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A Celebration of a Life
Well Lived For Christ
Funeral Message for
Anita Dow
February 7, 2010
Well Lived For Christ
Funeral Message for
Anita Dow
February 7, 2010
We gather here today on the sudden and unexpected passing of Anita Dow, who was a good friend to many, sister in the Lord, Wife, Mother, and daughter. She lived her life fully committed to her Lord, her family, her church, and her community. In this she was a shinning example of what a person can become in Christ Jesus.
When I think of Anita, an old preacher's expression comes to mind: "Now there's a life that will preach." Let me tell you just apart of the message she lived before us.
There is a shadow that hung over her life and one she fought to dispel. A persistent suffering followed her in one form or another and these last days took the form of sever migraines.
We too feel that shadow hovering over us today as we morn her loss in our lives. Along with this loss and in the face of our old enemy, pain and death, we begin to wonder if we can ever be free of its threat.
Anita and I spent many hours talking about this problem and discovered together that even the presence of pain or death could not separate us from God's love and all that we hold dear. We discovered afresh what believers have known from the beginning that we can live victorious lives while enduring the same hardships that are common to everyone in this room.
We read together these words from Romans 8…
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither 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.
When I think of Anita, an old preacher's expression comes to mind: "Now there's a life that will preach." Let me tell you just apart of the message she lived before us.
There is a shadow that hung over her life and one she fought to dispel. A persistent suffering followed her in one form or another and these last days took the form of sever migraines.
We too feel that shadow hovering over us today as we morn her loss in our lives. Along with this loss and in the face of our old enemy, pain and death, we begin to wonder if we can ever be free of its threat.
Anita and I spent many hours talking about this problem and discovered together that even the presence of pain or death could not separate us from God's love and all that we hold dear. We discovered afresh what believers have known from the beginning that we can live victorious lives while enduring the same hardships that are common to everyone in this room.
We read together these words from Romans 8…
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither 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.
Romans 8:37-39
Today we affirm in the face of death that this harsh reality does not have to separate us from the Love of God. It is in death that Anita comes to a full realization of God's majesty and love while we catch a glimpse of what she now fully knows. She has laid aside the shadow we have called the harsh reality for the greater truth of God's amazing grace and love.
Today she stands before the Lord and hears the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Paul tells us that death is the great promotion and the final test of those who Love God and have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Our Heavenly Dwelling
1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Today she stands before the Lord and hears the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Paul tells us that death is the great promotion and the final test of those who Love God and have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Our Heavenly Dwelling
1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (New International Version)
Anita had not great love for her earthly body because of the pain and suffering it brought her for many years of her life. His pain was not always visible and explainable as a outward wound but many of us here today know that some of the greatest struggles happen without any audience. If you have ever suffered you probably heard people tell you to take it like a man, or toughen up. We play the game that we can have mind over matter or even deny the real existence of pain and death.
Because Anita turned to the Bible rather than the expectations of people she discovered something so incredibly real and powerful it became the core of her daily survival. She discovered that we don't need medicine over suffering, mental attitude over suffering, but faith through suffering.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Because Anita turned to the Bible rather than the expectations of people she discovered something so incredibly real and powerful it became the core of her daily survival. She discovered that we don't need medicine over suffering, mental attitude over suffering, but faith through suffering.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Philippians l:18-26
Anita, like Paul longed to be free of this painful world that has known suffering since the fall of man in Genesis. She chose to remain with us as long as possible for our sake rather than hers. That is why she fought so hard and longed to see all of you to encourage you and to build you up towards a faith in Christ Jesus.
Some will ask why bad things happen to good people, and there is even a popular book by the same title given to people who are grieving at times like this. But the answer is far more simply than we want to admit. There are no 'good' people.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Some will ask why bad things happen to good people, and there is even a popular book by the same title given to people who are grieving at times like this. But the answer is far more simply than we want to admit. There are no 'good' people.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned
Romans 5:12
If God punished the good then there would be no justice but that is not the case. Anita had many good and wonderful qualities, but she would be the first to admit that she had done many things wrong in her life and lived with regrets. She gave them to Christ and asked Him to forgive them and wash her clean. She would have told you that if there was anything good in her it was because of Christ in her life and not because of whom she was on her own. Amazing Grace was her reaction to the opportunity to live for Christ rather than under the power of sin and death.
