Surrounded By Something Better - Funeral Message For Charles Shirah

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.”