Funeral Stanley Walkup

Friends, we have gathered here to praise God

and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of Stanley Walkup

We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss.

May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort,

in sorrow hope, in death resurrection.

“Precious in the Sight of the Lord” Psalm 116:15

1. Open

• One thing I’ve learned over the years, especially as I’ve seen families saying goodbye to loved ones,

• I notice that God cherishes the lives of His faithful ones.

• Their death is not taken lightly by Him.

• Psalm 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

• That means even the final breath of a believer is significant—

• Today, we remember Stanley. And we do so with confidence that his life—and his passing—are precious in the sight of the Lord.

2. Stanley Was Precious to God because He was one of His Saint

• Stanley was precious to Karen and the family, but he was also precious to God.

• In Scripture, every Christian is called a “saint”—not because they lived perfectly, but because they were redeemed.

• Stanley was a saint because he believed in Jesus. He repented of his sins,

• He confessed Jesus as Lord, and was baptized into Christ. His sins were washed away.

• He lived with the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal life.

• And now, that promise is fulfilled—he is enjoying eternal life with Jesus in

3. Stanley Was Precious to God because he was a Servant

• Jesus said in Matthew 23:11, “The greatest among you will be your servant.”

Stanley lived that truth.

• He served his country as a veteran, sacrificing years for this great nation

• He served his church as a trustee.

• He served the men’s ministry faithfully.

• While some attend church for decades and never find a place to serve, Stanley found many.

• He had a servant’s heart—and that is precious in the sight of the Lord.

4. Stanley Was Precious to God because he was a Worker

• Stanley didn’t just attend church—he worked for the Lord.

• He made apple butter, chow chow, and helped with anything else that needed doing.

• God sees that kind of labor. And He honors it.

• 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

• Stanley was always ready to help. He lived Matthew 24:44: “So you also must be ready…”

He was faithful to the end. Revelation 2:10 says, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”

Stanley has received that crown.

5. Stanley Was Precious to God because he was a Believer

• At some point in his life, Stanley responded to God’s call.

• He became a believer—a follower of Christ.

• He prayed. He served. He loved. He endured.

• His faith was quiet, not boastful. He didn’t need to announce it—he lived it.

6. Stanley Embodied Four Qualities that was precious in the eyes of God

• Stanley was a Saint—not perfect, but redeemed.

• He was a Servant—with a heart full of service.

• He was a Worker—laboring for the Master.

• He was a Believer—trusting Jesus every step of the way.

7. Closing: lets consider The Preciousness of Death

• Psalm 116:15 reminds us: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

• Why is death precious for Stanley because He believed “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

• Stanley is reunited with loved ones like Kiera.

• He has received eternal life.

• Paul once wrote for me to live is Christ for to die is gain

• Stanley has gained no more mourning, no more heartache, no more crying, no more death, no more worry, maybe that’s why the psalmist wrote

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

Into your hands, O merciful Savior,

we commend your servant Name.

Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you,

a sheep of your own fold,

a lamb of your own flock,

a sinner of your own redeeming.

Receive Name into the arms of your mercy,

into the blessed rest of everlasting peace,

and into the glorious company of the saints of light. Amen.