SURROUNDED BY SOMETHING BETTER
Funeral Message for Charles Shirah
Text: Hebrews 12:1-2
As I started to prepare for Charles funeral today – there was a passage of scripture that just kept coming to my mind. That’s not really odd itself. But the unusual thing was that I’ve been pastoring for over 30 years now – and I’ve never used this passage, or even thought of it as a funeral text.
It’s found in the book of Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 1 - 3. And it says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
I don’t know if you’re all aware of this or not – but nobody knows for sure who wrote the book of Hebrews. Now, obviously, we believe God inspired it. But we don’t know who the human instrument. . .writer that God used was. Every other book of the N.T. – we know who wrote it – because somebody took credit. . .ownership for it. But Hebrews is known as the “mystery book” of the N.T. – because nobody said, “Yes, I’m the author.”
Many people believe that Paul wrote it – as he did at least a third of the other books of the N.T. There’s a lot of evidence to support that theory. And part of that evidence was Paul’s love of sports. Paul loved sports. . .athletics. . .competition. And many, many times – Paul used sports illustrations to drive home his point. He talked about “running. . .fighting. . .wrestling.” He talked about life being a “race” – and winning the “victor’s crown.” Paul loved sports.
And one of the reasons why many people believe that Paul might have authored Hebrews – is because this passage I read sounds like something he’d write. He said, “. . .let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” That sounds like vintage Paul.
And if you’re wondering “what the point is, Pastor Danny?” Well, I’m not trying to conduct a Bible study this morning. And I haven’t forgotten that it’s a funeral. I know that we’re here to honor the life and memory of Charles Shirah today.
But to really understand Charles – I learned that it really helped to understand what he loved. . .passionate about. I had the privilege of having Charles and Ann in my church membership class a little over a year ago. And one of the things that I learned about Charles in that class was that he was a HUGE Auburn University football fan. And now, understand – he wasn’t a stay-at-home, watch it on TV fan. Charles was a motor home driving. . . camp-out in the parking lot. . .travel to wherever they were playing. . .tailgate party. . .season ticket holding fan.
And I learned that all I had to say to Charles – for him to be my “best friend” – was, “How about them Tigers?” If you hated Alabama – or you cheered for Auburn – you were Charles’ friend for life!
And you know, even this year – when Auburn hasn’t dominated that way they did last year – and they’re not going to a BCS bowl this year – and they aren’t winning the championship this year. All I had to do when I went to visit Charles in the hospital. . .home. . .hospice – was to ask him, “Who’s Auburn play this week?”
And his face would light up – and he’d tell me who they were playing. . .how they were doing. . .how much he wanted to get back down there with Billy and Caroline, and the gang! I said, “It must be kind of tough seeing them struggle like they are after such a great season.” And Charles just smiled and said, “At least I lived to see em win one!”
Auburn might have very well lost their number one fan last Friday. But you know why I think that passage from Hebrews really came to my mind? It wasn’t the reference to the “race being run.” It was actually the little phrase that started off verse 1, “. . .since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses.”
That’s an interesting verse – because the words being used there in the original Greek language are actually the words you would use to describe a sports stadium, or an arena. If you’ve ever seen a picture of the Coliseum in Rome – that’s the mental image that’s being painted with the words being used here. We are in the arena. . .stadium – surrounded by multitudes of saints that have gone before us. And they’re clapping. . .cheering. . .shouting your name. . .rooting us on to victory!
Are you beginning to see why I thought of Charles when I recalled that verse? No, I hadn’t thought of it as a funeral text before. But what an appropriate image of Charles – to be in the football stadium – surrounded not by tens-of-thousands of screaming Tigers fans. But surrounded by, literally, millions of believers who have been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ – and who are cheering us on through every challenge. . .tragedy. . .struggle. . .penalty that life and the devil throws at us.
And you know, the thought that came to me is that Charles is surrounded by something better today – than any fans. . .team. . .stadium that he’s ever been a part of here on earth.
1. Because he’s surrounded, first of all, by the LOVE OF GOD.
You know, for all the love Charles ever experienced here on earth, and in this life. He loved Ann. . .Chuck. . .(grandchildren). . .family. . .friends. . .them Auburn Tigers. For all the love he ever received. . .gave in this life – he’s surrounded today by a love that’s even better. He’s surrounded and consumed with a love that we’ve never known or experienced here on earth.
One of my favorite passages that Paul ever penned is Romans 8:35-39. For Paul writes, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?. . .No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
There’s no arguing that Charles was blessed to be loved in life. He was an easy guy to like. . .man to love. But don’t forget – that he’s even more loved in death. And I’m not talking about those who loved him – and wish we had the power to bring him back. I’m talking about God’s love. I’m talking about the love of his Savior, Jesus Christ. He’s surrounded by something better than he ever knew here on earth. He’s surrounded by God’s love, first of all.
2. And then, I thought, second, how he’s SURROUNDED BY HEAVEN.
Charles has a new home that he’s moved to. And I know that he was blessed with a beautiful home here that he and Ann shared. I used to love to sit out on that wonderful sun porch at Charles and Ann’s house when I went to visit. Charles told me that it was their favorite room in the entire house. He said, “Pastor, we live out here year-round.” He had built it on the house himself. It was surrounded on three sides by windows – and looked out on the yard. . .flowers. . .trees. And Ann said, “We just love to watch the deer come up in the back yard while we’re sitting out here.”
I understand why you loved it so much. It was such a serene and peaceful place. I know that Charles was blessed with a beautiful home here on earth. But, you know what? Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-2)
And over in 1 Corinthians, chapter 2, Paul said, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (vs. 8-10)
What’s that mean? It means that the most beautiful place we’ve ever seen here on earth – can’t compare with the home we have to look forward to. The most beautiful music you’ve ever heard here on earth – will sound like noise next to the music you’re going to hear. It means these minds of ours can’t even begin to conceive of what heaven is going to be like. And once you go there – you don’t want to come back here. And as much as he loved his home over on Hudson-James Road – he probably wouldn’t trade it for what he just inherited. He’s surrounded by heaven now.
3. But you know, a third thing Charles is surrounded by today is ETERNAL JOY AND PEACE.
During the final weeks. . .months of his life – Charles was surrounded by a lot of unpleasant things. He was surrounded by doctors. . .nurses. . .hospital. . .hospice. . .medicine. . .machines.
But on the plus side – he was also surrounded by prayers and best wishes. He was surrounded by cards and notes telling him how much he was loved. And during his final days and hours – his bed was literally surrounded by his family. You know, I often read in obituaries, “surrounded by his friends and family.” Charles was. He was surrounded in his last days here on earth by some unpleasant things – and by some wonderful things.
But let me tell you what he’s surrounded by now. Revelation 21:3-5 says, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (And) He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Folks, that means there aren’t going to be any hospitals in heaven. . .cancer clinics. . .hospices. . .pain medications. . .funeral homes. Heaven is a place of eternal peace from all of life’s pains and struggles.
And it’s also a place of eternal joy. David said, “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:10-11)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, (I think that’s a place Charles should feel right at home), let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. . .Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Folks, just remember that Charles is surrounded by something even better today. He’s surrounded by God’s love. . .Heaven. . .Eternal Joy and Peace.
Would you pray with me?
