Bill Cleveland Graveside Service

On behalf of Bill’s family, thank you all for coming. I am sorry for your loss.

At a funeral, it is every pastor’s desire to tell those that mourn their loved ones are in a better place and without pain. It is equally every pastor’s burden that he can not with integrity say such things in every case.

There are a great many things I don’t know.

I never met Bill and do not know how he lived his life.

I don’t know with certainty if he ever came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Because of that, I can’t with any confidence tell you whether he is with the Lord and free of pain or in outer darkness, separated from God.

These are things I do not know, but there are some things I am sure of.

Jesus tells of a story of a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus, each of which lives and meets a different end.

Summarize the rich man and Lazarus story.

I share this story, because as I said, I didn’t know Bill, but regardless of where he finds himself, I know what he would want me to share with each of you.

Scripture says in Ecclesiastes 7:2 “2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.”

I know, unless Christ returns first, that in our own time, each of us here will eventually join Bill in death.

I know that Hebrews 9:27 “27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

2 Corinthians 5:10–21 “10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

We will all face judgment in the end and there is only one hope for us on that day. We must be found in Jesus, who died for us and rose again. Note it says he died for all, because all were dead. No one is excluded and all are sinners and fall short. For those of us in Christ, consider your end and live not for yourselves, but for Christ who died for you and rose again. If you think perhaps you are too far gone, hear that old things are passed away and all things are made new in Christ.

Bill would want me, as an ambassador for Christ to urge you in Christ to be reconciled to God. Repent from your sins and be reconciled and if you have been reconciled to live for God and not yourself. Of these things, I am certain.