Intro Russell Blair grew up in California under hard circumstances--not only lacking good role models--but usually having only bad ones. Russell knew about dysfunctional families before that term even entered our lexicon, for Russell experienced it firsthand, growing up.
Russell grew up in a scrappy, hard-fisted world. And he adapted, refusing to have his spirit of life quenched. Russell soon had a tough outer shell, with a mouth to match, cloaking the soft and caring side of him. As a young man, Russell served in the Army, fighting in the Korean War as a sniper. He had to shoot at enemy combatants who were hell-bent to bring him injury or death. He had to kill the enemy, some of whom were not yet even men, all the while looking through the sight of a sniper’s rifle. Russell never fully recovered from that nightmare, and bore the wounds of such demanded sacrifice his entire life. Military life is often stressful and demanding. And so Russell vowed not to marry as long as he was in the Army. But while in northern Illinois, he met the love of his life when his term of Army service was nearing its end. He saw Alice and knew then that she would be his wife. Russell told me that when he first saw Alice that “she was a sight to behold!” And Russell and Alice married. And they loved. And Alice was a true companion, whom God used to strengthen his faith and help bring healing to Russell. Main Body But that’s not the only reason you are here. For Russell has died. But I also say to you: Russell is now free of the stubborn guilt that refused to leave him alone. As his pastor, I spoke to him Christ’s forgiving Word for the guilt that troubled him for killing those so young, whom he possibly could have avoided killing. I assured Russell that Christ took away that guilt, with whatever else was clawing at him, when Christ took that into Himself on the cross of death. Russell would second-guess, many times, about what happened in the fury and panic of enemy attack. Russell’s heart always had a small, festering wound, fed by doubt and guilt, which he kept quiet and hidden. But it was there, always causing an ache that would never quite go away. North Korean soldiers, wave upon wave of unrelenting Chinese, and then later, even something more unforgiving: cancer--these are but the weapons. They aren’t the real enemy. The real enemy has come. It hounded and harassed Russell through his years, but most especially these last few weeks with an unyielding vengeance. And now death has taken Russell. He is now dead--or so it seems. But in reality, Russell is now safe and secure, free from all sin, all guilt, all second-guessing, and doubt. Christ has set him free from the burden of sin and damnation, from death and sorrow. Jesus earned the victory over death for Russell in His life, crucifixion, and resurrection. The Law has been satisfied. Justice is met. Nothing is now left for anyone to do. It has all been done. No one can accuse Russell or hurt him anymore, no matter how Russell’s feelings lied to him. In the death of Jesus Christ, death has been put to death. That is why Russell has now passed through death, unscathed, and into life. Jesus Christ has defeated death. As Jesus is not dead, so neither is Russell. We are less alive than he is. He is not gone; he has but gone ahead, where we soon will follow. And in the defeat of that last enemy of death, all enemies have been defeated. We live in that truth by faith, and Russell now lives in that truth in the reality of God’s eternal presence. Russell’s pain and fears, his guilt and shame, and his regrets and worries are now all gone. Death has done its worst, carried out its hollow and empty boast, and lost the day. Russell remains in Christ, into whom he has been baptized--the same Christ who raises the dead and gives life through His forgiveness of sin. Death’s toll has already been paid. Russell owes it nothing. Jesus has taken care of everything by His dying and rising. Through baptism, God the Holy Spirit has washed Russell clean in the blood of Christ’s holy sacrifice. That’s why he’s purged of all guilt, given a clean conscience, and has a righteous inheritance through grace. He lives because death, the last enemy, is defeated. Russell’s body, his heart and soul, are no longer at war, no longer struggling, fighting, and suffering. He is at peace. He has gone to a better place. But it is not so for everyone who dies. Not everyone goes to a better place and rests in peace. Some go to a worse end, not a better end. And this simply isn’t an existence lacking the joys of heaven. It’s an eternal reality far worse than Korea’s coldest, forsaken foxhole. And such an eternal reality is not just for those who are obviously evil, such as Hitler or Stalin. Even nice people, even Americans, even veterans can end up there. For anyone and everyone who dies without Christ, without the benefit of faith in His atoning, life-giving cross and empty tomb, have a hell-bound eternity. For no matter how good someone is, no matter how hard he tries, he’s not good enough. No one is. Anyone who tries to stand on anything other than the perfect life and death of Jesus is dead. If you insist on being judged by what you do, by your loyalty and service, by your sincerity and good intent, then you will be dead. And you will burn, for they are never good enough for you to delight in the joys of heaven. Learn the lesson that Russell knew well and embraced with his whole being, even as he still struggled with his inner turmoil and succumbed to the onslaught of cancer. The only escape from eternity’s Black Death, the only way to defeat that last enemy, is to be crucified with Christ. The only escape is to be buried with Christ in the waters of holy baptism and be raised again to newness of life. Jesus is enough--you are not. But Jesus gives you what He did in exchange for what you couldn’t do. You die with Him to rise with Him. For the one who dies in Christ is free from sin. The old sinful nature of ours is broken, drowned, and killed. But this is all for a good end--that the new self given us in Christ Jesus will arise and live, made complete and holy by the searching love of God. That is good for Russell. It is good for us as well. Our part is purely passive. It is being emptied, being broken, being filled, and being healed by God. We don’t do anything. God does. He gives; we receive. He loves; we are loved. He forgives; we are forgiven. He proclaims His victory over death and His victory is ours. That is death’s true defeat. Jesus has bought back what death has stolen at the terrible cost of His own Life. He grants Life to those who believe in Him without cost or demand--a gift that cannot be earned, bought, or taken by force! Believers are the beneficiaries of His grace. We are saved by grace. That is what Russell believed. Don’t let Russell’s tough outside fool you. He believed that with all his softened heart. He believed. But Russell’s reward and rest, as wonderful, and as personal as it is, is not unique. It is the same for all who hold the Christian faith. And God offers it every time He comes to you in His Word--even now. For your separation and sorrow, as bad as they are, need not last forever. You can see Russell again. You can go where he has gone. You can rest in the peace that he now knows. Conclusion The trumpet will sound. The graves will open. There will be a reunion, laughter, and great joy: God’s people at peace, free from sin, free from the devil, and free from death. Thanks be to God. For God does everything well. May God deliver us all in His grace to that same great joy. By faith, we can even praise God at the death of Russell Blair--for Russell didn’t just die and that was it! No, Russell now lives and death has died. Death was but the portal to that eternal life. Russell now lives in eternity. Thanks be to God. Amen. -- Rich Futrell, Pastor Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Kimberling City, MO Where we are to receive and confess the faith of the Church (in and with the Augsburg Confession): The faith once delivered to the saints, the faith of Christ Jesus, His Word of the Gospel, His full forgiveness of sins, His flesh and blood given and poured out for us, and His gracious gift of life for body, soul, and spirit. ___________________________________________________________________ 'CAT 41 Sermons & Devotions' consists of works that are, unless otherwise noted, the copyrighted property of the various authors; posting of such gives members of this list implied consent for redistribution _with_attribution_ unless otherwise specified by the author (as long as no charge is made for the work and it is not made part of a compilation), as well as for quoting or use in a congregational setting _with_or_without_attribution_. Note: This list's default reply is to the *poster*, NOT the list. 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