When a Saintly Woman Dies

Today we are gathered together to celebrate the life and home-going of a saint of Jesus Christ, Ms. Gaye Marsalles. Ms. Gaye, for all who knew here, remember her for two things:

Her no nonsense honesty

You never had to wonder what Ms. Gaye thought. She would often come to me to express doubt or concern over a song selection, or a bible study. She was not shy in sharing how she felt with anyone in her family.

But you always knew she loved you. Despite our disagreements, Ms. Gaye was always there to encourage me on Sunday.

Like Abraham’s wife who was not shy to let her mind be known to Abraham concerning Hagar, Ms. Faye always let you know her mind.

Her Commitment and Loyalty

But another attribute of Ms. Faye that we can all see clearly is her loyalty an d faithfulness.

One of the attributes of Sarah that made her special was her loyalty. Twice, she confessed herself to be Abraham’s sister to protect him from harm. She stood by him when he declared they would be going who knows where to follow God’s will, she loved him through those long years waiting for a child. Sarah had her faults, but she was loyal.

Ms. Faye was loyal to her church. Despite the concerns about COVID, Faye and Johnson faithfully attended through the pandemic.

Ms. Fay was loyal to her friends. She and Johnson could often be seen at East Side’s gospel singings, the Pearl Senior Center, or bowling with their friends in their bowling league.

Ms. Faye did too. She loved, doted on, worried about, and cared for Johnson til the day she died.

Today we Mourn as Abraham Did

We mourn by remembering her and honoring her. We Mourn but we look to the promises of God

A Promise of an Eternal Home

The patriarch could have doubted God when Sarah passed, for she died without seeing the divine promises fulfilled. Yet Abraham persevered, buying a burial plot as a sign of his confidence in the Lord’s blessing (v. 16). He and his wife would inherit Canaan after their deaths if need be. In the meantime, their bodies would lie in the ground not far from the place where Sarah first heard she would be a part of the promise by giving birth to Isaac (18:1–15). As one commentator has said, their bones bore witness to future generations of their hope that the Lord would do so much more for them at the resurrection than he did during their lives.

We too look to God’s promises, especially his promise of eternal life and a eternal home.

John 14:2–4 ESV

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”

This is the promise of God, that we will have an eternal home.

2 Corinthians 5:8 ESV

Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

A Promise of an Eternal Rest

Psalm 16:10–11 ESV

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

We look to a home with eternal rest. A place of pleasures at the right hand of God

A Promise of Eternal Life

1 Corinthians 15:50–58 ESV

I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.