Wong Chong Wah - Funeral Message for Eric Kirton
Eric Kirton: the Servant of God
Monday 26 March 2007
 Matthew 25:21
Like all of you, I have a profound respect for our beloved brother Eric.
1. The Lord’s Servant
(1) Throughout his life, Eric’s one desire was to serve God.
- First, as a missionary serving in Kuantan;
- Later, for the last 32 years, as an adviser and management board member of Evangel Book Centre, Petaling Jaya, and itinerant Bible teacher.
(2) Eric had never sought for wealth or honour among men. He would rather be known as a servant of God. There could be no greater honour in Scripture than to be called a servant of God, e.g., Abraham, Moses and David.
2. A Good and Faithful Servant
(1) Eric aspired only to be faithful in all the tasks God had entrusted him to do.
(i) As God’s servant, there was no promise of any earthly reward;
(ii) Eric was faithful in God’s service simply because he heard and obeyed the call of God to proclaim the gospel and to teach His word.
(2) Eric was faithful in his labour for God.
- He was never known to be slipshod in his labour. His standards were high only because God deserved only the best. He had never been heard to complain about the burden of his work but was always happy and ready to serve. Right up to the time he fell sick, he was still preaching and teaching;
- He was faithful to his family and friends;
- On 1 January 2007, he said to me and my wife that he had been preaching his faith all his life and now he had to live out that faith: whether it is better to be with the Lord or to remain on earth;
- He kept his faith right to the end: 2 Tim 4:7.
3. Reward from God
(1) Though crowns of righteousness are promised to believers, there would be no greater honour than to be commended by the Lord Himself.
(2) The Lord, however, has promised his servant a double reward for faithfulness.
- “I will put you in charge of many things”.
The Bible teaches us that in heaven God has more work for the saints to do. Eric with his boundless energy could not be “resting” at all!
After the resurrection of believers, there will be opportunities to rule and reign with Christ on earth and on into His eternal kingdom;
- “Come and share your master’s happiness”.
Eric, on the promise of God, is now in heaven enjoying the Lord’s
happiness!
Scripture often talks about enjoying the presence of God in feasts.
Mt 22:1-14 compares the Kingdom of heaven to a feast.
Ps. 23:5-6 adds that the believer will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
4. Eric’s Legacy
We have all lost a dear and loving father and grandfather, a good friend and a good worker.
- However, much as we would like to remember Eric, his gifts and his faithful labour, he would not want us to dwell in the past;
- Eric’s home-calling marks the end of an era for the Brethren Assemblies: he was the last of the foreign missionaries serving in Malaysia.
- A new era has now begun. We would do him proud if we build on his legacy and move on for the Lord’s glory.
Jos 1:2 “ Moses, my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give them...”
Jos 1:6 “Be strong and courageous...”
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