Memorial Service for Anthony Scott Briggs

Introduction

This morning I want to remember one of the greatest miracles of Anthony Brigg’s life. When those we love pass away, it is helpful to have some good memories to hold onto. When someone passes difficultly or before there time, we need something to remind us of the goodness of God. Anthony was my first experience being in the room when someone was actually passing away and over the past couple years, we have as a church walked a long road with him. None of us expected Anthony’s illness to end the way that it did. It caught us all off guard. But today, I want to remember a miracle in Anthony’s life. I have chosen for my text this morning 2 Kings 20:1-7 the story of Hezekiah. Read Text

Hezekiah’s Plight

2 Kings 20:1 “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.”

Hezekiah was facing death because he was severely sick. It seems as if he had some sort of a boil that was killing him. Isaiah is sent to him to deliver a message “You are going to die. Set your affairs in order.” It seemed as if all hope was gone and then the preacher just walked away. That’s it. As far as Hezekiah knows this is the end.

We were here a year ago with Anthony. Between his cancer, his kidneys, and other infections; Anthony was in the hospital once again. Only this time was not like the times in the past. I remember the first day that Pastor Karsies and I went to visit him in the hospital. The palative care doctor came into the room and was making plans for Anthony’s passing. Honestly, this caught us off guard because we were not expecting to hear that news that day. Anthony was in the hospital for months and it seemed like he would never get out. Finally they transferred him to a nursing facility. But as far as we knew Anthony was never getting out of there.

Hezekiah’s Prayer

2 Kings 20:2–3 “Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.”

Can you imagine what its like to hear news like Hezekiah did? I have never had to face that personally, but I can only imagine the grief and wrestling I would be doing.

Hezekiah can’t even look at anyone- he turns his face to the wall and wants to curl in on himself.

Hezekiah prayed to God because only God could turn this around. Hezekiah showed he had faith in God

Hezekiah wept- It is perfectly natural to weep before God. Hezekiah did not feel the need to pretend like he wasn’t hurting, afraid and sad about his own death.

With Anthony I can’t say what was going on in his heart and mind, but I know many of us were praying over him. Many of us were weeping at times over him. Jeff spent many hours at his bedside trying to encourage him and serve him. At times, many of us felt like there was no hope just like Hezekiah did.

Hezekiah’s Second Chance

2 Kings 20:4–7 “And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake. And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.”

Its crazy how quickly God answered Hezekiah’s prayer. Before Isaiah had even left the building God was sending him back with a message of healing. God was going to add 15 years onto his life. None of us no matter the healing God does in our life will live forever. We either await the rapture or dead’s door, but the time we have left is in God’s hands. Hezekiah experienced a miracle that day. God reversed what seemed inevitable and gave him more time.

This was the miracle in Anthony’s life. No one expected him to come home from the hospital a year ago. But God gave Anthony a second chance. God extended his life. It truly was a miracle because the doctors had given up hope on him. Anthony was able to come home. Anthony was able to come back to church, go to his weekly breakfasts with Jeff and begin to enjoy life. So when I think of the life of Anthony, I want to remember this. I want to remember what God did in extending his life.

Conclusion

None of us knows when our time will be up and I pray to God that we have many second chances in our lives. What we do with those second chances is up to us. Hezekiah blundered his opportunity. With the brevity of life, we need to take these opportunities seriously. James 4:14 “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” Let’s not waste the chances we are given.

There is one other thing I want to point out in this passage: when Hezekiah prayed notice God’s response:

I heard your prayer

I saw your tears

When we are going through the darkest moments of our lives; when we want to curl up in a ball like Hezekiah; when all we can do is cry; God says I see you. I hear you. I care about these tears you cry. God gives second chances because God cares.