Memorial Service Zachary Athearn

May 17, 2024

Welcome and Opening Prayer

I want to welcome you all here to the memorial service for Zach Athearn. I know Zach’s family is honored that you have taken this time to share in a celebration of his life. I also know they are deeply comforted b/c of your love that you have shown to them. After our time I want to invite you to stay for a time of fellowship in the CE bldg.

Death is difficult to deal with in any situation but when this happens to those in the prime of their youth, it seems much more difficult—especially for loved ones who remain behind. There is a void, an emptiness that needs to be filled and while there are so many unanswered questions, these difficult days can challenge your faith but I would encourage you to look to Christ for the heavenly comfort that He provides. Would you bow with me in prayer as we open our service together?

Our merciful Father, we pause today to acknowledge that you are the one who made us, you designed us, you have given life and breath. As we gather together, those whom you have given another moment, day, hour we want to thank for the promise that you are with us. As you have brought us together we are grieving over this occasion as we remember and celebrate the life of Zach. I would ask in these moments we spend together that you would provide great comfort to all who are here. Extend your peace on Zach’s family and to these friends and give your loving care to each one.

We know that you are the one who cares for us, loves us and makes provision for us, not only in this life but in the life after death. I would pray that this might be a reality for all who are here today. Direct our time of sharing for the next several moments. We commit our time to you in Jesus name. Amen

Scripture Reading

Psalm 34 NASB95

A Psalm of David when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him away and he departed. 1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul will make its boast in the Lord; The humble will hear it and rejoice. 3 O magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him And saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them. 8 O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! 9 O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. 10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing. 11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 Who is the man who desires life And loves length of days that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. 20 He keeps all his bones, Not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 22 The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

Zach was a young man troubled by many afflictions. He was brought up in this church family. Many of you have prayed for him, have served him by faithfully teaching him the gospel. We’re told that from early on that he believed the good news. I would encourage you to set your minds on the goodness of our heavenly Father, His faithfulness we have come to depend on and we have the promise of His Word:

Psalm 25:10 NASB95

10 All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

Psalm 36:5 NASB95

5 Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Look to God when you’re struggling for answers and He who is faithful will never fail you.

Special Music

Scott Slight “Lead Me Home”

Eulogies

Anyone has a brief story to tell about Zach can share it

Message

When we first moved to Corvallis Zach was already 12 years old. For some reason, Roy and I struck up a friendship rather quickly (working with our hands, cars, BBQ ribs) but that also meant I spent a good deal of time with Zach in his younger, teenager years. It wasn’t much later that I went with Roy to cut firewood (something he did very often) and Zach was there—we’re riding in the Ford pickup and as I get in, Zach looks over and says “Ah! Red and Black Lumberjack.” I was wearing a flannel shirt that was red and black. Zach was a very creative and gifted young man. When we go over to the CE bldg there will be some pictures on the TV that Zach took—so you can see a little what his eyes saw of God’s creation.

I think we are all under the impression today that we are not in control. I am not, you are not, but God is the one in control. That is why David says Psalm 31:14–15 “14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I say, “You are my God.” 15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.”

So we are reminded that God continually provides and cares for each one of us and that He is in control. This has been true since the beginning of time.

In the Scripture God reveals that He is a Rock. That imagery reveals the character of God that He is totally trustworthy, dependable, steady, unchanging. He is the source of strength and continues from generation to generation. The Lord is a reliable source of peace (the only source of true peace).

Psalm 34:18 NASB95

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

That verse has ministered to Amanda and to Zach in times of sorrow.

We think about God's beautiful creation. Everything God has made he pronounced it good-perfect. God made everything just the way He wanted.

But then one terrible day (soon after creation was completed) sin entered into the world.

Romans 5:12 NASB95

12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—

As a result we now live in a world cursed by sin, and the demonstration is everywhere around us. The mental health challenges Zach faced were evidence that this is a fallen world. The need for police officers to keep the peace is evidence that the world is under a divine curse on account of sin. And we know the wages of sin is death. Added to this is the evil one (chief enemy of God and righteousness) who is called the “god of this world” he loves to cause chaos among God’s creation and particularly within the family of God. That goes all the way back to the beginning:

Since the time of Adam, all men-every person is under this penalty and we all must face death. 100 births 100 deaths. No exceptions

Ecclesiastes 3:19–20 NASB95

19 For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same. As one dies so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity. 20 All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust.

Psalm 90:10 NASB95

10 As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.

As for the days of our life-they contain 70 years, of if due to strength, 80 years. Some people live to be 70 some live to be 80 or older. But some die young. What we often call an "untimely" death-an unexpected death.

Zach was young-He was 30 years old and we would say too young to die. But there are no exceptions to this penalty that we face.

Hebrews 9:27 NASB95

27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,

But death is not the end. The loss of breath-the returning of our bodies to dust is not the end. Our existence continues even after we have taken our final breath in this life.

All this happens b/c sin entered the world and death thru sin, but know that God did not abandon His creation. God did not give up on man when he disobeyed and brought upon himself death.

God did something about it—proving that He is the only hope for the world gone mad. We are all separated from God. Every relationship that God had created was broken when Adam ate from the tree that was forbidden. We all deserve death-not just physical death but spiritual death (that is, eternal separation from God). Every man/woman has an immortal soul-and after his body dies, it will continue to live, either in the presence of God in heaven or in eternal condemnation in hell.

B/C of sin, we all deserve to spend eternity in hell. Separated from God throughout all eternity. We are completely helpless in our situation.

Romans 5:6 NASB95

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

But God did something about our helpless condition

Romans 5:8 NASB95

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

What did God do about our helpless condition-Christ died for us. He died in our place-we deserve to die but Jesus Christ, God's only Son died for me and He died for you.

John 3:16 NASB95

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

It is not just that He died-many others have died for other people (sacrificing themselves to save another), but the truth is that He rose from the grave. He was resurrected in glory and power, defeating sin.

We no longer have to be afraid of death. Because Jesus took away the terribleness of death on the cross.

John 1:12 NASB95

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

There is something you must do. There is a responsibility that rests on every one here this morning. You must receive Him before you breathe your last:

John 5:24 NASB95

24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

Condemnation only belongs to those who have not received Jesus and put their trust in Him. Only those who have rejected the Son of God will receive eternal judgment.

This is serious and urgent business. It is literally a matter of life or death.

John 5:28–29 NASB95

28 “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

No person knows when his time is up, when he will pass on from this world into eternity. That is why God says "Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation."

You must choose today to believe. And when you do—I would encourage you to develop the understanding and conviction concerning the character of God:

Psalm 119:68 NASB95

68 You are good and do good; Teach me Your statutes.

Psalm 86:5 NASB95

5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.

Psalm 145:7–9 NASB95

7 They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness. 8 The Lord is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness. 9 The Lord is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works.

The lovingkindness of the Lord is His rich mercy and those who trust in LJ will see just how abundantly good God is.

Closing Prayer

Almighty God, you are the source of all comfort and peace in death. We thank you for your Son JC. It is b/c of His death, burial and resurrection that you have brought life and immortality to light and thru Him that we would find strength in this time of frailty and comfort in our sorrow.

I would ask that you would help each one here today to be sure of this life by placing their trust in you for this is the only hope to obtain the abundant blessing of your salvation. Continue to pour out your grace on Zach’s family that they would be able to navigate the changes of this earthly life without Zach. Be honored in the time of fellowship and in our conversations with each other, pour out your mercy on each one here I pray in Jesus name, Amen.