Kurt A. Hutchings Memorial

By

Shelby G. Floyd

March 7, 2009

A Memorial for Kurt A. Hutchings was held Saturday, March 7, at the Gulf Coast Church of Christ, in Fort Myers, Florida, where Kurt was a member, along with his family. Randy Simmons, the minister at Gulf Coast introduced the tribute to Kurt with a pictorial slide show of Kurt from the time he was a baby until his fiftieth birthday, celebrated just a few weeks prior to his passing. It was beautiful to see a snapshot of his faithful life to his family and the Lord.

Teresa, my daughter and Kurt’s wife asked me to give the eulogy. It was not a burden to speak about a great friend, and family member. Below is the substance of what I said on this occasion.

David, a man after God’s own heart wrote in the first Psalm the words that described a man like Kurt:

Psalms 1:1-8

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

It is a sad occasion when a loving family member, who has lived for Christ, departs this life. We should tell the whole world what a faithful Christian life Kurt lived up to the very end.

My Thoughts about Kurt

Kurt asked me is his Adult Bible Class about a month ago, what he looked like the first time I saw him. I replied he looked rather rough on the outside, but that I found that he had a great heart inside. The point he made in his class was that “the Lord does not see as man sees. For man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” The Lord and all of us who have spent any time with Kurt know that he had a great heart. He once taught an adult Bible class in Indiana entitled, “David, a Man after God’s Own Heart.” He did original research for his class and concluded that David was a man after God’s own heart, not because he was perfect, but because for the most part he always consulted God and his law before he made a decision. David loved God’s laws and precepts. Kurt sought to do the same throughout his life. As a result he was blessed.

About thirty years ago when I first met Kurt, he starting attending Bible classes and worship, then he made the good confession and was baptized into Christ for the remission of sins. Immediately, he set forth his mind to understand what the will of the Lord is. He read his Bible through several times in those first years. As a result he surpassed in practical knowledge many who had been in the church for years.

Kurt became a very effective Bible teacher and presented several sermons that were very good. In fact he has taught his Bible class from his wheel chair when he could barely speak, up until about a week before he died. What an example for all of us! Upon learning that Kurt had ALS, one of our friends said, “Kurt still has a lot to teach us.” Indeed he was still teaching us until the very end.

When Kurt was first diagnosed with ALS, I wrote to him and implored him not to blame God for what had happened to him. He wrote back and said, “I would never blame God, because he is the reason for all the good things in my life.”

Kurt has a wonderful immediate and extended family. His brothers Chuck and Troy loved him dearly. We thank God for his faithful wife Teresa, his daughter Brittaney, his sons, Jacob and Trent. Kurt was able to teach and baptize his step-father Richard Stewart before he died, also his mother Betty, and all his children. The highlights of his life last year were the marriage of Jacob and Lindsay; and Brittaney and Nic.

It was related to me that back some time ago Kurt fell down on the floor in a public place. Trent quickly rushed and knelt down beside him and said, “Don’t worry about it dad, we will just act like we are tying your shoe strings.” Afterward they had a good laugh because Kurt was wearing a pair of shoes without shoe strings! Kurt also had a good sense of humor.

In the business world Kurt also has a great family of friends who have reached out to him and supported him in his needs. Especially, we are all so grateful to his employer for the way they have stuck with him in his demise. Through support from far and wide, Kurt was allowed to be active in the church and in business and in many other ways. For all of this we are grateful.

Kurt and his family have a great church family here at Gulf Coast. Many of us have witnessed the love and support you have given him and his family over the years and especially recently. Some of us witnessed the open house for Kurt’s 50^th birthday celebration about a month ago. It was a wonderful occasion with perhaps 250-300 family and friends coming together to honor him.

Kurt was not fearful of taking risks in life. Many times as a manager in business he would find a job for those who were down and out. He did not believe in “playing it safe” all the time. In business he made trips to Great Britain. Even after ALS, he went on a trip to China and went upon the Great Wall of China. Kurt lived the truth that someone said, “Don’t let me die until I am dead.” He lived until he died.

Kurt and I had a special relationship. He was my son in the gospel, my brother in Christ and we had a father/son like relationship. He will forever live in my heart.

Now allow me to share some thought from God’s word about life and death.

Death is Certain

It is a universal statistic—one out of one does experience the separation of the spirit from the body. The writer of Hebrews states this fact succinctly: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”(Hebrews 9:27). We shall all shuffle off the mortal coil and stand before God in judgment.

The Struggle Between Life and Death

We all desire to live as long as we can. We want to be with our family and continue our work. But since eternity is in the heart of man, we desire also to go and be with the Lord. Paul, God’s faithful servant was in the same dilemma and expressed it to the church at Philippi: “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” (Philippians 1:23-24).

The Resurrection is Sure

Death is not a permanent state. It is compared to going to sleep and then being awaked by the Lord at the last day. It is a mystery that has been revealed to us by the Scriptures:

1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
      “O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

The Living and Dead in Christ Will be Caught up Together

When Christ comes back for his people, the living in Christ will have no advantage over the dead in Christ, because both the living and the dead will be caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the sky:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

The Peace of God Surpasses Understanding

At one time Kurt indicated that he desired above everything to know the peace of God. The Word of God reveals how this is possible, “The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:6-9). The peace of God comes by and through the teaching of the God of peace. First, we must be at peace with God, and then we will be at peace with ourselves and with our fellowman.

Heaven is Real

When Jesus announced to his disciples that he would suffer and die, they were perplexed and depressed. He who can read the hearts of men encouraged them and us with these words:

John 14:1-6

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

The Dead in the Lord are Blessed

Not all the beatitudes are in the Sermon on the Mount. The aged apostle John in exile on Patmos because of his testimony of the word of God gave this beatitude:

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: “‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” (Revelation 14:13).

The Cherokee Rite of Passage

The Cherokee Nation is a proud people. This legend I share with you.

“Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage? His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.  The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises.  Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man! Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm. We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, our Heavenly Father is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us.  When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.”

Kurt sat on the stump through his night of testing and the heavenly Father was sitting right there with him and then took him by the hand and led him through the valley of the shadow of death:

Psalms 23:1-6

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 paths of righteousness
   for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
   I will fear no evil,
for 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.

These are the words that I leave with you my dear family and friends. Let us all prepare to walk through that valley and gain the victory! May God bless you all!

"I cannot say, and I will not say

That he is dead, He is just away.

With a cherry smile, and a wave of the hand,

He has wandered into a wonderful land,

And left us dreaming how very fair

It needs must be since he is there.

And you - oh, you, who the wildest yearn

For the old time step and the glad return,

Think of him faring on, as dear

In the love of there as the love of here.

Think of him still as the same.  I say,

He is not dead - He is just away."