Funeral Sermon for Vernon Westmark: "The Family Man"

+ In Memoriam – Vernon Westmark +

Beautiful Savior Lutheran, Milton

Psalm 23; Job 19:23-27; Colossians 3:1-4; John 14:1-6

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 

In my Father’s house. 

Fitting words from our Lord today as we remember and give thanks to God for the life of Vernon Westmark. A man who was many things: a welcoming, protective, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. A family man. From the simple Sunday drives to bringing his household to the Lord’s house, from baseball games to time spent in the backyard, Vern was a family man. 

And even though family life, at least from what his children have told me, resembled something like the Brady Bunchor Leave it to Beaver, Vern didn’t become a family man by reading a TV guide or watching classic sitcoms. He learned how to love his family at home and at church because God the Father first loved him in Christ. Vern was welcoming and watched over his family because God in Christ had made him a member of his family in Holy Baptism, a washed, forgiven, redeemed child of God. Vern cared for his own household because Jesus promised him, as he promises each of you, that he already has a place for you with him in his heavenly home.

For Vern knew that we would have no love for one another without the gracious, boundless, undeserved love of our Heavenly Father. He knew that all our love pales in comparison to the great and gracious love of our Heavenly Father. He knew the most important thing any father can know. That there is a gracious heavenly Father who did not withhold his Son, his only Son for us and for Vern, but gave him up for us all on the cross. The Father who welcomes us in his Heavenly home through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection for you. The Father who sent his Son Jesus to be our Good Shepherd. 

To lead us into the still waters of holy Baptism where we too become God’s children. To feed us, as he did Vern throughout his earthly life from his table with the finest of foods in Jesus’ body and blood. To be with us in this valley of the shadow of death. What’s more, to go ahead of us into death and the grave that we might fear no evil; and to arise again three days later that we, and Vern, and all the faithful departed, will one day rise again. To join in the great family reunion of the saints in heaven gathered around the throne and the Lamb. To join Job in the great confession of faith…

I know that my Redeemer lives,    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been thus destroyed,    yet inmy flesh I shall see God,

You see, God himself is the ultimate family man. In Jesus we see the Father’s love made known to us, given for us. Jesus joined our family, the family of Adam and Eve. The family of fallen, sinful people that he might restore us again to new life.

Jesus became our brother and savior that we might always have, and always call upon God as a merciful Father. 

Jesus was crucified on the tree of the cross that we might forever be rooted in, and grafted into his family tree forever. 

Jesus’ life was lived wholly, completely, and entirely devoted to loving you, saving you, and welcoming you, as he has welcomed Vern, into his heavenly home. 

And so we live, as Vern did, by God’s grace. By his love and mercy. Our lives, as Paul declares, are hidden with God in Christ. Sin. Disease. Guilt. Sorrow. Death. They are all dead. Vern, and all of you, are alive in Christ Jesus. For in Jesus you are members of God’s family. 

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

This promise is what made Vern the family man, and it’s what sustains us in our families today and forever.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.