A Sermon... For the Funeral of a Child November 6, 2009

Sermon Text:  Mark 10:13-16

Title:  A Child of God

 Grace mercy and peace from God our Father, and our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

The sermon text is taken from the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to St. Mark chapter 10 beginning at verse 13…

 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. ¹⁵ Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

          Let me begin by extending my deep and heartfelt sympathy to you, the family of Avory at his passing.  Note, I don’t say at your loss, for Avory is not lost to you, far from it.  He can be found today, this very moment, in the arms of His Savior.

          But some may ask, “How can this be?  How can one as small and young as Avory have faith?”

          And I say to that, “Look at the passage we have for our text today, among others, and you cannot help but know that Avory is saved, that this tiny baby has saving faith.”

          Where does such faith come from?  It comes as a gift of the Holy Spirit given to Avory through the waters and the Word of God found in Holy Baptism.  On a hot, sunny day in July, Avory was given the greatest gift that would ever be given to him; he was given the gift of Holy Baptism.  And in that gift of Holy Baptism comes a host of gifts: the Holy Spirit, faith, forgiveness of sin, life and salvation.

          Why does one so small need the gift of forgiveness?  As David writes in Psalm 51...

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

So we see from the Holy Word of God that Avory was conceived a sinner.  From that first moment of life within you Tiffany the sin of Adam was passed to Avory just as assuredly was the color of his eyes.  So this little premature baby, born two months early, this tiny little seemingly innocent was in need of the forgiveness of sin.  And so we baptized young Avory, in the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

          But how can one so small have faith in Christ?  I am a learned man with a Master’s degree in theology.  I have read and read on the subject of Baptism, both God’s Holy Bible and the books of ones much more educated than myself, and I have come to one conclusion: I don’t know how this works.  I don’t know how a baby of three months has faith in Christ when this baby can’t even say a word.  But what I do know is this:  if God says this little one has faith then he has faith, end of story.  St. Luke writes in the book of Acts…

 St. Peter said…Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

³⁷ Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸ And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Be baptized for the forgiveness of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is for you and for your children.  So children are to be baptized and they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

          What does the Holy Spirit do? It gives the power to believe, it gives faith.  St. Paul writes in 1^st Corinthians…

…no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

So Avory, in his little heart, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, was able to call Jesus LORD.  As I said, I don’t understand it.  My sinful mind can’t comprehend it.  But this I know, if the King of kings and the LORD of lords, if my Savior Who died on the cross says this is true, than it is true, no ifs, ands or buts.

          How is this possible?  It is made possible in one, and only one way – through the cross of Christ.  Through Jesus’ birth into this sin-filled world, through His life lived without sin, through His undeserved death on the cross, through His resurrection on that first Easter morning, we who believe and have faith, we have been forgiven.  And it all comes through baptism.  St. Paul writes in Romans…

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

          Little Avory received the kingdom of God as a child, just as Jesus said.  He was baptized into Christ, into the faith.  He was given the power of the Holy Spirit to believe in his LORD.  He was forgiven his sin.  And now we come to the treasure of being one in Christ, one forgiven through Jesus’ sacrifice – Avory now, this very moment enjoys the fruits of faith in Christ.  Avory enjoys life and salvation.  Avory enjoys eyes that see, ears that hear, legs that walk and run, a smile that is the brightest smile you can imagine, all because of his baptism, because of his faith in Jesus.  Although our hearts are heavy today, we can rejoice in knowing Avory is happily in his Savior’s arms.

          And there is one more bit of good news for us today.  For those of us who share that same faith in Christ there will be a reunion in heaven with Avory. Through our common faith in Christ we will meet again and that can bring nothing but joy to our hearts this day.  Praise our LORD Jesus Christ for His grace and His love shown to us on the cross, and because of that grace and love there will be a happy and glorious reunion.  Amen.

The peace of the LORD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our LORD. Amen.

+ Sola Deo Gloria +