How Faith Faces Death

Background: This man was the father of one of our church members. He belonged to the Church of Christ, and I preached this message in a Church of Christ church.

We have reflected on the life of Jim Smith and sought to honor his life and his memory. If his life brings to mind many pleasant thoughts, his death also confronts us with some harsh realities. Faith is needed in all the circumstances in life, but it is never needed more than in the face of death. In the few moments that we have, I would like to remind you of four truths from the Word of God which describe the relationship of faith and death. These truths are the source of true comfort, hope, and joy, in the face of death. They are truths which are offered to all men, but which are experienced only by those who have come to faith in Jesus Christ.

1. Faith Faces Death Squarely

Hebrews chapter 11 has often been referred to as the "Hall of Faith". It is a summary of the faith of many of the characters described in the Old Testament. While we find the word "faith" frequently in chapter 11, there is another word (or concept) which is found alongside of faith--it is death. While every one of these members of the "Hall of Faith" had faith, every one of them died without receiving the promises which they believed and acted upon in their lives. We see, then, that biblical faith is that faith which faces death squarely, indeed, which looks beyond death. If men can say, "Where there's life, there's hope", the man or woman of faith can say, "Where there is death, there is hope", for faith is the basis for hope beyond death.

2. Faith Takes Death Seriously

Faith does not deal with death by minimizing it, it deals with sin as a most serious matter. It is, without trying to be humorous, a grave matter. Death is serious because it is the penalty which God has pronounced on sin. Death is serious because it is a certainty for all men. Death is to be taken seriously because, as God says, "It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). Death is an irreversible step into eternity, an eternity which is one of eternal bliss in the presence of God, or of eternal agony, removed from the presence of God (cf. Luke 16:19-31; 2 Thessalonians 1:9).

The seriousness of death is indicated by our Lord's response to it. One of the few times that we are told the Lord Jesus wept was at the grave of Lazarus, a man whom He was shortly to call forth from the grave. Jesus took His own death seriously as well, as can be seen from His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Death must be taken seriously, for it is the unavoidable consequence of sin.

3. Faith Enables the Christian to be Comforted, even to Worship God, When a Loved One Has Died

In the first chapter of the Book of Job, we are told of the tragic death of Job's children (Job 1:18-22). Job was a man of faith. He did not merely accept the news of his children's death, he fell to the ground in worship. What was it that enabled Job to worship, when all of his children died tragically, and (from a human point of view) prematurely? Job's faith was evidenced in three ways. Job had faith in the power of God. Job believed in God's sovereignty, in the fact that God was in control. Thus, he did not view the death of his children as a natural disaster (though, in a sense, it was), but as an act of God. He said, "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (1:20). Job knew that his children were not his, ultimately, but God's. He knew that just as God had given his children life, God had also taken it away. To Job, it was not "their time", it was "God's time". God was in control, specifically in the manner and timing of the death of his family. Thus, Job could worship.

But further, Job had faith not only in the power of God (in His sovereignty, in His control), but in His person. Job's faith was rooted in the character of God. God was both powerful and good. Job, we are told, "did not sin nor did he blame God" (1:22). He did not see God as being in any way "at fault", as doing wrong in the death of His children. He was a God whom Job trusted. Thus he worshipped him, even in this time of tragedy.

There is one final dimension to Job's faith, as I understand this text. It is that Job was willing to trust God in the death of his children, even though he did not understand it. Job knew that God was good, and that God had taken his children in death. Job did not know why. And it would seem that his faith was such that he did not need to know why, at least not then. Time will sometimes reveal those reasons, but it is often only in eternity that they will be known. Faith finds comfort in the power, in the goodness, and in the purposes of God, even though we do not understand them at the moment.

As we face the loss of Jim Smith, there are many questions to ask, there are many things we do not, at this moment in time, understand. But if we, by faith, have come to know God as our Savior, then we do know that He is in control, that He is good, and that His wisdom and grace in Mr. Smith's death will someday be evident.

4. Faith Views Death Through the Person and Work of Jesus Christ

Part of the reason why death is so difficult for men is because they fear death. The writer to the Hebrews speaks of the incarnation and death of Jesus Christ was in order that He "might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives" (Hebrews 2:15). Men rightly fear death, apart from Christ. It is a just and certain punishment, and it is the entrance into a life of separation from God, for all sinners. Thus, men who do not have faith in God fear death. They dread it. They live their lives in the bondage of this fear of death.

Christians no longer fear death because of their faith in Jesus Christ. He came to die in the sinner's place, to bear the penalty of death. He not only suffered God's wrath, He was raised from the dead, so that death no longer reigns over the Christian. Death is a defeated foe. Death holds no fear for those who have faith in Christ. Paul looked at death as a deliverance, as a promotion (Philippians 1:19-26). These triumphant words of the apostle Paul, recorded in the 8th chapter of the Book of Romans, reveal faith's perspective of death:

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who intercedes for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31-39).

Closing Prayer

Lord, I thank you for the life of Jim Smith. And I pray that through faith in Jesus Christ, each of us may worship you in his death. May we rejoice in your goodness and power, and in your plans which are beyond our ability to understand this side of heaven. May each one here, through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, experience the joy of being delivered from the fear of death, to the anticipation of death as the entrance into His presence forever more. May your comfort and joy be experienced by those who are here today, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died that sin and death might no longer reign. We look forward to the day when death itself shall be cast into the lake of fire for all eternity. In Jesus' name, amen.

How Old Testament Saints Faced Death

Background: Death of a believer.

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; 30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, "For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:28-39).

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? 35 Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen (Romans 11:33-36).

As we have sought to honor the memory of Sue Smith, so also we wish to focus on her faith, a faith which some of you share, and which I know she desired all of you to share with her. The texts which I have read from the Bible come from the Book of Romans. Sue's favorite text comes from the 8th chapter of Romans, and the second passage which I have read comes from the 11th chapter of this same epistle. Both texts speak of what preachers refer to as the sovereignty of God. Basically, the doctrine of the sovereignty of God maintains that God is in complete control. It is only a God who is in control who can "cause all things to work together for good" (Romans 8:28), and of whom it can be said, "all things are from Him and through Him and to Him" (Romans 11:36).

This truth gave Sue great comfort, and it is a truth which can give you great comfort here and now, as you come to grips not only with Sue's death, but with the inevitability of your own death, whether that be sooner or later.

For just a few moments, I would like to focus your attention on three men in the Bible, all of whom lived in Old Testament times, and all of whom are said to have worshiped God in the face of death.

Job, we are told, worshiped God at the time of the tragic death of his children.

20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." 22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God (Job 1:20-22).

Jacob worshiped God at the time of his own death:

By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff (Hebrews 11:21).

David worshiped God at the time of the death of his son, a son who was born as a result of David's immorality, and who died as a result of his immorality:

18 Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, "Behold, while the child was still alive, we spoke to him and he did not listen to our voice. How then can we tell him that the child is dead, since he might do himself harm!" 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; so David said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" And they said, "He is dead." 20 So David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he came into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he came to his own house, and when he requested, they set food before him and he ate (2 Samuel 12:18-20).

I would like to point out that each of these men worshiped God in the face of death, and I would like to suggest that in each case, the sovereignty of God was a significant factor in their worship.

