Funeral Message for Bonnie Herman

Text: Philippians 4:1–8 Title: Think on These Things Speaker: Pastor Richard Eng

Opening: A Life That Pointed to Christ

We gather today with mixed emotions — sorrow and gratitude, grief and hope. We’re sorrowful because we’ve lost someone we love. But we’re grateful because Bonnie Herman loved Jesus, and she’s now with Him face to face.

If Bonnie could speak to us right now, I’m confident she would say, “Don’t make this about me. Make it about Jesus.”So that’s what we’ll do.

I want us to look together at a passage that beautifully captures both Bonnie’s faith and her Savior’s power — Philippians 4:1–8

Philippians 4:1–8 ESV

1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Paul wrote these words while sitting in a prison cell. And yet, even in hardship, his heart was full of peace and joy because of Jesus Christ. That’s what I want us to see today — that the same Christ who sustained Paul, who sustained Bonnie, is able to give peace and hope to us.

1. Standing Firm in the Lord (vv. 1–3)

Paul begins: “Stand firm in the Lord.”

Bonnie stood firm in her faith. Life didn’t always go the way she planned. She had challenges, losses, and seasons of deep concern for those she loved. But she kept her eyes on the Lord.

Bonnie’s strength didn’t come from sheer determination. It came from dependence. She knew her own weakness, and that’s exactly why she prayed so much. Her strength came from the Lord who heard her prayers.

If you ever asked Bonnie how she stayed faithful, she probably would have smiled and said something simple like, “God’s been good to me.”

That’s standing firm — not in our own effort, but in the grace of Jesus.

2. Rejoice, Pray, and Rest (vv. 4–7)

Paul continues, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

Bonnie knew what it meant to rejoice in the Lord. Not because life was always easy — but because she trusted a God who is always faithful.

Then Paul writes, “Let your reasonableness be known to all. The Lord is near.” That word “reasonableness” means gentleness, graciousness, or a steady spirit. That’s who Bonnie was. She wasn’t loud or self-promoting; she had a quiet strength and a gentle heart that came from walking closely with Jesus.

And then comes this line that defined so much of her life:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

If you knew Bonnie, you knew she prayed. She prayed for her family, for her church, for her friends, for missionaries, for needs that many of us never even knew about.

Her first instinct was not to panic — it was to pray.

And because she prayed, she knew the reality of verse 7:

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

That peace is what carried Bonnie through. And that same peace is what carries us now — if we will trust in the same Savior she trusted.

3. Think on These Things (v. 8)

Then Paul reaches the climax of the passage:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise — think about these things.”

This verse describes not only what the Christian life should look like, but also what Bonnie pursued.

She wasn’t perfect, and she knew that. She would’ve been the first to say so. But she filled her heart and mind with the things of Christ — things that are true, pure, and lovely.

Her kindness, her gentleness, her prayerfulness — these were the fruit of what her mind was set on.

The best way we can honor Bonnie is not to idealize her, but to imitate her Savior.

She thought often on the goodness of God — and that shaped her character. She thought on the promises of Scripture — and that steadied her heart. She thought on what was eternal — and that gave her hope even as her earthly body grew weak.

That’s what verse 8 calls us to do: Think on these things.

Think on the truth of the gospel. Think on the love of Christ. Think on the hope of heaven. Think on what is lasting and eternal.

4. The Invitation – The Peace of God and the God of Peace (vv. 7, 9)

Twice in this passage, Paul mentions peace — the “peace of God” and the “God of peace.”

Bonnie had peace because she knew the God of peace.

That peace didn’t come from positive thinking or pretending everything was okay. It came from knowing Jesus Christ personally — knowing that He died for her sins, rose again from the dead, and promised eternal life to all who trust in Him.

That’s what gave her confidence as she faced death — not her goodness, but her Savior’s grace.

Friend, you can have that same peace today.

If you’ve never trusted in Jesus Christ, this is the most important decision you could ever make. The Bible says, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

Bonnie didn’t earn that peace. She received it as a gift by faith. You can too.

So if you want that same peace — peace that endures through grief, through guilt, through death itself — then come to Christ.

Admit that you need forgiveness.

Believe that Jesus died and rose again for you.

Confess Him as your Lord and Savior.

When you do, the peace of God will guard your heart and your mind, just as it did for Bonnie.

5. Closing: A Legacy Worth Following

As we close, Paul’s words echo again: “Think on these things.”

When you remember Bonnie, remember what she fixed her mind on — Christ.

Her life was a window through which you could see the beauty of Jesus. And if she could tell you one thing today, it would be this:

“Don’t just talk about me. Follow the Savior I followed. Trust the Lord I trusted.”

So let’s honor her memory by walking in the same peace, prayer, and purity she found in Jesus Christ.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

All are invited to join the reception following the service in the gym

Graveside at 2:30 PM

All are invited to go to Reg and Eileen Herman’s home

Let’s pray.

Closing Prayer AND FOR THE FOOD

“Father, we thank You for the life of Bonnie Herman — for her faith, her prayers, her love for You and for others. We thank You that her life pointed us to Christ. We ask that You comfort every grieving heart today with Your peace, and that You would draw those who do not yet know You into saving faith in Your Son. Help us, Lord, to think on these things — to set our minds on what is true, honorable, and eternal. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”