Funeral - God of Comfort

intro

Let’s pray

I am Dimitri Caver, and I gratefully serve as the Senior Pastor of WMBC, here in FW. Mr. Wilson and his wife were members when my father served as the senior pastor, and I was playing on the organ, and so it is my honor to stand before you today

According to the program, it is my duty to bring words of comfort. I can empathize with your grief, for it was exactly three years ago on this very day, and almost at this hour, when I received the call from my mom that my father had passed away.

This past April, we also buried my mother. And I say all of that, simply to let this family know that I understand some of what you are going through, and my prayers are with you

And I also understand, that in God, there is comfort

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 NASB95

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

This scriptures says that God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort

and that he comforts us in our afflictions/troubles/grief . . . not only for our own sake, but so that we will be able to comfort others when they are going through

I am a witness that God will comfort you, for God has comforted me, and just like this scripture, God has called on me to share that same comfort with you

help them because I helped you

encourage them because I encouraged you

comfort them because I comforted you

Well how did God comfort me, continue to comfort me? What comfort is there on a day like this?

I took comfort in scripture

I looked to the Word of God, the Bible, for encouragement and comfort

Psalms 23 was read earlier in the program, and one of the verses says

Psalm 23:4 KJV 1900

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

we can just stay in Psalms

Psalm 55:22 KJV 1900

22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 73:26 KJV 1900

26 My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Psalm 56:8 NLT

8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

And God’s Word reminded me that God knows, and God cares, and that I was not alone . . . and that comforted me

and if you make scripture a part of your life, you will find comfort

but remember, scripture is like spiritual food . . . you need sustenance every day

or gas in a car . . you have to keep filling up . . . but if you do, you will find continued comfort

I took comfort in prayer

the bible says men ought always to pray,

The bible also says don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything

and certainly in times of grief, prayer is needed

I found that simple prayers worked best for me

Lord help me, Lord have mercy, Lord give me peace, Lord give me strength

Lord I need you right now

and each time God comforted me - I would feel his presence, his peace, his strength

or an encouraging text message would come in, a quote on my social media timeline would be right on time, a song would come to my spirit, but each time God comforted me

there is comfort in prayer

I took comfort in the memories of my father’s/mother’s life

There were tears, but there were also smiles as I recalled precious moments

there are times of grief, but there are also times of thankfulness and praise, as I remember what a blessing they were

the program says that Bro. Wilson lived, laughed, and loved . . . you can take comfort in that

recall his life, recall his laughter, recall his love (for loves last forever), and thank God for how Bro. Wilson blessed your life

and take comfort in that

but most importantly . . .

I took comfort in my relationship with Jesus Christ

The greatest comfort was and is knowing that Jesus came to earth, suffered and died on the cross for my sins, but rose again on the third day. Proving that he was who he said he was

and the fact that I have accepted Jesus as both my Lord and my Savior has been my greatest comfort

I accepted Jesus as my Lord, and as I follow Him

I know he will sustain me, protect me, guide me, strengthen me, and provide for me

and make a way for me . . . I found my purpose for life in Him

my parents were a rock, but he is THE ROCK . . . in this weary land

I found comfort in that

and I accepted Jesus as my savior, so I trust him

I know that if I mess up, I can trust that he will forgive me and put me back on the right road

when I fall short, I can trust that he will be patient and merciful

I trust that his anger last but for a moment, but his favor last for a life time . . . so though sometimes weeping endures for a night, I trust that joy comes in the morning

I trust that when it’s my time to close my eyes in death, that though I will be absent from the body, I will be present with the Lord

I trust that I will see him face to face

I trust that I will see my parents again, and everyone who has called upon the name Lord

so in life or death, it is well with my soul . . . and I take great comfort in that

take comfort in scripture

prayer

in your precious memories of the life of Bro. Wilson

and most importantly in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

If you do not have a relationship with Christ, you are missing out on the greatest comfort, please come see me after this service, so we can talk about your sou’ls salvation

I pray that you are comforted by these words