Terry Skaro Funeral

Obituary

The joy of memorializing a friend and brother in Christ is a great privilege. I consider it an honor to bring a word of comfort and encouragement in a time of grief. So I’d like to start by telling a story or two:

Terry and Sue became members here at FBC because he was certain God led them here. Our early conversations centered around service and a common bond of appreciation for music. It didn't take long to realize I was in conversations above my understanding. The sheer volume of musical knowledge contained in the person of Terry Skaro was intimidating. But the person I was talking to was not! Never have I ever been around a more humble and gentle soul. His desire for those around him to succeed was remarkable. This took the form of giving lessons when he could and arranging them for those he couldn't. If you had a desire to learn, nothing would keep him from helping you do so.

Many times I heard of him providing someone with a keyboard, a guitar, an amp or an instrument. If necessary he found a way for it to be paid for. His generosity seemed to have been outside his means, but it was really his trust in God’s ability to provide at work. He would ask and the Lord would open a way. This kind of gentleness and faith is rare.

I would say ‘we have lost a good one’ except we haven't lost him at all. We know where he is. He’s just not in this physical realm any more. He has journeyed over to the spiritual realm. No less real. No less alive. More actually. And we have the great hope of seeing him again. I want to be clear tho, it is not the greatest hope we have. Even for Sue. The greatest hope we have is to be with Jesus for eternity. But rolled into this hope is the promise of reunion with those who have gone before.

So we gain a sweet longing for what is next. What is after this. What we call the after-life. It is given man once to die, then the judgement. One day we will, in fact, stand before our creator and allow Him to judge us. It is unavoidable. If we have trusted in the salvation provided by Jesus on the cross, we will be counted with Him. If not, we will be cast out of the presence of God into eternal darkness. It is our choice. Today God will offer you His salvation. As long as it is called today, today is the day of salvation. It will be up to you to choose.

There is a verse I’d like to read over us today.

Romans 12:9–18 (ESV)

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

This set of scripture very well describes Terry. But the charactistics contained within also become part of all who put their faith in Jesus. The transformation he makes in a believer is nothing less than miraculous. He desires all of us to live as described in Romans 12. And I wouldn't do justice to the life of Terry Skaro if I didnt offer the opportunity for you to do just that. God created you. Jesus lived a perfect life and died a substitutionary death for you. He rose from the grave and sits at the right hand of the Father, praying on our behalf. He has sent the Holy Spirit who testifies to all Jesus says and is. All this so you might come to know Him. To surrender your life to Him. To receive His salvation. Would you today? Would you pray and ask God to forgive your sin? Jesus has already paid the penalty for them.

Tradition often says there is a river to be crossed over on the way into heaven. Most folks imagine the water of that river to wash away all wrong with anyone who enters it. The aches and pains of age. The limits of a broken body. The cloud from a mind suffering from dementia. If this is the case, Terry has been made whole. He has been restored and made perfect. His ability to make music is better today than it ever was on earth.

He has now stood before his creator. He has offered his heartfelt Hallelujah (praise be to God). But if he were allowed to come back here and say one thing, the most important thing, I believe he would plead with you to trust Jesus. After seeing all he has seen and now understanding what our minds cant yet comprehend, he would implore you to give your life to Jesus!

I’m going to pray for you. If you need to ask God to save you, do so. He’ll hear you. When we part from this memorial service, come find me and let me know you have. I’d love to visit with you about it.