Funeral Gary Mason

Welcome & Prayer

The family is honored that you have joined them in this time of remembrance of Gary. Gary has had a great deal of influence in this life. As a husband, father, grandfather and friend, he will be missed, but there is great comfort knowing that he has passed thru the doorway of eternity into the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is with that assurance that we come here today to celebrate his life in our memories and to find comfort for the days ahead.

I want to thank you for coming and also invite you to join the family for a time of fellowship following our service today.

Would you bow with me in prayer as we open our time together?

Our loving, eternal heavenly Father, we pause this afternoon to acknowledge that you are the creator of all. It was you who made us. You have designed us. You have given to us our life and breath. You have known us from eternity, our needs and desires. You sustain us, provide for us and care for us not only in this life but also in life after death.

We are gathered today in your presence, those whom you have given another moment, another day, another hour. We thank you for bringing us here together, but we grieve over the occasion that draws us together today—and as we take this time to celebrate Gary’s life we pray that you would grant us Your eternal perspective as we face the reality of death. We also pray that you would allow our understanding of the truths of life to grow as we look to your word.

It is our prayer that your would minister comfort, courage and peace to Gary’s family as they cope with the loss of their loved one. We pray they would experience your love and grace in a special way during days to come. We ask you to direct our time and this service and bring honor to yourself in Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture Reading

Psalm 23 NASB95

A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Doug Mason Tribute

Don Dunbar Tribute

Message

The death of neighbor, friend, or a loved one brings us face to face with the reality that all people have been appointed to die once (Heb 9:27). In the light of such reality we are reminded of the reality of eternity.

We dare not honor the life and death of Gary without being reminded that we too will die. The Bible teaches that death is merely the doorway to eternity. The is a great aura of mystery about eternity but by looking at Luke 16—a story which our Lord told, we learn some important lessons concerning the relationship between life now on earth and life in eternity.

The story our Lord tells us is spoken toward a hostile audience. It was aimed at a particular group of individuals called “Pharisees.” Luke tells us these people were “lovers of money” and scoffed at the teachings of Jesus (vs. 14). These Pharisees were also proud of their knowledge of the OT, believing they knew much more about spiritual things than others did (John 7:47-49).

This story may be familiar to you. It is about two very different men who lived their lives in close proximity to one another. The first man was named Lazarus and the second man’s name is not given—we only know that he was a very wealthy man.

Luke 16:19–31 NASB95

19 “Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 “And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, 21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. 22 “Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. 23 “In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 “And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ 25 “But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 ‘And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’ 27 “And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 “But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 “But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ 31 “But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”

Their lives are contrasted in 3 different ways:

--In Life (vv. 19-21)

--In Death (vs. 22)

--In Eternity (vs. 23-31)

Now this story has many lessons for us to learn but I want to draw out and focus on just 5:

1) Eternity is where earthly wrongs or injustices are made right

Lazarus was mistreated, abused, ridiculed, disgraced and ignored. His life was filled with many grievances and only wished to get ahead in life, if you will. He was probably oppressed and certainly persecuted for placing his trust in God.

Many of us can identify with Lazarus. This world causes us to experience pain, fear, humiliation, injustice, oppression, and persecution. Especially for one who stands steadfastly for what he/she believes. We are often mistreated by the society we live in—but this mistreatment and abuse is only temporary. As we learn from this story—even Lazarus was taken from his miserable condition on earth and transported to eternity where he was certainly rewarded for his perseverance in life.

The contrast is seen in how injustices are righted with those who are oppressive. The rich man also received retribution for ignoring the pleading of Lazarus.

2) Our eternal destiny is not what most people will expect.

Eternity will come as a shock and a surprise to man, who think they are going to heaven, and find themselves in hell.

First, there is the reality of heaven. Lazarus at the moment of death was escorted by angels into the bosom of Abraham—a place of prominence in heaven.

