10/31/97 ...........Funeral for a believer in Christ........... John 11

by Ronald E. George Jr.

(Explain Pastoral relationship to the deceased. Share any knowledge of conversion experience and allow family members to share any first hand knowledge of the loved ones life that they wish to. Do not try to make up things or share second hand information unless specifically requested and written down by the family. Give them the Hope of Jesus Christ without preaching the loved into heaven. Only the Lord can declare one righteous or unrighteous.)

An old saint of the Lord by the name of Ode Coombs told me on the day that he went to see the Lord that "each of us preach our own funeral by the life we have lived. " When all of life is over and our work on earth is done will we be there?

Psal 23:1 (KJS) A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

A famous actor was once the guest of honor at a social gathering where he received many requests to recite favorite excerpts from various literary works. An old preacher who happened to be there asked the actor to recite the twenty-third Psalm. The actor agreed on the condition that the preacher would also recite it. The actor's recitation was beautifully intoned with great dramatic emphasis for which he received lengthy applause. The preacher's voice was rough and broken from many years of preaching, and his diction was anything but polished. But when he finished there was not a dry eye in the room. When someone asked the actor what made the difference, he replied "I know the psalm, but he knows the Shepherd."

Do you know the Shepherd? Job said "naked came I into the world and naked shall I return." There is only one thing that makes the difference in people. The difference is the relationship with the shepherd.

Mary and Martha of Bethany had experienced a death in their family. Their brother Lazarus had died of sickness. Although they sent for Jesus, their brother had died anyway. Jesus comes into our lives to give hope to the hopeless. Without Jesus there is no hope for anyone in this life who knows that one day we must all face this final enemy called Death.

John 11:23 (KJS) Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Death is a separation… Resurrection is a reunion.

Death is a result of Sin … New life is the gift of Christ. He died for us.

Death is a graduation… the beginning of a new life in heaven with Jesus.

Death is a fact of living… Everyone must die.

Heb. 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Death is not to be feared… for those who know Jesus He is the Resurrection and the life.

Our friend and loved one was prepared for his appointment with death. Will you be? Are you ready to go to meet our friend in the air with the Lord.

John 11:35 says, "Jesus Wept." He cares for you who are grieving. That is why he has come here today. He wants you to know him and trust him with your life. Without the hope of the resurrection in this life we have no hope. Jesus rose from the dead to become the first fruits (the first one) of the resurrection. Will you rise again? Our friend had trusted Christ as his Lord. Will you?