A wake and a funeral

Sometimes you have to go searching for a message. But sometimes a message comes to you, as if from God. I just experienced such a moment with the wake and funeral of a beloved elderly sister in my zone.

2nd Tim 4:7-8
"7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
Intro
Many times when we see this passage, we think about the hardships of Paul as a missionary. But the importance is simply to "finish faithfully".
Point 1: The imagery of a Race. How it is important to finish honorably. And how hard it is given the trails and temptations, see vs 3-4.
Point 2: The imagery of the righteous Judge. We will be given a fair verdict for our deeds on earth.
Point 3: The imagery of the "appearing". This often refers to citizens awaiting a royal appearance. Feel the expectancy and waiting, and the joyful reception the follows.
Conclude: A rewarding life. To get your just prize for a life of worship.

Hebrews 11,12
Intro
A testimony about the subject matter (the dead) is also meant for the listeners (the living).
Point 1: The Christ that lived in the subject is also living in us. It is an eternal bond that makes us run the same race.
Point 2: The Witness. A life of faith. Living with an aim to shed temporal pain and pleasure for a reunion in eternity.
Point 3: The Cheerleader. The crowd of witnesses are cheering us on.
Conclude: We too must run this race for the joyous reunion in the heavenly place awaiting us.

WoW27: It is not the intensity or the competition that matters, true sportsmanship lies in finishing the race.