Leo Yates

52 Funeral Sermons Chapter 45: Notable Days in a Person’s History

NOTABLE DAYS IN A PERSON’S HISTORY

1. THE DAY OF BIRTH

Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.—Job 14:1

2. THE DAY OF CONVERSION

And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.—Luke 19:9

3. THE DAY OF DEATH

And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death.—Genesis 27:2

4. THE DAY OF RESURRECTION

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.—John 5:28

5. THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.—Matthew 10:15

This morning we are here to commemorate and celebrate the life of Leo Yates. I did not know Leo. I have known his daughter Bridgette and grandson Thomas for the past couple of years and this week I have met several more family members including his sweet bride Diane. I have listened as she fondly recalled her memories of Leo and their life together.

And even though I did not know Leo, I do know some inescapable truths about his life.

You see in every life their are 4 days of consequence. We all will experience these 4 days, but there tucked in the midst of these days there may be a 5th day that impacts all the rest.

Lets look at these days together.

1. THE DAY OF BIRTH

NOTABLE DAYS IN A PERSON’S HISTORY

1. THE DAY OF BIRTH

1. THE DAY OF BIRTH

March 7, 1942 Leo was born here in Milam in humble circumstances.

Anyone born of woman is short of days and full of trouble.  He blossoms like a flower, then withers

Job could be a bit pessimistic, (short of days and full of trouble) but there is no doubt that Leo had experienced his share of hardships in life. In addition to those troubles common to us all, Leo experienced the loss of 7 sisters and a brother. That said his life wasn’t as Job described (full of trouble).

In fact Leo lived a life that was initiated by God.

For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Anyone born of woman is short of days and full of trouble.  He blossoms like a flower, then withers; -2

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

2 He blossoms like a flower, then withers; -2

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Creation indicates a purpose. Nothing is made for no reason at all. Leo was created for a purpose. As are all of us. And a life of purpose is a life worth living.

Leo loved his life. He was 1960 grad of YOE high and just a year or so later he married Diane and they have spent the last 57yrs in marriage. What an inspiration.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers..—

He loved gardening and fishing. He love his kids and his grand kids.

Leo loved life.

So the first important day is the one that begins it all, the day of birth, but the second day is the one that I mentioned that can change it all.

2. THE DAY OF CONVERSION

I mentioned Leo was born in 1942, but in 1957 at the age of 15 yrs Leo was REBORN.

Diane told me at the age of 15 Leo, under the ministry of Pastor Deusick out at Ben Arnold Baptist, came to the realization that he was a sinner in need of a savior. Leo put his faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin and was saved. And just as Jesus said to Zacchaeus when he repented of his sin....

Leo put his faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin and was saved.

She told me at the age of 15 Leo, under the ministry of Pastor Dusick out at Ben Arnold Baptist, came to the realization that he was a sinner in need of a savior. Leo put his faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin and was saved.

Leo put his faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin and was saved.

And just as Jesus said to Zacchaeus when he repented of his sin....

Jesus said “Today salvation has come to this house,”

As I spoke with Diane this week she was quick to tell me the story of Leo’s conversion. That was a relief. I can’t tell you how often I speak with people who can not say with any certainty that their loved one was in heaven. Diane has no doubts about Leo.

That is why I was able to say at the beginning of this message that we are here to celebrate. Had Leo not known Jesus, there would be nothing to celebrate.

Sure we are saddened by the loss of a family member and a friend. We are sad for ourselves but not sad for Leo. We do not mourn as those who have no hope.

Remember I told you this day is the day that can turn the tide for all the others. The day of conversion, the day of rebirth, the day of salvation.

Not all experience that day. Leo did, you can too.

3. THE DAY OF DEATH

3. THE DAY OF DEATH

3. THE DAY OF DEATH

May 20, 2018 Leo passed away. Though he had his health struggles, no one knew when he may pass.

Isaac said He said, “Look, I am old and do not know the day of my death.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

That is true of all of us. We do not know the day of our death. But we know that we WILL die. Young or old, healthy or sick, We are all guaranteed the same fate we will die. Are you ready for death? I’m not asking are you wanting to die? I don’t think many of us would say that we are eager to die. I am asking are yo prepared?

People prepare for death in different ways. We prepare by setting up a will or some sort of trust. We prepare by telling our loved ones just how precious they are to us.

But the most important way we should prepare is to be sure we are ready for what is next. When Leo said yes to Jesus as his savior at the age of 15, he was preparing for what comes after death.

So what is after death?

4. THE DAY OF RESURRECTION

Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear his (jesus) voice and come out.

Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear his voice and come out.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

The Bible is clear that death is not the final stop on our journey. There is to be a resurrection. How this all works is different for certain groups of people.

Remember how I said that the day of conversion made all the difference? Well now we see it.

For believers such as Leo, their soul is resurrected immediately. What that means is that before the weight of Leo’s chest could expel the last of his final breath from his lungs, Leo was already in the presence of Jesus. That is why Leo could exclaim as the apostle Paul did...

For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). ()

But what about those who die but were not saved… not believers… not Christians? Well, scripture teaches that those people are not in the presence of Jesus, they are in what the Bible calls sheol or hell. This is the holding tank for all who have rejected Jesus or have not placed faith in Him.

They too will be resurrected, but it will not be a resurrection of life like Leo has experienced but rather a resurrection of condemnation.

Which brings us to the last day that all of us will share in common.

Which brings us to the last day that all of us will share in common.

5. THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

Hebrews 9:27 It is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment—

Hebrews 9:27 It is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment—

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Just like with the day of resurrection, the day of Judgment is different based on whether we ever experienced the day of salvation. In fact salvation will be the deciding factor in God’s judgement for each of us.

For those who have never put faith in Jesus, scripture teaches that God looks at each person and sees the fullness of their sin. He sees the depravity of their hearts and cast them into a lake of fire for eternity.

For those who have never put faith in Jesus, scripture teaches that God looks at each person and sees the fullness of their sin. He sees the depravity of their hearts and cast them into a lake of fire for eternity.

Davis, B. L. (2013). 52 Funeral Sermons (p. 86). Barry Davis.

However, for those of us who have put their faith in Jesus, like Leo had, the story is quite different. We will still stand before God, but instead of seeing the dirtiness of our sin and the depravity of our souls, God sees the purity and holiness of his son Jesus. The bible says that for those of us who have placed faith in Jesus, we will be ushered into a feast in the very presence of God.

However, for those of us who have put their faith in Jesus, like Leo had, the story is quite different. We will still stand before God, but instead of seeing the dirtiness of our sin and the depravity of our souls, God sees the purity and holiness of his son Jesus.

Conclusion:

I began this message by telling you that I had not known Leo in this life. However, I am confident that he knew Jesus as his savior and I loo forward to meeting him in eternity.

For each and everyone of us here, the only hope we have to ever see Leo again is to share eternity with him in heaven. I know that Leo wants that for each of us.

We aren’t guaranteed another day on this earth. So if you have not done so already, make today the day of salvation. Put your faith in Jesus Christ.