2.7.10a 2.11.2022 Funeral of Sharon Benedict Romans

Start

Entice: It is difficult to say goodbye. It is less so when we are confident that we will be reunited with her when we too have gone to our reward. Sharon had many questions about faith.

Good questions.

Searching questions.

Sharon asked the kinds of questions which improved her walk.

Sharon had questions but not doubts.

Engage: It is inevitable as you and I find ourselves here this afternoon that some would have questions,

some might have doubts,

others might harbor fears,

still others might react with resentment

or even anger.

Our God is capable of handling the entire range of emotions we might feel. He has been handling human emotions for millennia!

God's word can answer our questions

God's word can overcome our doubts

God's word can assuage our fear

God's word can sooth our resentment

God's word can turn away our anger.

Expand: Romans chapter 8 conveys hope to us. Hope for the whole of fallen creation. Hope amidst pain. That hope is possible for us individually, for the entire redeemed Church, even for all of creation because the very presence of God which empowered the resurrection of Christ works within us.

Excite: Sharon shares in the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior. She awaits both our passing and quickening.

Romans 8:11 ESV

11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Explore: Our eternal life is found within Christ Himself.

Explain: Paul affirms these guarantees

Body of Sermon:

Presence.

εἰ δὲ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ ἐγείραντος τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐκ νεκρῶν οἰκεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν

Promise.

ὁ ἐγείρας Χριστὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν ζῳοποιήσει καὶ τὰ θνητὰ σώματα ὑμῶν

Process

διὰ τοῦ ἐνοικοῦντος αὐτοῦ πνεύματος3 ἐν ὑμῖν.

Shut Down:

Today I have preached the gospel…the good news which Sharon Benedict embraced with her life, and through her faithfulness she endorses, and in her death, she encourages in each of us.

The presence of the Spirit...is a result of transformative faith. The promise of life comes because the Holy Spirit indwells us. The process is possible because the Spirit empowers us.

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Words of Committal

Today, our journey with our Sister Sharon ends in this place. Her now stilled body shall be laid to rest. Like the aged and saintly Simeon, Sharon has been able to speak these words to our Father in heaven...

Luke 2:29–32 (ESV)

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation

31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Inasmuch as Sharon has departed this mortal form to await the resurrection we celebrate, her life,

remember her contributions to our community

and Church and say

"well done, faithful servant of our Saviour,

redeemed child of our God!"

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In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

we commend to Almighty God our Sister Sharon.,

and we commit her body to the ground;

earth to earth,

ashes to ashes,

dust to dust.

The Lord bless her and keep her,

the Lord make his face to shine upon her

and be gracious to her,

the Lord lift up his countenance upon her and give her peace. Amen.

May the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. May we now depart in peace to engage in further service until we too are welcomed into the presence of our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen!