Victor Stuart’s Funeral
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I. Sing Amazing Grace- A-Capella
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now can see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have already come
'Twas grace hath brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead us home
And when we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We'll have no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun
II. Opening Prayer
III. Obituary:
a. We have come today to pay tribute to Victor Stuart, who was a husband, a father, a brother, a grandfather, and a friend, we come to try and comfort our hearts which are made sad by the separation so inevitable, but always so difficult to bear.
b. (Read from obituary)
i. Our beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Victor R. Stuart Jr. entered eternal rest on January 9, 2024, at the age of 77. He was born November 6, 1946, in San Antonio, Texas to parents: Victor R. Stuart Sr. and Lavinia Stuart.
ii. Victor was a loving husband and father. He married Harriett Jean Edmonson in 1965 and shared a wonderful union of 47 years, until she departed him in February of 2013.
iii. Victor was a strong hardworking man. He spent much of his work career as a construction superintendent and finished his career for Joeris Construction Company, retiring after 15+ years of service.
iv. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and rodeo. Aside from his hobbies, he enjoyed time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren which were his pride and joy.
v. Victor’s presence we miss, his memories we treasure, loving him always, and forgetting him never.
vi. Victor is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Harriett Stuart, his brothers: Robert Stuart (Margie), Edward Stuart; and his sister Joyce Koontz (Steve).
vii. He leaves to cherish in his memory, his children: Victor E. Stuart jr (Skeeter), Tammy Becka; his daughter-in-law Marsha Stuart and son-in-law George Becka; grandchildren: Wiley & Bethany Stuart, Dalton Stuart (Maddy Jones), Lindsey Becka, and Cody Becka; three great-grandchildren: Ty Stuart, Jensen Stuart, Willow Stuart; and numerous other close relatives and friends.
c. I join the family in thanking each of you: for your many kindnesses toward Victor and the family: those past and present.
i. It would be hard to make it through a sad time such as this without such caring friends and family.
ii. I know that each of you will make every effort to continue your support and actions of love toward the family in the days and months ahead.
d. Story time:
i. Fishing on the Frio River.
ii. Fishing on the Nueces River.
iii. Hunting in Dunley, TX. OPPS
IV. Slideshow with music- 7.5 Min
V. Sermon: Death
a. We hear of death all the time in the newspaper, T.V. Radio, and the internet.
b. Today death: has hit us closer to home.
i. It is hard to lose a beloved friend or family member.
c. There are mixed emotions concerning the death of a loved one. There will always be sadness when one leaves this life, and there should be. However, when one has had to suffer as Victor has, for a number of months, there is also a sense of relief.
d. There has been a releasing of the physical and mental bonds, which had become so unkind; thus, no more suffering.
e. Victor Stuart will be missed! This is true regardless of the sickness he suffered. IF He was still here. He could still be loved and cared for.
VI. The Truth about Death.
a. When death strikes us at home it is never easy and gets us asking the question: Why death?
i. Death started thousands of years ago when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden of eating of the tree God commanded not (Gen. 2:16-17).
ii. The truth is we will all face death.
1. Maybe it’s a car wreck, getting struck by lightning, from a disease like cancer, a natural disaster, there are 1000’s of ways we could die. But we will all die.
2. Death is an appointment we all will have (Heb. 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die.”
3. It is a part of life.
b. When death strikes home, we also may ask why does God allow evil and suffering?
i. We know God is Good (Psalm 100:5).
ii. We also know God is Love (1 John 4:8).
iii. But It all started in the garden of Eden when Satan tempted Adam and Eve.
iv. Man is given free will, to choose right and wrong.
1. Adam and Eve choose wrong, so death entered the world.
v. We have the same choices to make today, righteousness and unrighteousness. (Joshua 24:15)
VII. What must we put to Death?
a. We must put sin to death (Romans 6:1-4 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
b. The wages of sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23).
i. God has given us everything to live Godly lives.
1. 2 Peter 1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”
2. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
ii. Putting sin to death and walking in newness of life does not get rid of suffering. Sometimes we wonder why good people suffer, if you look at examples in the scriptures we see the suffering of Christ going to the cross, the apostles were all persecuted and killed, the prophets were all persecuted and killed.
iii. Matthew 5:10-12 When we are persecuted for Christ’s sake, we shall be joyful.
iv. Suffering is a part of this life, when looking at suffering study the book of Job or Romans.
v. If we live faithful Christian lives, when we die we will suffer no more.
c. We realize that not everyone will leave their suffering behind. Some will enter a new realm of suffering, not having been obedient to Christ.
d. Yet, we are promised that those who do obey the Gospel of Christ, having had their sins washed away by the blood of Christ in baptism, and remain faithful to Him, for them there will be joy and peace!
e. This, of course, gives us great hope (John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. 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.”)
f. We thank God for this great hope. However, I cannot, as many expect, preach Victor Stuart’s funeral sermon!
i. You see, he has already done that by his life.
ii. Regardless of my words, nothing would be changed.
iii. He had strengths and weaknesses, as any human being.
iv. He did many things right and made mistakes, as we all do.
v. His destiny is therefore now sealed, and there is nothing I can say that will change it in the least!
vi. Only those of us who remain can change our destiny!
VIII. Maybe each of us needs to consider what kind of "funeral sermon" we are writing with our own lives!
a. As Victor has passed from this life, so must you and I.
b. My Question for you today is: Are you ready?
i. Each of us needs to seriously consider his/her life in this regard.
1. Rev. 14:13 “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.”
2. John 8:31-32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
ii. So, each of us can make death our friend, instead of our enemy, if we will study God's word and obey it!
c. With this in mind, let each of us seriously consider the "funeral sermon" we are now writing for ourselves.
d. What will people say about us from the life we lived? Will we be known as a Godly person?
IX. Conclusion:
a. We will truly miss Victor Stuart and the memories we all shared with him in his life. If he were here today, he would want you to not weep anymore but to live your life righteously so when you die others will weep, but you will be rejoicing in heaven. You see when you were born you wept while others rejoiced, when we die it should be the opposite if we are in Christ and living a righteous life.
b. We must place our faith in the Lord by studying His Word.
c. We must seek God first (Matthew 6:33).
d. To the family: I encourage you to constantly look to God's word for strength that only God can give.
e. To friends: I thank you for being here; and encourage you to continue to remember the family as the days pass.
f. The family would like to invite you to all join us at mesquite Hall
i. Mesquite Hall Address:
11663 Ford Road
Adkins, TX. 78101
X. Prayer.
XI. Songs: "Be with Me Lord." / Slideshow Continues