Funeral for Jimmie Purvis

(check pronunciations in obituary)

Song - Alan Jackson “Amazing Grace”

Welcome, Scripture Reading and Prayer

I would like to welcome you to this memorial service for Jimmie Purvis.

My name is Rick Schwartz, and I serve as the Senior Pastor at First Missionary Church in Berne, and it is an honor to help officiate this service on his behalf.

Whenever we are at a funeral service, we have a number of emotions as we remember Jimmie.

Grief and sorrow and sadness. because we miss him.

Thankfulness and joy at the memories left. These make us smile and we will have these forever.

Shock and anger that he was taken from us unexpectedly.

And more.

All of those are very understanding and normal emotions.

I would encourage us to do a couple of things:

Don’t stuff those emotions. It is so appropriate to express them, to grieve, to cry, to laugh at the funny memories, to even be angry. don’t stuff them; let them go, talk to someone about them. let the tears flow. that’s all part of the grieving and healing process.

and the 2nd thing I would encourage you to do —whether you are a believer in Jesus Christ or not—is pour out those emotions to God. because He cares.

in fact, one of the most famous passages in the Bible talks about how God cares and walks with us no matter what we are facing.

Psalm 23 NIV

A psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

This passage reminds us that God cares for you and all of us—He walks with us even in the darkest valleys, including death.

So will you bow your heads and close your eyes and pray with me?

—thanking Jimmie for his life, memories with him...

—help us to grieve well and pour out our emotions to you

-help us to know that you are our shepherd walking with us through the valley of the shadow of death

Memories and Eulogy

I want to take a moment and read Jimmie’s obituary along with some memories reflecting on his life:

Obituary:

Jimmie R. Purvis, 74, of Bluffton, passed away Thursday morning, Dec. 5, 2024, at his residence.

Jimmie was born in Owingsville, KY, on Jan. 25, 1950, to Hobert L. and Anna H. (Riddle) Purvis.  He married Cathie Thrasher in Bluffton on Aug. 28, 1982; she survives.

Jimmie attended Bluffton High School and was a truck driver for many years for several companies.  He loved drag racing, and also enjoyed playing pool and bowling and would even compete in tournaments.

In addition to his wife, Jimmie is survived by three daughters, Patty (Ritchie) Carpenter of Mount Sterling, KY, Kim (Jerry) Connett of Ossian, and Tina Rothgeb (fiancé Ben Oxendine) of Fort Wayne; a son, James (Veronica) Purvis of Bluffton; two brothers, Huey Ginter and Glen Norman, both of Liberty Center; along with 15 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

Aside from his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Teresa Harris; a brother, Eddie Norman; and a grandson, Paul Ward.

As I was talking to several family members, several qualities stood out about Jimmie’s life:

First he loved certain hobbies—like Drag-race as mentioned in the obituary. It must have been quite a thrill competing and going so fast so quickly—145 mph in 4 seconds!. He earned the nickname “Nervous Purvis...” that is a great nickname by the way. and he was always tinkering with his cars, fixing things on them even if they didn’t need fixed.

More than just drag racing, it was a chance to connect with others, spend time together with the family, and enjoy a hobby together.

James Purvis said on social media—when you notified people about Jimmie’s passing: Well this is gonna be the hardest post I’ve ever made but my father Nervous Purvis “Jim Purvis “went to heaven this morning if I could only express just how much I loved this man not only was he my father he was my best friend and racing partner!!Not only did he teach me all about life and racing he taught me how to be the man I am today I love you so much dad! I know your not in any pain anymore,Please say a prayer in the coming days for my family

I learned some fun things about his personality--He was a jokester, trickster. Cathy mentioned how he loved to scare people, including his mother-in-law! (that’s brave to scare your mother-in-law)

I learned from one grandkid that he jokingly called the famous singer Adelle, his girlfriend.

I am told that he also loved to dance.

Jimmie had a fun-loving, joking side about him.

Second, it was mentioned in the obituary that he was a truck driver for many years. after he semi-retired, he started driving Amish in the Adams County Berne area—where I was from. That’s an important way to serve people. It’s not always easy...

Third, and perhaps most importantly…he loved his family and friends. He loved spending time with them.

one granddaugther mentioned that if you just went to the grocery store with grandpa Jimmie and grandma Cathy, you could hardly walk 5 steps without walking into someone they knew. Jimmie was beloved by people.

I also learned that many of you enjoyed not just time drag racing, but also at cookouts, get together. some even vacationed together to Florida with Jimmie. He loved going to Daytona.

Cathie mentioned they went to a Fall Invitational in Brown County. Once they went with her sister. She and her sister got in their car—the Nova without him, and “took it for a spin around the parking lot…” making Jimmie very nervous, scaring him—“What are you doing!” (with his hands on his head)

Those are the kinds of memories you appreciate and cherish, as you reflect on the man Jimmie was, the time you spent together.

and I would encourage each of you over the next few days, weeks, and months, to write some of your favorite memories, qualities you appreciated about him, things you learned from him and by watching his life. that’s a great way to honor him.

Message

I want to spend a little time reflecting not only on Jimmie’s life, but also what the Bible says about life, death, and the hope that we all have.

It’s important to do this—because as we attend a funeral, we are reminded not just of missing a loved one, but one day, all of us, too, will take our last breath on this earth, and stand before God, the Creator of the Universe.

and I want to make sure you can have hope and face not only life but death with hope.

I want to talk about this by referencing a story in the Bible—the book of John 11—about a man named Lazarus and Jesus.

It says in John 11:1

John 11:1 NIV

1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

John 11:3–4 NIV

3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

now that sounds good in theory--but we learn a little bit later on—that Lazarus actually did die. His sickness did end in death. was Jesus wrong???

In John 11:17

John 11:17 NIV

17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

4 days! One of Lazarus’ sisters—Martha said this:

John 11:21 NIV

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

John 11:23–26 NIV

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

a little bit later it says…this about Lazarus’ other sister — Mary

John 11:32–36 NIV

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

What’s the first truth we learn:

Truth #1 - Jesus cares for us. We believe in the Bible that Jesus is not just a man. He is fully human but also fully God. He has always existed—and yet He entered our world, took on flesh as a baby boy, grew up and died for us. It’s what we celebrate every Christmas that the Son of God took on flesh as a baby. That’s how much He cares for us—and we see it here…he weeps at his friend Lazarus’ death.

Truth #2 - and not only does Jesus care for us—He is angry at death. in verse 38…it says John 11:38

John 11:38 NIV

38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.

those words deeply moved (mentioned 2x in the story) Jesus is not just emotional or sad…he is angry why? He’s angry at death. some of you feel that today—you didn’t have enough time with Jimmie-you wished you could have one more trip or outing or cookout with him. maybe you didn’t get the chance to say goodbye. It doesn’t seem fair. Jesus gets it.

why is Jesus so angry? doesn’t he have the power to raise Lazarus from the dead (not to spoil the ending?) yes he does.

Here’s why he is angry at death.

He’s angry at death because were not originally created to die. Way back in the 1st book of the Bible, in Genesis, we see God made the first human beings Adam and Eve. And everything was perfect—they had a perfect relationship with God, each other, and all creation. It was paradise. but God warned them—they can eat from any tree but if they eat from one specific tree—they will die.

that may seem like a silly test—but when Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan—they gave in and ate from the tree.

they put themselves in the place of God—the Bible calls this sin.

whenever you and I call the shots in our life, and act like we are in control, the Bible calls this sin.

and because of it—we deserve death—not just physical death, but eternity away from God—who is the author of life.

the reason that death exists—is that sin exists.

and God must punish sin—b/c He is a good and fair judge. He has to punish evil. We want a God like that who will deal with evil. but the problem is if we are all honest—we are all evil—right to our hearts. I am a pastor and I sin too—I want to be in charge instead of letting God.

so Jesus, here in John 11—deeply moved—is angry at the human condition. He is angry at the mess we are in. he is angry at sin—and its result death.

but there’s good news. Let’s keep reading.

John 11:38–44 NIV

38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Jesus does a famous miracle. He, the Son of God, simply speaks and Lazarus rises from the grave bodily.

this is a picture of what Jesus offers us now.

this is getting at truth #3 - hope.

you see—we don’t have to live in our sin. we don’t have to fear death. death doesn’t have to have the last word.

John 11:25–26 (NIV)

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; (what does that mean—even if we physically die, that’s not the end—we will be with Jesus forever in heaven)

26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. (you will never really die—b/c you will be with Jesus) Do you believe this?”

why? because of Jesus.

so if you want to have that hope—that Jesus offers in life now and in death...

there’s 3 steps to respond—

I call it the ABC’s of Christianity.

A - admit you are a sinner. admit you, too, try to live your life without God. sin is simply substituting ourselves for God. so the 1st step is to admit you are a sinner before God—the Creator of the universe. and that because of it you deserve death. this maybe the hardest step. It’s much easier to see other people’s sins—not our own.

B - believe. believe or trust that only Jesus Christ can deal with your sin problem, and thus your death problem.

Jesus Christ came to earth and He lived the life we failed to live.

He died the death you and I deserve for our place on the cross. that’s why we celebrate the cross every Easter—because it wasn’t just a normal death.

Romans 5:8 NIV

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

and He rose bodily from the grave ,proving that sin is paid for and death is defeated.

C - Confess—so admit, believe, confess. Confess Jesus now as your Lord. He is now your king. He calls the shots in your lives. not you, not anyone else. I am placing my trust in the one who raised Lazarus from the dead. I am placing my trust in the one who rose from the dead.

If I truly go through these ABC’s, the Bible says I will be forgiven. God makes me a new creation. no matter what I have done!

I don’t earn it—Jesus did it all. I simply receive it by faith by grace. Ephesians 2:8

Ephesians 2:8 NIV

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

and I can now have peace, purpose, joy—all with God.

we heard that song at the beginning sung by Alan Jackson--Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found; ‘twas blind but now I see. (that becomes our identity!)

and if we believe in Him—Jesus gives us new life spiritually like He gave Lazarus new life physically. and one day—we will also—when we die—be with Jesus—b/c He is the resurrection and the life.

so the question you and I—all of us have to ask—am I ready to stand before God someday, the Creator of the universe—if you have Jesus Christ—you are. If not, I would encourage you to consider praying with me right now.

Would you bow your head, and close your eyes…and just you and God as you reflect on this.

I admit I am a sinner

I have made a big mess of my life

I believe Jesus lived on my behalf.

died on my behalf

and rose from the grave

and I confess Jesus as my Lord and King now.

If you prayed that, I would encourage you to tell someone; feel free to tell me. we want to help you figure out what it means to walk with Jesus now.

Let’s take a moment and listen to the song “I want to Stroll Over Heaven with you.”

by Alan Jackson

Song Alan Jackson “I want to Stroll Over Heaven with You.”

Closing Prayer and Instructions

I want to close by reading John 11:25-26

John 11:25–26 NIV

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Let’s pray.

Final instructions:

—please remain seated...

—funeral staff will be dismissing you row by row to come forward and pay your respects one last time.

Thanks for coming