Funeral The Lord Is My Shepherd

TITLE: The Lord Is My Shepherd Funeral: Sadie Garrett Bilton

By C. Scott Ghan

TEXT: (Psalms 23) "A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. {2} He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. {3} He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. {4} Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. {5} Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. {6} Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

I. EULOGY

A. The name Sadie Garrett Bilton, Momma, to her five children, Mama,

to her ____ grandchildren and great grand children, hold special meaning for us. Let us pause and give our thanks to Almighty God for the privilege and honor it is to know this wonderful lady.

1. Sadie is one of the most loving people, I think I’ve ever met. When

I gained so much weight and everybody pointed this fact out to me. Everyone said, "Scott, you’re getting fat!" Everyone save Mama. Mama said, "Scott, you look good. You look healthy!"

2. Few people these days look for an opportunity to build others up

no matter the circumstance. Mama while here on earth was indeed one of those people.

3. She was a good person--a godly person. One of Ernest and Mary’s

twelve children, married William Whittaker Bilton at 14, widowed at a young age. She was left to raise five children by herself under depressed conditions, during hard times. But with God’s help, she was successful.

4. Probably her greatest testament is her children, all of whom are

serving the Lord this day. Because of this--because of the grace of our Lord Jesus--we have confidence that this family circle will be unbroken. Though separated for a season now, one day we will be reunited again.

5. Sadie had many griefs in life. She lost her husband at a young age

and never married again, she lost a set of twins, and her health had been poor for some time.

6. Grief is a strange thing. Grief makes some people sour. Grief

makes others mean. But grief sensitized Sadie to needs and the sorrows of others. It gave her special insight into the hearts of others. This is what happens when you allow Jesus to guide you through the grief life brings, sometimes is a disproportionate measure.

7. Grief makes some people turn away from God in anger. But grief

caused Sadie to cling closer and hold tighter to the hand of Jesus the good Shepherd.

TS. I was thinking of Sadie’s response to hardships and concluded that

she must have shared a common experience with David as he wrote this most familiar of all Psalms (Read Ps 23)

II. EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY

A. David is describing the mood, the conditions of a person’s soul who

endures great hardships, when that person allows the Lord--our Jesus, to be the shepherd. Even though I walk through the shadowy valley of death, these things characterize my life David says.

1. "I shall not want" Ever notice how some are never satisfied? Ever

notice how some have a continual lust for more even though they have already have much? Sadie had little, but it was enough for her. She had the things that were genuinely important. She had the love and fellowship of her family. She didn’t go hungry.

a. When you allow Jesus to be your good Shepherd, He promises

to take care of your daily needs

b. (Mt 6: 28ff) See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not

labor or spin...If that is how God clothes the grass of the field...will he not much more clothe you...so do not worry..."

2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me

beside the still waters. Even in the valley, because He is Shepherd, He brings us rest. Even in Sadie’s suffering, Jesus brought rest. Yet in the last several months we witnessed her looking for a better rest. She wanted to go home--home! Not to her little trailer, but home to find that better rest in heaven with the Lord.

a. That’s the rest the good shepherd will lead us all to if we will

follow Him like Sadie did.

b. Isn’t He good? I want you to know we can trust Him in the

valley.

3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of