Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

God Comes to Us

The prophet Isaiah records these remarkable words from the Lord:

My Word…shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose.¹

The Apostle Paul writes:

Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.²

Those two passages teach one of the greatest comforts a Christian can ever know. Faith is not something we manufacture. Faith is God’s gift. He comes to us through His Word and through His Sacraments, giving forgiveness, life, and salvation through Jesus Christ.

That is why we are here today.

Remembering Duane

Today we remember Duane Teska. Many of you knew him as Coach. Others knew him as Mr. Teska, a fellow teacher, a veteran, a golfing partner, a fisherman, a husband, a father, or a friend.

Reading through an interview after his retirement, something struck me. For all the championships, the recognition he received, two players going to the NFL, he talked very little about trophies. He talked about the young people he had the privilege to coach. That tells you something about the kind of man he was.

F or decades he stood on football fields, in gymnasiums, and in classrooms, encouraging young people to keep going, to not give up or quite. A good coach knows a game is rarely won in the first quarter. Character grows through practice. Strength comes through perseverance. Finish the race. Those lessons served many people well.

Coach Teska said, “The lessons learned on the football field carried over into life.” He wanted young people to learn discipline, responsibility, respect, and teamwork because those lessons would serve them long after the final whistle had blown. Football mattered, but the people mattered even more.

Coach also said that his goal through it all was simple: “To have fun.” Those of you who knew him know he enjoyed life. He enjoyed coaching. He enjoyed golf and fishing. He enjoyed people. God gave him those gifts, and he shared that joy with countless others.

Today reminds us of another reality. Eventually every one of us reaches a place where determination and grit is no longer enough. Sin and sin’s effect have there effect. Age catches up with us. Bodies grow tired. Minds fad. Death comes for every son and daughter of Adam.

Many of you have watched this happen on a farm. A dependable old tractor eventually wears out. You can repair it for years. Eventually there comes a day when no repair can make it new again. Our bodies are much the same. Sin has left its mark on every one of us. We watched Duane fad and it was tough to see such a strong man who had encouraged so many be so dragged down by the effect of sin on this world. Yet where strength may fade, God’s faithfulness never does.

God Never Fails

G od says His Word always accomplishes His purpose. When Duane Teska was baptized, At that moment, so long ago, God claimed him as His own child. God united him with Jesus’ death and resurrection. Throughout coach’s life the Lord continued strengthening that faith through His Holy Word and through the Lord’s Supper.

There comes a point in life when we can do very little for ourselves. We can’t earn God’s favor. We can’t hold ourselves in the faith by sheer determination. We cannot overcome death by trying harder. Where we can do nothing, God has already done everything.

The Holy Spirit works through H is Word to create faith, strengthen faith, forgive sins, and keep His people safe until the end. Jesus didn’t wait for Duane to find him any more than He waits for you. Jesus comes for us, to you, to save you. He came looking for Duane. He comes looking for you.

Our Confidence Is Christ

Our confidence today doesn’t rest on Mr. Teska’s strength, grit, or determination. It rests where our real confidence belongs in Jesus.

The eternal Son of God entered our messed up world. He carried every one of our messes, missteps and mistakes to the cross. There He paid the debt for everyone of them. A debt we could never repay. Then He said the three most powerful words ever spoken in all of Creation, “It is finished.”

T hree days later He walked out of His tomb victorious over sin, death, grave and Satan. The moment He did that Death no longer had the final word. So who does? Jesus does. Because He lives, everyone who believes in Him will live also.³

Sin got the best of Mr. Teska, but sin doesn’t win. Death is defeated. The real thrill of victory is won with Jesus. Today Duane rests safely with his Savior while awaiting the resurrection of the body.⁴ On the Last Day Christ will raise His people to everlasting life. God has promised it.⁵ God has spoken.⁶ God cannot lie.⁷ Jesus wins. That win He shares with us.

A Word for Us

T he same Savior who faithfully cared for Duane continues caring for His people today. He still comes through His Holy Word. He still comes through Holy Baptism. He still comes through His Holy Supper. He still forgives. He still strengthens. He still saves.

Remain in God’s Word. Receive His gifts. Trust His promises. The God who carried Duane home will also hold you and everyone who trusts in Him.

May our gracious God keep each one of us steadfast in that saving faith until the day we stand together before His throne in the resurrection of all flesh.

In the name of Jesus.

Amen.