Job was a righteous man, whom God chose as an example of faithfulness to point out to Satan. By divine permission, Satan was able to strike Job's family, so that all of his children died from what appeared to be a natural calamity. When word reached Job that all of his children were dead, we are told that he worshiped God, saying,

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Job was able to worship after hearing that all of his children had perished in a tornado (a wind storm), because he was assured of the truth of the sovereignty of God. He knew that it was a sovereign God who gave life, just as it was the same sovereign God who took it. The sovereignty of God in the death of his loved ones was Job's comfort, because Job knew that the God who is sovereign is also the God who is all--wise and good. Job did not know the reason for the death of his children, but He did know God, and that was enough. Those of us who believe in the sovereignty of God can say, with Job, regarding Sue's death: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Jacob was not a model for all to imitate or emulate, as those who have studied his life well know. Jacob was a deceiver and a manipulator. All of his life he was trying to get ahead at the expense of someone else. He deceived his brother and his father, and he sought to out maneuver his uncle, Laban. Most of what Jacob did in his life would not be what we would wish to teach our children. When the writer to the Hebrews seeks to find an incident in Jacob's life which evidences faith, he calls our attention to the actions and words of this patriarch at the time of his death. It was as he was dying, leaning upon his staff, that he worshiped God, blessing the two sons of Joseph. If you remember the story, we are told by Moses in Genesis chapter 48 (verses 8-22) that Jacob purposely gave the greater blessing to the younger son of Joseph, rather than to the older son. When Joseph first saw what his father was doing, he was irritated and tried to correct his father. But Jacob knew exactly what he was doing. He was acknowledging the sovereignty of God. He was, at the hour of his death, finally coming to grips with the sovereignty of God. All of his life Jacob had tried to manipulate God, and his life was filled with heartache and his life with trouble because of it. But in the end Jacob not only acknowledged the sovereignty of God, he submitted to it, worshiping God. It seems that only on his death bed did Jacob come to grasp the hand of the sovereign God through all of the events of his life. And when he did, he worshiped the God as sovereign. Those of us who trust in God as a sovereign God, can find comfort in the fact that all of the events of Sue's life and death, were a part of his plan, a plan which is certain to bring about her good, and our own, while at the same time bringing glory to God.

David was a man who worshiped God at the time of the death of his son, as we are told in 2 Samuel chapter 12. David had sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba, and then committed murder to cover up his sin when he learned she had become pregnant by him. When the son of David and Bathsheba was born he became ill. David fasted and lay on the ground, petitioning God to restore the child to health. When the child died, his servants were afraid to tell him, fearing that he would become despondent. David sensed that the child had died and inquired of his servants. When he learned that the child had died, David washed his face, changed his clothes, and went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. His servants asked him how this could be. His response is instructive to us.

David hoped that God would spare that child from death, but his hope and comfort was not destroyed by the death of the child. Why not? Because, David tells us, he was assured that both he and the child would be together once again. David believed that he and the child would be together in heaven. The God who is sovereign, who could spare that child from death, is also the God who is able to turn sorrow to joy, and death to life. David expected to see the child in heaven because He knew that the God who is sovereign is also the God who forgives sin. The child died because of David's sin, but he was not doomed to eternal torment. Through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the salvation of infants is secured. David knew God would provide a way for this infant to be saved, a fact which should bring great comfort to those of us who agonize over the murder of innocent children by a mad bomber in Oklahoma City. And through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the conscious and willful sins of adults can be forgiven as well. That is why David, an adulterer and a murderer, could be assured of being with that son in heaven.

What a comfort it is for Christians to come to this funeral, knowing that Sue was a Christian, and that she is forever with her Lord. What a comfort it is for us to know that before we were even created, God had numbered our days (Psalm 139:13-16). And what a comfort it is for Christians to be assured that when we die, we will be with Him as well, not because we deserve it, but because the God who is Sovereign is also the God who is forgiving. He who has purposed to save us is the One who will bring that good work to completion (Philippians 1:6). He who has chosen us, is He who can keep us, so that no one can snatch us from His saving hand (John 10:27-30).

There can be no real comfort for those who face death apart from faith in Jesus Christ. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that unbelievers dread death, as they well should. But the good news is that no one needs to dread death, because God has defeated death in the person of Jesus Christ:

14 Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He [Jesus Christ] Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:14-18).

The Bible declares all men to be sinners, deserving of the eternal wrath of God. We have rejected His Word and have broken His commandment. All have sinned (Romans 3:23), and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). God knew that we could never save ourselves. We can not earn or merit salvation. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to come to the earth to reveal Himself to us, and to bear our sins and their penalty on the cross of Calvary. Jesus overcame death and the grave, because God raised Him from the dead. The good news of the gospel is that although we are sinners, deserving of God's eternal wrath, we may be saved by simply trusting in Jesus Christ, and receiving the salvation which God has accomplished for us through His death, burial, and resurrection. This was the good news which was shared with Sue in 1974, and which she received. The same good news is for each of those gathered here today. The God who is sovereign, before whom every knee will someday bow, is the God who has provided forgiveness for sins and the certainty of eternal life, as you receive the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. This is our hope and our joy and Christians. This is why we can worship God even in the face of death. The death of Sue Smith will work together for good, for those who love God, and it may be that God will cause her death to work for your good by drawing you to Himself, by faith.

Graveside
Luke 16

There are certain texts which are traditionally read at the graveside, but I would like to read a text that is not often used as the body is committed to the ground. It is recorded in the 16th chapter of the Gospel of Luke:

19 "Now there was a certain rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every day. 20 "And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, 21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. 22 "Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. 23 "And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 "And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame'" (Luke 16:19-24).

As you know, the story goes on, and the rich man receives no comfort or privileges, but only eternal torment. The point which I wish to make from this text has to do with the dramatic contrast which our Lord makes in this story between appearances and reality. To some, the rich man appeared to be right with God, and assured of a place in heaven. His funeral must have been extravagant, in contrast with that of Lazarus. And yet while this man's body went into the ground, his eternal soul went into torment.

The poor man, Lazarus, did not look like a true saint. His clothing was ragged. He ate scraps from the rich man's garbage. The dogs licked his sores. His death and burial were surely ugly. In fact, he may not have had a funeral at all. His body may have been cast onto the garbage heap. But in spite of all the appearances to the contrary, we are told something which no one saw, but which we are to believe as true. When Lazarus died, "he was carried away to Abraham's bosom" (Luke 16:22a). Sue's death was probably more like that of Lazarus. It was not a pretty sight. But what we should find comfort in as we place her body in the ground is that her soul has already been escorted into the presence of God by the angels. This body, which we commit to the ground, is going to be raised up, transformed, and joined once again to her spirit.

We who are Christian should look at the burial of this earthly body as Paul instructs us in 1 Corinthians chapter 15--as the planting of a seed. Sue's body will be raised, but it will not be a body like the one we leave here today. We should gladly set this body aside, looking forward to that day when our bodies will be transformed, like the body of our Lord. What a comfort! What hope! May this comfort and hope be yours as you trust in Jesus Christ.

Our Hope: The Character of God (Psalm 130)

Background: This is the service I performed for an older church member, who died of emphysema as a believer. The message is based upon Psalm 130, this woman's favorite psalm. Note the graveside service, too. This woman's death was an ugly one, and I wanted to emphasize the reality of the Christian's passing as opposed to mere appearances.

About two years ago it was apparent that apart from a miracle Sara would not have a great deal of time left on this earth, and so she and her husband and I sat at their kitchen table, discussing the arrangements for her funeral. Sara expressed not only the hymns which she wanted to be a part of her funeral, but also the texts which have been read. She did not avoid the reality of her own death, and in the last days which I spent with her, I read to her from texts of Scripture speaking of the Christian's hope.

