Funeral Sermon for Rev Mervin Kellerman
John 5:24-29; 11:25-26; 12:21
June 22, 2019
Zion Lutheran Church + Nampa, ID
Beloved in the Lord, grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
A pastor, undershepherd of God’s flock. Father, grandfather, husband. We could add up all the accomplishments, which are many, but all we would be left with is something that Mervin himself like to quote, that all our righteous acts are like filthy rags. He was quick to add that by the grace of God he was forgiven. Mervin would have you today not look to him, nor to yourselves, for any comfort or hope, but to Jesus.
In the last several years of his life, especially after the series of strokes, he new and felt guilt and shame deeply, someone for what many would have viewed as minor sins. Merv acutely aware of his sinfulness, and of the grace of God in his life. He rejoiced, outwardly as much as a staunch Lutheran could, in the forgiveness of sins. He embodied Romans 1 well, “I am not ashamed for the gospel, for it the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes… and the righteous shall live by faith.”
Fierce critic when it came to anything that denied this truth of God.. He would not tolerate the false idea, false hope, or false gospel that our actions contributed anything to our salvation. If left to ourselves, to our actions, to our good works, our destination is eternal hell and damnation. Righteousness comes by faith and by faith alone in Christ alone.
He was more fierce in his support. Several years ago, while a thorn in my flesh to keep me faithful in preaching the Gospel, he gave me something that I have put up here in the pulpit and look at every Sunday. It’s a simple sign, one that is common enough, and something that he often put on his various pulpits. It comes from John 12, when some Gentiles were seeking Jesus, they approached Phillip and say, “Sir, we wish to the see Jesus.” And when they did, the Lord responds in this way. “The hour has come for the son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, He must follow Me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”
“Sir, we would see Jesus.” Mervin spent so much of his life, both personal and profession, pointing people to Jesus, and even now, in death, this is still his confession. For that is why we are here, not to see Merv, but to see Jesus. Not just Jesus, but Jesus as He is the glorified Son of Man, the crucified and risen Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living God, and Jesus the Lord of the living.
I have a 5 year old son, who sometimes has a hard time paying attention. Kids are like that. Most of you know this from personal experience. When he is looking around at other things, he has a hard time listening. It’s easy to get distracted when there’s all kinds of things to look at. There’s a saying that we’ve all heard, by to us and by us, that I often tell him. “Look at me while I’m talking to you.” It let’s me know that he is paying attention, that he hears me.
Stop looking around, whether at Mervin or at yourself. Focus. Look at Jesus while He is taking to you and listen up. Jesus says in John 11, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” And He speaks through St. Paul in Romans 1, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Faith in these promises of God. Jesus is our living hope in the midst of death, death that cannot rob our Lord of life, nor rob those who belong to Him.
There is a time coming soon when Mervin, and all who are in their tombs, will hear the voice of His Lord and his body will come out of the grave. The dead body, the worn out limbs, the frail health, the confused mind, the gnarled hands, all restored, redeemed, renewed. Risen from the dead, with eyes focused on Jesus. This is our Christian hope, this is our future that we would see Jesus face to face, shoulder to shoulder with brothers and sisters in Christ. On that day of resurrection, when our Lord returns in all His glory. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen. The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.