Funeral Sermon (Dot Livingston 5-8-24)

Such as:

• Thousands gather in large stadiums across this nation frequently because they all have in a common a love for a certain sporting event.

• Thousands of Music fans gather in large stadiums or Coliseums to hear a particular singer. Being fans of this particular singer makes them have something in common.

Today we have come together like wise because we have a common interest.

We have all been brought together because of our love and for the HOME GOING OF DOT LIVINGSTON.

We do not like to talk about death because it separates us from our loved ones.

Illus: For example, we are told that Doris Day a favorite singer of many of us refuse to talk about death or refuse to allow anyone in her home talk about death.

But today we are forced to talk about death.

• For the last years Dot has had to deal with death. She knew this day was coming.

• And we know that one day we will have to personally deal with it.

That is, we know if the Lord tarries, that death will come and snatch away the last breath we will ever breathe on this earth.

Illus: Song writer stated it in these words, “Death chilling water, soon will be passing”

HOW DO WE KNOW THAT?

God has a way of showing us this day is approaching many of us here today!!!

We know it is coming because:

• The wrinkles in the face are saying it want be long!

• The grey hairs in our head are saying it want be long!

• The aches and pains in our bodies that we never had before are saying to us - get ready it want be long!

• The grandchildren growing old and we are growing OLDER! This tells us IT WANT BE LONG!

• When we were young, we look forward to our birthdays but now we hate to see a birthday coming because each one is telling us IT WANT BE LONG!

• When we attend class reunion and the class in numbers is getting smaller and smaller it is telling us it WANT BE LONG!

• And yes, every time we attend a funeral it is telling us IT WANT BE LONG!

Today we are forced to deal with death if we like it or not and it is a reminder that today DOT HAS DONE SOMETHING WE ALL ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO!

I would like to share with the FAMILY and FRIENDS of two things for us to consider at a time like this that will cheer us up about death.

For example, let’s look at-

I. WHAT DEATH CAN DO FOR US

The Word of God we read in Job 5:7, Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

From the moment we are born into this life we start to experience trouble.

Illus: Babies are born into this life not laughing but crying.

Why?

Because shortly after they arrive here, they discover things that are annoying and disturbing to them!

The Bible is absolutely correct, “…Man is born unto trouble…”

Sometime the problems we face are so severe that the only relief from that suffering is through death.

When this happens, death becomes our friend and takes us from the misery of this life.

Illus: Years ago, a very godly woman in Columbia, South Carolina was diagnosed to have terminal cancer.

Everyone who knew her knew her for her godliness.

But she became very ill before she died, but on her death bed she testified to everyone who came to see her of the Savior who died for her sins. And with the smile of an angel, she would tell them how she looked forward to going to be with the Lord.

But the last few months she suffered so bad that her loved ones could barely stand to stay in the room to hear her suffer. They gave her maximum dosage of morphine to ease the pain, but still the pain was so severe that it was almost unbearable.

It was at this time, that death became the best friend she had.

Death did for her what no family member, no friend, no doctor, or no medication could do for her. Death came and set her free from the misery that she was suffering.

• Death is more than a physical event

• Death is a time for transformation

• Death is precarious

In the last few months of Dot’s failing health, the Livingston’s family gathered around her as she faced death to express to her how much they loved her and show their appreciation for her life.

In this sense, death can be our friend, but let’s look at someone we know who our friend is.