It was Sara's request that I conduct her funeral. In these last few moments, I would like to share with you the faith which Sara professed, which not only gave her comfort, but which can be of comfort to you as well. Sara's favorite text in Scripture was Psalm 130. I have chosen to use this text as the basis for the message today, because it not only expresses Sara's faith and hope in God, but also her desire that you experience the salvation in which she delighted and found both comfort and hope.

(A Song of Ascents) Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O LORD. 2 Lord, hear my voice! Let Thine ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications. 3 If Thou, LORD, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with Thee, That Thou mayest be feared. 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope. 6 My soul [waits] for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. 7 O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption. 8 And He will redeem Israel From all his iniquities (Psalms 130:1-8).

This Psalm was Sara's favorite text, and no wonder. It draws upon the great doctrines of the faith. It expresses her hope and faith as a believer, as well as her desire for each of you.

Verses 1-2 "Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O LORD. 2 Lord, hear my voice! Let Thine ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications."

(1) The believer comes to the Lord from the depths. He calls upon the Lord as his last and only hope. As the final days of Sara's earthly struggle drew to a close, this psalm must have been of greater and greater comfort.

Verse 3 "If Thou, LORD, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?"

(2) While some of the psalmist's despair must have come from external trials and difficulties, the great despair is his awareness of his own sin. As the psalmist falls before God, he does so as an unworthy sinner, before a righteous and holy God, who is without sin, and whose character requires that sin be dealt with in holiness. There is no self-righteousness here. The psalmist knows that if dealt with according to his works, he could not stand before God.

Verse 4 "But there is forgiveness with Thee, That Thou mayest be feared."

The psalmist's hope is not in his good works of the past, or any future deeds he might do. His hope is in the character of God. He confesses to God that He is not only holy, He is forgiving. He grants forgiveness so that men might fear and worship Him.

Verses 5-6 "I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope. 6 My soul [waits] for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning."

Verses 5 and 6 are the psalmist's personal testimony. The forgiveness which God grants is present. The full and final salvation for which the psalmist hopes is yet future. And so he describes God as the One for whom He waits. And until the time of His coming, the psalmist knows that his hope is rooted in His revealed Word. The Word of God is the source of his hope. Verse 6 expresses the yearning which the saint has for the coming of the Lord and the final salvation He will bring.

Verses 7-8 "O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption. 8 And He will redeem Israel From all his iniquities."

Verses 7 and 8 are the psalmist's appeal to his fellow-Israelites, to share in the salvation of the Lord. He does not assume that because they are Jews, they are necessarily saints. They, too, are sinners, in need of divine forgiveness. They, like the psalmist, must acknowledge their sin, and trust in God, and in the salvation He alone can give.

What a beautiful expression of Sara's faith. What a comfort to know that she has now entered into the blessings of eternity, that she has left behind earthly suffering and sorrows, and is in the presence of her Lord.

Her desire was and is that you should share these blessings with her. The forgiveness of sins for which the psalmist looked forward has now been accomplished by the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The New Testament counterpart to Psalm 130 might be found in Romans chapter 5:

1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath [of God] through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation (Romans 5:1-11).

Jesus Christ came into the world nearly 2,000 years ago to provide for man's salvation. He was sinless, but He came to die in the sinner's place. Those who trust in Him by faith have their sins forgiven by Jesus Christ, who bore the penalty they deserved. And those who trust in Him have His righteousness, so that they can stand before God justified, forgiven, and righteous, in Christ. This was Sara's hope. It is not the hope of all, but only of those who, like Sara, have trusted in Him. I pray that you make give thought to the words of Psalm 130 and that you might trust in the salvation which God provided through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is then that you will be able to share the hope of this psalm, and have confidence in the face of death.

Closing Prayer

Graveside Service

1 And it came about when the LORD was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2 And Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here please, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel. 3 Then the sons of the prophets who [were at] Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?" And he said, "Yes, I know; be still." 4 And Elijah said to him, "Elisha, please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho. 5 And the sons of the prophets who [were] at Jericho approached Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?" And he answered, "Yes, I know; be still." 6 Then Elijah said to him, "Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." And he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on. 7 Now fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood opposite[them] at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. 8 And Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 9 Now it came about when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." 10 And he said, "You have asked a hard thing. [Nevertheless,] if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be [so.]" 11 Then it came about as they were going along and talking, that behold, [there appeared] a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. 12 And Elisha saw [it] and cried out, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. 13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and struck the waters and said, "Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over (2 Kings 2:1-14).

8 Now the king of Aram was warring against Israel; and he counseled with his servants saying, "In such and such a place shall be my camp." 9 And the man of God sent [word] to the king of Israel saying, "Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Arameans are coming down there." 10 And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God had told him; thus he warned him, so that he guarded himself there, more than once or twice. 11 Now the heart of the king of Aram was enraged over this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, "Will you tell me which of us is for the king of Israel?" 12 And one of his servants said, "No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom." 13 So he said, "Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him." And it was told him, saying," Behold, he is in Dothan." 14 And he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" 16 So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, "Strike this people with blindness, I pray." So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. 19 Then Elisha said to them, "This is not the way, nor is this the city; follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek." And he brought them to Samaria. 20 And it came about when they had come into Samaria, that Elisha said, "O LORD, open the eyes of these [men,] that they may see." So the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 21 Then the king of Israel when he saw them, said to Elisha, "My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?" 22 And he answered, "You shall not kill [them.] Would you kill those you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master." 23 So he prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel (2 Kings 6:8-23).

When we think of Sara Smith, we will unfortunately tend to think of her as she was in the last months and days of her life. We will remember her with her oxygen hose trailing behind her, wherever she went. We will think of her as she lay in her bed, struggling for each breath. We will think of her in terms of her last moments of life. And if we do so, we fail to grasp the full reality of the glory of her exodus, and of ours, if we trust in Jesus Christ for salvation.

These two stories, recorded in the Book of 2 Kings, challenge us to look on Sara's passing of the believer from here to eternity as the Bible describes it. Elijah's time of departure had come, and Elisha was appointed to replace him. Elisha determined that he would not leave Elijah until the Lord took him away. Elisha alone watched as the horses and chariot of fire transported him into heaven. Some time later, Elisha was surrounded by horses and chariots, sent by the king of Aram, to capture and perhaps to kill Elisha, because this prophet was making his plans known to the king of Israel. It looked as though his situation was hopeless. His servant certainly thought so. But Elisha knew that the spiritual life has to do with the unseen as well as the seen. He prayed that his servant's eyes would be opened, and that he would be able to see things as they really were. And when his eyes were opened, he saw the horses and chariots of fire surrounding them. Nothing could harm them when God's angelic army was assembled for their defense.

The very angels which are assembled about us for our protection in this world seem to be those angels which transport us into heaven when it is time for us to depart from this life. God promised never to leave us nor forsake us. His angels guard us now, so that we are not taken from life one second sooner than God has purposed. And when that time of departure does come, His angels are there to escort us into heaven.

You may think that such treatment is only for those special, spiritual people like Elijah and Elisha. I do not think so. I simply remind you of our Lord's own words, in which he tells of the angelic escort of a poor beggar named Lazarus:

I believe that when Sara's spirit departed from her body, she was escorted into the presence of the Lord in the same way. While appearances would indicate otherwise, her departure was a glorious one. As we leave her body in this grave, to be resurrected and transformed at the return of our Lord, let us rejoice in the fact that her suffering is over, and her departure was triumphant. May we look forward to our day of triumph as well, as those who trust in Him who not only gave His life for us, but Who was raised from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father.

Related Topics: Theology Proper (God), Funerals, Comfort

The Goodness of God in Grief and Death

Background: Death of an older man who had trusted in Christ.

