Funeral for Gary Mayer (3-24-24)

TY for coming

Judy, Michelle, and Michael

Gary Mayer

husband

father

professor—Dr. Mayer

church member

friend

teaching was life

after degrees from UT in Austin

bachelor degrees (journalism and psychology), masters degree (journalism),

and Ph.D. from Baylor (english)

1969

started full-time career in teaching as professor

1992

made his way to SFA

2003

recipient of the “Teaching Excellence Award” from College of Applied Arts and Sciences

2018

named “Best Faculty Member” at SFA in The Pine Log

red pen

correct newspaper

English and journalism

clear teaching was about

relationship, relationship, relationship

taught until couldn’t teach any more (literally)

retired but didn’t retire

loved dogs

famous

custom made t-shirts and ties

coffee mugs

over fed

spoiled rotten

brought to school

until Kimble urinated on backpack

read all the time

probably read 1M books

read stories every night with funny voices (Gru from Despicable Me)

theatrical

Dead Poet Society, think Robin Williams

made all birthday cakes for Michelle and Michael

Gary and his faith

off and on in church

but life isn’t about church

it’s about Jesus

Judy

40 years of praying for salvation

trusted Jesus

end of 2021

Charlie Colgan baptized weeks before left

MAJOR CELEBRATION AT FCC

Messianic Jew

Ken Umbarger

Bible study every week

tight with money

not free with money

started tithing

in times of loss, we must consider God’s Word for comfort and assurance

The Lord is everywhere (Psalm 139:7-12)

you cannot go too far into space (no rocket) and escape the Lord’s presence

you cannot go dig too deep into the ground and escape the Lord’s presence

you cannot get into a submarine and escape the Lord’s presence

you cannot find the darkest cave and escape the Lord’s presence

scary and comforting at the same time

scary/frustrating

cannot go anywhere to escape the Lord’s presence

no secret corner to do something unknown to the Lord

there is no such thing as privacy from the Lord

comforting

no matter where you go, God will be there for His children

when I feel like He isn’t there, my feelings have failed because He is there

The Lord deeply cares about your life (Psalm 139:13-16)

the psalmist knows the Lord played an active role in his birth

the psalmist also knows the Lord will play an active role in his death

scary and comforting at the same time

scary because it is hard for us to trust

when my family gets in car, I drive (feel like I’m in control)

but life is more like getting on a plane because God is the pilot

scary to know our lives are not really in our hands

comforting because there are no accidents

no accidental births

God intimately forms a baby in mother’s womb

that means you are no accident

no accidental deaths

because God’s ways are higher than our ways,

we trust He knows what is best

either God is good all of the time or none of the time

a god who is control some of the time is no god at all

if God is God on the mountain,

then He is surely God in the valley

because God is good, we trust He knows what is best

Romans 8:28-29 (NASB)

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

promise to believers

what you and I would say is cruel (Father having His Son die)

in God’s eyes, Jesus had to be punished

for sinners like you and me to be accepted

GOSPEL

we end where the psalmist ends which is just like he began (Psalm 139:23-24)

this afternoon, you should ask, “Lord, search me”

am I ready for eternity?

there are many why’s in this life that I dare not give an answer

because they are above me

the one why I am certain of is “why are you here today?” to consider your funeral

death is either scary or comforting

scary

God knows everything about you (even thoughts)

that means God knows every one of your sins

sin doesn’t mix with a holy God

no one will leave this world and tell God how good they were

good does not get you into heaven—only perfect

which leaves all of us hopeless (Rom 3:23)

without Jesus, your eternity is doomed

there is no hope for heaven

comforting

if Jesus is Lord and Savior (John 14:6)

know that every one of your sins was placed on Jesus and nailed to the cross

because Christ was perfect

He gives His perfection to those who trust in Him

Gary’s passing may be what God is using for your good

repent (turn from your sin) and trust in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection

before it is too late

today is the day to get right with God

could die today in car wreck; don’t say I’ll get things right later, today is day

on the day you take your last breath, all that matters is Jesus

turn from your ways and give your life to Jesus

important decision

tell someone today

find church and tell pastor

Graveside

Psalm 23

if you remove the Shepherd from this Psalm, then this will be a dark time

no comfort, no walking through, but hopeless and despair

only the Shepherd gives hope and peace

Jesus said, I am the Good Shepherd,

the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep (Jn 10:11)

is Jesus your Shepherd? Have you given Him your life?

only then will there be hope in great times of loss (Hb 13:5)

if Jesus is your Lord and Savior, then there is no reason to fear death

1 Cor 15:54-57