Keep sharing good news without ads.
CCLI #117088
I'd give for one more date with you Cause there's a wound here in my heart Where something's missing. And they tell me that it's gonna heal Where all your wounds have been The only scars in heaven. There'll be no such thing as broke All the old and the thought that makes me smile.
And these scars in heaven Are on the hands that hold you. I know the road you walked. Now you're standing. You fought your fight and your race is run. The pain is all a million miles away. The only scars in heaven I don't see Until I'm standing with you in the sun.
I'll fight this fight and this race I'll run Until I finally see what you can see Only scars in heaven. God you taught me to trust you You showed me how to believe you're the art. Cause if I wanted you're ever wasted.
But if I never see the pro My heart might be shaking But my faith will never break. Yet you gave To prove your love to me No such thing. You fought your fight and your race is run. The pain is all a million The only scars I don't see Until I'm standing with you in the sun.
I'll fight this fight and this race I'll run Until I finally see what you can see Only scars in heaven. But if I God you taught me to trust you You showed me how to believe you're the art Cause if I Be shaken We'll never break.
To prove your love to do Cause there's a No such thing. The pain is all a I don't see. Until I'm standing with you in the sun. I'll fight this fight and this race I'll run Until I finally see what you can see Only scars in heaven.
You taught me to trust you You showed me how to believe. Wasted I'd be shaken We'll never break. My name is Ben Honeyford, the pastor of the Rock Church in South Jersey.
In Mount Laurel and I'll be officiating the service this morning. Today we celebrate the life of Ronald J. Barkowski who was born on January 7th, 1954 and who passed away into glory on October 21st, 2023.
He was 69 years of age and on behalf of Ron and Wendy's beloved children April, Katie, Bethany, as well as their grandchildren Layla, Miley, Benjamin, Jackson, Caden, Mariah, Emmett, Emily, Nathan, Cassidy.
All ten of them Ron's sisters, Kim and Connie and brothers Wayne and Eddie and Wendy's brothers Bruce, Dale and Craig. Let me just express gratitude to you all for honoring Ron's life by your presence here today even as we together seek the comfort of the Holy Spirit and consolation of God's word.
Let's renew our hope in the certainty of the resurrection of the dead through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let's worship Almighty God by carefully attending to the inspired words of Psalm 121. I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper. The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil. He will keep your life. The Lord will keep you.
You're going out and you're coming in from this time forth and forever. Let's pray together. We praise you Almighty God that you are the sovereign Lord the maker of heaven and earth the governor and sustainer of all things.
The God in whom we live and move and have our being. You give to us life and breath and all things. You declared the end from the beginning. You numbered our days when as yet there was not one. Against your will a sparrow may not fall from a tree for you work all things after the counsel of your will ordaining whatsoever comes to pass.
We come to you through the Lord Jesus Christ the Savior of the world the Lord of glory who is the resurrection and the life who has gone to prepare a place for us. We pray that all would find peace in the promise of the gospel.
We ask on this day that you would be a refuge and strength a very present help in trouble. We plead for you to send your spirit to comfort and your word to console. May the gospel be more glorious at this moment than in any other as it draws us close to Christ in whose name we pray.
Amen. So I'd like to invite Wendy to come forward and to begin our time of sharing that she's going to share and then we'll invite you to come one by one as you feel led to do so and you can come right to the front at the podium here and share your remembrances of Ron and we'll also play a video that Bethany put together as well.
So Wendy, do you want to come on forward?
I just wanted to thank you all for coming here. Each and every person means so much to me and Ron and me and my family. Through these last three years of all his health issues I had so much prayer support.
Like, we really felt that prayer support. It looked like it was crazy. You know, it's like the word says There's a peace that passes all understanding. And that's the key. It passes all understanding.
Like, why am I not more upset? It's because of what Jesus is doing through these prayers and all your support and all your love and all your encouragement and all your text messages and just everything everyone's done for us and for Ron.
I know he would want me to thank you so much. He was always such a thankful, appreciative person. And he would be overwhelmed. He would be overwhelmed at the turnout for him. So, thanks. And there's a verse that got me through these last three years that it meant a lot to me.
Psalm 27 .13 says I would have fainted unless I believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. And that got me through because we can focus on the trial or we can focus on the Lord and through all the people that's how I saw his goodness.
