Benediction

• I’ll Fly Away

• You Picked a Fine Time to Leave me Lucille

Start:

Entice: Our Savior has called this beloved woman to her reward—His glorious presence. Her release from bondage was purchased by His blood. As difficult as it is we balance our grief with joy at her victory.

It is by grace that we are saved,

And It is through grace that we are sustained

during times such as this.

Engage: Scripture encourages us to stand firm during difficult times. Paul earned the right to make that plea because of His own suffering for the sake of the Gospel.

During the Christmas season it is of central importance. Your resolve reminds the world that the tinsel and trim—which for you will be forever tarnished by this moment—that this Christmas season, like every Christmas season is about our salvation both in and from this world.

2 Thessalonians 2:13–15 ESV

13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

Expand: Only a delusional preacher would imply that your painful grief is not real. Even when someone struggled like Linda, we find it hard to let go. In the final words of 2 Thessalonians 2 Paul reminds us that the saving presence of Christ extends from the first Christmas to this one and that our lives

find hope,

and strength,

and perspective through Him.

2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 ESV

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Excite: Wife, Mother, and friend has now gone to her reward. There is another who now gives comfort. Jesus. Jesus, friend of the broken hearted and bereaved.

Explore:

Only One Friend stays constant.

Expand: The Abiding Friendship of Jesus

Body of Sermon:

1 Gives us.

1.1 Love

1.2 Eternal comfort

The Abiding Friendship of Jesus

2 Guards us

2.1 He guards us toward Good Hope.

2.2 He guards us By Grace.

The Abiding Friendship of Jesus

3 Guides us.

3.1 Into Every Good Work.

3.2 Into Every Good Word.

Shut Down

He guards our wounded hearts.

He guides our weary steps.

He gifted us Himself.

Mourning is natural but not eternal. His gifts, His guidance, His guardianship are supra-natural.

He gives unexpected light during our darkest days.

And the central truth is that in Him we

2 Thessalonians 2:14 (ESV)

14 …may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We say farewell knowing that Linda Hill has received the full measure of that Glory. We conclude in hope knowing that we will again be reunited with Her in the Christ who loved us so.