Mike O'Neal
Funeral • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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As I sat with Mike’s family the other day, I quickly realized that today’s memorial service was going to be bitter sweet. Nobody in here will argue that Mike will be greatly missed. And it’s a sad day
when you loose someone that was loved as much as Mike was, but that’s not where we’re going to rest. From where I’m sitting and the family would agree, Mike will be remembered for so much more than I could even place into words this morning. Mike will be remembered for his humor, always laughing and cutting up. And boy did he love big. If he loved you, he loved you and he made this known to you.
Most importantly, he loved Jesus and that is exactly where I want to take you all this morning.
On August 13 I had the honor of visiting Mike at the hospital. Amanda had called me and asked if I would come talk to her dad. She wanted to be certain of his salvation.
My question for each of you this morning is this, “Are you certain of your salvation?”
We no longer have to wonder where Mike is today. Mike assured me that Jesus was his Lord and we prayed and then I served communion.
Never underestimate the time we have on this earth. It could all be gone in the blink of an eye.
On August 13th, Mike came as he was. He laid down his burdens at the foot of the cross.
In Job 14:14 Job asked the question, “If a man die, shall he live again?”
The Word of God is abundant and clear in answering this question.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
Let me explain to you what happens when a Christian dies?
We leave our bodies and take up residence somewhere else.
Death is not the end of life.
At death we don’t leave home, we go home! What we need to understand about life is that it is a temporary assignment!
And it doesn’t stop there, it gets better.
It says we gain a better home.
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Death is a decided fact, a defeated foe, a delightful friend.
I hesitate for a moment to call death a friend, but it’s the truth.
Death for the believer is just transportation to heaven.
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,
to the Christian, death is nothing more than a change in the environment
Often doctors will tell patients to move to certain locations because where they are now, affected them physically!
Hey, this is what the Great Physician does, and Mike would want you to know this.
The year of death is the year of release for the Christian.
Release from pain, sorrow, sickness, and worry.
When Mike breathed his last he was immediately ushered into the presence of God Himself
We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
What a thought!
Paul gave what I call the Christians view of death in:
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
We don’t just die and go no where. You spent eternity somewhere!
Mike would want you to understand this!
We are not promised tomorrow!
Though death appears to be the enemy and in truth, is feared by most, we believe death is nothing more than a ride home.
On August 20, 2024 Tim got a ride home.
This doesn’t have to be goodbye, just goodnight.
Tim would want me to ask you, “Are you prepared to meet Jesus?”
Let us pray
Give invitation