Maxine Harwick Funeral
Maxine Hartwick Funeral 9/24/07
Sister Maxine gave specific instructions concerning her Home Going service today.
She was animate that it was to be a happy occasion; no sad songs and no mournful memorials.
Some may wonder why she requested such a service, what could have been her purpose and reasoning behind such a request.
I’m sure in part it was to help the family and friends deal with their grief, but there is a more important reason for her request and that is she knew without a doubt where she was going and where she would be today as we sat here during this service – she knew she would be in heaven with her God and her Savor, Jesus Christ!!
She wanted us to celebrate her Home Going properly with joy, praise and gladness because she wanted it done as it should be done;
The scriptures state that;
Ps.116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints.
It should be precious in our sight as well because they are receiving their reward and their inheritance for their faith in Christ promised to them by God the Father
Sister Maxine knew a little about her inheritance she was to receive and wants us to be happy with her and for her.
Just what was it that she knew and that made her want us to rejoice?
She knew that Flesh and blood cannot inherit heaven;
1Co 15:50. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
She knew that her name was written in heaven.
Rev. 21:27 only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (shall enter it)
Lu 10:20; rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
She knew her name was written in the Lambs Book of Life
She knew that her home in heaven was being prepared by Christ himself.
John 14:3 I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
She knew that in heaven is the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Eph 5:5. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
That means no Satan or the effects of his presence
She knew that heaven is God’s dwelling-place.
Mt 6:9. because Jesus said; Our Father in heaven,
1Ki 8:30; heaven Your dwelling place;
She knew that heaven is God’s throne.
Isa 66:1; Ac 7:49. “Heaven is My throne,
She knew that in heaven is The Father’s house.
Joh 14:2. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.
She knew that heaven is filled with God;
Jer 23:24. “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.
She knew that Christ is in heaven
Heb 6:20; 9:12,24. 24 For Christ has entered into heaven itself,
She knew that heaven is filled with angels;
Mt 18:10; angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
She knew that heaven is a place of unity.
Eph. 1:10 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
She knew that in heaven is where the saints of God gather;
A garner. Mt 3:12. 12 and He will…. gather His wheat into the barn;
She knew that in heaven she would see other saints;
Ge 5:24; 4 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
2Ki 2:11. Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
She knew that in heaven is Paradise.
2Co 12:2,4. 2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven. 4 how he was caught up into Paradise
She knew that in heaven she would hear things reserved only for those in heaven;
2Co 12:2,4. I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven. 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
She knew that heaven is a place of perfection
1Cor. 13:1010 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
She knew that heaven is a place of holiness
Rev. 21:27 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie,
She knew that in heaven is a better country.
Heb 11:16. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God
She knew that heaven is described as a glorious city, likened to pure gold and clear glass.
Heb 11:16. for He has prepared a city for them.
Rev. 21:11, 18 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal
18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.
19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones:
21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
She knew that heaven is a place of beauty.
Ps. 50:2 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth.
She knew that in heaven was where her rewards were;
Mt 5:12; 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven,
1Pe 1:4. 4 an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
She knew that in heaven her rewards are eternal;
Mt 6:20; 20 where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Lu 12:33. 33 which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail,
She knew that in heaven is where true happiness is;
Re 7:16,17. the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
She knew that heaven is a place of joy.
Ps. 16:11 In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
She knew that in heaven is a place of rest.
Heb 4:9. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
She knew that in heaven there will be no more thirst or hunger.
Rev. 7:16 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore;
She knew that in heaven there will be no sickness
Rev. 22:2 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
She knew that in heaven there will be no pain.
Rev. 21:4 4 . There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
She knew that in heaven there will be no death.
1 Cor. 15:26; 6 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
Isa. 25:8; 8 He will swallow up death forever,
Rev. 21:4 4; there shall be no more death,
She knew that heaven is a place for all eternity.
John 3:15; 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
Ps. 23:6 6 And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
She knew and was well pleased that to be absent from the body was to be present with the Lord in heaven!!
2 Co 5:7-88 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
Maxine’s God
She knew that the God in heaven is the God of the living and not the God of the dead!!
Mt 22:30-3231 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ ? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
Maxine accepted Gods’ invitation to heaven will you?
Rev.22:17 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.