Barb Evans Funeral

About Barb

I’d like to begin by sharing a little about Barb from my own personal interactions and from things the family has shared with me over the past week

Barb had a love for people.

Within the first year of my time here at FBC I began developing a fondness for Barb and her family. I have several memories, but one that sticks out is a time when Nicole and I still had a 3 year old and infant at home. Sarah, Barb and JJ offered to come and stay with our kiddos while Nicole and I had a night out together. Parents of young children know who special and rare it is to get away and spend quality time together as a couple. It made a tremendous impact that Barb and Sarah and JJ would care enough to seek out this opportunity for us. And as that summer time rolls around every year I see the photo memory I have of JJ sitting in the floor with Henley reading her a book. Their love and care for me and my family was obvious.

Throughout that last few years Barb was unable to come to church services. Unfortunately the time in between our visits was sometimes long. But each time we visited Barb reacted like a day hadn’t gone by. Her love, care and concern was so evident every time we visited. I suspect that is true for many here today.

Barb had a love for the local church.

A few years ago we celebrated an anniversary in our church. We sought out people in the church to make a short video describing what the church meant to them. I remember Dan and Barb agreeing to the request and as they sat in my office and I recorded their response - I remember being touched by her obvious love and appreciation for the church, it’s members, and for her Lord.

Barb enjoyed being creative.

During our visits I learned that Barb had tried just about every form of crafting and art. In fact she joke with my wife Nicole recently that you could probably find items for any craft you could think of throughout her home. But one of her favorite activities was handmaking and painting Santa Claus figurines that she would sell at local craft markets. I gather she made MANY of these over the years - all of different poses and themes. Her eyes would light up as she remembered that time of her life and the people she connected with on that journey.

Barb had a firm faith in God.

I visited Barb in hospital right after her first stroke. I wanted to share with her words of comfort and encouragement - directing her to fix her eyes on Jesus, no matter what comes…and I did, but I quickly realized that Barb was already there. Although she was facing health challenges she didn’t want, she was already relying on God for what was to come.

In talking with Dan and Sarah earlier this week. They shared with me that when the kids were still young, Barb lost a sister to suicide. They shared that for years Barb was angry with God over this loss. Their pastor at the time shared with Barb that it was ok to be angry. Tell God how you feel — He already knows! Give it to Him and allow Him to help you.

Barb did just that. Although, I’m sure, she felt the loss of her sister for the rest of her life, she recommitted her life to God. She placed her trust in His care and His plan. And because she experienced this lost and had seen God help her through it — she then encouraged others to place their trust in God no matter what they were facing.

I’ve been told of many instances where Barb offered steadfast support to so those she knew…but especially to her immediate and extended family…many who are here today. I’m sure many, if not all of you, can recall Barbs love and care expressed to you throughout your life. Hold onto those memories. Cherish the love you had for each other. That is a true blessing from the Lord.

Gospel Message

I believe that today Barb is in the presence of her Savior.

The Bible teaches that when God’s children pass away from this life that they are then present with Him in Heaven. Barb’s faith has been made sight. What she learned and believed through God’s Word she is now seeing and experiencing!

And I am convinced that if Barb could speak to us today, she would want each one here to know and understand the Gospel message that led her to saving grace. And so I want to share with you as clearly as I can what this Gospel message it:

John 3:16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

This is one of the most well-known Bible verses. It tells us that Jesus came and died for us. But for us to fully understand the good news of the Gospel, we must ask, why would Jesus need to come and die?

In Genesis, we read that when God created the world, He said that it was very good. Nothing was wrong. Everything was perfect. There was NO sin or death.

However, Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command, and this disobedience was the first sin. Because of sin their relationship with God was severed. And Their sin nature has been passed down to each of us. Each of us has sinned. We have disobeyed God and gone our own way.

God cannot allow sin. He is holy and perfect, and His nature cannot abide sin. His Word says that the punishment for sin is death.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Many people throughout the Bible tried to correct their sin. They tried to live righteous lives. They tried to do enough good to outweigh their sin or offer enough sacrifices, but that’s not possible…and God knew this. The second part of Romans 6:23 tells us that God offers us a gift.