Eulogy and Scripture Reading

For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done (Matt, 16:26- 27). If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:8-9). For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23), and the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 6:23).

God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). By grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God--not because of works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8-9). Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes Him who sent me, has eternal life; he will not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life (John 5:24).

Prayer

In the Book of Proverbs we read: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children”(13:22).

One of the purposes of this service is to remember the heritage which Alan Smith has left behind. The goodness of a man as a husband and a father will always be remembered by those he has left behind in death. His goodness is also the cause of great sorrow at the time of his death, for now only the memories remain.

This service also provides us with the occasion to reflect on the goodness of God. At a time of personal sorrow and grief, thoughts of the goodness of God may be doubted by some. After all, we may reason, how is it that a God who is good can allow a good man to die and his family to be deprived of his presence in life? The character of God thus seems to be challenged by the fact of sickness, suffering, and death.

The matter of the goodness of God is of even greater urgency, for not only is the character of God at stake, so also is our hope of eternal life. The Bible is very clear that no man by his own good deeds can merit the forgiveness of sins and God's gift of eternal life. The Bible teaches us that it is only through the goodness of God that any man can hope for heaven.

How, then, can we see the goodness of God in the grief of death?

The Goodness of God is Revealed in Death as the Response of His Righteousness to Evil

When God created Adam and Eve, He placed them in a garden and gave them freedom to eat freely of every tree, save one--the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God warned them that to disobey would result in death--and so it did.

When you and I see what is clearly evil, we expect it to be punished. When an innocent victim is robbed or killed, we expect the guilty to be punished. For government to fail to punish the guilty would be intolerable--indeed, it would be evil. So, too, the goodness of God is to be seen in the fact that He has prescribed death as the punishment for sin.

The Goodness of God is Revealed by the Fact that Death is not only the Consequence of Sin, but can also be its Cure.

1. Death prevented Adam and Eve from living forever in their sinful condition and under the curse of God.

Remember that because of their sin, both Adam and Eve had to live under God's curse. Had God allowed them to live forever, they would have lived as sinners, under a curse. The curse which was pronounced on this couple did not include death. Death was the warning of God which accompanied the command not to eat of the forbidden fruit. God banned Adam and Eve from the garden and guarded it so that they could not eat of the tree of life and life forever, under the curse.

We evidence our agreement that God is good in using death to terminate life which is lived under the curse. While we struggle with the death of those who are healthy and well, we are relieved when one dies whose body has been racked with pain, or whose facilities have been lost due to age or illness.

Death is therefore an evidence of the goodness of God toward those who trust in Him because it terminates living under the curse of sin and its consequences. Death provides men with the opportunity to lay aside the flesh, dominated by sin, and by faith in Christ, to live in the freedom of God's salvation.

2. Death is also the means by which God has dealt with sin and made eternal life possible.

While the death of men terminates life under the curse, it does not make provision for the restoration of man into fellowship with God and the hope of eternal life. Adam's death merely kept him from living forever in a fallen state, it did not offer him the hope of restoration.

The good news of the gospel and the goodness of God are seen in the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, which has made restoration possible for all men. The Bible tells us that due to sin man lives under the curse of God, unable by his own deeds or even his own death to be reconciled with God. But the goodness of God was evidenced in His Son, Jesus Christ, who came to the earth to die in our place, to bear our punishment, and by His death, burial, and resurrection, to make us righteous and to assure us of eternal life.

By what our Lord said and did, we can see that He was the sinless Son of God. By faith in His death, burial, and resurrection our sins are forgiven. Because of His resurrection, those who are in Christ by personal faith are raised to newness of life now, and will be raised to live with Him forever when He returns.

Conclusion

Because of the goodness of Alan Smith, we can look back on the days of his life with deep gratitude and fond memories.

Because of the goodness of God in the person of Christ, we can experience the forgiveness of sins, we need not fear death, and we can look forward to eternal life in the presence of God.

This hope in the face of death is only found by a personal faith in Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that each of you will come to experience this hope as you personally accept the gift of God's salvation through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, who died for your sins and who was raised for your justification.

Related Topics: Theology Proper (God), Funerals

The Joy of Knowing Christ (1 Peter 1:3-8)

Introduction

It's interesting, when there are so many different things you want to say at an occasion like this, that in looking at one of (Name)'s favorite Scripture passages, we find--almost in outline form--the very ideas which I believe should grab our attention.

First Peter 1:3-8 is printed on the inside of your memorial folders. That passage begins and ends so appropriately with a praise to God, and a focus upon the joy of knowing Christ. Between those "brackets" lie three truths which penetrated (Name)'s very being. . . . Three truths which God would have us to rest upon in times like these.

The First Truth

God, in His mercy, has provided for new life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Another passage records Christ's teaching about new birth: John 3.
The key to this first truth is faith in the finished work of Christ.

The Second Truth

Each believer possesses an inheritance which never deteriorates.

The nature of this inheritance is incorruption.
This inheritance includes our new bodies....
The receiving of this inheritance is in heaven.
The receiving of this inheritance includes the fullness of salvation: freedom from not only the penalty, and the power, but also from the presence of sin.
(Name) is now experiencing the joy of his inheritance.
The key to the second truth is also faith in the trustworthiness of a God who has given a pledge of our inheritance by giving the Holy Spirit.

The Third Truth

Trials and difficult times are often a necessary experience in our attempt to glorify Christ.

Trials are often necessary.
Trials have a purpose in God's plan.
(Name) desired to glorify Christ -- through all the struggles life brought. He kept a diary the last months of his life. One entry particularly stuck out as I read it. In the midst of describing his failing condition, and relating some of the hardest days and worst news yet relating to his cancer, he spontaneously recorded this poem, a song he had memorized:

"How good is the God we adore,
Our Faithful, Unchangeable Friend;
Whose Love is as good as His Power,
And knows neither measure nor end.
'Tis Jesus, the First and the Last,
Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home;
We'll praise Him for all that is past,
And trust Him for all that's to come.

That so characterized (Name)'s implicit trust in a God who always was, and is, worthy of our complete trust and confidence.

God WILL call each of us to face various trials. Our only rest now is in the assurance that God will remain faithful, and that when Christ takes us to be with Him, that then we find complete rest.

Second Timothy 4:7-8 speaks of a struggle: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

A little over a year ago, much of the world watched with amazement as Canadian Ben Johnson easily outdistanced Carl Lewis in the 100 meter dash. I will never forget Johnson's look of triumphant disdain and Lewis's look of amazement as they crossed the finish line. Johnson's victory was short lived. The world's admiration soon turned into revulsion as we learned that Johnson had cheated: steroids were the cause of his triumph. His was a hollow victory.

Even though in the eyes of millions of TV viewers he had apparently won, his victory was not final until it had been proven that he had won lawfully. You see, it isn't enough just to win, you must also win according to the rules of competition. Johnson's moment of glory was quickly overshadowed by his treachery and deception. His name has come to symbolize hollow victory. Paul, the apostle, may have had this in mind when he penned Second Timothy 4:7. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." There is some debate about the exact meaning of the last phase, "I have kept the faith." Paul may be saying that he has not diluted or contaminated the pure gospel that he received from the Lord Jesus Christ. But the idea of athletic contest is prominent in verses 7-8. It could be that Paul is thinking of the early Olympic Games. After an event, the judges were consulted to determine if the winner had competed according to the rules. If he hadn't, the prize was awarded to another. In this passage, when Paul writes "I have kept the faith," he may be saying, "I've not cheated. I've followed the rules. I've not been disqualified." His was not a hollow victory.

