Theme: "CHERISH THE GIFT

1. Cherish God's gift of life. 2. Cherish God's gift of death.

In the name of him who said "Do not be afraid for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God, dear members of Bud's family, and especially you, Bud's brothers and sisters by faith in Christ Jesus:

When preparing a greeting for a funeral sermon usually I address the congregation first, and then say: "Especially you the family of the person who has died." Today, as you may have noticed, I addressed you, Bud's family first, and then said, ''Especially you Bud's brothers and sisters in the faith", referring to you the congregation. This was for a purpose and not just a mistake in my greeting. For, in the hours and days that have unfolded since this tragic accident, one thing has become very clear to me, and in fact it has stood out for me in visiting with you, Dave & Brenda & the rest of you, Bud's family. You have learned to CHERISH THE GIFT.

In learning to CHERISH THE GIFT you have found a great deal of comfort in tiffs most difficult of times and communicated that comfort in just these past few days to many others close to you, including me. That's why I addressed you first and all the other people here today secondly. You've begun a process of healing, You know it will be a long road ahead, but you have begun. There are, however, many others present today who have been deeply touched by Bud's death. So many have asked about you and wanted to know how you're doing. Others have even wondered if it's possible to console and comfort you. Almost all people have said to me, Today is going to be such a difficult day, isn't it?" That's why I feel those that have gathered here today with you, need this sermon even more than you do. They are asking the same questions you have already asked like, "Why now at such a young age?" "Why did he die in such a violent way?" "Why didn't God's angels stop this from happening?"

There is only one answer to all questions like these. It is the one which you have been comforting yourselves with, and the one which I would like to share with all who have come here today. The answer is:

"Cherish The Gift "

1. Cherish God's Gift of Life.

A woman by the name of Hannah knew this answer very well. She had gone through a different kind of suffering in her life. She had spent most of her life childless. Then, one day God answered her solemn prayer with the gift of a son. Hannah realized what we all need to realize when it comes to our children - THEY ARE A GIFT FROM GOD. That's why she named her son, Samuel, which means "I asked die Lord for him." She knew who to ask for such a gift and she knew who could give her such a gift.

How important for every parent and every child here today to remember who gives us our lives. God is the author, the creator, and the one who forms us. Our lives really belong to Gc~ don't they. We so quickly forget that, and say, 'This is my life, and I'll do what I want." God let's us think that way, but then a young boy is killed in a tragic accident and it reminds us all that our lives belong to God. He begins them and he can allow circumstances to happen which brings a life to an end.

For this reason, we will want to Cherish God's Gift of Life. We do so when we raise our children lovingly, provide for them, spend time with them, and even discipline them. You did all those things with your child. He had a full and enjoyable life with you. You remembered that fight away. You knew he was a blessing from God in your lives together. You cherished that gift of life and when it came to an end you were even thankful for the time which you had together. But, there's another even more important way to cherish God's Gift of Life.

The mother, Hannah, in our lesson reminds us how. We cherish God's gift of life when we after that life back to God. Hannah realized that Samuel was a special gift from God. She had not been able to have children for many years until ]~li the High Priest assured her that God would grant her fervent prayer. Her prayer included a promise to return the child to the Lord's service. Our lesson finishes this part of the story by telling us what Hannah said to the High Priest, Eli, as she brought Samuel to the house of the Lord, "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." Hannah cherished God's gift of life to her by placing him in the service of the Lord.

This doesn't mean to say that every parent must place their child into the full time¢ service of the Lord like Hannah did with Samuel. But, it does mean that we cherish the gift of children from God when we as Christian parents teach our children to serve the Lord no matter what occupation they pursue in life. For it is the Lord that can truly work wonders in our lives by his gracious hand. Consider little Samuel after his mother brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. It must have been a sad day for both of them when she said to Samuel, "You stay here now, this is when you live." We notice the next words: "And he worshiped the Lord there." As much as she missed Samuel, she could always comfort herself brewing that he was worshiping the Lord.

What a blessing it was for you to see that in the life of Bud. You sent him to Christian School to learn about God's Word along with the other subjects, and now you can cherish the faith which God the Holy Spirit worked in his heart God not only gives the gift of physical life, but also the gift of spiritual life. What a comfort it is for you to know how he trusted in the Lord and worshiped him.

No matter how old you are when you die, that will be the most comforting thing for those who come to your funeral. They will find great strength and peace in knowing that you served the Lord and you trusted his Word. If you had a special Psalm or Bible story or passage that encouraged and moved you, then they will find comfort. God will give it to them as he did to this family in their loss. God will help us to see what was important in our lives, what we cherished. Bud cherished God's Word and His Savior who died for him, Jesus Christ, and now that teaches his family to Cherish God's Gift of Life to him. When they are lonely, afraid of the future, or in sorrow, then they can remind themselves (and may all of us remind ourselves of this too, today, he had faith in God.) He belonged to God. 2. Cherish God's Gift of Death.

There is another gift which we are to cherish today. Let me first tell you a story about a little girl who was invited to a B-day party. She was very excited to be included on the list for this B-day party. It was for another gift who was very popular and wealthy. This little girl was, on the other hand, poor. But, she scraped all the money together she could, and bought the B-day girl a present. When it came time to opening the gifts the rich girl received many expensive and wonderful gifts. She laid each aside with a big smile and said, "Thank you soooo much!" Last of all she opened the gift from the poor girl. Only, she didn't smile at all and when she laid it aside she didn't say even a quick "thanks." Later, the group went outside to play and the little poor girl went up to the rich girl and asked, "How come you didn't like my present? Wasn't it a good present? I picked it out just for you."

God picked out a present for your loved one and all of us long ago when He sent his own Son to suffer and die on the cross at Calvary. God's Son did what no one else could ever do, he defeated Satan's power over us and carried all of our sins for us. In his death Jesus won for us this gift - forgiveness of all our sins, and in his resurrection from the dead he also won for us the gift of eternal life. In Jesus Christ God offers us this free gift of eternal life.

Bud Panko is enjoying that gift right now in heaven with his best friend Jesus. Do we wish he didn't die? Yes, we will all miss him. Do we wish it weren't so soon? Yes, we wish we had him with us longer. Is this a hard service to go through? Yes, our hearts are heavy today. Should we not like the gift God gave him? No, it's the best gift of all, the greatest treasure, the gift God had prepared for him. May we all keep reminding ourselves, as this family is doing, and pray God, will continue to do - to Cherish the Gift.