A Service Of Resurrection Hope
C. Sanders Bell
13 January, 2002, 2:00 PM
Hickory Grove Cemetery
Inverness, Mississippi
Jesus said,
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:1-6 KJV)
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, what a Friend You have been. When we have been lonely, You have encouraged us. When serving, You have supported us. When struggling, You have strengthened us. Now in our sorrow, comfort us with Your Presence. Fill the emptiness in our hearts with Your love and grace, so that we may cling to You, who is able to turn shadows of night into morning light through Jesus Christ and His resurrection. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Long ago the psalmist wrote,
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalm 23:1-6).
A few thoughts:
I have shared with you many times before that a person “preaches” their own funeral by the way they live their lives. Dr. C.S. Bell loved the Lord and allowed others to see God’s love in him. He was a man of deep faith whose walk matched his talk. His speaks to us this afternoon through the words of his children, Jimmy, King, Don, Tim, June, and Rose.
Dr. Bell’s children shared:
“Daddy was always there for his children. He loved his family and his Lord.”
“Daddy shared his love of gardening and life with me.”
“Daddy was a caring person who was always willing to help me. Some of my best memories are of the times we spent in the woods cutting firewood.”
“Daddy was a happy man, always whistling – he could call up the birds and he could call up us children.”
“Daddy was a loving person – he loved our mother, his children, his kinfolks and the Inverness community.
“He often work nights and weekends to help those who needed dental care and who were in pair or suffering.
“Daddy was an example to his children, his relatives and his community of faithfulness to his family, his God, and his community.
“Daddy faithfully attended church, taking his family. He sang in the choir for many years, he served as a deacon.
“Daddy loved his county faithfully raising and lowering the flag in front of the Community House for many years.
“Daddy loved God’s beautiful world, feeding and caring for the ducks and other wildlife on the bayou.
“Daddy was honest, kind, compassionate.”
The words of a framed piece of needlework handing on the wall of Dr. Bell’s dining room sums up a life well-lived:
A father is strength and love; planting and working in the yard; helping me put the lights on the Christmas tree, finding a few wise words for every situation; my very first shiny new bicycle; a pat on the back; vacation trips; making room on his lap; going to see where he works and taking the mail in; egg sandwiches when Mama was sick; long rides on Sunday afternoons; endless patience; teaching me to work in the office; parting the banana leaves; working the crossword puzzle with me; barbecuing for the 4th of July; my first new car; feeding the ducks; my joy in pleasing him; I love you always – Sanders Bell, my Dad.”
As his pastor,
“I will miss Dr. Bell, his handclasp, the doors being opened at the Lions Club, the greetings on Sunday morning, his faithfulness to his Lord, his friendship and love for his pastor.”
Jesus said,
“28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
The Apostle John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote,
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4.
Prayer of Thanksgiving:
O God of grace, you have given us new and living hope in Jesus Christ. We thank you that by dying Christ destroyed the power of death, and by rising from the grave opened the way to eternal life.
Help us to know that because Jesus Christ lives, we shall live also; and that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come shall be able to separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
At the Graveside:
Jesus said unto her,
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” John 11:25-26.
Words of committal:
For as much as it has pleased Almighty God, in His wise providence, to take out of this world the soul of our brother, we therefore commit his body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; looking for the resurrection at the last day, and the life of the world to come through our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose coming to judge the world the earth and the sea shall give up their dead; the bodies of those who sleep in Him shall be changed and be made like His glorious body; according to that power by which He is able to subdue all things unto Himself.
Beloved, our Lord Jesus has taught us to pray, saying:
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.