and ask God's blessings upon this service. Okay? Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your blessings. We have known Brother Bob, I have known Brother Bob for years. And while we have not been best friends, we have been good friends. And I thank you for that. Father, this today is not a day of gloom and sadness. Even though the sadness is in the heart. It is a day of rejoicing and I appreciate I love the green family. And I thank you father for their for their rejoicing and their testimony. And father, we pray now that you'll please bless and have that on way and in this service in your name. If what I know from Brother Bob, all he would want is you to be honored and glorified. And that's what the family would want. And I thank you for that. In Jesus' lovely name I pray. Amen. Amen. In reading this, I'm not going to call this an obituary. Technically it may be, but it is a tribute. A tribute to a father and the children and the family who loved him dearly. This is every father's wish, to have a tribute like this. It is my joy to read it. Robert Arnold Bob Green Senior, 78 of Barhamsville, Virginia, flew peacefully into the arms of his savior on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. He was born on August the 24th, 1944, in Del Rio, Tennessee. to Louie and Callie Alexander Green. Being a man who never knew a stranger, Bob was a friend to anyone he met and was always willing to help those in need. He loved to share Christ with all who would listen and had the testimony of one who loved God and his neighbor. Bob treasured his fellowship with the Saints of God. He was a faithful member of Victory Baptist Church in Hampton, Virginia for 32 years, serving as a deacon, head usher, Sunday school teacher, treasurer, and trustee, while helping to lead the building program, promoting the missions outreach, and serving on the board of directors for the Victory Baptist church school. I'm blessed to say that these ministries are still going. After moving from the peninsula to Barhamsville, Bob was a faithful member of Faith Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Virginia for 21 years, serving as a head usher while continuing his zeal for mission support. Bob was a successful and respected business owner, founding R.A. green masonry contractor in 1973. I thought I had, but I'm privileged to have one of his ink pens from his company. That means something now. His business was always known for the highest quality workmanship and fair business practices with customers and employees. He always made sure every job was something that he could be proud of. His company also provided charitable services for many churches in the area. All who worked with him would agree that he honored the Lord in his profession and left a legacy for his family. Bob had a great love for music and was a talented musician and singer. He played in a bluegrass band for quite a while and sang and played in the church for many years. He loved good old gospel music, and I emphasize that because he would want me to. He loved good old gospel music and could be found in church or at concerts whenever there was a singing nearby. He shared his love for music and with his family, he passed on his talent and passion to his children and grandchildren who carry on that tradition today. Bob loved to work in his yard and vineyard, took great pride in keeping them healthy and beautiful. He also enjoyed hunting and meat processing. I was privileged to see Brother Bob in the hospital and at that time he was alert. You know, been in the hospital for a while, he was alert. We had good conversation and Sister Beverly left us and she had gone to get something to eat down in the cafeteria. Well, you had a deacon there and a preacher, okay? And oh, you would have thought it would have been just spiritual, but we talked about hog killing. But it was a conversation I'll never forget. That's the truth. That made me think of it when I saw hunting and meat processing, turning the venison and pork into delicious sausage and bacon. His favorite pastime was fellowshipping with family and friends, telling stories and jokes over a good meal, especially a big plate of crab legs. Now, if you knew Bob, you will always remember his firm handshake, his big old bear hugs, and how he always smelled good whenever you saw him. His hearty laugh, tender heart, and true love and friendship will be missed by all. And may I say amen to that. But our hearts are encouraged by God's promises and Bob's faith in those promises. Now, in addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his sisters, Geneva Harbin, Frances Quinton, Ethel Mull, Lois Reynolds, Marilyn Clark, as well as by his brothers, Greeley, who was also J.B., James, who was J.C., and Fred. Bob, who is also known as Papaw, or Pawpaw, I forgot to ask how they pronounce it, is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Beverly, his son, Robert Jr., his wife, Patricia, and grandchildren, Eliza, Cheyenne, and Wyatt, his daughter, Natalie Hyde, Her husband, Sam, and grandchildren, Caleb, whose wife is Hannah, Isaac, whose wife is Colleen, and Michaela, whose husband is Adam. Eight great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. And I'm sure that you can attest to that. The family