Hope Realized (Funeral Eulogy)

Let me begin by saying to the family, how very grateful I am for the privilege of standing before you today. I have always tried to remember what an honor it is to be invited to have a part in the eulogy for someone’s loved one. I consider this moment of special honor since I served as Louise’s pastor at First Baptist Icard for over ten years.

You come to know people over such a time as that. You come to love people over such a time as that. We built relationships with one another, over such a time as that which circumstances and situations could never change. So thank you Gene, and family, for the privilege of opening God’s word to you.

When Gene called me Saturday morning and shared that Louise had gone home, I immediately thought of one thing. Louise’s hope had been realized.

In Romans 5, listen for the word hope as I read the first few verses.

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, Romans 5:1-5a

Louise understood tribulation in these later years. She endured. She persevered. Her perseverance help mold her character, the person of strength, faith, and love, we all knew her to be, and her character revealed her hope. And now her hope has been realized.

What is this hope realized which Louise now has? In Romans 8, the bible again talks about hope. In verse 24, For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

HOPE REALIZED IS A CERTAIN EXPECTATION

The word for hope as it is used in the Bible, describes that which one knows for certain. Hope refers to that which one expects to obtain one day. Hope is that in which one has placed their trust and confidence.

It is unfortunate that we today have almost always associated the word hope with the thought of uncertainty, or doubt. We say, “I hope so.”

True biblical hope says, “I know so.”

Hebrews 6:18-19 tells us to “lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,”

HOPE REALIZED IS A CONTINUAL EXPERIENCE

Paul said, in 1 Cor. 15, If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

And in Colossians 1.3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven,

And then in 1 Thess 2.19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

The Bible tells us, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

That is hope realized, eternal life in heaven. Such is the hope of Louise Chapman. Such should be our hope.

Finally,

HOPE REALIZED IS A COMFORTING EXPERIENCE

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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. 1 Cor. 1:3-7

1 Thess 4.13-14 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

My prayer for each of us today is that the thought of Louise having already obtained her hope, may itself bring comfort to our hearts. And may the blessing of the Apostle Paul be yours today when in the 15th chapter of Romans he says,

3 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15.13

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