A Faithful Finish

Funeral Sermon for Rev. Thurston Hunt

2 Timothy 4:6–8 ESV

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Introduction:

We gather today with heavy hearts but hopeful spirits, as we remember and honor the life of a soldier of the cross—Pastor Thurston Hunt. A preacher of power. A man who poured himself out in service to God and to the people of God. His earthly labor has ended, but his legacy is alive and well.

He fought long. He fought hard. He endured suffering with grace and finished his course with dignity. Cancer may have tried to take his voice, but it couldn’t silence his victory. And while we weep, we do not weep as those who have no hope.

Today we don’t just mourn—we celebrate. For Pastor Hunt has gone from the pulpit to paradise, from the battle to his reward, from this world… to the presence of the King.

Before we explore Paul’s words, let me briefly remind you of the context. Paul is writing this letter while imprisoned in Rome—his final letter before his execution. He knows the end is near, and yet his tone is not one of fear, but of fulfillment. These are the final words of a man who had given his all for Christ, much like the one we honor today.

He Fought the Good Fight

Paul says, “I have fought the good fight.” That’s not the fight for applause or popularity—it’s the fight for truth. For righteousness. For souls. For the gospel.

And we know Pastor Hunt was a fighter. He fought in the spirit—and later, he fought in the flesh against that disease. But he never gave up. He never let go of his assignment. Even when his body weakened, his conviction didn’t waver. His witness stayed strong.

He kept standing, kept praying, kept encouraging, kept preaching. He didn't just talk about faith—he lived it.

Application: Let this moment challenge us: the fight continues. Will we be as faithful in our own race? Will we keep swinging for the kingdom?

Secondly . . .

He Finished His Race

Pastor Hunt didn’t leave his post early. He didn’t clock out before his time. He ran all the way to the finish line.

Ministry isn't easy—it takes stamina. It takes tears. It takes sacrifice. And Pastor Hunt gave it all. He finished through frustrations. He finished through fatigue. He finished through physical pain. But he finished! And that’s what matters most.

Personal Reflection: And if I may, let me pause for a moment of personal testimony.

Pastor Thurston Hunt and I served together as hospital chaplains. We weren’t just colleagues—we were comrades in spiritual care. I saw firsthand the integrity of this man. If something wasn’t right, Rev. Hunt wasn’t going to sit silent. He wasn’t going to look the other way. He had a righteous backbone and a heart that wouldn’t rest until justice was done. He would stand—firm, faithful, and fearless—until something changed.

That kind of commitment wasn’t just in the hospital halls—it was in every corner of his ministry. He was a shepherd who stood up for the weak, spoke truth in love, and brought calm in the chaos. And let me tell you—he didn’t just carry a title. He lived the calling.

Application: Everybody celebrates starters, but heaven rewards finishers. Will you finish what God called you to do?

Lastly . . .

He Kept the Faith

Pastor Hunt didn’t chase trends. He didn’t water down the gospel. He kept the faith. He kept preaching Jesus—crucified, buried, and risen. He kept loving God's people even when it was hard. He kept standing on the Word when others sat down on it.

And when cancer came knocking, he kept trusting. When his strength faded, his faith didn’t.

Let us also pause on the phrase Paul uses: "I am already being poured out as a drink offering" (v.6). The Greek word spendomai refers to a sacrificial pouring out of wine on the altar. Paul viewed his life as a continual offering to God, poured out in service and love. And I believe Rev. Hunt would say the same—he gave all he had, every drop of it, in honor of Christ.

Application: Beloved, what will they say of your life? Can it be said that you kept the faith?

Conclusion: There’s a Crown Waiting

Paul says, “There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness…”

That word crown in the Greek is stephanos—the victor's wreath awarded to those who had run well and finished. It’s not a royal crown of gold, but a reward for those who overcame. Pastor Hunt didn’t die in defeat—he died in expectation. He’s now received his reward. His crown. His robe. His rest. He no longer preaches about heaven—he walks its streets. He no longer reads about the Savior—he’s now in His presence.

Final Run:

He may have left this world… But his message still echoes. His prayers are still working. His life is still preaching.

He preached in pulpits. He preached in parking lots. He preached when he was up. He preached when he was down. And when he couldn't preach with his mouth, he preached with his life.

And now—he's preaching in glory!

No more medicine. No more pain. No more cancer. No more tears.

He’s free. He’s whole. He’s healed.

And he’s standing now in that great cloud of witnesses, saying, “Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Keep fighting. Keep running. Keep the faith!”

And one day, when our time comes… if we live like he lived… and love like he loved… and preach like he preached… we’ll see him again.

Why? Because Jesus lives! Because the tomb is empty! Because death is defeated! Because the grave couldn’t hold the Master—and if we die in Him, it can’t hold us either!

To God be the glory. Amen.