Chester Hickman Funeral

Some people never know a stranger. Nothing can be more true of Chester Hickman. He was a wonderful man, husband, father, and grandfather who loved people. Over the past nine years, it has been my privilege to know and spend time with him. Chester was one of the first people to show up at my door shortly after I accepted the call to pastor Calvary Baptist Church. I still remember him driving up in his old Chevy pickup truck. He walked up like he always did with a great big smile on his face and said,

Bro. John, do you and your family like salad?

At first, I was confused. I didn’t realize Chester was talking about garden greens. So, I said, “Yes, we do.” Of course, the next day, he returned with a whole bag of fresh greens from his garden.

Over the years, whenever we talked (and Chester loved to talk), we talked about many different things. At the top of the list were these four things.

His experiences at Rubatex.

His love of food. Somewhere in that conversation, we always ended up discussing the tastiness of groundhog meat.

His love for his family and his church.

At the top of the list was always his love for the Lord.

Over the past few years, as his health steadily declined, I would visit, and he would say each time I was there, “Bro. John, I am ready. I am ready to be the Lord. If the good Lord takes me right now, I am ready to meet Him” He would always say that with excitement. I have no doubt that Chester is with the Lord even as we are here this morning.

You see, the death of a believer is a time to celebrate. Yes, there is mourning and grieving that comes with the loss of a loved one. Yet, there is also great comfort in the passing of a dedicated believer like Chester.

The Bible describes a believer’s desire this way.

Philippians 1:21–23 KJV 1900

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Chester is in a far better place today. He is with his Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

One of my favorite songs has these words.

But just think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven;

Of touching a hand and finding it God’s;

Of breathing new air and finding it celestial;

Of waking up in glory and finding it home.

Just a few days ago, on Sunday, July 10, Chester stepped on the shores of heaven, touched the hand of God, breathed in the celestial air of home.

Here are a few verses I often share in moments like these. Listen to them, their promise, and let them comfort your heart this morning.

Read Psalm 23 and John 14.

Psalm 23 KJV 1900

A Psalm of David. 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.

John 14:1–6 KJV 1900

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.