Funeral - Jack Silberhorn

TEXT: ,,,, “14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [In v.3 He says, “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”] 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[c]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

Having just started as new Pastor at Grace, Tecumseh, the challenge for me is getting all the new names of members of my flock down. Right now I look out in the congregation and its mostly a sea of faces. “Silberhorn” is an interesting name. Literally, it means “silver-horn.” It’s also is the name of a white, snow-capped mountain in the Alps. You can climb if you wanted to. Mount Silberhorn. A silvery, snow-capped mountain like that is a symbol of power. In the Bible, silver is also the color of gray hair that tops our heads, a reminder of old age and the weakness that sets in due to the gradual effects of sin in our life. The “silver chord” in Ecclesiastes is a reference to the precious, and yet frail, slender chord of our life, and our mortality which is so easily broken by death.

the silver chord is a reference to the precious, and yet frail, slender chord of our life, and our mortality which is so easily broken by death.

And here we are today witnessing again the sad results of our weakness and sin. There is nothing in this life that is more heartbreaking than the death of a loved one. A part of our lives is gone. Suddenly we realize that someone we love is no longer with us. We see him resting in a casket, with eyes closed and hands folded, and soon the casket will be lowered to its final resting place in the ground at the cemetery.

There’s nothing more heart-breaking than the loss of a loved one. We realize that a very important part of our lives is gone. Someone we love is no longer with us. We see him resting in a casket, with eyes closed and hands folded. In a short while his body will be laid to rest in the cemetery where the casket will be lowered to its final resting place. In a way it doesn't even seem real. It's so final. Earth to earth, dust to dust, and ashes to ashes we say. It seems so final.

· A part of our lives is gone...Someone we love is no longer with us...

· We see him resting in a casket, with eyes closed and hands folded...in a very short while we'll make a trip to the cemetery where the casket will be lowered to its final resting place.

In a way it doesn't even seem real. It's so final. Earth to earth, dust to dust, and ashes to ashes we say.

But then Jesus comes along with this amazing good news in His Word: (v.28) “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”

Thankfully, for us Jesus climbed a mountain of a much different sort than Mt. Silberhorn. Mt.Calvary was a real mountain, too, but it wasn’t covered with snow. It was covered with the shame of our sin. Maybe you saw in the news recently how they gave out too many permits for people climbing Everest so that people who were hoping to stake their name in history by climbing Mt. Everest, actually ended up dying on that mountain.

How foolish we might think. To climb a mountain when you know you might die.

In the Bible, perish means more than just dying. In Church you learn from little on that all human beings are born with a soul and that after we die the the soul lives in either one of two places: there’s heaven, a place of everlasting joy and happiness, and there’s hell, a place of everlasting place of firery suffering and punishment. And only by faith are we snatched out and away from that judgement, like a branch snatched out of the fire.

But then our Good Shepherd, Jesus, comes along with this Good News in His Word and says, (v.28) “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” A Christian funeral is filled with hope and even joy because of the way our Good Shepherd promises and gives eternal life to the believing members of His Flock. We make all kinds of promises and we try to keep them. Jesus is the only One who can make this promise though: “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.”

In the Bible, perish means more than just dying. In Church you learn from little on that all human beings are born with a soul and that after we die the the soul lives in either one of two places: there’s heaven, a place of everlasting joy and happiness, and there’s hell, a place of everlasting place of firery suffering and punishment. And only by faith are we snatched out and away from that judgement, like a branch snatched out of the fire.

But then our Good Shepherd, Jesus, comes along with this Good News in His Word and says, (v.28) “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” A Christian funeral is filled with hope and even joy because of the way our Good Shepherd promises and gives eternal life to the believing members of His Flock. We make all kinds of promises and we try to keep them. Jesus is the only One who can make this promise though: “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.”

I’m told that when your loved one and friend, Jack was a barber for all those years in Tecumseh, that he knew almost all of Lenawee County by their first name. Unfortunately, because I’m so new to Tecumseh (Just preached my first sermon this past Sunday), I didn’t get to know Jack at all, but the pastors before me did. And it was through those earthly shepherds like me that the Good Shepherd, Jesus, called Jack by name in the waters of Holy Baptism. Already as an infant the Good Shepherd said, “You are Mine,” and He made a promise with Jack, that as long as he kept living and breathing, his Good Shepherd would keep loving and forgiving Jack. And 92 years later to the date, this past Friday, Jesus was still keeping that promise to Jack, when He called another member of His earthly flock home to His eternal pastures in heaven.

