Papa's Funeral Message

Welcome

“We are gathered here today in memory of Montgomery Berry Hazzard, Jr..

I would like to start by offering a word of thanks on behalf of our family, for all the prayers and support over the years.  They are felt and deeply appreciated.

Obituary

Montgomery Berry Hazzard, Jr., Age 84, of Baxley, passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday, February 24th, 2022 in Guyton, GA at the home of his son, Wayne Hazzard.

Mr. Hazzard or Papa, was born on Feb. 28,1935 in Savannah, GA to the late Montgomery Hazzarrd Sr., and the late Pearl Hazzard Bonnett.

He was a member of Ten Mile Baptist Church, was a retired Boilermaker (Local 26). In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Allen B. Hazzard, daughter, Julie Diane Hazzard Ellis, grandson Caleb W. Hazzard, sister Martha, son-in-law M.H. Brewton.

Surivivors include his wife of 64 yrs, Carolyn Hazzard, Son-Wayne Hazzard, Grandson-Josh Ellis, Granddaughter-Raquel Hazzard, Daughter-in-law, Rachel Ellis, Great Granddaughters: Mary Jo, Julie Anne, and Carolina Ellis of Clanton, AL.

Scripture

Let us read from a very familiar text but the reason it is popular is simply because it is so powerful... especially in times like these.

Read Psalm 23

Psalm 23

1  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. 3  He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. 5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for enabling us to gather here today so that we can celebrate a life of Papa. As we start this funeral service, we ask for the presence of the Holy Spirit in this place. May he bring comfort to every one of us so that we can be able to mourn as believers. Holy Spirit, take full control and help us to do this as unto God and not as unto ourselves. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Song- I’ll Fly Away

Optional: Rachel shares story or word about Papa.

I Know the Psalm, But He Knows The Shepherd

A famous entertainer was once asked to recite the 23rd Psalm in a performance. A large audience filled the large auditorium. After he finished everyone gave him a generous round of applause. After this an old man was asked to present the same Psalm. When he finished there wasn't a dry eye in the place. Everyone was touched by his devotion to the Shepherd. The entertainer came back to continue the program. Before starting the program he said, I know the Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd! Psalm 23 is the most popular and probably the most read Psalm of all. It brings comfort and encouragement to all who read it. However, I feel that most people miss out on some of the deepest and richest truths that it has to share.

Relationship

First is relationship.

Psalm 23:1-2 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

David wrote this Psalm from personal experience because he too was a shepherd. David knew that he had received God's lavish care all his life.

The Shepherd fed David in peaceful green pastures.

He refreshed him with cool water from a quiet stream.

God provided so well for him that he lacked nothing.

David was satisfied. But all of this was because David knew the Lord. David called the Lord, My Shepherd. David knew his Shepherd well and the Lord knew David too.

Restoration

Secondly,truth we see is restoration.

Ps 23:3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

Why do we need the Shepherd to restore our soul?

Because it is the nature of sheep to wander away from the safety of the fold. Like sheep we too have wandered.

1 Peter 2:25: For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Only the shepherd can restore our souls from our brokeness. Only He can make us right with God again. Only He can restore our soul and forgive us of our sin.

This is the reason why Jesus came to earth.

This is what drove Montgomery Hazzard each and every day.

This is why he purposely went to his mother, near the end of her life, to make sure she knew this Jesus. He had to know that she had found the shephard.

How can a lost sheep be restored to the fold? Through repentance and faith. The word repent means that we stop going our own way and return to the Shepherd.

Isaiah 53:6 says: All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

We must believe that He died for our sins and that He rose again to give us new life.

Will you obey the Good Shepherd?

Will you repent of your sin and believe in Him?

He can't restore us if we don't listen to His voice.

John 10:11 says: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

Reassurance

Thirdly, we see the truth of reassurance.

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

How can you have assurance when you face death?

By making this journey with the Shepherd. He knows the way.

This is what the Good Shepherd has done for us. He is the only one to journey through death and come out victorious. Jesus Christ conquered sin, hell and the grave. He knows the way and He will personally lead you home if you are His sheep.

My Papa had this peace about him when you were around him. You were just drawn to it. It was quiet but reassuring.

It is what helped him and the rest of our family during some of the darkest day. Like having to bury one’s children.

Do you have this same assurance? Or does death bother you?

Those who belong to the Good Shepherd receive a lavish welcome when they arrive home. The table here speaks of feasting and fellowship. This will continue forever and ever. God's sheep will never again leave His house. Verse 6 summarizes really well the life of those who follow the Good Shepherd. Goodness and mercy follows them all their lives and then they dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Do you have this hope?

Sheep in order to get from one spot of green pasture would have to follow the Shepherd through dark and dangerous places to get to safe green pastures.

The shepherd knows what lies in the valley. He knows that there is great danger for His sheep, but the sheep know they can trust the shepherd to protect them.

We miss the heart of the psalm here. We focus on protection against evil but the psalmist is drawing out the reason that the sheep will not fear is because it doesn’t matter what happens to them, the Lord is they need. Even in death, we are satisfied in Him.

Reward

Last truth we see is one of reward.

This is why in Ps 23:5,

Psalm 23:5 KJV 1900

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

We shift from shepherd to host, but the concept stays the same. No matter what happens, God is with us. We have no reason to fear-as a believer Christ has defeated the grave and death has lost its sting. WE ARE HIS!!! We don’t have to fear death.

Moody Saw Heaven

A few hours before entering the Homeland, D. L. Moody caught a glimpse of the glory awaiting him. Awakening from a sleep, he said, Earth recedes, Heaven opens before me. If this is death, it is sweet! There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go. His son who was standing by his bedside said, No, no, father, you are dreaming. No, said Mr. Moody, I am not dreaming: I have been within the gates: I have seen the children’s faces. A short time elapsed and then, following what seemed to the family to be the death struggle he spoke again: This is my triumph; this my coronation day! It is glorious!

Psalm 23:6 NKJV

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Why does goodness and mercy follow? Because God is all we needs and is always with us.

Those who have walked with the Lord for a long time [Frank], you know the goodness and mercies that David speaks us here. Our God is good. And when you realize and humble yourself to see yourself a sheep and all its flaws. You will see the riches and mercies that are found in this Good Shepherd.

Application

On Thursday Feb 24th, the Good Shepherd lead Montgomery Hazzard, my papa to heaven.

Only those who know the Good Shepherd will enjoy the benefits of this Psalm. Can you honestly say, the Lord is my Shepherd?

You may know the 23rd Psalm, but do you know the Good Shepherd? If not, will you ask Christ to be your Shepherd today?

Invite Rachel back to close in song.

Open Share

Closing Prayer: Dear God,

Thank you that you are our good Shepherd and we can trust you with our lives. Thank you for your leadership and Sovereignty. Thank you for your guidance and care in all our days. Thank you that you restore our souls, give us peace, and bring us hope in all of our tomorrows. Thank you for your protection and strength that surrounds us like a shield. Thank you that we never have to fear. Thank you for your goodness and love that follows after us, chases us, even when were unaware. Thank you Lord, that you trustworthy and able, that you are our Refuge and hope.

In You alone is rest and peace. We praise you for the assurance that we will dwell with you forever.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.