would like to thank all of their friends, neighbors, and acquaintances for their love, prayers, and support during Bob's final journey on this earth. They would also like to thank the staff at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center and the staff from Sentara Hospice Services for the excellent and compassionate care they provided for Bob and his family over the last month. Now, knowing Bob's love for the Lord and enjoyment of music, the family would like to honor him with this celebration, including some of his favorite songs. Bob looked forward to his homecoming with joy and anticipation, and he would want us all to take comfort in God's promise that we'll meet again. Amen. If we accept Christ, let the Lord touch your heart as Bob's family and friends sing these songs of hope. The first song we will hear is a recording that will take us back to a revival meeting in Victory Baptist Church in 1990. It shows how Bob used his talents for the Lord and how he shared the love of gospel music with his family and friends. He knows all about me, my troubles, my sorrows, all of my fears. I will live each moment through the mercy of God's loving grace. Travel this way to some land I'll not be ashamed of my record up there As I stand at my Savior's right hand My Lord keeps a record Of the moments I'm living down here He knows all about me Yes, I will. Yes, I will. Every moment through the mercy of God. God's love is great. I know. Yes, I know. He will call me. He will call me. The wonderful, beautiful, Sorry for the little bit of distortion there. It played clear yesterday. Hopefully you heard Bob singing. It is plain to see the Bible is the living word, and the author lives in me. And he owns both sides of the river, the earth and beyond the blue, and everything between them. Lord, you own all that too. I know Jordan's deep and chilly Very, very wide But in the twinkling of an eye We'll have to make a crossing for death is something sure. But when it comes to my turn, I'll be ready for the tour. I'll cross Odessa River when I hear the royal call. And I'm glad to be escorted by the king who owns it all. ♪ And he owns both sides of the river ♪ The earth and beyond the blue ♪ And everything between them ♪ Lord, you own all that too ♪ I know Jordan's steep and eerie ♪ Very, very wide ♪ But in the twinkling of an eye ♪ I'll be on the other side But in the twinkling of an eye, I'll be on the other side. When I close my eyes in death, fold my hands across my chest, sing for me a pretty song. While I take my journey home, Ž Not afraid to bid this world goodbye Ž Ž Not afraid to close my eyes and die Ž Ž For this courage I have prayed Ž Ž In His arms I'm not afraid Ž ♪ When I cross the silent sea ♪ Where the hope of light's beckoned me ♪ I'll feel no pain, I'll fear no harm ♪ Safe, secure in Jesus' arms To close my eyes and lie For this courage I have prayed In His arms In His arms, in His arms, in His arms I'm not afraid. We're trying to cut all the songs shorter than what it would normally be so we don't keep you here all day. But this one, we're going to do it the way we always do it. This song was playing on the CD player in the room when he checked out of here. So it's going to be a little difficult. Shall we gather at the river Where bright angel feet have trod With its crystal tide forever Flowing from the throne of God? Yes, we'll gather at the river, the beautiful, beautiful river. Gather with the saints at the river that flows from the throne of God. ♪ Ere we reach the shining river ♪ Lay we every burden down ♪ Grace our spirit shall deliver ♪ And provide a robe and crown ♪ Yes, we'll gather at the river ♪ The beautiful, beautiful river ♪ Gather with the saints at the river ♪ That flows from the throne of God Soon we'll reach the shining river. Soon our pilgrimage will cease. Soon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace. Yes, we'll gather at the river, the beautiful, beautiful river. Gather with the saints at the river and foes from the throne of God. We'll gather at the river, the beautiful, beautiful river. Gather with the saints at the river that flows from the throne of God. Yeah, he was the one that kinda got things started in the family, so we're trying to honor him today with some of this music that he loves. So listen closely to this word, words of this next song. Beautiful words, Heaven's Soundin' Sweeter. Life has been so good, I can't complain. When I'm down, God gives me strength to rise again. But I'm weary from the struggle of it all. So I listen. ♪ How I listen for his call ♪ Heaven's sounding sweeter all the time ♪ Seems like lately he's always on my mind ♪ Someday I'll leave this world behind Heaven sounding sweeter all the time You know it's hard to lose a loved one to the grave. But we have blessed hope that Jesus came. God's gonna wipe all the teardrops from our eyes When we meet in that land beyond the sky Heaven's sounding sweeter all the time Seems like maybe it's always on my mind. Someday I'll leave this world behind. Heaven sounding sweeter all the time. someday I'll leave this world behind. Heaven sounding sweeter all the time. All righty. Thank you. and we want to try to do an old familiar hymn and ask you, if you will, to join us on this one here. Beverly