Thankfully, for the believer, Jesus climbed a mountain of a much different sort than Mt. Silberhorn. Mt.Calvary was a real mountain, too, but it wasn’t covered with snow. It was covered with the shame of our sin. It’s a mountain Jesus willingly climbed layed down his life of his own accord so that we could be set free from the power of sin and death.

I’m told that when your loved one and friend, Jack was a barber for all those years in Tecumseh, that he knew almost all of Lenawee County by their first name. Unfortunately, because I’m so new to Tecumseh (Just preached my first sermon this past Sunday), I didn’t get to know Jack at all, but the pastors before me did. And it was through those earthly shepherds like me that the Good Shepherd, Jesus, called Jack by name in the waters of Holy Baptism. Already as an infant the Good Shepherd said, “You are Mine,” and He made a promise with Jack, that as long as he kept living and breathing, his Good Shepherd would keep loving and forgiving Jack. And 92 years later to the date, this past Friday, Jesus was still keeping that promise to Jack, when He called another member of His earthly flock home to His eternal pastures in heaven.

How foolish someone might think at first. To climb a mountain when you know you might die. Maybe you saw in the news recently how they gave out too many permits for people climbing Everest so that people who were hoping to stake their name in history by climbing Mt. Everest, actually ended up dying waiting in line to get to the top of that mountain.

That is the promise Jesus makes to all the members of His flock, in the Holy Christian Church on earth. In v.28 He says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

And how foolish Jesus looked in calling Himself a king and yet willing submitting to such a shameful death on the cross. But the believer in Jesus knows, that was our Good Shepherd laying down His life for us wandering sheep.

The Good Shepherd says to His sheep, “I give them eternal life.” That’s only possible because of the way He laid down His life for the sheep.

· We see him resting in a casket, with eyes closed and hands folded...in a very short while we'll make a trip to the cemetery where the casket will be lowered to its final resting place.

In a way it doesn't even seem real. It's so final. Earth to earth, dust to dust, and ashes to ashes we say.

But Jesus willingly did that. He ascended Mt Calvary and, even though He Himself committed no sin, He let Himself be crucified between two common criminals. Having paid the price of our sins Jesus makes a promise to people in his Word. He says, (v.28) “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

One of the ways Jack served at Grace Church from time to time was as a substitute teacher in the Sunday School classroom. The most important story teachers share with the children is the story of Jesus and His cross. When Jesus was crucified all the rest of the sheep scattered, the Bible says. All of them feared for their life. They didn’t want to die with Jesus. Peter denied even knowing Jesus. Judas betrayed Him. As Jack taught stories like this he would’ve explained to children that our sin is a denial of what we say we believe, too. Our sin leads us to wander from the ways our Good Shepherd leads us. It’s our sin that made it necessary for Jesus to lay down His life on the cross. None of us wants to die, but Jesus willing died for our sins. And not only that. Not only did He have authority to lay His life down for our sins, but the Bible says He had authority to take it up again. In John chapter eleven, Jesus says, () “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

That’s what makes a funeral such a hard thing to go through, but then Jesus, our Good Shepherd comes along in His Word and proclaims this amazing good news: (v.28) “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” A Christian funeral is filled with hope and even joy because of the promise of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. We make all kinds of promises and we try to keep them. Jesus is the only One who can make this promise though: “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.”

The Good Shepherd says to His sheep, “I give them eternal life.” That’s only possible because of the way He laid down His life for the sheep.

So, when Jesus comes along in his Word today it's truly an amazing announcement when he tells us that...

The Good Shepherd says to His sheep, “I give them eternal life.” That’s only possible because of the way He laid down His life for the sheep.

One of the ways Jack served at Grace Church here in Tecumseh, was as a sub in the Sunday School classroom. Of course, the most important story teachers share with the children is the story of Jesus and His cross. When Jesus was crucified all the rest of the sheep scattered, the Bible says. All of them feared for their life. They didn’t want to die with Jesus. Peter denied even knowing Jesus. Judas betrayed Him. As Jack taught stories like this he would’ve explained to children that our sin is a denial of what we say we believe, too. Our sin leads us to wander from the ways our Good Shepherd leads us. It’s our sin that made it necessary for Jesus to lay down His life on the cross. As a pioneer leader, Jack would’ve not only taught you boy pioneers about how to make a fire, but a good pioneer leader would also have devotions from God’s Word around that campfire.

In the Bible, perish means more than just dying. In Church you learn from little on that all human beings are born with a soul and that after we die the the soul lives in either one of two places: there’s heaven, a place of everlasting joy and happiness, and there’s hell, a place of everlasting place of firery suffering and punishment. And only by faith are we snatched out and away from that judgement, like a branch snatched out of the fire.

But there’s a big difference between the death we will die and Jesus’ death. None of us wants to die, but Jesus willing died for our sins. And not only that. Not only did He have authority to lay His life down for our sins, but the Bible says He had authority to take it up again. In John chapter eleven, Jesus says, () “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

And But there’s a big difference between the death we will die and Jesus’ death. None of us wants to die, but Jesus willing died for our sins. And not only that. Not only did He have authority to lay His life down for our sins, but the Bible says He had authority to take it up again. In John chapter eleven, Jesus says, () “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

One of the ways Jack served at Grace Church from time to time was as a substitute teacher in the Sunday School classroom. The most important story teachers share with the children is the story of Jesus and His cross. When Jesus was crucified all the rest of the sheep scattered, the Bible says. All of them feared for their life. They didn’t want to die with Jesus. Peter denied even knowing Jesus. Judas betrayed Him. As Jack taught stories like this he would’ve explained to children that our sin is a denial of what we say we believe, too. Our sin leads us to wander from the ways our Good Shepherd leads us. It’s our sin that made it necessary for Jesus to lay down His life on the cross. As a pioneer leader, Jack would’ve not only taught you boy pioneers about how to make a fire, but a good pioneer leader would also have devotions from God’s Word around that campfire.

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

(Rom.6:23) “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” None of us wants to die, but Jesus willing died for our sins. And not only that. Not only did He have authority to lay His life down for our sins, but the Bible says He had authority to take it up again. In John chapter eleven, Jesus says, () “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

By the way, I checked back in our church records, and that’s the verse that brought you comfort at the passing of your mother, Wilma. Now she and Jack enjoy the blessed reunion promised to believing sheep who die trusting in the Good Shepherd’s promise that, (v.28) “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

So how can you know with certainty that Jesus will keep that promise for you? Or, will you instead fall under his eternal judgment and be thrown into hell like a withered branch is thrown into a fire? Listen to Jesus and see how He describes His sheep. In (v.27) He says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Are you listening and following Jesus in his Word? That’s where we hear his voice. When He knows you by name and you follow Him, not in name only, but as a true follower of Jesus, then He will watch over your coming and going, now and forevermore.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

The Good Shepherd watched over Jack his entire life. Throughout all his childhood years, and during the time he was serving his country in U.S. Army in Alaska. During his life Jesus shepherded Jack through those very difficult years in the nursing home, but also granted him many joys in life as well. Camping, and hiking with the pioneers. Sledding down great “Mt Silberhorn” in the backyard with grandchildren. Jesus was truly a Good Shepherd to Jack, and He kept His promise to Jack. (John 10:14,28) “I know my sheep and my sheep know me...I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

True members of Jesus’ flock meet with him where he says He meets with us, in a study of His Word, worshiping in His House, where His Word is read and explained, receiving His Holy Supper often. It’s my prayer, and I know it was your father and mother’s wish that you would listen to your Good Shepherd’s voice, and that your listening would be the true listening of obedience, and not just in name only. When that’s the case, Jesus, your Good Shepherd will continue to use his Word to draw you closer to Himself, and ultimately, to heaven where believers in Jesus will enjoy a happy reunion with each other forever.

Is your listening, the listening of obedience, or are you a follower in name only?

God grant this for Jesus’ sake, Amen.

There’s nothing more heart-breaking than the loss of a loved one. We realize that a very important part of our lives is gone. Someone we love is no longer with us. We see him resting in a casket, with eyes closed and hands folded. In a short while his body will be laid to rest in the cemetery where the casket will be lowered to its final resting place. In a way it doesn't even seem real. It's so final. Earth to earth, dust to dust, and ashes to ashes we say. It seems so final.

But then our Good Shepherd, Jesus, comes along with this Good News in His Word and says, (v.28) “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” A Christian funeral is filled with hope and even joy because of the way our Good Shepherd promises and gives eternal life to the believing members of His Flock. We make all kinds of promises and we try to keep them. Jesus is the only One who can make this promise though: “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.”