January 2023 Funeral
Notes
Transcript
Thank you for coming today as we honor the life of John Parker.
OBITUARY
John Parker, 54, of Amarillo, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2022. John was born on September 7, 1968 in Houston to Larry and Mary (Mauldin) Parker. He graduated from Caprock High School in 1987. John loved to play golf.
John is preceded in death by his wife, Amy Parker, a brother, Tony Parker, and his mother, Mary Parker. Survivors include two sons, James Parker and wife, Cassie and Zach Parker, all of Amarillo; two daughters, Lexi and Cambree Parker of Amarillo; his father, Larry Joe Campbell of Amarillo; a brother, Leslie Parker of Amarillo; and a sister, Crystal Thomas and husband, Wayne of Amarillo.
Ecclesiastes 3:1–4
NIV
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
Ecclesiastes 3:11
NIV
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
The writer of Ecclesiastes, Solomon, lamented the uncertainty of life and how it can often be so short, or so brief. He also noted the exasperation, almost frustration, humans feel from some of the things they face during life.
If we are honest, we often feel this same weight and exasperation that Solomon wrote about in our lives, especially in times of grief and loss.
However, Solomon went on to write that God has made everything beautiful in its time. While we might not see beauty right now, the One who authored and created all things, God, has already designed and declared everything as beautiful in its own time.
Solomon also wrote that eternity is set in the human heart. Not only are we vaguely aware of the eternal- that a forever does exist, with things unseen- we long for the eternal.
Nonetheless- despite all of this confusion, grief, and soul irritation- Solomon’s father David shared hope, comfort, and even cause for celebration beyond this struggle that humanity is saddled with in the most famous poem of all time:
Psalm 23
ESV
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
In Psalm 23, we find that although there is hurt, there’s also a Healer. Although there is a shadow of death, there’s also a Comforter and Guide. Although there is evil, there’s also a Protector. Although there is an enemy, there’s also an Ally. Although there is uncertainty, fear, and death, there is a Shepherd.
Today, in this shadow of grief and death, please hear and know that there is a Shepherd who wants to heal you, comfort you, guide you, protect you, and call you His own. This Shepherd’s Name is Jesus, and He will receive all who come to Him in faith- all who humble themselves and confess their need for Him. You can experience his comfort, peace, and love today if you’ll simply ask Him to walk into your life and heart with a simple prayer. Welcome His Spirit into this space- welcome Him into your heart. You may not have all the answers or know the “why” behind life’s toughest moments and questions, but you can trust the One who does have all the answers and knows the “why” for all things.
PRAY
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John 14:1–4
NIV
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Jesus spoke these words to His disciples- those who knew Him, followed Him, and learned from Him for multiple years. He told them to not let their hearts be troubled. Why would their hearts be troubled? Well, the dinner party they were having all together was a downer so far. Jesus had just said that He is going away, He is going to die, one of the twelve is a traitor, Peter will disown Him 3 times, Satan is at work against all of them, and that all the disciples will fall away.
Even though there was good reason why their hearts might be troubled, Jesus told the disciples to challenge their troubled hearts with faith in the Father and the Son. He tells them they do not have to give into the emotions of fear and despair—they really could “let not your hearts be troubled.”
While the disciples were fearful of death and its sting, Jesus was proclaiming the truth that light and life was available and near for those who believe.
Jesus continues on by giving His disciples explanation and reasoning for why they should not let their hearts be troubled. He tells them that He is going on to His Father’s house (that is, God the Father) to prepare a place for them.
Some translations say Jesus is going to His Father’s house that has many mansions. Now, I don’t know about you, but I like the thought of a mansion. By this statement, Jesus is communicating that the place He is going to, and will invite others to go to also, is an incredible place.
Think about the most beautiful, amazing place on Earth. Just the thought of that specific place that takes your breath away. That place you long to go to (if you haven’t been). Your “forever happy place.” What came to your mind? Victoria Falls? The Bahamas? Hawaii? The Alps? Amarillo, TX (maybe not.)? John’s might’ve been any golf course.
But hear this today: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” are the things God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9). The greatest and best this world has to offer doesn’t hold a candle to the wonders God has awaiting in heaven. And the best part is, GOD HIMSELF with be there. Personally and near.
Now, you might be asking, “How exactly do we get to this place?” Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, had the exact same question.
John 14:5–6
NIV
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Did you catch it? Jesus is the Way. To enter into this eternal paradise and be with God forever, you must take the one and only way. You must take Jesus.
Going back to Psalm 23, we find that David had a personal relationship with the Shepherd, Jesus. Not only did David walk with Jesus through the hills and valleys of life, David also had the comfort, peace, and hope that he would be with God forever in paradise one day.
I ask every one of you today: do you have a personal relationship with the Shepherd? If so- praise God. I pray you are cherishing Him and trusting Him- even in valleys such as this. And if not, are you willing to take the one and only way, take Jesus, to receive eternal life? And to have a relationship with God Himself?
This is the truth: Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a place for those who place their faith in Him. Nothing compares to this place, where we will be with God Himself forever. Will you place your faith in Jesus and receive what God has for you?
PRAY