The Rev. Paul J Cain
Matthew 10:28-33
Fear Not
Memorial Sermon for Velma Miles
Saturday of Pentecost 19, 29 October 2011
Immanuel Lutheran Church/Kane Funeral Home, Sheridan, WY
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Do not fear,” says our Lord. Later in today’s Gospel text
He says, “Fear not.” These are words of comfort we hear elsewhere in Scripture.
The Christmas angels say “Fear not” to shepherds watching
their flocks by night. In Old Testament times the Lord comforts both Abraham
and Isaac with these words on separate occasions. We hear them from God
speaking through Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Joel, Zephaniah, Haggai, and
Zechariah. And our Lord Jesus speaks them Himself in Revelation Chapter One.
There are many things to fear in life. One of them is death
or fearing the loss of a loved one, a mother, to death.
Mere months before her own death, a dear aunt told me, “I
may fear dying, but I need not fear death.” Such is the confidence of faith.
Velma Miles shared this confession of hope and trust in Christ her Lord.
Velma was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church at its
former Park street location in 1938. She and her fellow students of Luther’s Small Catechism made up a class of
eight. These were days when services and classes were held both in German and
in English.
Usually, memory work and teaching begin with the First
Commandment. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. You shall have no other
gods. Then the question is asked: “What does this mean?” or the German: “Was
ist das?” “What is this?” The answer? We should fear, love and trust in God
above all things.
“Fear not” is spoken by the Lord and His servants to put an
end to the “being afraid” kind of fear. The Lord and Dr. Luther call us to the
“reverent awe” kind of fear, repentant faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus says: And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot
kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Our old evil foe is not in charge of outer darkness. He is a
prisoner there in the place where there is gnashing of teeth. The Lord is the
one in charge. There are worse things than death. Hell is one of them.
The Lord cares for us. He loves us in Christ. He loved all
of us so that He sent His only Son to be born, live, serve, teach, and suffer
and die in our place. And to rise to life again so that we would rise again.
And be with Him in Heaven.
Jesus continues: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And
not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the
hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value
than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will
acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before
men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
“Do not fear,” says our Lord. Later He also says, “Fear
not.” The Lord and Dr. Luther call us to the “reverent awe” kind of fear,
repentant faith in Jesus Christ, acknowledging Him before God and man. Velma
did this.
Velma remained a Christian all her life. She heard the
proclamation of Christ’s birth given by those Christmas angels. She heard other
angels proclaim, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was
crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said” (Matthew 28). And she
was received back at Immanuel as a sister in Christ by affirmation of faith in
2000.
We now look forward to the Resurrection of the dead on the
Last Day, Judgment Day, the day no one can predict but Our Father in Heaven. He
alone knows the day and the hour. On that day, our bodies will be resurrected
and reunited with our souls. We will be whole again. And better yet, we will be
healed, renewed, and perfected, having glorious bodies like Jesus’ own on
Easter morn.
In her earthly life, Velma loved her farm and her time at
home. She loved her children dearly. And she had a special appreciation for all
of God’s creatures, especially dogs, and most recently her dog Bridget.
Velma’s faith in Christ yearned for the day when death would
be no more and she would have back her departed loved ones who died in the
Christian faith. Such is our hope in the communion of saints, the forgiveness
of sins, and the resurrection of the body—all because of Christ.
Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many
sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges Christ before men,He also will
acknowledge before our Father who is in heaven. Our Lord acknowledges His
servant, Velma. He also promises to acknowledge you. Amen.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