I saw it in you being you you sharing, you encouraging, you praying. So, thank you. Thank you for that. Let me see. I wrote it down because I can't remember everything. I kind of said that I give God all the glory for he has done great things.
The peace he gave us in the middle of the storm was like the scriptures say It's a peace that passes all understanding. As we celebrate Ron's life I give Jesus the praise for Ron was truly an answer to prayer for me.
He was a gift to everyone he met. I will treasure the memories of the love we had and the 45 years we shared together. Ron was my other half, my soul mate my very best friend and he was the best listener and he can always make me laugh.
Ron, I'll miss you so much and you will always be the one other than Jesus that lights up my life.
Thanks Wendy so much.
Shall we play the video Bethany? Let's do that. You want to play Bethany's video there? Nate, thanks.
Nothing compares to the love between a father and his daughter. I always looked up to my dad. He was such a great role model. He was an amazing husband to my mother and of course, we can't forget the beloved pop-up.
Dad had these big blue piercing eyes. His eyes were so loving and kind that at times, I thought I was looking at Jesus himself. Dad loved his Philly teams and for those of you who know him you know he loved to joke.
Up there, nice hair.
Today.
He looks a little ratty like a big man.
When I first found out about my dad's cancer diagnosis my heart sank and as the days went on, dad kept getting sicker but that didn't stop him. He continued to pray and sing praises to the Lord. Prior to my dad passing I had a vision of angels surrounding him a beautiful golden light.
I could not see their faces yet I could see right through into their soul. It felt so comforting and safe. A few days later, I was with my dad when he passed. Moments before, I felt the angels in the room with us.
I felt so empowered as if I was meant to be there in that very moment. A peace then came over me that surpassed all understanding. I asked Can you see the angels now, dad? He then gave my hand a loving squeeze to reassure me they were there before taking his final breath and going up to heaven.
My dad passed on my parents 45th anniversary a milestone they both wanted to reach before they said their goodbyes. Losing someone you love to cancer is a different kind of pain. In his last days my dad and I grew closer and we had some really great talks.
I'm thankful I got to share these special moments with him. He explained. Some things happen in life that we can't comprehend and although we can't control the things that happen we can direct the way we respond to it.
He wanted me to hold on to the good memories and not let this experience destroy my faith in the Lord and throughout this whole journey the Lord has shown me signs to assure me dad's okay. So I will not weep in sorrow.
I will not let this tear me down. I will continue to praise God and although at times it's painful I will forever hold on to the happy memories and smile because now he's looking down on me from heaven and one day we'll meet again.
Thank you Bethany for putting that together. Beautiful. So anyone that would like to come forward. You want to start with Jim? Do you want to start? Okay Jim's going to come up and then after each person if you want to come forward and share your thoughts and remembrance of Ron.
Well good morning everybody.
Good morning.
Thank you for all being here this morning. I didn't think I was going to be able to come through those front doors. Unfortunately I haven't been to church in a long time and that's not right. I'm lucky to be here today in front of everybody and be honored.
So my name is Jim and I'm lucky to be with Ron's dad's oldest daughter, Bethany. Beautiful, amazing woman. That's part of my life and as you meet somebody and you get to know them all of a sudden you know you have to meet the parents, right?
So my thought was that maybe he'd be on the front porch maybe with a shotgun you know looking and saying who's this guy? And we met at the Morristown Mall and mom and dad greeted me and the first thing that Ron gave me was a Bible and said read this and I'll continue about that Bible later on.
So as everything went on in these weeks those last couple of days him being home I have to tell you this. He was big into Red October, right? Phillies and I was so determined. I got him shrimp cocktail.
He was off his diet. I wanted to get him whatever he wanted to eat. We were trying to get the Phillies game on. We're trying every app. We're trying everything we can and finally I'm on the phone with Comcast trying to hook up cable from home up to here and finally he was so frustrated and he's like Jim you're driving me nuts.
Stop, please, please. But finally got that game on for him and he watched that game. Turning to when he went into the hospital Tuesday we went and visited him there at Virtua and he was great. You see him singing.
His brother and sister were there and he was great laughing, joking and then things turned and that Friday I went to St. Mary's and at that night mom and Bethany were there and Ron was sitting there and we were just talking.
I'm telling him hey Jimmy Jim. Jim's here dad. I'm thinking about you. I love you. Phillies are on and he had his hand upside down. I grabbed it and there was nothing there. I said my goodbyes. I walked down the hallway halfway and I hear Bethany and mom yelling for me to come back in and as I came back in dad's hand was up and he gave me a pound.
