Pastor's Note: Please use this as you see fit. The original idea for this service came from Pastor J. David Hoke at http://www.horizonsnet.org/sermons/sermons.html It has been changed and adapted many times since then.
Memorial Service
For
Fedele “Freddie” Dittamo
March 28, 2000
Opening Scripture: Psalm 150
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise
God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
We gather here today to honor the memory and celebrate and remember the life of Mr. Fedele V. Dittamo. Mr. Dittamo, Fred or Freddie to his friends, was a man who embodied the verses I have just read. Music was his life, and for many years he dedicated that life to serving his God. We also gather to comfort those of his family by our words and by our presence. And finally, we are here to hear what God would say to us through His word about the realities of life, death, and eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ.
You are all here today because your lives were touched in some way by the life of Fred Dittamo. You are family, or friends. You could share, if you were standing where I stand, the many things that Fred meant to you and the many ways he touched your life. Memories like those will continue to live on in your hearts — and those memories are very precious, and to be highly valued. Their worth is far more valuable than words can describe. And each of you gives testimony of how highly you thought of Fred Dittamo by your presence here today.
We may have hope this morning because of promises made in God’s Word.
John 14:1-3 says, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye 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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (KJV)
Listen to other words of Scripture that the Word of God may be a comfort in this time of need.
The Holy Bible, King James Version
Psalm 100:1 through Psalm 100:5 (KJV)
1 Make
a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Now, this may be an odd choice of scripture for a memorial service, but over the past few years I’ve gotten to know Fred pretty good. As each of you know, Fred liked to talk, and one thing he liked to talk about was how he thought we ought to worship. You see, Fred said that we didn’t do it right! He said to me one day we spend too much time whining about what we don’t have, and not nearly enough thanking God for what He has given us!
Psalm 46:1-5
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. (KJV)
Isaiah 41:10, 13
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. . . . For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. (KJV)
You have Psalm 23 printed in your memorial folder, but I’d like to read to you a different interpretation of it, one that I hope will allow you to find comfort.
Yahweh, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of Yahweh for the rest of my life.
Psalm 23 in Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: Psalms (NavPress, 1994)
2 Corinthians 4:16-15:8
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Message:
As we gather here today, we are reminded of the realities of life and death.
We understand, firstly, that life is generous to some people.
Fred was 87 years old at the time of his passing. Many are not given even that much time. We can be thankful that he lived a good and full life. We can be thankful that he had the opportunity to impact your lives as he did. He had the opportunity to live, and knowing Fred Dittamo has enriched your lives.
We are also reminded that life is limited for all people. Mr. Dittamo had the pleasure of living a long life, but even for a man such as he death inevitably came to call. We cannot escape death, only postpone it.
But death is just a transition. Although the body ceases to function, the spirit lives on. Death, according to the Bible, is a change of status. That which perishes is exchanged for that which is imperishable. Death ushers us into the presence of the living God. Death brings us into eternity.
All of us must face death sometime. Hebrews 9:27 says, ". . . man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." In light of this, we should all take great care to live in such a way that when it comes our time to die, we are ready to face God.
You see, death is not death if you know the Lord.
Death is not death, if it kills no part of us, except that which hindered us from perfect life.
Death is not death, if it raises us in a moment from darkness into light, from weakness into strength, from sinfulness into holiness.
Death is not death, if it perfects our faith by sight, and let’s us behold Him in whom we have believed.
Death is not death, if it rids us of doubt and fear, of sickness and disease, of sorrow and sadness.
Death is not death, if it gives us to those whom we have loved and lost, for whom we have lived, for whom we long to live again.
Death is not death; for Christ has conquered death, for Himself, and for those who trust in Him.
And Fred Dittamo knew the Lord! I don’t often feel such a strong sense of confidence when I utter those words about someone, but anyone who knew Fred knew he was one of the Lord’s. I’m convinced beyond any doubt that today Fred is walking those streets of gold. He may even be sitting in on a rehearsal of that Gloryland Band!
What do those words mean for you, for us? They are words of encouragement. Can you own them for yourself?
They teach us that for those of us who know Christ as our life, to die is to gain.
WE GAIN A BETTER BODY - It will be a glorified, immortal, resurrection body. In this life we experience aging, pain, sickness, and ultimately death. Those are the things which accompany this house of dust. But as we pass through death into glory, we gain one that does not grow old, know disease, suffer pain, and can never die. Here on this earth we are trapped in a body that age takes a toll on. A body that doesn’t have the energy and vigor it once did. We become limited by our vision, and tire easily. But in death, I have no doubt, we have the opportunity to run around those streets of gold with two perfectly good legs, and a spring in our step, gazing upon the glory of the Lord.
WE GAIN A BETTER HOME - Whatever we may have in this life cannot compare with the home which Jesus is preparing for us. He said He was going to prepare a place for us so that we could be with Him. We can’t even imagine the glorious home which awaits us.
WE GAIN A BETTER INHERITANCE - Our final reward is not here, in this life, but is in heaven. "Well done thou good and faithful servant . . . . . enter into the joy of thy Lord."
WE GAIN A BETTER FELLOWSHIP - In this world we live in a dissolving family circle. Husband is gone, or wife is gone, or Father, or Mother is gone, or Grandparents, or friend. But in heaven we will enjoy a reunion with those who wait to greet us there. But best of all, we shall enjoy fellowship with Jesus Christ; we shall see Him face to face. IF FOR YOU TO LIVE IS CHRIST, THEN TO DIE IS GAIN
But if for you to live is money, to die is a loss. But if for you to live is pleasure, to die is a loss. But if for you to live is self, to die is a loss. But if for you to live is ambition, to die is a loss. But if for you to live is sin, to die is a loss. But if for you to live is this world, to die is a loss.
But if for you to live is CHRIST, then to die is gain, great gain!
This is what we can place our hope in for our brother Fred Dittamo. We do not mourn as those who have no hope. We are saddened by his absence. But we are gladdened to know that there is a place where all the tears are wiped from every eye, where there is no sickness or pain, but only joy forevermore.
The reality of death is that we all die. And death puts us face to face with God. This we cannot change. But we can do something about eternity. If we do not commit our life to Christ to serve Him, then to die is an eternal loss. The realities of heaven and hell confront us as we consider death. But the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that we can be forgiven for our sins and enjoy God’s presence forever. We do not have to fear death, for death is not death if it transports us to eternal life. It was necessary for Lloyd to go home because of what we find in I Corinthians 15:50-58:
(1 Cor 15:50-58 KJV) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. {51} Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, {52} In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. {53} For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. {54} So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. {55} O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? {56} The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. {57} But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. {58} Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
7 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Graveside:
Once again Death has invaded our ranks, and has taken from us our beloved brother Mr. Fedele “Freddie” Dittamo, his soul has departed to dwell in the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns. Once again, it has become our solemn duty to bid him farewell. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, and it is our inspiring privilege to commend his soul to our Maker, Father, and Redeemer, in the confident hope of the coming again of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the body from the grave, and the joyous life reserved for the children of light in the realms of glory.
©2000 Claim The Victory Ministries
South Peninsula Baptist Church
Daytona Beach, FL