Funeral Ken Potgeter

Title: Full of life and Days

Intro: See OOS

Text: Job 42 “Then Job answered the Lord and said, “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” ‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.” It came about after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has. “Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job. The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold. Then all his brothers and all his sisters and all who had known him before came to him, and they ate bread with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversities that the Lord had brought on him. And each one gave him one piece of money, and each a ring of gold. The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had 14,000 sheep and 6,000 camels and 1,000 yoke of oxen and 1,000 female donkeys. He had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first Jemimah, and the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. In all the land no women were found so fair as Job’s daughters; and their father gave them inheritance among their brothers. After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations. And Job died, an old man and full of days.”

Trans:

Let me tell you why funerals are so important: (1)— It is our chance to remember this important person in our life— imperfect as he was, he was yours, and he is worth remembering: (2) God views the creation of a soul, the birth of a human being, the life of a human being, and the death of a human being as uniquely special. (3)— Where else if not at the departure from this life, where all of us, must without deference to upbringing or paternity travel, — should the gospel of Jesus Christ be shared. Funerals are hard, because there is nothing like death to remind you that you will not control your destiny.

This might be as close to a wedding vow, as I can get on a memorial service. Because I believe that the person we are remembering, really loved you, (yes?) and would want the best for you (Yes?)— and now, is in the presence of Jesus Christ, (yes), knows firsthand was is the key to your best life ever— and the lessons that support it!

(GOD) IS ALWAYS AND IN EVERY WAY IN CHARGE

Job 42: 1-2;

Remember, I’m the dad, that’s why!

Rule #1– Keep that one on your mirror— I know God, that you can do all things.

Rule #2– Return to rule 1.

No purpose of God will be thwarted by you, or anyone else. Job never gave up on God, and for not God’s intervention, he may have given up on himself. God loves you, has a plan for your life and is much better at running your life than you are.

I (YOU) AM/ ARE NOT THAT GOOD

Job 42: 3-6;

The minute you begin to think too highly of yourselves, you should be reminded that it can all go away in the twinkling of an eye. Whatever riches you have amassed and what you find defines you can be erased by the difficult and terminal diagnosis of your doctor.

The real greatness of Job has nothing to do with patience and everything to do with his trust in God and his willingness to let God be God.

FRIENDS ARE INVALUABLE, JUST NOT INFALLIBLE

Job 42: 7-9;

You can never have too many people who love you, pray for you, walk your life with you and tell you when your life is out of step— but likely it will be just a trusted few.

Contrary to popular belief we really do need our siblings—Listen to me, I’ve earned the right to say this— I tell my kids all the time… I don’t care if you don’t like your brothers/ sister, you will love them— otherwise you will spend a good deal of your later life in misery, envy, bitterness, or regret. Much of King David’s later grief in life could have been avoided, if he would just have made a point to engage his family and secure their relationships.

Your real friends will show up for you— they will come and rejoice with you, and they will bolster your defenses when you are attacked, and they will hopefully have the right stuff when you need admonishing— and you will. Just recognize that your family and your friends are not infallible, they are frail human beings full of warts, and will say and do some of the most contrary things in your life, but you must stay the course and nourish those relationships — or you become bitter old men or obsessed old women.

GOD CAN BE TRUSTED FOR MY BEST LIFE

Job 42: 10-17;

Notice:

His fortunes were restored

His friends became precious to him again

His family increased and were noteworthy

He lived a long life: often said of folks in the Old Testament who lived closely to God in Fellowship, and consistent with God in righteousness. See Josh 1:8-9;

He lived a long life and a full life

Prayer and consecration

Benediction

Postlude