Absolutely!

This is the sermon I will deliver for my Mother-in-Law's service today.

Betty Landis Memorial Sermon

            Beloved family and dear friends – grace and peace to you from God, our Father, and Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

            Last Thanksgiving was memorable for a special reason.  Betty spent the entire day with us.  Often her health left her confined to her home.  But not on that day.  She enjoyed the beautiful weather.  She visited with the grandkids and great grands.  She had an amazing appetite.  Not only did she dig into all the usual Thanksgiving Day fixings, but I also believe she had a piece of every pie that was baked.  We were all thrilled by the great time we had together. 

            Unfortunately, there were not too many more of those kinds of day in last five months or so.  More often were the days when Betty was unable to stay awake, unable to feed herself, unable to really engage in conversation.  But we did hear one constant request during that time, a plea that began when her beloved husband Bill passed away – “Lord, I want to go home to heaven.”

            Recently, Sherri and I wanted to find a time when Betty could celebrate Holy Communion and the opportunity came about on the afternoon of April 25.  And if you are wondering why I’ve listed the date, it’s because of what happened, something I will not soon forget.

            With Sherri on one side of the bed and I on the other, we read from the Bible and prayed together.  When it came time to say the Apostles’ Creed, I asked, “Grandma, do you believe in God the Father, that He created you and gave you life and has sustained you all your life?” 

Now, I must confess that I did not know what to expect.  Betty was laying there with her eyes closed.  I thought that she would silently nod her head in agreement.    Instead, we got the best surprise ever, a gift that we never imagined.

Betty opened her eyes and answered with one word, “Absolutely”

            Sherri and I sat there stunned.  We had not heard Betty speak that strongly since when? There was no hesitancy.  She spoke with confidence and conviction.  It was utterly astonishing.

            So, I went on, “Grandma, do you believe that Jesus Christ is Your Lord and Savior, the One who died on the cross to pay for your sins before God and open the door to heaven and eternal life for you?”  “Absolutely!”

            And finely, “Grandma, do you believe in the Holy Spirit and the gifts the Spirit gives through the Gospel – faith to believe, forgiveness of sins, peace with God, a resurrection from the dead and life everlasting?” Again, there was no doubt in her voice – “Absolutely!”

            I have had some truly happy moments in my life – my wedding day, the birth of my kids, catching my first fish! But I cannot remember the last time I felt such happiness as I listened to Betty’s confession of faith in God.  It was absolutely one of the best moments ever and I know Sherri would agree.

            In this context, absolutely is a faith word.  Betty trusted God absolutely.  The writer to the Hebrews tells us in chapter 11, verse one: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

            Faith is not something Betty conjured up on her own.  Faith is the work of God.  It is given to a person as a gift.  Paul wrote to the Ephesians that “it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”  This faith is not subjective.  Faith must have an object, someone or something to embrace.  In faith, Betty embraced Jesus as her Brother, Savior and Friend.

            Betty discovered the church on her own.  Her Mom and Dad were not churchgoers so it was not a home where matters of faith were talked about and lived out.  Much worse was that her father was a troubled man and Betty and her mother were often the objects of his ire and abuse.

            So, try to imagine how Betty must have felt to have learned that she had a Heavenly Father, much different than her earthly one.  This was a Father who gave her life, saw her as a person of value and worth, who watched her coming and goings and promised to be with her throughout her life, especially during those sad, difficult times.

            Not only that but Betty, as an only child, had a brother in God’s Son, Jesus.  Here was One who was much more than just a brother.  She had a Savior who taught that “greater love has no one than this, that He lay down His life for His friends.” 

            Here was a brother and Savior and friend who taught Betty what real love looked like.  Jesus showed mercy to a Samaritan woman who marriage record made her an outcast in her village.  Jesus ate with a despised tax collector who life was changed one day over lunch.  Betty heard Jesus’ stories about Good Samaritans and Good Shepherds, about a love, a sacrificial love, that puts others and their needs first.  She learned that she had a brother and Savior and friend who did real miracles, not to show off or for personal acclaim, but always with a purpose.  St. John wrote in chapter 20 – “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”

            “Life in His name.”  Like many believers, Betty could recite by heart John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

            Through the work of the Holy Spirit, Betty knew the full extent of the love of Jesus.  How Jesus allowed Himself to be unjustly accused, wrongly convicted, savagely beaten, and put to death by crucifixion.  All done to pay the penalty for Betty’s sins and the sins of the whole world.  She marveled at such a love who would give up their life just so others might have life, eternal life. 

            Jesus is the brother who obediently carries out His Father’s plan to reconcile the world to Himself.  Jesus is the Savior who gives up His own life so that we might have riches of heaven.  Jesus is the friend who not only speaks of love but demonstrates His love by willingly laying down His life for His friends.

It's no wonder that on Easter, the entire church joins together in one voice to give praise to the victorious Jesus with the words, “Alleluia! He is risen!”

            Or, as Betty might say it – absolutely!

These were the things that Betty absolutely believed in.  And along the way, God blessed her with her soulmate and true love of 68 years, Bill; two beautiful and talented daughters in Sherri and Carrie; three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, an extended family that she cherished, and a multitude of good friends.

Betty was the family photographer and her volumes of photo books tell the story of a blessed life with so many happy moments.  Betty and Bill lived a rich life and knew that what really matter was not the size of your wallet but the size of your heart and the love that resided there. 

Still, the past couple of years were so hard.  We prayed daily, “Lord, have mercy.  You know best.  Relieve Betty of her pain and suffering.  Hear her petition.  Grant her request.”  And God, answered Betty’s prayer a week ago today.  Now, Betty is in the presence of God.  Resting in Jesus.  Reunited with Bill.  No more suffering, no more pain and no more tears.

Our hearts are heavy but they are not empty.  They are filled with the joy of knowing God’s promise that one day we who embraced Jesus by grace through faith, will be gathered around a heavenly throne.  Seated there we shall see true love, sacrificial love, eternal love.  We will see Jesus and we will worship Him and give thank to Him for bringing us into His Kingdom.

We will be standing there with Betty and Bill and all the saints who have proceeded us and all who are still living out this life of faith.  When it happens? Who knows? Will it happen? Yes! Or, as Betty would say, absolutely!  Amen.