Her choice to bear the suffering of this world in service to Christ and because of her love for us led her to give what she had into the lives that she cared about. Again Paul, someone who suffered from chronic pain, also understood this mission…
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Her choice to bear the suffering of this world in service to Christ and because of her love for us led her to give what she had into the lives that she cared about. Again Paul, someone who suffered from chronic pain, also understood this mission…
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 (New International Version)
Anita was able to bear the suffering of this world and be a servant of Christ because she lived with a glorious ending in mind. She knew that no matter what would happen in the future it would end with her being healed and with the gift of health and healing. She was given the gifts of faith, hope and love and not she also has health and healing in the presence of God. This is the promise to everyone who endures with patience this world that wants us to become bitter doubter of anything but the harsh shadow of painful suffering in this world. Anita let God dispel that shadow when He placed His Love, His faith, and His undying hope in her heart.
Anita's homecoming was on Saturday afternoon, and ours maybe today or the next. One of these days will be the end of days when the Lord will call to the end of all suffering, pain and death. But we need to be ready for that day.
The Coming of the Lord
13. Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18. Therefore encourage each other with these words.
Anita's homecoming was on Saturday afternoon, and ours maybe today or the next. One of these days will be the end of days when the Lord will call to the end of all suffering, pain and death. But we need to be ready for that day.
The Coming of the Lord
13. Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18. Therefore encourage each other with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (New International Version)
What will heaven be like? Well if you are looking for a place built around your own desires you will be disappointed. If you say heaven couldn't be paradise if they don't have golf, then you won't like it even if they do have golf. If you say heaven couldn't be complete without tea parties then you will not enjoy arriving through her gates.
Heaven is not about our reward for having done well, but a grace given to those who long to see the God who has sustained them through the worst of life. Heaven is all about God, and hell is all about us. Heaven is all about his glory and hell all about our deeds. Heaven is all about what God has given us and intends to give us rather than what we have accomplished. Heaven rewards those who have surrendered their lives for the kingdom in this world rather than what we have accumulated.
John the Revelator received a sneak peak of what Anita knows now and those of us who will follow her example will know in the future.
The New Jerusalem
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And 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. 4He 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."
5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Heaven is not about our reward for having done well, but a grace given to those who long to see the God who has sustained them through the worst of life. Heaven is all about God, and hell is all about us. Heaven is all about his glory and hell all about our deeds. Heaven is all about what God has given us and intends to give us rather than what we have accomplished. Heaven rewards those who have surrendered their lives for the kingdom in this world rather than what we have accumulated.
John the Revelator received a sneak peak of what Anita knows now and those of us who will follow her example will know in the future.
The New Jerusalem
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And 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. 4He 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."
5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Revelation 21:1-5 (New International Version)
No tears
No death
No mourning
No crying
No pain
Everything is new.
Today and in the days ahead we will have tears, we will face the reality of our own death, we will mourn the temporary loss of our friend Anita, in private moments we will cry and we will know pain that others can not see or understand.
But we will also laugh, wipe away our tears, give thanks for this precious life, and maybe even know the comfort and joy of a loving God who suffered the loss of His own son upon the cross we built and raised to the heavens with our rebellion to His will. If we will open our hearts to Him and let Him give us the inward strength so evident in Anita's fragile life, we will find even now that all things are becoming new.
Wouldn't that be amazing?
No death
No mourning
No crying
No pain
Everything is new.
Today and in the days ahead we will have tears, we will face the reality of our own death, we will mourn the temporary loss of our friend Anita, in private moments we will cry and we will know pain that others can not see or understand.
But we will also laugh, wipe away our tears, give thanks for this precious life, and maybe even know the comfort and joy of a loving God who suffered the loss of His own son upon the cross we built and raised to the heavens with our rebellion to His will. If we will open our hearts to Him and let Him give us the inward strength so evident in Anita's fragile life, we will find even now that all things are becoming new.
Wouldn't that be amazing?