especially asked that we do this, so join in with us on this old hymn, I'll Fly Away. Some glad morning when this life is over I'll fly away To a home on God's celestial shore I'll fly away I'll fly away, oh glory I'll fly away in the morning when I die Hallelujah, bye and bye I'll fly away Just a few more weary days and then I'll fly away To a home where joy's so never end I'll fly away I'll fly away, oh glory I'll fly away In the morning when I die Hallelujah, I am glad I'll fly away I'll fly away, oh glory, I'll fly away in the morning When I die, hallelujah, by and by, I'll fly away When I die, hallelujah, by and by, I'll fly away Somewhere a traveler in tattered garbage black The struggling of the mountains, it seemed that he was sad His back was heavily knotted, his strength was almost gone But he shouted as he journeyed, deliverance will come then On to victory, crowns of glory On to victory I shall wear I saw him in the evening, the sun was sinking low. His garments weren't tattered, his steps seemed mighty slow. But he kept pressing onward, for he was going home. And he chimed the hallows and delivered us to come in. On to victory, crowns of glory, on to victory. I shall win. I saw him in the darkness, a sweat was on his brow. He overtook the mountain and reached the vale below. He saw that morning city, his everlasting calm. Then he shouted loud, O Santa, the deliverance has come. Then on to victory, on to glory, on to victory, I of the victory, I shall win. I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender. They're leading me in paths that I must trod. I'll have no fear while Jesus walks beside me. ♪ For I'm sheltered in the arms of God ♪ So let the storms may die, the dark clouds rise ♪ They won't worry me, for I'm sheltered safe ♪ Within the arms of God He walks with me and none of earth shall harm me. For I'm sheltered in the arms of God. ♪ I shall hear the call from heaven's portals ♪ Come home, my child, it's the last mile you must trod Awaken God's new heaven, sheltered safe within the arms of God. So let the storms rage on, the dark clouds rise, they won't ♪ I'm shelter safe within the arms of God ♪ He walks with me and not a bird shall harm me ♪ For I'm sheltered in the arms of God He walks with me and not a bird shall harm me. For I'm sheltered in the arms of God. ♪ I'll meet you in the morning ♪ Just inside the eastern gate ♪ Then be ready, faithful pilgrim ♪ Lest with you I will meet you in the morning. I will meet you in the morning just inside the Eastern Gate over there. I will meet you in the morning. I will meet you In the morning I will meet you In the morning over there ♪ ♪ ♪ Keep your lamps all trimmed and burning ♪ ♪ For the bridegroom watchin' way ♪ ♪ He'll be with us at the meetin' ♪ just inside the Eastern Gate I will meet you in the morning I will meet you in the morning just inside the Eastern Gate over there I will meet you in the morning I will meet you I will meet you in the morning over there. I will meet you in the morning over there. I'll have you know that Beverly had a list of about 115 songs, so we're doing the best we can do to narrow that list down, so bear with us if you will. But this is what we felt would really honor him, so hopefully we can get through this next one here. I was standing on a bank of a river looking out over life's troubled sea when I saw an old ship that was sailing Is that the old ship of Zion I see? Its hull was bent and battered from the storms of life I could see. Waves were rough, but that old ship was steady. Is that the old ship of Zion I see? At the stern of the ship was the captain. I could hear as he called out my name. Get on board. It's the old ship of Zion. And it may never pass this way again. As I step on board, I'll be leaving all my troubles and trials behind. I'll be safe with Jesus, my captain. Sailing out on the old ship of time. I'm sailing out on the old ship of time. Down here my burden's heavy and the road is rough and long. Sometimes my feet get weary and so sore. A brighter day is coming Soon I'll step on heaven's shore And I won't have to worry When I reach the other shore All my troubles will be over And I'll rest forevermore My eyes will be on Jesus And my heart will be aglow And I won't have to worry anymore Some day when life is over And I've said my last goodbye I'm gonna see my Savior standing at the door And I'll hear Him say, All your cares are left behind And I won't have to worry anymore No, I won't have to worry When I reach the other shore All my troubles will be over And I'll rest forevermore My eyes will be on Jesus And my heart will be aglow And I won't have to worry anymore My eyes will be on Jesus and my heart will be above And I won't have to worry anymore I'm going to take time for one more. Beverly did say she would whip us all if we didn't do this one. Some of us have been whipped by her before. As long as she doesn't have glass water or a shoe, I'll be OK. I'm kind of homesick for a country to which I've never been before. No sad goodbyes will there be spoken. For time won't matter anymore. Beulah Land. I'm longing for you. And someday on thee I'll stand where my home shall be eternal. I'm looking out for you. Where my faith is gonna end in sight It's just a few more days to labor Then I will take my heavenly place And I'm longing for you. And someday only I'll stand. Home shall be eternal, new land, sweet new land. Well, Beverly, God has certainly blessed you and Bob with that family and all that talent in one family. Amazing. And I asked Bob just a few days before he passed away, I don't, I miss that somehow that maybe he was musical and I figured knowing of his family, it had to start with him. And so I asked him about it and indeed he did. So the Lord has blessed and you guys are to be commended for honoring him in the way that you did this morning. Well, let's bow for a word of prayer. Father, we thank you for your love for us. We thank you for Bob's life and his love for you and your love for him. And Lord, we know that he is with you today rejoicing and enjoying the glories that you have prepared for him, the blessing of being face to face with you. And so, Lord, this is a bittersweet day. There is sorrow, but we sorrow not as those which have no hope because we know where Bob is and we know that one day soon we will join him. I pray for his family. Lord, we have prayed for them. We lift them up again to you. Lord, we thank you that you have given them grace. You have comforted their hearts. You have strengthened them in these days. And we thank you for that. You're a good, loving, and a kind God. We ask that you would continue to do that for them And Lord, that you would be glorified in the things that we say here today. And Lord, that any maybe who don't know Christ as Savior that might be here today, that they would realize their need and believe on him. And we ask this in his name, amen. Well I was privileged to be Bob's pastor for about four years and you know as I was thinking about him and there's a lot of things that I could say and some of them were said in his obituary but obviously he loved gospel music, he loved to sing it, he loved to hear his family sing it. I know he loved good food, and as it said, fellowship around the table. But as I was thinking about that, there were times when my wife and I would go out to lunch on Sunday afternoon after the morning service, and occasionally go to the Peking restaurant, and Bob and Beverly were always there. I mean, it's just, and they had their own table. I don't know if they had a standing reservation or what, but it was always the same place. And so if you went in there, just know, look over in that one spot, and they're probably gonna be there. And so they often were. Bob had a good sense of humor, and you know that if you knew him. I was thinking about one of the, he came up to me not too long ago, one of the last Sundays he was able to be here with us. And he said, Preacher, do you know what makes a good sermon? No. He said, well, it's got a good introduction, it's got a good conclusion, and a little bit in between. So, I got it. I didn't believe it, but I got it. Okay, so. But I also think that Bob was strong in body and in spirit. Just being a brick mason, that's a demanding job, and it took a lot of physical strength to be able to do that job. But also, as we have observed Bob in his days of suffering, You know, it takes a lot of strength to be able to suffer as Bob did, and he had a long battle, not just these last few weeks or months, but even for years. He struggled with health issues, but he endured it. He had the strength, and the strength of spirit. to endure, not just bodily strength, but the strength of spirit, and Bob would be the first to tell you that all that came from the Lord, that it wasn't him, that it was God enabling him to do that. He loved the Lord, and there was no question, you didn't have to be around him long to know that he loved the Lord, because he would let you know. But you know, as, let me just share his testimony with you as he stated it. He was saved in August of 1970. and here's the way that he described that he said in April 1970 Victor Baptist Church held revival services he said my wife went forward and got saved and I also went forward but I didn't get saved but from April to the end of August he said I was under deep conviction and on that last Sunday night in August 1970 in the middle of the night he said I had to get out of bed and get on my knees I repented of my sins and asked Jesus through his shed blood to come into my heart and save me and that night my name was written in the Lamb's Book of Life my sins were forgiven never to be remembered again and I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the mercy and grace he extended to me that night and without his love we are nothing. And he referenced two verses Romans 6.23 which says for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. And John 3.16, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. And I think Bob would want you to know, he would want you to hear the gospel this afternoon. He would want you, lest maybe there's somebody here, you are a friend of his, an acquaintance of his, maybe even a family member, but you have never personally trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior. And Bob would want you to have that opportunity today to do that. Understanding that the Bible is very clear that we are all sinners, that not one of us are righteous in the sight of God. And God must punish our sin. He has no choice. He's a holy God and He's a just God and so our sin must be punished. The punishment is to spend eternity separated from God in hell. The wages of sin, the penalty, the payment for sin is death. Separation from God in hell eternally. That's the payment of your sins and mine. And if we don't receive Christ as Savior, we'll suffer that. But God loved you so much. That's what John 3.16 says. God so loved the world. But put your name in there. God loved you. as part of the world, so much. He didn't want you to have to suffer the punishment for your sins, and so He suffered it for you. The Bible says that when Jesus died upon the cross, that all of our sin was placed upon Him, and God the Father punished Jesus Christ for your sin and mine. And God was satisfied with the death of Christ as the full payment, the full punishment for your sins and mine. And if we then will come to him sincerely, acknowledging, admitting, God I am a sinner, I deserve your punishment. But I thank you that Jesus took my punishment for me. Father, I ask you to forgive me and to save me because Jesus died for me. If you will do that, he will save you. And the promise is, whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Bob called that night in August 1970, and God heard him and answered his prayer, and he was gloriously saved, and he testified of that for the rest of his life. And so if you've never trusted Christ as Savior, I would encourage you not to leave here today without doing so. And if you don't fully understand it, you don't know how to do that, then talk to someone. Talk to Pastor Wilson or myself or someone else that you trust who knows the Lord, and they would be more than happy to help you to settle that matter with the Lord today. In 1988, Bob developed cancer, and at that time, the Lord encouraged him with the words from the 103rd Psalm, and I'd like to read it to you right now. It says, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from destruction, who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies, who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide, neither will He keep His anger forever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass. As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children, to such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, ye his angels that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the Lord, all his hosts, ye ministers of his that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works, and all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul. As I read that, And I read those last verses, I was reminded Bob blessed the Lord in his lifetime. I mean, even visiting him in the hospital in his latest sickness, and he was giving glory to God, and he said, you know, God's in control. He knows what's going on. He has a reason for all this. And when Bob faced death, he wasn't afraid of it. This has been sung today already. There's nothing to fear in death for the believer, because the Lord is with us, and we are going into his presence. And Bob testified of that. As we visited with him, he blessed the Lord in life, he blessed the Lord in death, and he's blessing the Lord today. I'm sure he's now singing the praises of God face to face with his Savior, with all the others who are there. that have gone on before. You think about the music we heard today, wait till we get to heaven and we're all singing together. The amazing thing is God's gotta give us new ears because you get hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people all singing together and we'll all be able to sing well and praising God and what is it gonna be like? But Bob's already got that privilege to do that and take that gift that God gave him here and now use it to praise the Lord there. And so he's blessing the Lord and will be for all eternity. On Tuesday, January 24th around noon, we would say that Bob died. But really the only thing that died that day was his body. Bob didn't die. Bob is as alive today as you and I are. He's just in another place, a better place. He's in heaven with his savior. In John 11 we read about the death of a man named Lazarus. And as Jesus came to be with the family, Lazarus' sister said to him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know that even now, whatsoever thou wouldst ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. And Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Bob believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior. Bob didn't die. Just the body, the tent that he dwelt in while he was here on earth. In 2 Corinthians chapter 5, Paul wrote about the Christian's view of death. He said this, we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God and house not made with hands eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven. If so be that being clothed we should not be found naked for we that are in this tabernacle do groan being burdened not for that we would be unclothed but clothed upon that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the spirit. And therefore we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord, for we walk by faith and not by sight. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. In this passage, we're reminded of several important truths. Let me just take a moment to share them. First of all, our bodies are temporary. You know, Paul used the words about our body, he said they're earthly and they're a tabernacle. They're earthly, we know that they're made of clay, that when God created Adam, he took the dust of the ground and from that he formed Adam's body and then breathed into that body the breath of life, Adam became a living soul. in that 103rd Psalm that we read, it says that the Lord knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust. These bodies are earthly. They're made for the earth. They're suited for life on earth. But he also called it a tabernacle, that is a tent. And a tent is something temporary. Maybe you like to camp and you've gone out, maybe you've even done tent camping. I don't think anybody really wants to live in a tent. Maybe you do, maybe you're one of those exceptions, but most of us wouldn't want to live in a tent permanently. Well, this body, the Bible says, is like a tent. It's a temporary thing. And we live in it for however long God leaves us here on Earth. But the time comes when it's time to leave the tent behind. But again, the life goes on. And so these bodies are temporary and they're trouble. Paul said, we do groan being burdened. I'm sure there were many days Bob came home from a hard day's work and he groaned as it were, weary from the day's work. We know Bob groaned as he suffered under the pain of cancer and the things associated with that. Though he gave glory to God and God gave him the strength to endure, but it was a burden. But he was able to lay that burden down. We groan being burdened because of age and deterioration of our bodies. John Quincy Adams once was crossing a street and he was in such poor health it took him five minutes to reach the other side and a friend was passing that way and asked him, how is John Quincy Adams this morning? He replied, John Quincy Adams is doing just fine, but this house he lives in is in sad disrepair. In fact, it's so dilapidated John Quincy Adams may have to move out soon, but John Quincy Adams is doing just fine, thank you. And that's what Bob would have said. This old body's wearing out, but I'm doing fine and looking forward to leaving this body behind and getting that new body. We're gonna get heavenly bodies that'll never get old, they'll never get sick, they'll never get tired, they never hurt, and they never die. There's that old gospel song that says it's a land where we'll never grow old. None of those things that were part of this body are part of our body in heaven. We've grown being burdened because of the deterioration of the body. We've grown being burdened because of sin. You know, even as believers we have that battle. We're in a battle with Satan. We're in a battle with the world. We're in a battle with our flesh and sometimes we don't win the battle. Sometimes we face temptation and we give in. And the Bible's clear that if we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God has forgiven even those sins that we commit as believers. But it's a battle. And it gets old after a while. You know, you get tired of fighting that battle. You always wanna win. Unfortunately, we don't always win. So what a privilege it'll be, what a blessing it is when we finally get to heaven and the battle is over. And for Bob, the battle is over, and he's experiencing the fullness of the victory that Jesus won for him on the cross. And so one day we're gonna leave these bodies. In Philippians 1.23, Paul wrote that he had a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. And the word that he used for depart is an interesting word. It's used to describe a ship departing on a voyage. that when we leave this life to go to heaven, it's like taking a cruise, if you will. I mean, who would mind a trip to the Bahamas or Hawaii or pick your favorite destination? But in this case, it's the best destination. It's heaven. But that's what that word means, or it's used to describe the unyoking of a beast of burden. It's time to rest. The work is over. The labor is done. It's time to rest. Bob has entered into his rest. And then again, it's used to describe the taking down of a tent. And again, camping is okay temporarily, but not permanently. But then we get a new body. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15, 53, this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality. That we're gonna get a new body that we fashion like the glorious body of the Lord Jesus Christ. that these bodies will be changed because this body can't live in heaven, and so God will give us a new body that is suited to live in heaven, as this body has been suited for us to live here on earth. We often say time flies, and really, it won't be long till you see Bob again. For some, a little longer than others, and especially compared to eternity, it won't be long. And so rejoice in that. And again, I would say to you, if you're not saved today, you can be. Just do like Bob did. Get on your knees and ask God to forgive you. And he will. Let's bow for prayer. Father, there's so much that could be said about Bob. A life well lived, a life lived in love for you. And Lord, we thank you that he constantly testified of his faith. We know that he was