Funeral Journey From Death To Life

Funeral Sermon

“Journey from Death to Life”

"When they arrived at the place where God had told Abraham to go, he built an altar and placed the wood on it Then he tied Isaac up and laid him on the altar over the wood." Genesis 22:1-19 (NLT)

Intro: It is has been an honor for me to get to know the Mckenzie family.

It is a privilege to be asked to speak at this Celebration of Fred’s life.

Hazel and the family took such good care of Fred.

They loved him,

They set with him practically all day and all night

Especially since he took a turn for the worse back in November.

They did everything they could for him.

It is a true sign of love and devotion when a family will set by a loved ones bedside through the night just to watch to make sure they are still breathing.

I want to talk to you today about the Journey from Death to Life.

We are more familiar with the Journey from Life to Death.

Every day we are writing the story of our life.

Everyone here has a story.

We are all on a journey.

I have heard several stories shared about Fred and Hazel.

Joyful memories of Fred’s work

Even my wife Gina Ann was telling me that Fred took her Prom pictures when she was in High School. Photo Fred took thousands of pictures all over. As a Photographer you really get to know people because you pay attention to the little details of their life while you taking the photographs.

I guess to me one of the best stories about Fed was Fred’s Hall of Wedding Photos. I suppose there were hundreds of wedding pictures Fred kept on the wall. What’s funny is when someone would come in and say, Fred take that picture down we not married anymore.

Or the Fishing stories of Fred and Frank. Frank said, they could be on the same boat,

Using the same rod and real, using the same bait, fishing 5 feet apart and Fred would out catch Frank ten to one.

I know each of you have a story about Fred and Hazel and the family

I. Life is an uncertain ____Journey___________________ (Gen. 22:1–8).

"Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"

"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Genesis 22:7 (NIV)

This is an old familiar story from the bible…

The story of Abraham offering his son Isaac

a. Isaac was on a journey. Young boy following his dad up a mountain, carrying fire wood.

b. There was much he didn’t understand.

c. He was clueless as to what awaited him.

d. That is true of our lives. So much uncertainty. “Nobody knows…”

Last August down in Texas a United Methodist Church Administrative Board met

to set out Policies on use of their building.

They set the cost and fees to rent the fellowship hall,

Discussed ways to restrict access to certain parts of the building.

Two weeks later, those same board members were on the second floor of the church building pulling people out of boats in through the windows to rescue them.

Hurricane Harvey caused people to rethink what they cared about the most

That Methodist church is now focused on people how to tackle the tough challenges that people face. When tragedy and loss come people learn to adapt and change when their circumstances change.

Fred would want you to adapt and change.

Fred would want you to go on with your life.

To continue the journey beyond his death to continue on your journey of life.

Life is uncertain.

We don’t know what tomorrow holds…, but we know who hold the future...,

And that is a loving God.

He wants good for you.

He wants to bless you, comfort you, strengthen you.

When we pray and have faith that releases God’s blessing and favor upon our lives.

Life is an uncertain journey. But as a Christian believer it is a journey from death to life.

II. Death appears certain (Gen. 22:9–10).

"Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son." Genesis 22:10

a. Imagine (if you can) Isaac’s horror and disbelief in this scene.

1. How old was Isaac? (Abraham well over 100, and Isaac 20’s -30’s)

2. Did his father surprise him?

Isaac come here let me tie you up, lay down here on the altar, let me put this wood under you.

3. Did Isaac resist? Maybe Isaac trusted his father Abraham, as much as Abraham trusted his Father God, As much as we are to also trust God when death appears certain.

Today we are called to trust God in this moment.