Funeral Sermon

Sharylin Walters

Why do we do this? It is certainly not exclusive to our American culture. Funeral services will take place all over the world today… hundreds upon thousands of them. A thread of similarity will run through each one. Among the many things we do at funerals, perhaps the most important of them is CONSIDERING. Webster says that when we consider someone we think about (them) seriously; take (them) into account – bear (them) in mind; regard (them) highly, esteem(them); look at (them) thoughtfully; think (about them) carefully, reflect (on them). Doesn’t that accurately describe why we are here? This afternoon I would like us to briefly CONSIDER three things. The first of them is perhaps the most obvious.

Sharylin, She had a heart of Gold. She would fight for anyone or give anyone anything they needed. She loved everyone.

Her kids valued her ear, her husband valued her, and everyone who knew her valued the genuine soul she was.

Matthew 6:25–33 ESV

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

After listening to a few stories I pulled a few scriptures out to read to give a glimpse at Sharylins faith life

John 14:1–6 ESV

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Sharylins mind was fixed on eternity and her heart was eagerly waiting the return of Christ. I even heard a story where Sharylin on deaths bed in Madagascar had an encounter with Jesus, a story I would definitely hear again. (Chills)

2 Corinthians 5:1–8 ESV

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

So Therefore, Shar would like nothing more for me to talk about this eternal life.

I want to share a shorten version of the Gospel that Shar

Nothing can compare with all that is ours in Christ when we find salvation. Forgiveness. Justification. Adoption. Eternal life. What a glorious life the Gospel offers to those who are searching for purpose and meaning or to those who have found that materialism and sensual pleasure are not the answer to the deepest yearnings of the heart.

The crowning glory of salvation is promised when we enter into the presence of the King. We have a home in heaven reserved for us and awards that await us. No wonder the Gospel is “good news.”

Unfortunately, many people today have distorted the meaning of salvation, saying that it means only political, social and economic liberation in this life. Certainly, Christians should be concerned about injustice and do what they can to promote a more just world. But lasting and complete liberation from social injustice will come only when Jesus Christ returns to establish His Kingdom. Biblical salvation is far deeper, because it gets to the root of our problem–the problem of sin. Only Christ can change the human heart and replace greed and hate with compassion and love.And Shar knew this love.

Sin is the problem, and God needed to make a resolution. We never need to be taught what is wrong, but taught what is right. So God sent his son into the world, so that as John 3:16-17 states, We may have eternal life. God desires all of us to be in heaven with Shar.

John 3:16–17 NCV

“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.

He gave us a way, Jesus and putting your faith in him just might secure your spot with Shar. God sent his son into the world, so that the World through Him might be saved.

Once Jesus died that is not the end of the story. Jesus on the third day rose from the dead and defeated death, Shar is experiencing the freedom over death and an eternal life in God. SO IF YOU, NEVER KNEW JESUS, THEN CHOOSE HIM TODAY, because if you would like to continue living Shar’s legacy and walking in the light, talk to someone here, because just as Shar is experiencing the glory of heaven, You too can experience the joy and resurrection with Shar.

SHAR, This is not a goodbye forever, but in Christ, I’ll see ya later!