trusting you in these last days, especially as he battled sickness and ultimately faced death. Lord, what a comfort it is to us and certainly to his family to know that he was walking through all that with you, that when he came to the Valley of the Shadow of Death, he didn't need to be afraid because you were right there, and he walked through that valley with you, right into your home, now his home. And we rejoice with him that he is rejoicing with you. And Father, again, I pray for Bev and her family. I pray you'll continue to discomfort them. Lord, just help them to constantly reflect on the fact that Bob is enjoying the greatest blessings he's ever known and ever will know. And we thank you, Lord, that they, too, can join him. And we all who knew him will see him again. And we rejoice in that. And we thank you. Thank you for the music that speaks of the hope that we have, both in this life and in the life to come. And we ask all this in Jesus name. Amen. From my eyes when to a loved one, I have to say goodbye. And though my heart is breaking with joy, I still can't say I have this promise will be. again someday. Oh, what a promise, how it thrills my soul. Where storm clouds never roll. After the shadows of night have passed away. Oh, what a promise we'll meet again someday. It's the song of the church for the children of the king. Grave, where's your victory? And tell me, death, where's your sting? And it's through the blood of Jesus my sins are washed away. And I have this promise we'll meet again someday. Oh, what a promise, how it thrills my soul. Where storm clouds never roll After the shadows of night have passed away Oh, what a promise we'll meet again someday Oh, what a promise we'll meet again someday. Amen. If you know this one, please help us on this one. Gotta put this together at the last minute, but Beverly really wanted, I think they talked about this song a lot last week, so it's an old one, and hopefully we can remember it all. We may stumble through it ourselves, so if you know it, help us out. What a day that will be. There is coming a day when no sorrows will come, no more clouds in the sky. ♪ No more tears to empty eye ♪ All is peace forevermore ♪ On that happy golden shore ♪ What a day, glorious day ♪ That will be ♪ What a day that will be ♪ When my Jesus I shall see ♪ And I look upon his face ♪ The one who saved me by his grace ♪ Then he takes me by the hand ♪ Leads me through the promised land ♪ What a day, glorious day that will be ♪ Well, there'll be no No more sorrow there, no more burdens to bear. No more holiness or pain, no more parting or repair. And forever I will be with the one who died for me. ♪ What a day, glorious day that will be ♪ Help us out now. ♪ What a day that will be ♪ When my Jesus I shall see ♪ And I'll look upon his face ♪ The one who saved me by his grace and leads me through the promised land. What a day, glorious day that will be. Amen. The family would all like to thank you all for being here today and for joining in in this celebration. We'll have a word of prayer and then you all are invited to go over to our activities building and there's lunch that is prepared for you there and we'll give you more time to fellowship together with the family and with one another. When you get over there, the activities building, if you go out the door at the end of the hallway and then across the parking lot, there's two sets of double doors over there, you can go in either door. go through the foyer there, through the next set of double doors into the gym area. There'll be someone there to direct you, but the food should be out and drinks and everything. And so we invite you all, there's plenty for everybody. So you're all invited to stay and partake in that. So let's stand together, we'll pray. And as we pray, we'll ask the Lord's blessing on the meal. So when you get over there, you can get your food and you sit down and begin to eat, let's pray. Father again we thank you for the blessed hope that we have in the Lord Jesus Christ, the promise that when we depart this life we come into your presence. Lord again thank you that Bob is there with you rejoicing and singing your praises and thank you for the testimony and song that we've heard today. Lord, we thank you that we could rejoice over Bob's life and his testimony and his love for you. And Lord, we just pray that you'll continue to uphold this family, just undergird them with your strength. Lord, thank you for this time of fellowship that has been provided, and we pray your blessing upon it. Thank you for the food, and may you bless it and use it to give us strength. Lord, may you guide our conversations. May our fellowship be pleasing unto you. May it be encouraging, Lord, especially to Bob's family today. Thank you for each one that has come. Lord, what a testimony to the impact that Bob has had on so many lives over the years. And we thank you for that. And Lord, we know it's all because of you and your grace to him and your goodness in his life. And so, Lord, we thank you again for him and for all that he has meant to each and every one of us. Now dismiss us from this service with your blessing. And again, bless our time together in the fellowship meal, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.