Intro When God’s people gather around someone who has died in the faith, a singular moment takes place. This is a moment when heaven and earth meet. The one whom God has called home connects the saints here with the saints in heaven. For the saints of God hold vigil on both sides of the River of Death.
On this side, we sing the sturdy hymns of Christ because another soul whom Jesus has redeemed has conquered the last foe--death! But that is not the half of it. On the other side, our songs are received with a resounding echo. For that’s where the saints in heaven have sung their songs to welcome Harold into eternity. Main Body It is, indeed, fitting that we gather as God’s people in God’s house for Harold’s funeral. Harold spent many hours receiving the Lord’s spoken Word and Supper where he lived, at The Oaks in Branson. Harold spent many hours in this place, in this house of the Lord. Harold also spent many hours in his earlier congregation, Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Wind Lake, Wisconsin. Our Lord speaks, and we, His people, listen. God’s Word gives what it says. Faith is born from what is heard and delights in God’s gifts with eager thanksgiving and praise. Harold delighted in receiving the gracious gifts of God: the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. It was as if Harold became a young boy again. I would see his eyes twinkle and his face light up with joy as he would drink in the words of God. As we think about Harold, our brother now in the Church Triumphant--and for our own comfort--I again speak to you these words of Jesus: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will not hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst…. Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me…. [And] this is the will of my Father: that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” If Jesus needed to come down from heaven to give eternal life to everyone who would believe in Him, then Jesus had work to do. It was a most-serious mission no one could fulfill except God in human flesh. And so Jesus left His Father’s house to be born a human: God and man in one being. He came to give us hope in the face of what you see before you today. The River of Death is toxic from its source, and that source is sin. This sin separates us from eternal life with God. Sin will keep us out of our Father’s house in heaven. That power of sin is so strong that no one can make it into God’s eternal house through his own efforts. This includes both me and you. Our efforts, our good works, are worthless and meaningless in that endeavor. Only in Jesus is there hope. It is not in the strength of our bodies, not in our wealth, not in our virtuous deeds, not with influence, not in our honor among men. All these are but empty efforts that end in devastating and eternal defeat. Know this: Only the cross of Jesus Christ has paid for the sins of the entire world. And know this: The cross of Christ has spanned the River of Death to take those who trust in Him to the other side. That’s where the Father’s house is. That’s where Harold is. 2,000 years ago, Jesus’ dead body was placed in a tomb of death. On the third day, Jesus left that tomb, showing that death could not hold Him. And since death can’t hold Jesus, it can’t hold those whom He calls His own, including Harold Baumgart. As Jesus says, “I will raise him up on the last day.” Right now, Harold’s soul is with Jesus. But on the Last Day, Jesus will reunite Harold’s body with his soul--body and soul together. Harold believed that. That’s what he confessed every time I would visit him. Harold would confess the Creed, from memory, when He would receive the Lord’s Supper. Harold would say in his own quiet way, “I believe in God the Father ... I believe in God the Son ... I believe in God the Holy Spirit.” Years ago, God the Holy Spirit worked faith in Harold’s heart through the Word in the waters of holy baptism (1 Peter 3:21). It’s the same faith that kept him all these years, as he grew older, especially during these last six months when his health began to fail. And it kept him in the last days and hours of his life. How comforting to know that it was the Lord who was upholding Harold during those trials of life. I remember stopping by to see Harold, last February, when He was at Skaggs Hospital. He was worn out and weary; his anxiety and emotions having the best of him. As soon as Harold saw me, he began to weep: “Pastor, I don’t know where I am or how long I’ve been here!” After letting Harold know what was going on, he was back to his stoic self. Even at times like those, God was holding Harold in His hand. For those of you who believe in Jesus as Harold did, you have the same hope and assurance that Harold had. You will see Harold again--in heaven! All who believe in Jesus--whether infant or aged, whether awake or asleep, whether strong and stout or weak and withering--you can take comfort knowing the Lord upholds and keeps you in the one, true faith. Whoever comes to Jesus He will never cast out. Even in death, Harold is reminding us of what’s vital, just as he did in life. Oh, he so looked forward to receiving Christ's body and blood every time I visited him! He wanted Jesus to quench his thirst and to quell his hunger. Harold looked forward to going home to heaven. Today, he is telling you that when your time on earth is over--only this matters--that you are in the fold of Christ’s Church! Conclusion Jesus promised Harold that He would never cast him out. Jesus is true to His Word. Harold is now in glory with all the saints who have preceded him. Harold is now having a heavenly reunion, where pain, suffering, sorrow, and tears are no more. The only tears being shed now are ours. They are the tears we cry as we grieve Harold’s passing, joined with the tears of joy as we rejoice at his eternal victory. For those of us here this day as part of Christ’s Church, the Lord Jesus reminds you: “Let not your hearts be troubled…. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). That was Harold’s assurance. That is Harold’s victory. And, by faith, it is also yours! 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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