Marge Christy Funeral
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
On behalf of all of Marge’s family, we’d like to thank you for coming today. Certainly she would have appreciated your presence.
Today we come to comfort those in grief and to express our love to the family, spiritual family, and friends who Marge impacted throughout her life.
The writer of Hebrews said this regarding Abel:
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.
I believe what is said here perfectly expresses the lasting impact of Marge’s life.
She leaves behind an incredible legacy.
Her spiritual example made an impression upon us.
She leaves behind a legacy of devotion to God, dedication to her husband, and service to her church and community.
We are all planting trees in the garden of life. Most of us will never enjoy the shade from those trees, but others, who are following us will.
There are many people, gathered around this grave today, who are better people because of Marge Christy.
Being dead, she still speaks.
Marge tells us that doing right is always right.
Marge tells us that honoring God is found in simply doing what we are supposed to do.
Solomon said:
1 A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. 2 It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, since that is the end of all mankind, and the living should take it to heart.
Here are words of truth, but none of us are fully ready for death.
Unless life has become intensely unbearable, each of us is inclined to put it off just a little while longer.
Philippians 1 tells us, that even for Paul, who for the noble reason of advancing God’s kingdom, felt the need to put it off.
But it will come.
27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment—
How can God help us during times like this?
For those who die in the Lord, such as our sister Marge, there is hope.
Our sister Marge is not dead today, she is very much alive! And at peace. And for that, we are thankful.
What does Scripture say that can help us better understand how Solomon could utter the truth, that the day of death is better than the day of birth?
Christians who die in the lord move on to enjoy the fellowship of the saints
Christians who die in the lord move on to enjoy the fellowship of the saints
Beyond the horizon for the child of God is a new and extended family: all the saints who have preceded them.
Like Lazarus, God’s children are ushered into the presence of holy men of old, where they rest of Abraham’s bosom, Luke 16.23.
There they repose with Noah, David, Moses, Daniel, Peter, Paul, and all the spirits of just men and women who have been perfected.
22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering, 23 to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect,
Can any relationship on earth be compared to companionship and fellowship with God’s faithful people of ages gone by?
Imagine the conversations; stores of faith; love; and courage.
Hear accounts of struggles that ended in victory and triumph.
Listen to the descriptions of God’s grace and forgiveness. His mighty works and wonders; promises and faithfulness.
What a joy that will be! Now word matches the fullness of this blessing.
Christians who die in the Lord are free from adversity
Christians who die in the Lord are free from adversity
When sin and death came to our world, it left in its trail a world of adversity.
This world is filled with sickness, pain, disappointment, and death.
Here, we long for a perfect world where all these things shall cease.
That is exactly what awaits God’s sons and daughters.
God’s reward for His children is rest from their labors.
Freedom from their afflictions.
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.
Those who die in the Lord experience the fruitfulness of life.
Those who die in the Lord experience the fruitfulness of life.
The Holy Spirit uses a host of earthly figures to impress upon us the fruitfulness and beauty of life beyond.
They speak of a crown of life. An incorruptible and immortal life.
They speak of treasures in heaven that endure and mansions in God’s house that have been prepared for His children.
They speak of a city of precious stones whose builder and maker is God.
Paul said:
1 For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. 2 Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment. 6 So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
I love the phrase at the end of v. 4: So that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
For the Christian, the best is yet to come.
For Marge, the best has come.
God’s message to His people is that when death comes, life goes on.
It is a life of fruitfulness that exceeds anything we presently know.
What Marge Would Want for Everyone
What Marge Would Want for Everyone
If she could speak to us today, she would testify that there is definitely more.
She would tell you not to neglect that which is really important, … i.e., a relationship with Jesus.
When it comes down to it, that is all that matters.
There is no promise of eternal life for the person who does not have a relationship with Jesus.
The need for Christ is real because the reality of death is real.
It is only through Jesus that we can be victors over death:
54 When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55 Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting?
Prayer
Prayer
We have reached the end. We can go no farther with Marge.
Let’s treasure every good memory of her.
Let’s allow her good character and good values to influence us.
There is comfort in knowing that the Lord is present at the death of His saints.
He is there to comfort, console, and receive that one into his presence eternally.
Today, Marge is a recipient of that comfort and consolation from the Lord.
Let us give thanks for Marge, the life she lived, and the example she was.
The world is a better place, lives have been touched, and God glorified, because of this wonderful sister in Christ.
A song of ascents. 1 I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. 4 Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep. 5 The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side. 6 The sun will not strike you by day or the moon by night. 7 The Lord will protect you from all harm; he will protect your life. 8 The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.
Prayer