Today, there are many men in various positions who have been widely admired for what they do and say. But often, theirs is a hollow victory. What they are in public, and what they are in private, differ widely. I think of Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision. He was a serviceman in WW II, and saw the desperate needs of millions around the world. After being discharged from the military, he devoted his life to providing food and aid to the world's starving and homeless -- and in the process lost his wife and family. He spent the last years of his life separated from his wife. His daughter recently wrote a book chronicling her father's obsession with his ministry, and consequent destruction of his family. His was a hollow victory.

A good friend of mine shares one of his memories: that of breakfast one morning in a Denny's restaurant with his father and Merrill Unger, a well-known Bible teacher, seminary professor, scholar, author, and conference speaker. His voice was filled with anguish as he said, "I have lost my son, I have lost my son." All of his achievements paled in comparison with his son's rejection of Christianity. His, too, was a hollow victory.

The fact that (Name) had an effective career in Panama, and in the military, and a great ministry among many, is a great tribute to him. But it would have been a hollow victory if he had sacrificed his marriage on the altar of ministry or career. (Name) experienced years of productive ministry, and a successful career . . . and with the same wife! That is a greater tribute. But even that would have been a hollow victory if he had sacrificed his children on the altar of ministry or career. He didn't! Years of fruitful service with the same wife and with seven children who have married well in the Lord, and who are now endeavoring to serve the same God he served. That is not a hollow victory!

But even that would have been a hollow victory, if, when faced with terminal cancer, (Name) had cursed God, abandoned his trust in God's faithfulness. He didn't.

The Greeks had a unique race in their Olympic games. The winner was not the runner who finished first, but the runner who finished first with his torch still lit. (Name) competed according to the rules, finishing the race not only with a good ministry, but also with a godly marriage, a solid family, and an abiding faith. (Name) finished with his torch lit!

Related Topics: Soteriology (Salvation), Funerals

The Lord is Our Shepherd

SCRIPTURE READING: One of Mrs. Smith's favorite passages of scripture is the text which I have been requested to use for this service:

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over. 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.

By the use of the imagery of a shepherd and his flock of sheep, David describes the care and the comfort which one of God's sheep has in Him. He begins by describing the comfort and care of His Lord for him in life. He sums all of God's care up in one phrase, "I shall not want." There is no good thing that he lacks, for his shepherd cares for all of his needs.

In the agricultural imagery of his day, David describes the ways in which his Shepherd cares for him.

He Leads me besides still waters
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me in paths of righteousness

David's Shepherd does not leave him in death, however, so he goes on to describe the Lord's presence in death. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me."

Passing through death, David says, is like walking through dark shadows. He means to tell us that the experience is not a pleasant one, but that we, if we are one of God's sheep, are to pass through death. He also tells us that the Lord is with us through this passing, so that we are not alone and we need not fear.

WHILE THIS PSALM ASSURES US THAT GOD IS WITH US AS WE PASS THROUGH THE SHADOW OF DEATH, IT DOES NOT TELL US HOW THIS HAPPENS. As I understand it, the death of Mrs. Smith was one that was associated with a hospital and surgery. In our memories we will tend to think of her passing in the context of that hospital bed. I would like to turn your attention to two texts of Scripture which I hope will modify that memory of her death.

2 Kings 6:15-17

In this text in the book of 2 Kings, the king of Syria intended to put Elisha, the prophet of God, to death. He surrounded the place where Elisha and his servant were staying. The servant was stricken with fear. Elisha, however, responded,

"Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then Elisha prayed and said, 'O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.' And the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (2 Ki. 6:15-17).

The lesson is a simple one: What we see is only part of the picture. Elisha's servant saw only the enemy, and they were awesome. But Elisha's prayer enabled this servant to see the larger picture: the unseen host of angels, who were there to protect them from the enemy army which had encircled them.

2 Kings 2:9-12

In this text, Elijah, the prophet of God was about to depart, and Elisha, his servant who was to take his place, knew it, and so he would not leave him. Finally Elijah gave Elisha one last request, to which he responded,

"Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." And he said, "You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so." Then it came about as they were going along and talking, that behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. And Elisha saw it and cried out, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more (2 Ki. 2:9b-12a).

These two passages remind us of a very important truth. There are things going on around us, which are normally not visible to us. In the case of the horsemen and chariots of fire which Elisha's servant was enabled to see, in answer to the prophet's prayer, these were angelic hosts, assigned to protect God's prophet. The servant's fear was based upon his lack of awareness of all that was taking place around him. We are thus all reminded that God's angels are all about us, and that nothing can harm us apart from the permission and will of God.

The chariot and horses of fire which took Elijah into heaven remind us of another fact. While it is not normally visible to us, I believe that the angels are also employed in "escorting" the spirits of those who have died "in the Lord" into God's presence. I know that apart from divine intervention, Mrs. Smith's death was not at all glorious. But I believe that this text assures us that there was much more to be seen, just as was the case with Elisha's servant in chapter 6.

In the light of these events in the life of Elisha and Elijah I believe that we have a glimpse of how God is with one of His children when they die. We may see a hospital scene, with its doctors and nurses desperately trying to save a life. We may see sophisticated equipment and heroic efforts, but let us also consider the unseen things which can be received only by faith. Let us remember that if the Lord is our shepherd, He is with us as we pass through the valley of the shadow of death.

There is only one condition, if this is to be our experience as well, and that is that the Lord is OUR SHEPHERD. HOW CAN WE KNOW THAT HE IS OUR SHEPHERD?

In addition to the figure of a shepherd, the coming Christ was also referred to as a lamb. This is because it was necessary for the Christ to take the place of His people, to bear their punishment, so that they could share in His blessings. Specifically, He would have to die in the place of the sinner, and then to be raised again. Thus, Isaiah the prophet wrote,

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth (Isa. 53:6-7).

In the New Testament, the writers of the gospels therefore speak of the Christ who came to the earth as a babe in the manger as both the "lamb of God" and the "shepherd." When John the Baptist introduced the Lord Jesus he said,

"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).

When Jesus referred to Himself as the "good shepherd" He was identifying Himself as the promised Messiah, the Christ for whom the Old Testament saints looked. Jesus said,

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).

The Lord Jesus did lay down His life. He was nailed to a cross. He was buried in a tomb that was sealed shut and guarded by Roman soldiers, and yet, in spite of this, He rose from the grave, appeared to hundreds, and then ascended to heaven, from which He will return.

Because of this, the apostle Peter could encourage his readers by telling them that the "Chief Shepherd" will someday appear and will reward those who are faithful (1 Pet. 5:4). In the book of Revelation, the apostle John spoke of those who suffer in the great tribulation period, yet to come, saying,

"These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Rev. 7:14b-17).

The only question which remains is this: IS THIS HOPE YOUR HOPE? IS JESUS CHRIST YOUR GREAT SHEPHERD? The faith and confidence in the face of death of which the Bible speaks is not the possession of all, but only of those who have personally trusted in Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that all have sinned, and that the wages of sin is death. Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd laid down His life for the sheep. He died in your place, bearing your punishment, so that your sins might be forgiven and you might live eternally in His presence.

The Raising of Lazarus (John 11)

Background: John was in the process of being recognized as an elder of our church when he died of cancer, still in his 30s. The funeral is from John 11 and the raising of Lazarus.

