Funeral For Suicide Victim

Memorial service for Marc

Good morning. I want to thank each of you for being here today. Your presence means a lot to this family and so do your prayers. I am David Henderson and I pastor Eagle=s Landing Church in Port Richey.

Psalm 22:1-11 (Living) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why do you refuse to help me or even to listen to my groans? [2] Day and night I keep on weeping, crying for your help, but there is no reply-- [3] for you are holy. The praises of our fathers surrounded your throne; they trusted you and you delivered them. [4] [5] You heard their cries for help and saved them; they were never disappointed when they sought your aid.

[9] Lord, how you have helped me before! [10] You took me safely from my mother's womb and brought me through the years of infancy. [11] I have depended upon you since birth; you have always been my God. Don't leave me now, for trouble is near and no one else can possibly help.

Psalm 23

Prayer. Heavenly Father we come to you today because we know that you alone can help us because you understand everything that we feel today and everything this family is experiencing. You are a God who has feelings….the scripture tells us you love us, the scripture reminds us that you have experienced every feeling we have and so we know that you understand today. Heavenly Father today we all grieve. We ask for your comfort and peace to be with this family and also with each of these friends who are here today. Give them understanding that grows each day, give them a greater trust in you and grant each one your peace and hope. In Jesus name. Amen.

About 20 years ago we were living in KY and decided to take a family vacation there and some of the state we had not seen. One of the places we went to was mammoth cave. We took a tour that lasted an hour or so. When we first went in the tour guide was holding a candle. It wasn't very large but it provided enough light for us to be able to see. He told us to gather close together because the lights were about to go out. He then blew the candle out and it was the darkest place I had ever been. He said now hold your hand up in front of your face….none of us could see it. My 2 youngest children were 4 and 6 at the time...one was standing on 1 side of me and 1 on the other and the first thing I felt was 2 little hands grab mine .

When we lose someone we love it is though the lights go out. For a few moments we cannot see clearly…..we are in the dark….it is as though time stands still and we need a hand to hold on to. There is a certain denial that sets in because we just cannot believe it. And sometimes it takes a while before the darkness goes away. Jesus tells us in the New Testament that He is the Light of the World. Listen to what the scripture says about this light.

John 8:12 (NIV) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

John 9:5 (NIV) While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

John 12:46 (NIV) I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

Regarding Heaven we see that the scripture again describes this light.

Rev. 21:23 (NIV) The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

.. Further the Bible tells us a bit of what heaven will be like.

...there will be no more death...no more funerals to attend

...we will never grow tired

...there will be no sorrow

...no pain

...no darkness or night

...no need for the Sun...Jesus will provide all the light that we need

...there will be no end….it will last forever. There will be no more disappointments, problems or difficulties no addictions.. The Bible describes it as a perfect place....no more cancer, disease or sickness of any kind!

In the OT book of Job we find the story of a man who lives a very righteous life yet he suffered greatly. Still today we refer to the patience of job because of how he handled this tragedy. Job faced just about every difficulty we can imagine. The story tells us that he was blameless, he feared God and he stayed away from evil. But he was tested. His wealth was taken from him. He lost his house, animals. All of his material possessions. He lost his children. They were all taken from him. Then he lost his health. But Job remained faithful to God. It causes us to ask the age old question, why do bad things happen to good people?