Funeral sermon for
Samuel John Horstmeyer
July 26, 2010 —Pastor Heidi Kvanli
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2He called a child, whom he put among them, 3and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5Whoever w elcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
13Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; 14but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs." 15And he laid his hands on them and went on his way (Matthew 18:1-5; 19:13-15).
31What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31-35, 37-39).
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Jeff and Erin, your family and friends, grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“What then are we to say about these things?” Today’s Scripture from Romans chapter 8 begins with the question that weighs heavy on our hearts. What then, finally, can we say about sickness, death, and heartache? What can we say to Jeff and Erin and to each other when words are inadequate and our minds are so limited?
Thankfully, words are not required in showing love—something that Sam clearly demonstrated, and your presence here speaks volumes to Jeff and Erin. Your presence, your tears, your hugs, and your prayers have sustained them these past days and will continue to bring them comfort. On their behalf, I thank each and every one of you for being here today.
When words fail, even for a preacher, we can be thankful that the Word of God endures forever, and that it is the source of our life and peace and hope. God’s Word, heard and sung today in everything from Easter hymns to Jesus Loves Me, speaks the truth that we so need to hear: God is with us. Jesus loves us—and by his death and resurrection he has destroyed the power of death and has opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. This is the sure and certain hope we have in Christ, and when everything else is stripped away, it is enough. Even when our world is shaken and the ground beneath our feet shifts, we can trust that the arms of God are holding us and that his love will never end.
Jesus tells us to be like children, humble and trusting. In a world where we try to prove ourselves, be strong, wealthy and wise and strive to achieve success and greatness, Jesus surprises us by taking a child in his arms and saying, “Do you want to achieve greatness? Then become like this child, become like Sammy. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
When Jesus wanted to teach us about faith and about life in the kingdom of God, it was a child that became his prime example. So it’s really not too surprising that so many people who knew and loved Sam referred to him as a teacher—as an example. He taught us so many things. We have learned and grown in faith and life because of Sam. “Do you want to achieve greatness?” Jesus asks, “Then be like this child.”
There are two words in particular that come to mind for me when I think about Sam, and those two words are joy and love. Sam taught us much about both. Sam’s joy was exuberant, contagious, unrestrained, and complete. Whether he was clapping his hands, listening to music, splashing in the bathtub, hearing voices of those he loved, Sam expressed great joy in life. All you have to do is look at the assortment of pictures that Erin assembled. With grin after grin, Sam exhibited joy and he brought joy to his parents and family and countless friends.
And then there’s love. Sam taught us a lot about love with his hugs for his parents and grandparents, his delight in their presence, and their precious times of snuggling with him as they read him stories or sang lullabies. Like his joy, Sam’s love was complete and pure.
No wonder a child was Jesus’ example for greatness in the kingdom of God. “Whoever becomes like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven,” Jesus said. And then he went on to say, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
God certainly knew what he was doing when he placed baby Sammy in the care of the Horstmeyer and Bennett families—the whole kit and kaboodle of them!—Jeff and Erin, John and Donna, Larry and Joyce, Roberta, Pat and Lori, Maggie and Molly. Where some might have recoiled at the thought of caring for a child with so many health challenges, you welcomed Sammy with open arms and unfailing love and determination.
You, Sam’s family, have been an example to us as well, because in you we see the unconditional and fervent love that God has for all of his children.
Sam was held a lot the last days and hours of his life. Everyone in the family took their turn. This past Thursday Jeff held Sam for most of the day, but then in the early evening, Erin was holding him as he took his final breath. For Sam, who was content and peaceful, it must have been a seamless journey—from the arms of his parents into the arms of his heavenly Father.
When Sam first opened his eyes in glory, I think I know what happened. He opened his eyes and looked with wonder and joy into the face of Jesus. Then Sam grinned, his eyes sparkling with delight as Jesus smiled back at him. And Sam said, “I know you.”
And that’s because of you, Erin and Jeff. You were the hands and the face and the heart of Jesus in Sam’s life. From the moment of his birth he was welcomed into loving arms and graced with a family that lived in the arms of a loving God.
So, what then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else?
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For we are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Sam is securely held in God’s arms.
And so are you, Jeff and Erin.
And so are we.
Amen.