John Smith died at the age of 38, leaving behind his wife and three children. I think there is a sense in which we can all agree that this is a tragedy. Perhaps you have come expecting a some kind of apology from God, or at least an explanation. If God were not a God of love we would have no need for any explanation. Russia feels no need to explain her act of shooting down a civilian aircraft, but we have learned not to expect that nation to act out of love or compassion. If God were not sovereign, we could explain John's death as something which was not God's will, but was simply beyond His ability to control. But John and Sue's faith is in a God who is both good and great. Their faith, and mine, is that it is God's will to die what would seem to be an untimely death. When John and I talked about this service, I promised him that I would share with you the truth of the Gospel, which was the basis for John's faith and hope.

The portion of Scripture which was read to you from the eleventh chapter of John's Gospel contains a message which is particularly relevant to us today. Lazarus, a dear friend of Jesus, was critically ill. Mary and Martha sent an urgent message to the Savior, expecting that He would immediately come to them and heal Lazarus. John informs us, however, that Jesus responded (it would seem to the messengers who had been sent) that the illness of Lazarus was not unto death, but for the glory of God. Then, instead of hastening to Bethany, Jesus deliberately delayed for two days. The disciples were not surprised and did not seem eager to encourage Jesus to return to Judea, for opposition had become so intense that some of the Jews had attempted to stone Jesus (v. 8). To go back to Bethany, to the disciples, meant almost certain death (v. 16).

John writes in such a way as to highten our interest. He tells us what Mary and Martha did not yet know--that Jesus could have been there much sooner, but that He chose not to, so that Lazarus would die. Jesus could have been there sooner, but chose not to. Jesus could have prevented the death of Lazarus, but did not. Why? That is the question which John intends us to ask. Before we seek to find the answer from this text, let me make three observations which are crucial to our understanding.

(1) The Lord purposed for Lazarus to die.

Let us not attempt to gloss over the clear statement of verse 6 that Jesus deliberately delayed knowing that Lazarus would be dead (v. 14). The Lord could have prevented Lazarus' death and restored him to perfect health, just as Mary and Martha believed (cf. vss. 21, 32). The tragic thing about the death of Lazarus, in addition to the fact that it was untimely, was that Jesus could have prevented it. While many attempt to explain death in such a way as to absolve God of any responsibility, John clearly tells us that Lazarus died because our Lord planned it that way. I wish to be very clear this morning when I say to you that it is the firm conviction of those in this church, including Sue, that John's death was the will of God. John died because it was God's time for him. The God who is sovereign in our salvation is also sovereign in our suffering.

(2) The Lord Jesus loved Lazarus.

When Mary and Martha sent news to our Lord of Lazarus' illness, they said, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick" (v. 3). That was not just their estimation, for in verse 5 we are told that Jesus did love Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. When Jesus arrived at the tomb of Lazarus, He wept (11:33, 35). Those who witnessed the response of the Lord to the grief of Mary and the others remarked, "Behold how He loved him! (11:36). What Jesus did here, he did out of love. We have no doubt that our Lord also loved John Smith and his family. While we may not fully understand how it can be, the death of Lazarus, and John Smith, and other saints, is not inconsistent with His love.

(3) The delay of Jesus and the death of Lazarus was for the glory of God.

Just as some believe that death is inconsistent with God's love, so they also contend that death is contrary to the glory of God. But our Lord told His disciples that the death of Lazarus was the reason for His delay, so that God might be glorified as He was glorified (v. 4). Do you notice that John made no attempt to apologize for our Lord's delay or for the death of Lazarus. Why should he apologize for what Jesus said was intended to glorify Him. For me, this means that I dare not attempt to apologize for John's death. It, too, is the will of God, consistent with the love of God. But how can cancer claiming the life of John Smith possibly be glorifying to God? Let us look further in John chapter 11 to learn the answer.

What Glorifies
God at the Time of Death?

The key to understanding the death of Lazarus is directly related to the glory of God. What is it that glorifies God at the time of death which helps explain why our Lord purposed to let Lazarus died when he could have been healed?

First, God is glorified by the demonstration of His power.

Jesus had performed many miracles before the raising of Lazarus, but the miracle of the raising of Lazarus is far greater. After all, which is the greater miracle, to heal a sick man or to raise a dead man? Mary and Martha both believed that Jesus could have healed their brother so long as he was alive, but neither entertained hopes of his being brought forth from that tomb. The power of God was seen on that day to be not only greater than sickness, but even greater than death itself.

Our Lord's power over death was vitally important. The raising of Lazarus was to serve as proof our Lord's claim to be "the resurrection and the life," the One who would give life to all who would believe in Him, even though he were to die. Jesus claimed to have power over death itself, so that none of those who believe in Him will be subject to the power of death (v. 26). Jesus told His opponents that the last and final sign would be His resurrection from the dead (Matt. 12:38-40). It was our Lord's resurrection which proved His claim to be the Son of God (Rom. 1:4). The raising of Lazarus was proof of the power of the Lord Jesus over death.

Second, God is glorified by the demonstration of our faith.

I believe that our text makes it clear that the glory of God is inseparably related to faith. While in verse 4 He speaks of the His purpose for the death of Lazarus in terms of His glory, in verses 14 & 15 He speaks of the death of Lazarus in terms of their faith: "Then Jesus therefore said to them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. . .'"

When Jesus was met by Martha, she professed her faith in His ability to heal Lazarus, had He arrived in time. But even beyond this, she testified that she knew, even now, that God would answer His petition (11:21-22). The Lord Jesus included His ability to raise the dead in the category of faith and asked Martha if she believed this (vss. 23, 25-26), to which she responded in a beautiful confession of faith: "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world" (v. 27).

Martha's faith in Christ as her Messiah and her Savior of necessity included faith in His power over death and the grave. To believe in Him as Savior is to trust in Him as the resurrection and the life. Mary's faith was apparently not as great at this moment, but the Lord Jesus encouraged her to believe so that she could behold the glory of God: "Did I not say to you, if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" (v. 40).

When Lazarus was raised from the grave we are told that many who beheld believe in Him (11:45).

God is glorified when men believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. God is glorified by the faith of men in Christ as their Savior, and as the One who alone has power over death and the grave. Now, when, I would ask you, is our faith greater? When we must trust Him as one who can heal sickness, or when we must trust His power to raise the dead? The answer is obvious. Our Lord purposely allowed Lazarus to die so that He might deepen the faith of those He loved, and so that He might draw to faith, those who had not yet trusted in Him as Mary and Martha had done already.

For Mary and Martha, those whom our Lord loved greatly, their faith would not grow deeper apart from the temporary loss of Lazarus. Only when Mary and Martha came to trust the Lord Jesus in the face of death did their faith grow. Those of us who knew and loved John believed that God was able to heal him of the cancer which was destroying his body. The greater act of faith will now be for us to trust our Lord to raise John from the dead. It is in the darkest hours of our lives that our Lord seeks to strengthen our faith and thus to glorify Himself.

You may object that there is a difference between what took place in John chapter 11 and what has happened here. After all, our Lord did raise Lazarus, but He has not done so with John. There are differences. Jesus raised Lazarus only a few days after he died. But I would also remind you that Lazarus eventually died. He was raised from the dead. John, along with all who trust in God will be resurrected from death, never to die again.

Let me point out that the critical time for Mary and Martha to exercise faith in the love and power of our Lord was while the body of Lazarus was still in the grave. Jesus talked with both Martha and Mary about their faith while Lazarus was still dead. That was when faith was most difficult and when it was most necessary. So it is with us. Some day, the Bible promises us, the Lord Jesus will come again for His own. At that time the dead in Christ will return with Him and we shall be joined with our Lord and our saved loved ones in the air. The resurrection of John Smith is just as certain as that of Lazarus--indeed, it is more certain, for now we have the account of the raising of Lazarus, and even better, the resurrection of our Lord. These are the times when faith is most required, and when our faith is forced to deepen. But it is in the process that God is glorified.