Sorry, I usually don't get emotional and I put his hand down. I held it. I said it's fine dad. I'm here. We have such a loving family. Big family.
We're all here.
It's fine I said God's up there waiting with your gold scissors and clippers and comb. You got a lot of haircuts up there to do. So from that blue one blue eye like a pirate opened a little bit and he grabbed my hand.
I said I love you and it was a pleasure for you in my life and you were my angel. I went home that night. Bethany stayed came home and went through Facebook and saw all the loving messages and so many people that said that he was a man of God that he was here on earth to touch many people.
That night hit midnight. Mom was there next to dad's side. We put the phone on speaker and played their wedding song and we were tearful and I know he heard it and said our goodbyes. Bethany got up that morning, Saturday and was going to stop at Wawa but just said no, I'm going to go straight there.
Mom was there, she relieved her. So Bethany was there. I said I wish I could be there, I could come and I get a text at 10, 12. Dad's in heaven now and I'm at work, upset. A couple minutes later my best friend in here, Moses and we worked together and I'm in the car business.
He handed me a set of keys to go appraise the car and that was my job and I get into this car as I sat in this car I turned to the right and what on the passenger seat is a Bible. People that know me I've had many ups and downs and struggles and he passed away and went to heaven.
He is my angel and since that day up until now I've never touched a drink of alcohol and he's my angel and I know he's touched many of you and I am so proud that I got to know him in these years and wish there was many more and he's up there looking down and he saved me, I know that and I hope he touched everyone he used and I can see that by all of you being here today so thank you very much and if anybody else wants to stand up to tell some stories I would love to hear that.
Thank you very much.
Okay, I surprised him, Wendy. I couldn't be up here without him me and Ron but you can see he's going to interrupt already.
I'll tell you Ron. You all know he has such a fantastic personality. You'd come in to the barber shop to get a haircut and there might have been some stuff happening in your life and you're sitting down and you're waiting and he's looking over there.
And I never made an appointment. I used to just call him on the phone and say yo, yo, yo can you stick me in somewhere. And he would say head on over I'll sneak you in. And as I'm in the chair he's talking what's going on.
He's cutting my hair. We're praying turns on the music. We're worshipping. Someone comes in doesn't bother him. We're still worshipping and the person's looking at us like we're crazy. And Ron would say don't worry the Lord's here.
He's taking care of everything. And it was just made me feel so much better. I mean he just had that and give me a call. Had a problem with some plumbing at the house and I'd say let me take a look at it Ron.
You gotta have the wood roll off. We'll get it fixed. Boom, boom, boom. And he's like what do I. Nothing. Just your presence in my life was enough. And tell me your.
So.
I talked to Wendy before I came in and some of the things I looked at him. I haven't seen him in a while. I was actually going to the church and that's how we met. And we have these life groups who go to the homes.
And Wendy and Ron. We're like family right from the get go. So like he said the same thing. Politics radio music. I would get the same scenario. Ron would do the same thing. But it'd be a great night.
But the three of us it was terrible. In a good way. In a good way. But the one story I had and I had shared with him when I walked in and it came to me we would have a home meeting at Wendy's house. It'd be so great.
Wonderful prayer list of prayer. The next morning we'd be in the back pew and the music would be starting. And we're laughing like kids. We can't stop. We're laughing from the night before. I don't think I slept half the time.
So there are the things that Ron really impressed on. I think a lot of it because of his humor. Because we need humor in these days. Let's face it. So there are some of the things. But with Ron and the three of us and with the body of Christ and the fellowship.
That was our strength outside the church. And we became the church outside the church. So I just wanted to.
When you're talking about life groups we had a pastor he had a pretty good sense of humor too so we're doing a life group and we decided to do. I put in the Christian nudist life group. I put that in and to see if it would get approved.
Of course it did not get approved but what we did the first night we met the guys had robes so we brought robes we took off our shirts pulled up the pant legs and when our pastor came we're all there with just the robes and we're like you're overdressed.
Pastor what's going on? That's Ron in there so he's enjoying himself up there.
And he's rejoicing right now.
And he is so you're going to have some tears sorrow but laugh because that was his gift was making others laugh.
And would always have that look.
Yes.
You know you walk up to him and he's thinking and looking around. What's he going to say next? Just don't know.
Just don't know. Good morning.
My name's Dale I'm Wendy's sister. I've known I knew Ron for 46 years. We met at the Bible Study booth we were attending and this was the shyest man you'd ever want to meet. He just sat there and didn't say a word and Wendy's a little less shy than him.
And after the Bible Study was done she went over to talk to him and he started talking to her and they really hit it off. And by their second date they knew they were supposed to be married. So of course that unnerved my mother but you know you gotta do what the Lord tells you to do and what a gift he was.
And the gentleman that mentioned about his personality that was all hidden in him until he really allowed it to blossom one through Wendy and through other people he met and that personality just took off.
And I saw that for 46 years I saw him that way. He was a very caring man and a very kind man. I remember when I had my daughter and I wasn't able to get to the barbershop and he would come on his day off and cut my hair and I never forgot that.
And also when my husband who passed away four years ago it was very difficult to get him to the barbershop and he came up to me and he says Dale look I'll come and do his hair and I said are you sure Ron because he was so busy and he goes no no no no nothing was too much for Ron and he didn't only do that for me but I know what he did for other people that were ill.
He went to cut their hair. He had such a heart for people and that personality came out because he stood on the rock. He trusted the Lord and the Lord I think has blessed him in many ways. You know he married the love of his life.
He has three beautiful daughters many grandchildren and he was such a blessing to me in my life and I feel that it was a privilege to know him. So you know he's up there with the Lord and I think probably having a great time probably messing around with my husband because they always did that.
You know my husband would call him Ronaldo and he would call him Kimisabi. That's the way they greeted each other and you know but they had a good time together. And I know Ron was you know he was really grieving when my husband Kim passed away he always would talk.
We'd talk about him when he cut my hair. So you know a lot of times when people leave you know they go away and say goodbye but we don't say goodbye to Ron. We say we'll see you later.
Thank you.
So back in 1985 I moved to Oakland and I needed a haircut. I had more hair then and so I went from barber to barber to barber all over the area looking for the right barber. And there was this little place right around the corner called Cuts for the King and I said oh that sounds interesting.
I didn't know what to expect. I go there and I get a very good haircut from an excellent barber who had a sense of humor like none other. So in those days I had a comb over. It was terrible but Ron would give a great haircut.
I haven't been much of a challenge for him lately but I would still go. You know it's been what 40 years and the one thing that I see in Ron you would walk into the barbershop and he was like a luminous cloud of peace.
He was always a wonderful presence and he came to my house during COVID cut my hair on the patio. My friend Dave, Teresa, my wife was there. She wants to give her condolences to you Wendy but he was always there for everyone.
Ron, great person. Thank you Ron.
I knew Ron for a short period of time. I was privileged to work on his house and meet him and talk to him. I had many long talks with Ron while I was working on his house and he made an impact. He was a kind, gentle spirit and my only thoughts that I kept thinking of all this time sitting here was how many lives.
Maybe as a barber that he maybe showed a little seed in each one of those lives and who knows the impact he might have had on this area and the people that he served. We'll never know until we get to heaven but I have to say that his legacy we'll live long.
God bless him.
My name is Anthony and I've known Ron for over 30 years. My story is similar to the gentleman I was living in Fairview at the time looking for a barber. I found this little shop called Cuts for the King.
Well that intrigued my curiosity so I was thinking King head of household at first but when I got to see and meet Ron I knew differently. My visit with Ron has extended over these years and a haircut with Ron wasn't just a haircut.
It was a time to fellowship and I would go in there Ron I'd have a bad day. But by the time I left I was feeling a little bit better about the day and about myself and Ron. And I used to say we get together for a reason not just for your hair but iron sharpens iron.
And that was the thing that always stuck with me with Ron. He had a very he impacted my life more than I can even start to share with you. Ron fought the good fight never complained. He was always positive, upbeat.
He didn't discriminate everybody was equal. He wasn't a man to look down on anybody or even talk about negativity. He had his points of view which we both did because my cut became more of a visit than a cut with Ron.
He'll be greatly missed like we're all going to miss him. There was a mantra that became part of our visit with Ron and being my name was Anthony. He started calling me Tony and when I would come into the shop he'd say.
Oh Tony.
So when I was going to Ron's house for a haircut Wendy jumped on a board and when I walked into the house I'd hear Oh Tony in unison from Ron and Wendy and I got to speak with Ron the Saturday before he passed.
I called him on the phone and the first thing he says was Oh Tony so needless to say that'll always be in my memory in my thoughts at Ron. So I just want to wish you I'm sorry my condolences for my family for Ron's loss.
He'll be greatly missed and he was a great friend and thank you.
Hi my name is Paul and back in I guess the early 90's I was dissatisfied with getting my hair cut and we had a copy of the Christian directory business directory and I looked in there and I saw cuts for the king and I said let me give that a try and that's when I first met Ron.
And the one thing I learned about Ron is while cutting hair was maybe his profession it was also his calling. He was every bit as minister as much as Pastor Ben here and he ministered to everybody who came in to get their hair cut.
And the one thing I liked about Ron he did much of the cutting with scissors instead of using clippers like the last one I just got. And you know in talking to Ron I found out that early in life he had worked for Langston Industries in Camden a company that made corrugated cardboard machinery and he was a machinist.
And I realized that when he cut hair he was still applying that exact precision that he learned as a machinist to his hair cutting. And so you did not leave his shop unless every hair measured the exact same length.
I mean he'd be there and he'd be snipping the slightest little bit of overage and it was just an amazing barber. But more than that he was an amazing man who brought joy to my life and I introduced my mom to him and he cut my mom's hair.
He cut my hair and then we started going out to eat together. And certainly since my mom passed we've been out many times to the diner with Wendy and Ron and always a good time always a laugh from the beginning to the end.
You could not be around Ron without a big smile on your face. He was just infectious and I will miss Ron terribly. I used to just call him up sometimes and talk to him and I'm going to miss that but I know he's rejoicing around the throne of God and I will see him again for sure.
Hello everybody. My name is Rose but Ronnie knew me as Rowie. He was my cousin. We were very close. If anybody's seen the pictures out there of Ron with us when we were kids I just want him to go to heaven knowing that he lived with me for a while when he was 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
He was very close. He lived with my grandmother and he has to be praised he took care of her. She was in a car accident she was in a body cast. He cleaned her he fed her he did everything for her. She loved him so much that when she was dying in the hospital.
In Somers Point.
I was there and she looked at me and she says Ronnie, give me my waist. She thought Ronnie was beside her and she called her vest that she was called her waist. He took very good care of her she loved him he cooked for her he did everything he could.
Then he met Ronnie and Wendy but Ronnie knows and if anybody knows that there's a place in heaven it's sure for Ronnie he was the best cousin anybody could ever hope to have. Rest in peace. Ronnie we all love you from the bottom of our hearts and you'll always be in our hearts.
God bless all of you. Hi, my name's Jerry. I did not know Ron for as long as most of you did. I met him at the Rock Church one morning when he and Wendy walked in to worship with us but he touched my life and the things I will remember most about him is the twinkle in his eye his wry little smile his jokes that were so corny you couldn't help but laugh at them.
He had a gentle strength about him and I hung on every word that he said when he was in our Bible study group for you could tell that he loved the Lord more than anything else and that he had spent time with him and that he had let God shape his heart and his life and I really aspire to be more like him for I feel that he was quite a mentor and a guide for me in the short time that I knew him and I know that we will all see him again and we will be rejoicing.
He's saving his seat for us. He's saving his seat for us. Thank you.
Anyone else want to share? Certainly there's opportunity now. If you'd like to come forward give you just a moment. Might be a straggler out there gentleman from the back.
Good sir.
Come on up.
My name's Ed Weavel. I walked into a church in 1980 and Ron was one of the ones that was outgoing and came up and introduced himself and we became friends went to his Bible study with Wendy in Oakland back in those days Ron was older in the Lord than I was and he helped me get through some pretty sticky patches.
Somebody had asked us to go to the hospital and pray for somebody and they warned us that this person had a hole in their face and I thought okay I can handle that. And we walked in there and I was like I was like horrified.
It looked just like the devil had a tail and I mean it was and Ron was just so together he handled it real well. And I thank God he was there because I probably would have ran out the door if I didn't have him to hold on to.
You know. But you know so I know Ron for over 40 years. He cut my hair and helped me on different things when I needed help and we'd talk about the Lord what he was going through and what I was going through.
But you know if I didn't see him for a month at a time I mean I always knew if I ever needed Ron he was just a phone call away. He was a faithful brother and maybe he lost the battle but he won the war.
You know what I mean he's graduated now. I don't know maybe he's working on my house or your house I don't know what he's doing up there but he was a good brother. I loved him dearly and I look forward to seeing him again.
Thanks guys.
Hi I'm Layla. I'm the first grandchild this is Miley the second. My Pop Pop was the funniest man I know and I really want to walk in his footsteps one day and cut someone's hair like he did. And he always put himself first.
I mean he always put other people first before himself. He was really selfless and he always prayed for other people and he always shared the gospel with everyone he knew. And he loved everyone and it didn't even matter who they were he always loved everyone.
My Pop Pop was my best friend. He was my best friend ever since we ever since he first saw me when I was born. We instantly clicked my entire childhood. We would share jokes.
And memories.
And he would always put a smile on my face. And we went on so many trips constantly no matter what the situation no matter how sad it was he would always find a way to tie in a joke about tuna fish. We all loved him so much and all of his stupid tuna fish jokes.
Okay I want to read to you it seems to be John Ron's favorite verse here John 3 16. So I added on 17. Hope you don't mind. I thought let's get the full point. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
And verse 17 says. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him. It's a powerful scripture this one you know the Lord's Prayer.
And if you want to recite it with me you're welcome to do so. You might have a different version. That's okay. But the Lord's Prayer. Matthew 6 9 to 13. Our father who art in heaven hallowed be your name your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we have also forgiven our debtors and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. Let's pray father. We thank you so much for the lives that were impacted by the ministry of Ron.
You have touched so many through this man and it surely was his passion your gospel that the world might know. There's a savior there's hope. There's forgiveness even in the midst of brokenness and pain and sorrow and suffering.
There's a God who loves you. So as we come to you now we pray for your blessing over this short message. Pray your gospel would go forward and this morning any lost souls would come to the saving knowledge of Christ.
Lord your gospel is power. It's the power of God unto salvation. And that's our prayer. Because that's what Ron would want this morning that the glory would go to the king. Yes cuts for the king. But glory to the king.
Glory hallelujah to the king. This we pray in Jesus name amen. So I had the distinct privilege of being Ron's pastor for the last few years and it was clear that this is a special man of God committed to his faith in the Lord Jesus.
And he had an amazing personality. I don't need to remind you of that but he always was able to make you laugh no matter what he was welcoming new people that came to our little new church plant and impacted so many lives.
Probably some of the rock church people that are here today were impacted by him just welcoming them into the church. He was a man of prayer and he counted it as a joy. It wasn't anything about Ron's faith that was obligation.
Ron was a man that cared for others and that is the theme that you've heard this morning. That was his life story his heart of compassion toward people all people no matter what they're going through no matter what they faced.
Ron was a man of integrity. He loved his customers. He was always flexible to meet their needs. Wendy told me he would often tell them Ron it's not about the haircut. They knew they had a friend that would listen.
Pretty amazing to hear Wendy say how. Ron used to be a very shy person but even so he knew from a very young age his calling was to serve God to follow Jesus. It was as a teenager he used to watch Harry Bristow you guys know that name.
I don't, I'm sorry. He was a televangelist and Ron watched him and would respond to the gospel many times over. And it was at the age of 19 that Ron made the declaration Jesus is my Lord and Savior. And God was working in him bringing him out of that shell.
Ron had been a machinist as Paul shared but was laid off and he wondered what was he to do next. So he decided to become a barber. He also had Wendy was telling me quite a ministry to the sick and led many people to the Lord in hospitals and nursing homes.
He even cut hair for children with autism. They called him Mr. Ron. He was pop-up to all 10 of his grandkids. He loved them so much hugging and wrestling with them as much as he could. As a faithful and loyal husband to Wendy for 45 years he will be missed.
But if I could just leave you with one thing if you leave this place and forget everything else I said would you remember this one thing that the Bible has something to say to you today. God has something to say to you today through his word.
Why do I say that? Some of you might immediately brush me off and say sure pastor whatever. I didn't come here to hear a sermon and believe me I understand. But the Bible has something to say to you today.
It's because God cares about you. Yeah the God who created everything. The stars, the sky, the earth. And you and me. Yes that God is interested in your life. In fact he knows you better than you even know yourself.
Okay pastor so what? Tell me what does he have to say to me right now as I'm sitting here grieving the loss of Ron of pop-up or Ronnie whatever you would call him. Well what better way to hear what God has to say than to open the word of God the Bible.
And let's be assured of one thing. There is hope beyond this life. Isaiah 40 31 says. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not be faint. Hebrews 6 19 says. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul firm and secure. Romans 5 5 says. And hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who's been given to us.
There's a lot more scriptures that speak to this idea of hope. The point is this. The hope that the Bible speaks about is not some hope that we think about. No. It's a hope that has a sure foundation.
It's a hope that strengthens us. It's a hope that does not put us to shame. The reality is that we have hope for things in this life only to be let down. We've hoped that we would get a better job. And we didn't.
We hoped we would have the perfect spouse and we didn't. We hoped that life would get easier. And it hasn't. And of course some of us look to God and say why? Why God? Do you allow this to happen? Why are things so difficult?
Why is there so much suffering in the world? I can't answer all those questions for you. But I can offer to you a hope that only God can give you. It's a hope beyond this life. It's a hope that's realized by Ron right now.
It's the confidence that you can know that you know that you know you're going to heaven. Not some idea that says well I hope my good works outweigh my bad works. Not that I think I'm a good person and God will just overlook my sin.
Not any of that. The hope that is a sure foundation immovable, certain is in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Simply put Jesus came to live a perfect life. To obey the law in every way to suffer a perfect death.
To rise again to defeat death and one day to return in glory. So again what does this have to do with me? Well it has everything to do with you. Here's what I mean. I mentioned good works don't save you.
I mentioned being a good person doesn't save you. So what saves you? It's one thing faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Faith? That's it? Yeah that's it. But is it that easy? Well yes. And no.
Let me break it down for you in the short time we have faith is a gift of God. It means that you didn't produce it and you don't reach down into your soul to find it. God gives it to you and you express it when you hear the gospel.
The gospel? What's that? You know it's the good news of Jesus Christ. But the sad thing about American Christianity is that we've all heard of this good news. But we don't really understand why it's so good.
It's only when we realize the impact of our personal sin before a holy God. Everybody is quick to admit they aren't perfect. That's obvious. But admitting that you're a sinner going to hell that's a little bit more difficult.
Why? Because we think we're good people. And surely our goodness is enough to get us to heaven. And there it is making a God in our own liking using a standard of our own creating. I would encourage you this morning to simply ask God to show you how you've sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
I would encourage you to ask God for his mercy over your life. And you'll be blown away by this reality that God does not reject anyone that comes to him by no means. And as the Lord draws you to him as his kindness leads you to repentance you will taste and see that the Lord is good.
You will find satisfaction for your soul that this world simply cannot give. The Bible says in Ephesians 2 in verse 8 that sinners are saved by grace through faith. It's got nothing to do with your works nothing but everything to do with God's gift to you.
And that's the second part of the question as we consider what are you saved from? And that's an important one because the Bible says that the wrath of God rests upon the sons of disobedience. In other words every day that you do not know this gift do not know this salvation.
The wrath of God rests upon you. But not only that is building upon you. I know it's offensive. I know that's hard to hear. But it's true. And if there's anything that's more important to this life it's this understanding the truth about your sin that we've all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
We've been separated from a God who didn't design it to be this way. And God is gracious enough to us merciful enough to send His Son into the world to save sinners. That's the good news. Yes, God is holy and hates sin.
But there's an escape from it. And that escape has nothing to do with your good works. So pray just simple prayer. God give me faith to trust you. God give me faith to trust in the person and work of Christ.
May that faith you give me God lead me to repentance. Repentance? What is that? You've heard that term. Yeah, you've all come to this place going one direction. And you're all going to leave this place going a different direction.
And repentance is sort of like that in the sense that your life changes directions. And let me be clear I'm not saying it's time to get all religious. And now I'm going to pass out a list of rules and regulations as you leave this place in order to go to heaven.
What I am saying is that the Holy Spirit of God must bring awareness to your heart that sin is a problem all of it. Yeah, I know there's some sins that are worse than others. But when we repent we don't say I don't want.
We say I don't want to sin the way I used to. So how does that happen? Great question. When God comes into your life He gives you new desires. New desires? That sounds a little weird. Yeah, He changes you from the inside out.
He gives you a new heart. I'll give you an example. I grew up in the church and I just looked at Christianity as every other religion of the do's and the don'ts. Check the boxes get your fire insurance.
Then at the end of age 21 I found myself changing directions. I was partying I was enjoying. I was living my life for myself. I heard this message about Jesus Christ who came to save sinners and I trusted.
I trusted in Him. So I repented. I changed my mind about how I viewed sin. And that change was the fruit of faith and outworking of what God had done in my heart. I changed the way that I viewed my life.
This was not my doing. I didn't wake up one day and say this. I simply had this new desire to want to honor God not out of obligation or duty. No, it's a new desire to serve God. And I didn't know what that would look like.
But I know that God is and was and will continue to work in my life to change me. So I repented. But that doesn't mean I stopped sinning. You want to ask my wife she'll tell you it continues. But what it also means is that I trusted Jesus.
But to trust and to put my faith in Jesus. I'm not just saying a prayer. And then someone gave me to recite, repeat after me follow these words. It's an actual trusting of Jesus with all of my life. Faith, like Ron understood it was something that's not so simple not something that you can measure hold or touch.
Faith is, according to Hebrews chapter 11, verse 1 of the New Testament it is the assurance of things hoped for the conviction of things not seen. Another word for that assurance is confidence. Guarantee.
Another word for conviction is a deeply held personal belief that you don't let go of easily. Like the Eagles are going to win the Super Bowl again or next year the Phillies will win the World Series.
It's a deeply held belief. I threw that in. That was a last minute one. So as I wrap up this message today God has something to say to you. And that is this. There is hope beyond this life. I can't. I mean Ron is the living testament looking at Wendy and how she's endured.
And the peace that is amidst the family. And knowing and having this full confidence we're not going. Oh, let's pray. I hope he's in heaven. No, it's a full assurance. It's a full confidence that's available to all of us to not worry about it.
Lord, am I good enough? Have I done enough to please you? Just trusting. Trusting in Jesus. Acknowledging your sin and saying, God come to me and help me in my brokenness. I need a God who understands me that doesn't want to condemn me but loves me in spite of my sin.
That's a hope that doesn't disappoint. That's a hope that's an anchor for the soul. That's a hope that will renew your strength like nothing else this life could possibly offer. So as you leave here today you're going to drive in your cars.
You're going to change directions from which you came. Consider this reality. Whoever you came with. Hey, did God speak to you? Did God speak to you? Who is this God? Maybe you have a Bible at your house.
Maybe you don't. If you don't, grab one on the way out. If you haven't read it in a while, that's okay. Maybe you could open up and realize God has something to say. Try going to the Gospel of John chapter 1.
Start there and say, God. I want to know you. The God who called Ron home. The God who is with Ron right now. That Ron is enjoying right now. God wants to fill you with all hope as you believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ and experience what the Bible calls being born again.
It's the work of God. You can ask Him to save you. You can come to Him as a child and say Lord, save me. Lord, have mercy on me. I need you. I understand my sin and my brokenness and my separation from you.
And I want to read to you from Psalm 23. Most of you have heard it, for good reason because it brings great comfort to the heart. In time of tragedy in time of loss. This is the consolation that comes by the Spirit and in His Word.
The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His namesake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil.
Why? Because you are with me. Your rod and your staff. They comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. We're going to try to turn the lights down and have a candle lighting. And as the men come forward who are called upon the candle lighters, if they could come up you should have all received a candle.
If you didn't, just lift your hand and we will bring one to you. Could you guys all have a candle? And we're going to play a special song called I Speak Jesus by Charity Gale. Take this moment of quiet.
Now as we acknowledge Ron's life his cancer that he fought in remembrance of him. We light these candles. And for all that have suffered and died with cancer. We remember them now. Go ahead and play that song.
Beautiful sight there.
Just lift your candle up and give glory to God and the personal work of Christ in remembrance of Ron. And now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ the great shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant equip you with everything good to do His will working in us that which is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever.
Amen. God bless you guys. You can blot your candle. Don't spill any wax on your neighbor. Make sure you preserve them. And we're going to have some food for you all. What we're going to do is transform this room and we're going to need some help.
I believe we have some help but we're going to put some tables in here and I'm looking for Lindsay. She'll give me the cue but the food is going to be all the way in the back. And if you want to come say hi.
Do you want folks to come up?
Okay.
No, yeah. You can come forward if you want say hi to Wendy and the family or just hang out and help. So God bless you guys. Thank you for coming.
For the things you've done for me things so undeserved yet you gave to prove your love to me. The voices and ever hoped to be.