Jim Smith Funeral

What I know

I met Jim before I became pastor of Niles Christian Assembly.

(talk about how after that first sermon he asked me to pray for him)

From all that we have heard here today, and from the times I had the privilege of praying with Jim and of talking to him we know that Jim was a man who Loved God, who knew to lean into God weather good or bad was happening, because it’s the faithfulness of God that remains constant.

There are so many different scriptures that are used at times like these. There are ministers manuals that lay out exactly how to do different funerals. We go to college and seminary to learn how to and what to say.

As ministers we love our people, but when it comes to things like this we also learn to compartmentalize, not because we don’t feel, not because we don’t weep for the loss of a loved one, but because there are expectations and things that we are charged with doing. We lean into God in times like this, we do our crying in secret. Which in the grand scheme of things is a rather sad thing.

No where in scripture does it tell pastors and teachers to divorce themselves from their feelings in front of their people, and so I stand here feeling the sting of death with you, but leaning into the hope that comes from this passage.

1 Corinthians 15:55–57 CSB

Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, 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!

We feel that sting of death now, we feel it here no matter what relationship we have with God simply because we still shuffle through this life, catching glimpses of Gods grace and power and joy, waiting for that day that Paul talks about when he says these words.

1 Corinthians 13:12 CSB

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known.

That day the day we see God face to face, the day that we are again in the presence of those that have gone on before us.

Which brings me to a little bit of a left turn in the whole funeral homily tradition.

The delight of walking with God

Genesis 5:22–24 CSB

And after he fathered Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and fathered other sons and daughters. So Enoch’s life lasted 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him.

One thing that is clear, from what Anthony has said to me, and what has been said here today about Jim is a rather simple principle that carries with it an amazing promise.

I’ve always looked at this story in a different way than most. I’ve built a picture in my mind of God and Enoch taking a walk, daily, each day moving further and further from the warm soft comfortable space that was Enoch’s house, and even though I know it’s not how it works, and even though I understand that you can’t build a tower to God, I have it in my mortal, hobbit and narnia inspired brain that one day they went just a bit farther than they ever had before and God looked at Enoch and said “You know what Enoch, I know that you have a soft chair, a good dog at your feet and a fire ready set in the hearth. That mug of hot tea is waiting for you when you get home but we are closer to my house now than we have ever been. Enoch I have a warm comfy chair just for you, a fire is already set in the hearth, and the kettle is on. So Enoch instead of going back to your house, as nice as it is, lets just keep going, a little further up and a little further in to the place I have prepared for you.

This is what happened to Jim. From what I have heard he fell asleep here and woke up in the presence of God.

Jim is no longer worried, he’s no longer in pain, no more vertigo no more cares that weigh on us. And while we feel the sting of his death, he no longer feels the sting of the loss of those that went on before him. This is the promise that comes with a relationship with Jesus. And there is no doubt that Jim had that relationship and it is because of that that he is now with God because God took him home.

Committal

John 14:1–3 CSB

“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.

Almighty God, into your hands we commend your son Jim, in sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This body we commit to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labors for their deeds follow them.

Closing Prayer