Remembering Marnese Hampton, God's Man in our Lives

It feels more like Camp Meeting here today than a funeral service. Knowing Marnesse Hampton the way we all do, this is exactly the way he would want it.

Let me begin by saying what an honor it is for me to stand once more in this place. Pastor Hampton stood for more than a quarter of a century in this very spot faithfully preaching God’s word. In reality, he preached the word for nearly a half-century. That is a mark that few will reach. I am honored to stand where he stood so many times before.

I am honored by the opportunity given to me by this family, the Hamptons. I count it a joy to have had the opportunity to have linked our lives together in someway through the years. Of course, Preacher Hampton, was, for the majority of us, the agent God used to bring us together. Thank you family, for affording me this privilege.

Last, I am also honored to share this platform with some of God’s great, great men.

Ed McAbee, Ed for those here at Eastside, your middle name might as well be “January Bible Study.”

James Talbert, James you are another one of Marneese’s favorite preachers and partners in the ministry. You rank right up there with men who would be here with us to honor Preacher Hampton were they able.

Instead, I’m sure A.W. Icard, and Glen Felment, were a part of that celestial welcoming committee that first greeted Marneese his first few hours in Heaven.

There were others there, too. A couple of long tall, good looking guys named Jack and Von. I never knew his mom or dad, but I’m sure they were a part of the crowd.

And with just a touch of glorified imagination, I bet his daddy gave him some “Bluebird ice cream.”

Some of the mill hill crowd was there too. They remember the night he got saved. People were shutting down their looms and coming out of the mill to those old cottage prayer meetings to get saved.

They were there. Then there is this beautiful, young, strong, and healthy lady, there. We might not know her except her coveralls under her robe give her away.

If not that, it’s the fishing pole in one hand and a hoe in the other that tells us this is Maybelle, the wife of his youth. Oh, she is there. They are all there. What a happy day!

Pastor Jamie Ellis, God’s chosen man now for this church. You, like many of his “preacher boys,” were at one time, Marneese’s Timothy, and he was your Apostle Paul. He was Elijah, and you Elisha. He was Moses to so many, and you are Joshua. As God told Joshua, “Moses, my servant is dead. Be strong and of good courage for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:1,9)

And Dr. Kenneth Ridings, President of Fruitland Bible Institute, you were his friend, but far more. You were among his favorites of expository preachers. He loved your preaching. Somewhere along the way he studied under you. He learned your style, your structure, when it comes to preaching God’s word. He even copied some of your mannerisms. I could see it in the way he touched his glasses, or his double Windsor tie.

I could hear it in his delivery, his phraseology. All of us were grateful for his association with you and for your presence here today.

The Bible says, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.”

(John 1:6 ) That wasn’t the last man God sent out. (We’ve all heard that many times haven’t we?)

Well, there was a man sent from God whose name was Marneese Perishing Hampton.” Most of us couldn’t say his name so we called him by other names as we knew and understood him. He was, the Reverend M.P. Hampton. Some of us called him “Rev” for short. To some he was Preacher Hampton, or Pastor. To others he was Doctor, or Doc. Some of you called him Daddy. He was also “Paw” to a great number of you younger people.

I have thought of this moment often. I knew this day would come. And like these other men of God, I wondered what I could possibly share. He doesn’t need a eulogy. He preached his funeral many times through the life he lived.

In 2 Timothy 4:1-8, listen to the word of God through Paul, the Apostle, to

Timothy, his young son in the faith.

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.[1]

This is a tremendous charge given to a young, somewhat timid, and inexperienced pastor. Timothy was Paul’s son in the faith. Many believe Paul personal lead Timothy to trust Christ. Although both Timothy’s mother and grandmother were godly women, his father in the flesh was a barbaric Greek, lost and undone. Paul had taken Timothy under his wing. He was his mentor, his teacher, his spiritual father. Paul taught Timothy all he knew.

Now Paul is aged, and the time of his death is fast approaching, (it’s funny how God’s men seem to know that, isn’t it?). So he stirs up Timothy to remember his words, his example, and to be strong in giving leadership in the church.

What Paul really gives us here in this passage, is a picture of the man God uses. It is a description of a man sent from God, a portrait of a pastor. Notice several things: First see that,

I. GOD’S MAN IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR PREACHING THE WORD

he charge included a reminder that God’s men must one day stand before the Judge of all Creation to give an account of his service. (verse 1)

This charge also included a call to preach the word constantly and consistently. (verse 2) He is to preach the word of God convincingly with courage, conviction and compassion.

Eastside Baptist Church, aren’t you glad today that you had such a man of God who preached with conviction, with compassion and consistently!

Not only that, but notice also that,

II. GOD’S MAN IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR LIVING THE WORD

5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

To “be watchful in all things” implies a moral alertness. God’s men must evermore be careful as to how they live, the example they set. A good watchman must not fall asleep on his post, no matter how long or dark the night.

“Endure afflictions” is to pass the test. No matter how difficult the tasks, no matter how stubborn the sheep, no matter how agonizingly painful is the pastorate, “endure.”

“Do the work of an evangelist” share the good news, win souls, reap the fields white unto harvest.

“Fulfill your ministry,” fill-up or complete the work God has called you to do.

In all of these descriptors, Marneese Hampton passed the test.

Last of all, the man God uses,

III. GOD’S MAN IS AWARDED FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

God’s man fights the good fight. He finishes the race he runs. He keeps the good life of faith.

And when he does, when he has endured the night, run his race, he looks up at the face of Jesus and receives the victor’s crown, the crown of righteousness.

Share the story of the missionary return home to America after a lifetime of missionary service in Africa. On the same ship was President Theodore Roosevelt, who was known for his big game hunting. The President was returning from an extended hunting trip. The bands were playing, the crowds were waving, and for a moment the missionary thought, could this be for me……

Alone in his room, kneeling by his bed he prays, “I don’t understand it Lord. I’ve given my life for you. I gave up everything on earth to serve you and others. Why is it that when I return home there is no one to greet me, no one who notices?

And in a still small voice, deep in the awareness of his soul he heard God clearly say, “My child, my son, you’re not home yet.”

Well the Angel Bands are playing. The heavenly crowd has gathered. And Marneese Hampton, God’s man, is home.

[1]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

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