Funeral Service for Hobert Britt
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35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, 39 height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Welcome
I would like to welcome you to Broad Ridge Baptist Church, and thank each and every one of you for coming out to support the Britt family in this hour, as we honor the memory of Hobert Britt. My hope and prayer this morning is that, as we participate in this time or worship and reflection, you will be comforted in your grief and encouraged in your life to live in a way that honors the life Hobert lived as He sought to honor the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is at this time, I would like to welcome Rev. James Graham to bless us with one of Hobert’s favorite songs, and afterwards, He will lead us in our opening prayer.
Song How Great Thou Art
Reading of the Scripture
24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life. 25 “I assure you: An hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted to the Son to have life in Himself. 27 And He has granted Him the right to pass judgment, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come out—those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of judgment.
Song: Beulah Land
Message
35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.
35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, 39 height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Rom. 8
Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Character, Exposure of
Robert Louis Stevenson told the story of a veiled Muhammadan prophet who was a great teacher and light among the people. He wore the veil, he said, because his countenance was so glorious that none could bear the sight of his face. But eventually the veil decayed and fell away, revealing nothing but an ugly old man. Stevenson stressed that “however high the truths the preacher taught, and however skillfully he might excuse the blemishes of character, the time comes when the veil falls away, and a man is seen by people as he really is. It is seen whether beneath the veil is the ugly fact of unmortified egotism or the transfigured glory of Christlike character.”
When it comes time to say farewell to someone we know, it is natural to reflect upon the sort of person he was in life. We recall their face, their smell, their disposition, and most of all, their character.
Many people loved Hobert for a variety of different reasons.
To Dennis, Frankie, and Cathy, he was the father they knew and loved their entire life.
To Frankie Jean, with whom he is now reunited in Heaven, he was her faithful husband who lovedher all their married life.
To Hazel, he was her companion who provided her with comfort and companionship in their twilight years.
To Hollis, he was not only a brother-in-law, he was a best friend who can never be replaced.
When anyone talks about Hobert, the first thing that stands out about him was his character. After Frankie Jean was called home, Hobert probably could have had any woman he wanted as a companion. However, it was not his great stature, his dashing smile, or good looks that attracted them. It was his character. He was kind, considerate, honest, and compassionate.
Character is measured by what we do when no one is watching or when we think no one will find out. A person can cultivate a good reputation with people, but their character is eventually revealed regardless of their reputation. When push comes to shove, it is their character that determines how they will respond, not their reputation.
However, it was not his personality, his large stature, or his dashing smile that drew people to him. It was his character. Character is what we do when no one is watching or when we think no one will find out.
A person can cultivate a good reputation with people, but their character is eventually revealed regardless of their reputation. When push comes to shove, it is their character that determines how they will respond, not their reputation.
Everyone who talks about Hobert, the first thing they mention about him was his character. After Frankie Jean was called home, Hobert probably could have had any woman he wanted as a companion. However, it was not his great stature, his dashing smile, or good looks that attracted them. It was his character. He was kind, considerate, honest, and compassionate.
Hobert may have run up the road in his youth like the best of them, but throughout his life, his charater showed who he truly was.
I can honestly say that I have no personal experience with Hobert until the last 5 years; however, I can tell you that in my short time knowing him, he had impeccable character where it counted.
I can honestly say that I have no personal experience with Hobert until the last 5 years; however, I can tell you that in my short time knowing him, he was a man of solid character.
People have different things in life that motivate them, makes them get out of bed in the morning, that gives them a reason to live. Some do it for money; some for power; some for notoriety; however, for Hobert, it was for an opportunity to see people, talk with them, and be a blessing to them. Hobert was not conerned about being popular or being recognised by other men. HE simply wanted to do what he felt was right in God’s eyes, even if no one ever knew.
As age and infirmity took its toll on Hobert, the only complaints I ever heard from him was that he regretted not being able to be in Church as often as he wanted to. He loved his church family, and he missed worshiping with them every Sunday morning.