One thing that is difficult for us to understand is what happens the moment a believer’s spirit separates from his earthly body.

In Gary’s case, when he took his final breath on Mon. evening, a separation took place between his body and his spirit. The body, Paul mentions is merely a tent—a temporary dwelling place for the spirit. At the moment of separation, God sent His angels to escort Gary to his permanent dwelling in heaven. What a glorious moment that was for him. In a moment, the twinkling of an eye is all it takes, Gary was sitting at the throne of Jesus Christ—the King of kings and Lord of lords to begin an eternity of worshiping his Creator—this is what happens when a believer dies.

But what about the one who has never placed his trust in Jesus Christ? There is heartbreaking reality also told in this story. The unbeliever, at the moment of his death descends to a place the Bible calls Hades. This is the place where all unbelievers go to await the final judgment of God before they are cast into the lake of fire for eternity.

Some might say, “this isn’t fair.” “I have lived a good life on earth.” “I go to church, I give to charity, I do good things.” “Why would God judge a person for doing those things?”

The answer is b/c God is a holy/righteous/perfect God and He has placed a standard of absolute perfection before every human. Romans tells us that no one can live a perfect life b/c we are all sinners. As sinners, we all justly deserve to spend eternity in hell b/c of our sin. In our story we are told that this life of eternity will be—torment and agony.

It is only by God’s grace that anyone would escape the judgment of God. It is this grace—that God sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for sin—that by placing your trust in Him you will spend eternity in heaven with him.

Many will be shocked when they die b/c they have not placed their trust in Christ.

3) Our eternal destiny is not determined by those things by which our society measures “success” and “significance.”

I am sure the rich man fully expected to be in wonderful place after he died. By human estimates, it would have been Lazarus, the poor and miserable man, who would have suffered eternally, and the rich man who would live in comfort.

But—our Lord illustrated how much of an obstacle wealth and riches are in getting someone to heaven:

Luke 18:24–27 NASB95

24 And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 25 “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”

We should not assume that a luxurious life on earth will translate into a blessed life in eternity. No person can buy salvation. No one can earn the right to spend eternity with God. In fact, it is the lowly on earth who often receive wonderful gift of eternal life.

4) Our eternal destiny is sealed by a decision we make in life, and it cannot be reversed after death.

Luke 16:26 NASB95

26 ‘And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’

We cannot wait until judgment day to make our decision for Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:2 NASB95

2 for He says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”—

No man knows the day he will enter eternity. No one knows how long he can expect to live. If the Lord teaches us one thing in life, it is that death often comes unexpectedly.

I urge you, if you have not received the grace of God, received it today. Today is the day for salvation—don’t put it off.

If you put it off, and enter through the doorway of eternity without Christ, Jesus says there is no possible way to traverse that great chasm or divide between the eternally living and the eternally dead.

5) The decision for Christ involves the acknowledgment and repentance of our sins, and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who died and rose from the dead to save those who are lost and warn men of eternal judgment.

Romans 10:9 NASB95

9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

We praise and thank God knowing that Gary put his faith in JC so many years ago. And you know what, he had absolute assurance of where he would spend eternity when he passed through death. That is the assurance you too can have if you place your trust in Him today.

Congregational Singing

Amazing Grace

Logos Digital Hymnal Amazing Grace

1 Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

2 ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed!

3 Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares,

I have already come;

’Tis grace hath bro’t me safe this far,

And grace will lead me home.

4 The Lord has promised good to me,

His Word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures.

5 When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.

Closing Prayer

Lord,

Thank you for the gospel. Thank you for graciously extending to each one here today the life that comes only thru LJC. I ask you to draw each one to Yourself and in the days to come to provide them with the comfort that comes from you—the loving and compassionate God. We thank you for our memories of Gary, for this celebration of his life, and for the fellowship that will follow—please bless that time and the food that has been prepared for us. Be glorified in your people we ask in Jesus name, Amen.