Today, I will preach the funeral of an 87 year old saint. She was a member of a church I used to pastor. If there was one word I could use to describe her to you, it would be "Faithful." Her loving husband went into eternity nearly 20 years ago. Since then, this dear lady stayed faithful to his memory as his widow. Always looking forward to the day they would be reunited in Heaven. She was faithful to her two sons. She was faithful to her friends. She was faithful.
She reminds me of the words the Apostle Paul penned to a young preacher named Timothy. The words of a faithful witness for Christ, sitting in a Roman jail knowing that his execution papers had already been signed by the Emperor.
2 Timothy 4: 6-8 records: "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." NKJV
Like the Apostle, this dear lady had been Faithful to the Faith; Faithful to the Fight and Faithful to the Finish.
* Faithful to the Faith.
She knew in whom she believed. As her pastor I did not have to wonder if she would fill her seat each Sunday. She would come in with her Bible in hand, smiling and greeting everyone she met. If she wasn't there on a Sunday, there was always a good reason.
*Faithful to the Fight.
Anyone who says living for Christ is easy hasn't been a Christian long. Serving our Lord is a fight. Why? because there is a real devil out there attacking the Children of God at every turn. The Apostle Paul taught the Church in Ephesus to put on the whole armor of God, (spiritually speaking of course), so they could withstand the attack of Satan. (Ephesians 6).
*Faithful to the Finish.
A preacher once said; "A faith that fizzles before the finish was faulty from the start." This week that dear, faithful lady left this life to be absent from the body and to be present with her Lord.
"Dear Lord, Help me, help my family, friends, congregation and all who follow you be Faithful to the Faith, Faithful to the Fight and Faithful to the Finish until the day comes that you call us into your presence. Amen."
