Oct 19 2006
Pharisee Busters…
What will people say about you when you die?
This week has been a tough time for one family in our church. The Suttons teach a median adult Sunday School class and have been active members for years. Their middle son, Marty passed away this week.
Marty Sutton is my Pharisee Buster for this week. I didn’t have the honor of meeting Marty but his story touched me deeply. You see, Marty and I are the same age. I guess it hit close to home for me. He was found in his car following a workout at the YMCA on Monday morning. He died of a massive heart attack.
Marty’s story is a true Pharisee Buster. He was diagnosed with Leukemia at 12 years old. He was given 4 years to live but he lived 31 more years. He was told he would never have children yet he had 2 boys and a girl. As I sat in the hospital Monday with Gene our Music Minister we were both moved when we saw the teenage boys grieving over their dad’s passing. I guess it hit me because I thought that could be my children.
The funeral was held at First Baptist Church, Clover, SC. (just southwest of Charlotte). The reason I am making Marty a Pharisee Buster is because he was just that. At the service I heard story after story about what a difference Marty made in the lives of people who knew him. He really loved God. The service was celebrative. Jesus was glorified in his life and his death. I thought of this verse as I think of people like Marty.
Philippians 1:21-23: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
His brother-in-law who is a missionary in Scottland came back and read Marty’s testimony! It was powerful! He was a deacon and Sunday School teacher at his church when Adrian Dupree came and held a revival at FBC Clover. It was then that Marty realized that he wasn’t really a follower of Jesus. He made a decision to follow Christ then.
Marty changed after that night. His pastor read passages from his prayer journal. Wow! People gave testimonies of how God used Marty in their lives. I was moved. That service was such a witness for Jesus. There is no way a person there could not have left without feeling the presence of God.
What will people say about you at your funeral?
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4 responses so far
Kevin,
We will pray for his family. Thanks for the great testimony.
We had a seminary lady (40s) who died this week of a heart attack. She was living in the married dorm, although her husband lived in MS. I never met her, but I know a lot of people who were pretty upset.
Depart, O Christian soul, out of this world;
In the Name of God the Father Almighty Who created you;
In the Name of Jesus Christ Who redeemed you;
In the Name of the Holy Spirit Who sanctifies you.
May your rest be this day in peace,
and your dwelling place in the Paradise of God.
Into Your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend Your
servant Marty. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech You, a sheep of
Your own fold, a lamb of Your own flock, a sinner of Your
own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of Your mercy,
into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the
glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
What a legacy to leave!