Lazarus was dead, and it was the sovereign will of God, consistent with the love of God. Our Lord was glorified by the death of Lazarus because it provided the opportunity for Him to demonstrate His power and it also gave those whom He loved the opportunity to exercise their faith. It was God's time for John Smith to die. It was no mistake. It was for God's glory, and the Bible tells us it is for John's good, and for the good of his family. We do not fully understand how or why this is so, any more than Mary or Martha understood what our Lord was doing until after Lazarus had been raised. But we do know that it was not enough for them to believe that God could have cured Lazarus from his illness. God was glorified by the demonstration of His power over death, and by the faith of those who place their trust in Him.

As we stand, as it were, before the grave, it is the time when we must believe if we would find comfort in these difficult times and if we would experience His presence and His power. John and Sue did not look forward to this moment, any more than Mary and Martha did the death of Lazarus, but they did in those dark hours come to a deeper and fuller trust in the Savior.

John tells us in this passage that the death of Lazarus resulted in the belief of many. It was John's request that I speak very plainly to you in this service to invite each of you to find in his death, just as Mary and Martha did at the death of Lazarus, an occasion to trust in the Lord Jesus as Savior and as Lord.

The Lord Jesus is never more worthy of our trust than He is at this moment. He not only raised Lazarus from the grave, but He Himself died for our sins and rose from the dead, triumphant and able to raise all men from the grave. The faith of John and Sue is in the Savior, who is the resurrection and the life.

Unfortunately not all who witnessed to raising of Lazarua from the grave came to faith in the Lord Jesus. We read in the text that from that point on the religious leaders of the nation planned to put Jesus to death. I am certain that in this service there are some who see death only as a dreaded enemy, totally inconsistent with the goodness and power of God. I urge you, as John may already have done, to place your trust in the Lord Jesus, so that even in the death of this loved one, we may glorify God and know that John's death is but sleep. John's desire is that when our Lord returns to raise him from the grave, you will be there too.

Promises from the Bible (1 Thessalonians 4)

Introduction

As individuals, I think there is no more difficult time than this to express our true feelings. To find the proper words is so difficult and . . . words seem so inadequate, so incomplete--yet we do our best to express our sympathy/our concern to those left behind.

But I am reminded again that what we need at a time like this is revelation, not just words.

We need something that speaks of certainties, not just hopes.
We need something that speaks with authority.
We need something that provides true comfort and gives something and someone to believe in/to trust as we go on from here.
We need more than sincere expressions of sympathy and concern (as wonderful as they are) in a time of sorrow and death
We need the authoritative, comforting "Thus saith the Lord!" the revelation of Scripture.

And God has not left us without Revelation in a time like this. He has spoken clearly, concisely and with authority. Let's look for a few minutes at what the Bible, God's Word promises the person who dies in the Lord. The passage I want to look at was written especially for those in a time of sorrow --1 Thess. 4:13-18.

The Bible Promises
the Believer a Reception in Glory
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

1. Paul was writing to these believers to instruct them about those who had died. The term "fall asleep" refers to those who had died. Paul doesn't want those left behind to sorrow as those who have no hope.

2. The reason they don't have to sorrow as others without hope is given in verse 14 (read). Those who have died in the Lord are with Christ. The souls (immaterial part) of departed Christians are with God and Jesus is going to bring them back with Him when He comes for His Church.

3. The rest of Scripture teaches us the same thing.

II Corinthians 5:6-8 tells us that when we Christians die, we go immediately to be with God. To be "absent from the body-present with the Lord."
Philippians l:23 Paul tells us when we depart from this life, we are with Christ.

3. We need not sorrow then as others who have no hope because the authoritative Word of God promises the believer an immediate reception in glory--"absent from the body present with the Lord. II Corinthians 5:8"

But not only does the Bible promise the Christian an immediate reception in glory but . . .

The Bible Promises
the Believer a Resurrection of His Body
1 Thessalonians 4:15-16

1. These verses promise that the bodies of our Christian loved ones will be raised from the dead.

2. The Bible teaches the sleep of the body, not the sleep of the soul.

3. These verses teach us that those bodies of Christians that are sleeping in the graves will one day come forth--be resurrected when Christ comes back. In vs. 16 we see that the souls of the believers (who are now with Christ) will be reunited with their resurrected bodies at Jesus' coming for His church.

4. And that body will be a body described in Rev. 21:3-4 as:

free from pain
free from sorrow, crying, tears
free from sin
free from death

5. The Christian's soul goes immediately to the presence of the Lord. The Christian's body rests in the grave until the day the Lord comes back for His church when it will be resurrected into a glorious body and be reunited with the soul.

6. We need not sorrow as others who have no hope for the Christian is promised: (a) an immediate reception in glory; and (b) a resurrection of his body. But there is more . . . for not only does the Christian who dies have the certainty of an immediate reception in glory and a resurrection of his body but . . .

The Bible Promises
a Reunion With Christ and With Loved Ones
I Thessalonians 4:17

1. The reunion is actually two-fold, first with loved ones:

The Lord may come back today, if He does the believers who are alive will be reunited with our Christian loved ones in God's presence. Our separation is not permanent! (and then secondly there will be a reunion with Christ). One day the Lord will come back and Christians who are alive will be caught up to join the resurrected bodies of those who have died. "And so shall we ever be with the Lord."
God promises Christians that they will be reunited whether through death - (Review) The Christian who dies has the promise:
of an immediate reception into the Lord's presence
of a resurrected body
of reunion with loved ones (fellow believers)

(Little wonder Paul says that these verses should be used at times like these) for he says, "wherefore comfort one another with these words." those who are left behind can be comforted in knowing the certainties of these verses.

Application/Conclusion

1. But we should not forget that these promises are conditioned on faith in Christ as Savior who died as our substitute on Calvary and rose again (vs. 14)

2. The reality of death should make us stop and ask whether we could claim these promises if we were to die.

Right now, if you're not sure where you will spend eternity . . . I invite you to ask Jesus Christ to be your Savior from sin by an act of your will; trusting Him to save you from your sin. It was (name's) deep concern that his friends know Jesus as their Savior. Won't you trust Him right now as your Savior?

3. I thank God that (name) knew Jesus Christ as His Savior from sin. It was this faith that sustained him through the trials of illness that he so bravely faced.

4. Because (Name) had trusted Jesus Christ to be her Savior from sin, on the authority of God's Holy Word, I can say that (Name)'s soul is now with Jesus in glory. Her body will one day be resurrected. We'll be reunited with her and spend eternity together with the Lord.

"Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

Ready to Die

If Manuel were here, he would be tugging on my sleeve, reminding me that this is more about His Savior, than about himself. I know he would be eagerly waiting for me to tell you about Jesus, as the only means for the forgiveness of your sins and entrance into God’s glorious presence. Manuel’s life illustrates truths that deal with the most important decision you will ever make. As Manuel and His Lord look down on our gathering this afternoon I’d like to spend these few moments talking to you about eternity.