As age and infirmity took its toll on Hobert, the only complaints I ever heard from him was that he regretted not being able to be in Church as often as he wanted to. He loved his church family, and he missed worshiping with them every Sunday morning.
When I first came to Broad Ridge, Hobert was one of the friendliest people I ever met. He constantly told me that he was praying for me and loved me. But, for Hobert, it wasn’t just about words.
You can tell a lot about a man by how he lives, but even more by how he dies. When I first came to Broad Ridge, Hobert was one of the friendliest people I ever met. He constantly told me that he was praying for me and loved me. But, for Hobert, it wasn’t just about words.
Hobert never wanted me to share this story when he was living, but now that he is home and has received his rewards, I would like to share it to explain the type of man Hobert was. When I first came to Broad Ridge, every Sunday I got dressed in one of 4 suits that were passed down to me from my wife’s grandfather. Now, you can imagine how outdated these suits were.
Hobert came up to me on one Sunday, and told me to come by his house the next day, because he had something he wanted to show me. So, the next day I went by Hobert’s. We sat down and talked for a while. Hobert took the time to point out all is family in the photos throughout his den. He would mention each one, and then tell me stories or how they had impacted his life.
So, the next day I went by Hobert’s. We sat down and talked for a while. When it was time for me to go, He said, “Preacher, I know it’s not easy trying to raise a family, but I want you to be able to look good on Sunday mornings. So, he shook my hand, and in his palm he gave me enough money to buy my first new suit: the very one I am wearing today.
When it was time for me to go, He said, “Preacher, I know it’s not easy trying to raise a family, but I want you to be able to look good on Sunday mornings. So, he shook my hand, and in his palm he gave me enough money to buy my first new suit: the very one I am wearing today.
Hobert didn’t do it for a pat on the back or a thank you. He didn’t do it for recognition in front of others. He did it because he loved the Lord and saw a way to express that love where he felt it was needed. Hobert had invited me over to show me his family and friends, just so he would have an opportunity to give me that gift in private. He didn’t want to take any chance that someone else would know while he was here on earth, and give him some sort of praise for his good deed, rather than waiting to receive it in Heaven.
In fact, I don’t think his children even knew about this. I almost shared this story in the hospital, but he told me they didn’t need to hear it. He did not want the recognition. However, I think this is the perfect time to tell it, because a funeral is not for the dead, but for the living. It’s an opportunity to provide hope and perspective to a person’s life. It’s an opportunity to provide people with the knowledge of what is most essential in life.
As age and infirmity took its toll on Hobert, the only complaints I ever heard from him was that he regretted not being able to be in Church as often as he wanted to. He loved his church family, and he missed worshiping with them every Sunday morning. As Hobert prepared to go home, the one thing he kept stressing over and over is that he wanted all of you to know how much he loves you, and that he wanted to tell each and every one of you good-bye.
However, for Hobert, it was not really good-bye. It was, “see you after a while.”
As age and infirmity took its toll on Hobert, the only complaints I ever heard from him was that he regretted not being able to be in Church as often as he wanted to. He loved his church family, and he missed worshiping with them every Sunday morning.
Paul tells us in that no matter what we go through, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. That is what drove Hobert. Hobert trusted in the Lord, that no matter what difficulties he faced in life, Jesus Christ would always be with him every step of the way.
Hobert faced death in a way that few people do.
He didn’t fight it;
he didn’t complain about it;
he was not frightened by the thought of it.
He welcomed it.
Few people can welcome death like a friend they have been waiting for, but Hobert did. He didn’t consider it as something final. UT was just one more even in his life, that would mean some temporary changes. When I considered the incredible balance Hobert portrayed between life and death, I was drawn to this passage, specifically because of Paul’s words in .
Paul tells us in that no matter what we go through, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Paul did not say he hoped, or prayed or suspected; he was persuaded. Paul was utterly convinced that nothing could separate him from the love of Christ: life or death, angels or rulers; the present or the future; forces of evil; or anything else created could ever separate him form the love of Jesus Christ.
Paul did not say he hoped, or prayed or suspected; he was persuaded. Paul was utterly convinced that nothing could separate him from the love of Christ: life or death, angels or rulers; the present or the future; forces of evil; or anything else created could ever separate him form the love of Jesus Christ.
That is what drove Hobert. Hobert trusted in the Lord, that no matter what difficulties he faced in life, Jesus Christ would always be with him every step of the way.
As Hobert’s health deteriorated, Hobert went through the procedures, because if they worked, and the Lord allowed him to remain a little while longer, then Hobert would continue serving the Lord in whatever capacity he could. Staying here did not diminish the Lord’s love for him in the slightest. However, when Hobert realized the treatments were not really working, they were just putting off the inevitable, Hobert made the decision to let the Lord take him whenever the Lord was willing, knowing that in death, he would be loved and protected by Christ just as he was in life. Whether he stayed here or went home to be with the Lord, Hobert was confident that he would be secure in the love of Christ, so it did not matter to him where he was.
How do I know?
I know, because as Hobert prepared to be called home, not an ounce of his character changed. He did not go through anger, frustration, or denial. He happily accepted what was coming and looked forward to it. Dspite the fact that he knew he only had a few days left, Hobert had a smile on his face for everyone who came in the room, and his only concern was that those he would leave behind would know how much he loved them.
Whetehr he stayed here or went homw to be with the Lord, Hobert was confident that he would be secure in the love of Christ, so it did not matter to him where he was.
So, as we gather to gether to wish Hobert farewell, the one thing I know that Hobert would want me to ask each and everyone of you, is this:
Are you as prepared to face death as Hobert was?
If you found out today, that you were going to die tomorrow, how would you respond?
Would you respond in panic, anger, denial, or fear? Or, would you be able to embrace death with the same joy that you embrace life?
If your answer is no, then we need to sit down and have a talk, because before youcan face death as Christ intends, you have to know, that you know, that you know, what will happen and where you are going. You have to be certain that Christ has paid for your sins and that there is no judgment for you to fear when it is your time.
Paul said that he was persuaded that nothing could separate him from the love of Christ, because God did not spare anything, not even His only Son, so that we might experience His love. He sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for our sins as a demonstration of His love, and He provides the Holy Spirit to all who believe as a constant testimony to His love.
Hobert believed this, he counted on it, and he placed his complete and total faith in it, and now he has been rewarded for his faith. And, I believe that above and beyond anything, if he could, he would encourage us to do the same.
Invitation
So, let me ask you right now.
Do you know the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Has anyone before today ever told you that God loves you so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for your sins, defeating death once and for all, so that you could have eternal life?
Do you believe it?
I don’t mean, do you believe it up here? I mean, do you belieive it in here? Do you believe it enough to live your life counting on it as a reality like Hobert did, trusting completely in the love of Christ, and commmitting to serve Christ?
If not, I want to give you that opportunity right now.
We are going to sing a short hymn, and after that, we will close with a benediction, but I believe Hobert would be furious with me if I did not give you the opportunity to make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
So, if you are here this morning, and you have never asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins, or you have at some point in the past, but somewhere along the way, you have fell out of fellowship with him, I want to give you the opportunity to come back to Him and place your complete trust in Him.
So, as we turn to hymn #411, I would like to ask you all to stand and sing with me, Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus, and brother James and I will step down to the floor on either side.
If you have any questions about what it means to accept Christ; if you have concerns you would like us to pray with you about; I would like to encourage you to act today. Do not put it off. The one thing we should all take away from a service like today is that death will come for all of us one day, so we need to make sure that we are prepared to face it with confidence, peace, and complete faith in Christ.
Benediction
As we close, I would like to remind you that, if you put your faith in Christ, the Lord promises to bless us and keep us in this life, and in our new life with the Lord.
The same Lord who’s face now shines upon brother Hobert, has promised to forgive us and shelter us for eternity. Therefore, I challenge you to find comfort and peace in these gracious promises of our loving God.
May the Lord Bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you. May the Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen