SERMON FOR MY UNCLE'S FUNERAL

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR JAMES EDWARD BRADLEY

February 16, 2013 

A true gentleman—considerate of needs of others—interesting in dog eat dog world of business that he would keep this.  In his retirement, as I got to know him better, I saw this graciousness and generosity that was part of who Ed Bradley was—genuine. 

Married 70 years to same woman—genuine love for his sweetheart—very committed 

            Gall bladder surgery—traditional way—wanted to keep him in hospital a few more days—he had to get home to take care of his wife, Sally.  May be one reason he lived as long as he did—he had to live longer than her to take care of her and meet her needs for companionship, support, someone to be strong when she was so very frail. 

Family very important—Bradley family—grave/headstone for little sister—did what could to help take care of family/parents.

I don’t think Ed Bradley ever forgot who he was nor whose he was.  He didn’t forget roots even in the midst of running in a fast paced world that many of us do not experience in life. 

Legacy of hard work—you don’t move from Anna, Illinois to a beginning with Montgomery Ward and then Sears, to eventually move into being over the Tire Division worldwide with Sears without hard work—willingness to pay the price, to learn to manage people, to make hard decisions.  Yet in all this, as my wife said, a real gentleman.

For us today: 

Importance of faith—passed along by Grandma Bradley—went to Methodist Church in Anna.  So many in family have continued with faith in God and its importance, that she passed along.  Committed to Lord.   

One passage I would refer us to today, in seeking comfort, is Psalm 62. 

The Psalm points us to God as the One who brings salvation—Him alone.  It points us to Him as a rock, a fortress—something solid when times are hard—and death is a time when times are hard. 

Are there times when you feel like a leaning wall, a tottering fence about to fall down?  I remember Aunt Sarah—who was so frail in her last years.  I remember that Uncle Ed was a rock for her.  But ultimately, when we feel like leaning walls and tottering fences, it is God alone who provides the strength, the solidity that we need. 

The Psalm—a song—repeats the main idea in a chorus—“Wait for God—He is my rock and salvation, my fortress.  On God rests my salvation and glory.” 

Strong words about God—a Rock, a Refuge, a Fortress—One that cannot be shaken. 

And the reminder here is to trust in Him—have faith in Him—let Him be the strength in your life, even when death faces us either through the death of a loved one, or when our own death is eminent.  

“Those of low estate are a breath; those of high estate are a delusion.  In the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.” (v. 8)  How much does a breath weigh?  Status here, when death faces us, really doesn’t matter much.  Death is the great equalizer—both low and high must face this.  Whether you are national sales manager for a large corporation or a custodian in a school, we all must face death one day. 

Who has power when death comes?  God alone.  “Power belongs to God, and to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.  For you will render to a man according to his work.” 

Where is strength when death comes?  Where is power to overcome death—to enter heaven?  God—the God who loves us always and eternally.  The God who is a Rock, a Fortress, a Refuge. 

So in times like this—the place to reach out is to the Lord.  He is the provider of salvation—of heaven—of eternal life.  I can’t overcome death—you can’t overcome death.  Only God has power to overcome death, and He proved it through the resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Death of a loved one is a time for each of us to reflect—Where am I in relation to God?  Where am I?  How do I stand, if today were my last? 

And the Psalmist here says, “For God alone, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.  He only is my rock and my salvation.” 

On a day like today, I draw strength in this advice.  I draw strength, knowing that even though I don’t have what it takes to deal with death, God does.   

So the advice is—reach out to God today—for comfort, for strength, for hope, for eternal life, for peace.  Have faith in Him. 

I close today with a hymn, titled, “My Hope is Built.”   

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

 

Let’s reach out to the Lord today.  Let’s pray.