+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10:4
Theme: “That Rock Was Christ”
Dear family, friends and loved ones of Austin; Alan and Simon, his sons, and especially you, Leslie;
Aussie has reached maturity. He hasn’t done it under his own steam. The Almighty has swiftly carried him out of this life. Aussie was baptized, right here in this church as a mature-aged man and the promise of his baptism has now been realized. You probably noticed that his baptism text was quite an unusual one, including God’s warnings and promises, and that is probably because of that maturity. At that point he’d already experienced a thing or too in life. He knew the dangers and temptations that were out there. He wanted to avoid them. Now all of his worries, struggles, or regrets are finished.
The Scripture says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”1 That’s it! The way of salvation is not complicated. Cast yourself on Christ’s mercy, believe in His promises, He is “the way and the truth and the life.”2 But, dear friends, it is also unimaginably difficult. The devil, the world, and our sinful natures throw at us a million different distractions, priorities, and temptations. The Holy Spirit always tries to draw our focus beyond the fallenness of this life to the salvation Jesus brings. To do this He directs us to the cross. Only Jesus can forgive sins.
Without the cross there could be no salvation, only darkness, death and despair. Only the atoning sacrifice of Jesus paid the price for our sins and opened the gates of heaven. In His resurrection Jesus gained victory over the power of death. All who believe in Him can look forward to sharing in the immortality of His life.
Dear friends, reflecting on mortality should always cause us to reassess our priorities in life. What do we value, and why? Where are our time and energy invested? In what or who do we ultimately trust? Do we have our blinders on, or are our heads buried in the sand? Are we happy to just live with sin and brokenness, or do we want them resolved?
Aussie’s sudden passing is a vivid reminder that tomorrow is not guaranteed to us. Each day is a gift. Unless the Lord comes back first- and that is His prerogative- all of us are going to be part of this scene we’re experiencing right now. There are no exceptions. No power that we have, individually or collectively, can bring us across the threshold to the heavenly life. Only Christ can do that. He does it by grace through faith.
Aussie’s congenial personality and amiable ways endeared him to those he met. We thank God for the blessing that he was to those who knew and loved him. Austin has been relieved of all the burden’s and cares of this mortal life. He’s at peace. He’s enjoying the inheritance of his baptism. But we’re still here and grieving is clear evidence of our humanity. Aussie won’t be replaced, no one can be. But life must go on. We are here to farewell and take leave of Aussie, but there’s nothing more we can do for him. God’s words, His truths, His warnings, His promises are directed at us.
Leslie, you’ve had more than your share of grief, having lost two husbands previously and a son. You’re a veteran of these affairs. But that doesn’t automatically make it easier. Grief brings scars, and scars, by definition are something we carry with us for the rest of our lives. Indeed, nobody goes through this life without accumulating scars. We might think we can cover them with cosmetic solutions much like those who chase eternal youth resort to all kinds of cosmetic enhancements to make themselves look younger (and supposedly better) than they really are. But that doesn’t work in the end.
Responses to losing a loved one can include denial, withdrawal, anger, apathy, and despair. Everyone is different. There is no formula for grieving, but grief is best faced head on. If we try to deny it, it won’t go away. If we try to suppress it, it will boil over at some point. But Christ can bear the burden, He can carry the weight. God is bigger than death. Christ was not and will never be defeated. The Holy Spirit gives us light and hope even in the darkest times. God created the universe out of nothing. He can raise the dead just as easily and He promises to do it. “God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”3 In the Saviour’s blessed name, Amen.
+ In nomine Jesu +
Funeral of Austin (Aussie) Craig Atkinson
19 September 2019
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 Romans 10:9 2 John 14:6
3 John 3:16
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