Now we return to John 3:16 Jesus came so that He could die in our place. Instead of us paying that price…He paid it for us. And this verse tells us why….because He loves us!

Jesus’ love for us is beyond our comprehension, but it is on full display in His death on the cross.

John 11:25 “Jesus says “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.”

Barb placed her faith in Jesus. She trusted in the sacrifice that He made for her, for me, and for each of you.

Jesus offers this forgiveness as a gift. He died for each one of us. The gift is free to us, but we must accept it. You must receive Christ, trust in Him, allow Him to be Lord of your life.

Friend, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done in your past or where you are today. God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice is enough for you. No one has done too much to be rejected. The only thing that keeps us from salvation is turning down Jesus’ gift. He waits with open arms for any sinner who would turn, repent of their sins, and accept his gift of life.

Jesus says in John 14:1–7 ““Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. You know the way to where I am going.” —-

“Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. “

The Bible tells us that there is only 1 way to the Father, and that’s through Jesus. That’s not a popular thing to say in our world today, but it is the truth of God’s Word.

Barb is spending eternity with her Savior, not because of her good deeds, not because she attended church, not because she prayed, but because Jesus died for her. It is only God’s grace that saves us, not anything we can do.

Now, Barb did pray, and attend church, and do good things, but this was the result of God’s saving grace. This was the fruit of God working in her life to change and shape her into His image.

Jesus says in John 14 that He has gone to prepare a place for us and He will return for us. The Bible speaks about heaven and the streets of Gold, the angels, no more sickness, pain, or suffering…and all of those things will be beyond wonderful.

BUT far and above any of those promises is the gift that it will be for sinners like you and I to kneel as redeemed saints before our Lord and worship our Savior. The Bible says we will fall to our knees and cast our crowns at His feet, because He alone is Worthy. Barb has joined that everlasting song of worship that is occurring even now. That is the beauty of heaven: spending eternity giving thanks to our Savior and Lord.

We too can join Barb one day. Each of us has an appointed time for this life to end. Today we have a choice: will we accept Jesus’s saving gift, or will reject Him and go our own way. Open your heart…seek Him out. He waits with open arms for any who would turn to Him. Don’t wait until its too late. There are MANY here that would love nothing more than for you to accept Jesus’ gift of grace. Grab me or grab someone you know and trust. Make that decision today.

When I met with the family earlier this week, I asked if Barb took notes in her Bible and if they would be willing to share those with us. These notes often give us a glimpse into the faith an individual had throughout their life. They can be an ecouragement to us today. I’d like to share two of those in closing:

The Lord is my Shepherd, my Jehovah Rohi

He sweetly supplies me with my every need.

He’s with me at night when I lie down to sleep.

He holds me and keeps me rested in peace.

He walks and He talks with me all the day thru

For HIs honor and glory His will I’m to do

And then when I fail, He just lets me know,

He then picks me up and onward we go.

When into a storm, my faith He renews,

For His love and His comfort it carries me thru.

He fills my table abundantly for all the world to see.

That He is my provider and Its God they see in me.

And when He came into my heart He filled it up

with compassion and tears for a world that I’m to fill.

So because my Lord is who He is - with Honor I can say,

by faith upon a promise with Him is where I’ll stay.

Today: Walk with God

Find joy in the little things.

Do something for someone else.

Bury resentment of the past.

Trust God today for all tomorrows.

Barb was blessed. She was blessed because of her relationship with her Lord and because of her family and friends. She shared with me so many good memories of a life well-lived. Don’t be mistaken, she had her difficulties. Her health made these last 14 years an increasing struggle. She faced so many hard days and difficulties. But she didn’t let that define her. She continued to point those in her life to Jesus. These last two notes from her Bible show that she trusted in Him, no matter what was to come. That’s the key. Hard times will come for each of us, but as we trust in Jesus we’re comforted knowing He is carrying us through.

As you remember Barb, remember her pointing you to her Savior.