The Word of the Lord Remains Forever:Sermon for the Funeral of Millie Ahrendt
Danny, Steve, and
Toni, family members and friends of Millie:
Grace to you and
peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
The loss of a
loved one is never an easy thing to endure. It seems that we are never ready
for that to happen and yet, it does happen. I’m not telling you anything new.
Many of you know that more personally than I. And no matter when it happens,
it’s hard to know what to say. Our words fail us. Often they do not help, but
unintentionally irritate the wound. For none of our words can bring our loved
one back. And memories can be wonderful, but they are a weak substitute for having
them with us.
And so, on this
day as you seek a word of comfort and hope, I will direct to the Word of
God—which is the only thing that gives comfort and hope that can be trusted and
that can live forever. Listen now to the words of the Holy Spirit as written by
Peter in his first epistle:
You have been born again, not of perishable seed but
of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is
like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and
the flower falls, but the Word of the Lord remains forever.” And this Word is
the good news that was preached to you (1 Peter 1:23-25).
I chose this passage
for today partly because, in addition to her love of family, her fresh baked
pies and cookies, her quick wit and infectious laughter, one of the first things
that most people seem to recall about Millie is how she really enjoyed mowing
the lawn and taking care of her flowers and garden. As late as this last
summer, even with her eyesight failing so she could not drive her car, Millie
was out on her lawn mower mowing her grass and making an occasional trip to the
Jasper Mini Mall.
But I think it
also speaks of a deeper truth, that though someone may be blessed with 94 years
of life, as Millie was, the time is coming for each of us when we will cease
our earthly labors and our earthly life will cease.
All flesh is like
grass—it withers and the flower falls. Indeed, all our earthly life is like the
grass which eventually dies, whether it is cut down green in the prime of life
or holds on until the cold of winter. And on this day, we do not have to think
very hard, nor look very far to be convinced of this—the mortal remains of one
who was with us just a few days ago is all the evidence we need.
Sometimes it is
frightening to be reminded that the way of all flesh is as it is before us
today. And yet, we do not view death as a spectator who observes all of this
from a distance. No, we are not a spectator at all—we are participants! And
knowing that can bring terror to the heart and a lump to the throat.
People go through
their lives trying to ignore the reality of death by going about the business
of the day. Then comes a day like today when we are confronted with it. We can
try to escape it by living a good life, exercising, eating right, following the
doctor’s directions, but it is not to be put off for long. The truth be told,
each of us is only a heartbeat away from the grave.
In the midst of
such a condition, God, in His infinite mercy intervened. Just as we are not
merely spectators, but participants, so also God Himself did not remain a
spectator. That is where the Christmas scene of the Babe of Bethlehem comes in.
The Lord knew that no man could save himself because all people were corrupt.
Only God Himself could be the Savior—and that is just what He did when He was
incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and made man. His life and His
death and His resurrection were done for all people—they were done for you!—in
order that you might be claimed as one of His children.
That is what God’s
Word is. It is the promise that for those who trust in Jesus, their loving and
personal Savior, death will have no dominion over them. On the Last Day—at the
sound of the trumpet—the resurrection of the dead will take place. The faithful
will be brought before the very throne of God and will behold the Lamb of God
and will eat from the tree of life and will drink water from the river which
flows from the throne. God will wipe away every tear. There will be no more death
nor mourning, nor crying, nor pain, nor getting old. Peter’s words are true:
The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the Word of the Lord remains forever.
Is there such a
word of comfort and consolation for Millie which I can give you today? Oh yes
indeed. Millie was brought to the living waters of Holy Baptism. And knowing
that Baptism is the beginning of her relationship with the Lord, she later publicly
confessed that faith in the Rite of Confirmation and promised to remain
faithful to God and His Church until death.
Like each of us,
Millie didn’t keep her promises perfectly. But God is always faithful to His
promises and provided her with His Word and Sacrament. Just a few weeks ago
Millie joined us for chapel and Holy Communion at Sunrise Village. She heard
the Word of God that brings salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life. She
received the medicine of immortality—the very body and blood of her Savior
Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of her sins and the strengthening of her
faith. The grass withers and the flower falls, but the Word of the Lord remains forever!
And what do we say
of those now left behind? What about you? Is your life one of worship and
praise unto the Redeemer? If it is, thank God and continue to stay close to
your Lord and do not let anything nor anyone get between you and your God.
However, if you have slowly drifted away, or slipped into the habit of
forgetting about the Lord, or, have never known Him, don’t let another week go
by without worshiping Him—don’t let another day pass without trusting in
Jesus—don’t let allow another hour to fade without a prayer for God to renew
your life—don’t let your life slip away from what the Lord wants you to have
through His Son Jesus Christ.
For just as surely
as we know why we are here today, so also will a group of people be gathered as
they will remember each one of us individually, as we will be called to present
ourselves before God Almighty. Don’t enter into eternity without confessing and
trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Jesus once stated with great
seriousness: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes
Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has
passed from death to life” (John 5:24).
The peace of God
that passes all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto
life everlasting. Amen
Unless
otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English
Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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