Only Jesus can make you ready to die. As he told me and others, Manuel was ready to die. One of the Scriptures I read to Manuel as I sat at his bedside the last day of his life is found in 2 Corinthians:

13 But since we have the same spirit of faith as that shown in what has been written, “I believed; therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak. 14 We do so because we know that the one who raised up Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus and will bring us with you into his presence. 15 For all these things are for your sake, so that the grace that is including more and more people may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. 1 For we know that if our earthly house, the tent we live in, is dismantled, we have a building from God, a house not built by human hands, that is eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this earthly house we groan, because we desire to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed, after we have put on our heavenly house, we will not be found naked. 4 For indeed we groan while we are in this tent, since we are weighed down, because we do not want to be unclothed, but clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment. 6 Therefore we are always full of courage, and we know that as long as we are alive here on earth we are absent from the Lord- 7 for we live by faith, not by sight. 8 Thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So then whether we are alive or away, we make it our ambition to please him (2 Corinthians 4:13-5:9).

Years ago Manuel recognized that he was a sinner, and that Jesus had died to pay the penalty for his sins. Manuel trusted in Jesus, who not only died on the cross of Calvary, but rose from the dead. Manuel enjoyed the presence of God in this life, but he yearned to spend eternity in God’s presence. It is true that our earthly pains prompt us to let go of this life, and to anxiously seek the next, but it would not be accurate to say that Manuel simply wanted to escape the suffering and groaning of earthly life. More than anything, Manuel loved his Savior, and wanted to be with him.

Manuel had no fear of death because Jesus took that fear away. In the Book of Hebrews we read,

14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, he likewise shared in their humanity, so that through death he could destroy the one who holds the power of death (that is, the devil), 15 and set free those who were held in slavery all their lives by their fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-15).

But more than this, Manuel had a yearning for heaven. He wanted to dwell in the presence of his Savior for all eternity. This is the way the apostle Paul felt, as well, after he came to faith in Jesus:

19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 My confident hope is that I will in no way be ashamed but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 Now if I am to go on living in the body, this will mean productive work for me, yet I don’t know which I prefer: 23 I feel torn between the two, because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far (Philippians 1:19-23).

I cannot know your hearts, my friend, but you know, and God knows. As we remember the life of Manuel and you come face to face with the reality of death, is there fear in your heart, or faith; do you dread death and try to avoid even thinking about it, or do you see death as an escape from this life and an entrance into the presence of God forever? The difference is what you do with the death of Jesus Christ, who died that your sins might be forgiven, and that you might enter into eternal life.

Manuel’s testimony calls our attention to a very important truth: BEING RELIGIOUS IS NOT THE SAME AS BEING A CHRISTIAN. There may be those here today who are trying to suppress the fear of death with the consolation that they are religious. I must tell you plainly that religion will never save you, only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, by faith.

I am simply telling you what Jesus Himself said, as we read in the third chapter of the Gospel of John:

1 Now a certain man, a Pharisee named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council, 2 came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must all be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it will, and you hear the sound it makes, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus replied, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you don’t understand these things? 11 I tell you the solemn truth, we speak about what we know and testify about what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. 12 If I have told you people about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven-the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” 16 For this is the way God loved the world: he gave his one and only Son that everyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18 The one who believes in him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God (John 3:1-18).

We are told not only that Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a devoutly religious man, but that he was “the teacher of Israel” (John 3:10). He was, perhaps, the most prominent teacher of that day, and yet Jesus told him he must be “born again.” To be born again Nicodemus must trust in Jesus, the one who would soon be “lifted up” on the cross of Calvary. To be born again, Nicodemus must not trust in what he had done - or would do - but in what Christ had done, and in what the Holy Spirit would do - give him life. Being born again meant that Nicodemus would have to renounce his religious good works and trust in Jesus Christ, crucified, buried, and raised from the dead.

It would not be long before another Pharisee - Saul -- would be “born again.” He describes his conversion this way:

3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, exult in Christ Jesus, and do not rely on human credentials 4 -though mine too are significant. If someone thinks he has good reasons to put confidence in human credentials, I have more: 5 I was circumcised on the eighth day, from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. I lived according to the law as a Pharisee. 6 In my zeal for God I persecuted the church. According to the righteousness stipulated in the law I was blameless. 7 But these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ. 8 More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things-indeed, I regard them as dung!-that I might gain Christ, 9 and be found in him, not because of having my own righteousness derived from the law, but because of having the righteousness that comes by way of Christ’s faithfulness-a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ’s faithfulness. 10 My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3:3-11).

And so, as we come face to face with sin and the reality of its penalty - death - I must ask you this question: “Are you ready to die?” “Are you trusting in your good works or in your religion to save you, or are you trusting in God’s only provision, Jesus Christ?” He died on the cross of Calvary to pay the penalty for your sins. He rose from the dead, so that you can live a life pleasing to Him, and so that you can spend eternity in the presence of God.

Manuel trusted in Jesus Christ. He was ready to die. He was eager to see His Savior face to face. If you are not yet ready, then I urge you to trust in Jesus Christ this very hour.

What Death Means for the Believer in Christ

Introduction

If we are to find endurance, encouragement, and comfort amidst the pressures, losses, and tragedies of life, man must turn to the Bible, the Word of God. Why?

Because this Book, God has graciously authenticated with tremendous evidence as not merely the Word of man, but as it is, the Word of God to man, God breathed, accurate, and without error. As the Apostle affirms, what has been written in the Bible has been written "that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" (Rom. 15:4b).

As the Word of God, the Bible is the revelation of the sovereign God and planner of the universe. It is the revelation of a God who cares and who is in control of all the affairs of our lives, and who has not left us to ourselves, but has reached out to us in Christ and in the Bible. As the word of such a God, the Bible alone can give man an adequate understanding, meaning, and hope in the face of the facts and realities of life with its complexities, trials, and losses as with death.

So today, for a few moments, let us turn to the Bible and let us reflect together on some of its truth and promises that we might find courage, hope, and joy in the Lord in the midst of our sorrow.

First, we might start with a question? Why death? Why was our beloved friend, taken home at this time in her life? We simply do not know the answer to that? That is one of the mysteries of life that Scripture does not answer.

But when is death convenient? When is death ever timely for the individual or for the family and friends? When is death not a shock? When is death normal? Certainly, sometimes it is a relief because of sickness or the pains of this life, but who can ever really be thankful for death. So let’s ask a question.

Death Is An Enemy

According to Scripture, death is not really normal or natural even though it is a persistent fact of human history. Why? Because man was created by God to be a unity of body, soul, and spirit and in that state to live forever with God in fellowship with Him. This is the natural, normal state that God planned for man. This is why we have the hope and promise of the resurrection (cf. 2 Cor. 5:1-9).

Further, according to Scripture, death is an enemy, the last enemy to be conquered by God, and as such, it is the result of a cause, the result of sin and the fall of the human race. "For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death" (1 Cor. 15:25-26).

How is death our enemy? It is our enemy:

1. because it separates man from his body,

2. because is the result of sin and Satan's attack on man who was created in the image of God for fellowship with God,

3. because it separates us from our loved ones,

4. because it ends ministries and often makes life seem futile or without purpose, and

5. because, if men are without Christ, it sends them into a Christless eternity, forever separated from God.

But dear friends in Christ, there is an answer to death, there is victory and deliverance from this ancient and ever present, stalking enemy.

Victory Over Death

So, the Apostle, in the light of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, declared in the that great chapter on the resurrection: "But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory. "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:54-57).

What is that victory over death? Let's think together and reflect for a moment on some of the great declarations of the Bible:

(1) Because of Christ's victory for us, God assures us in His Word that this separation is not permanent for believers in Christ. For one day there will be a reuniting of believing loved ones in heaven, never to be separated again. Even now, (Name) is enjoying not only fellowship with the Lord, but with other members of her family that have gone on before.

In the OT, it is often repeated that a saint who died "was gathered to his people." This was said of Abraham, Isaac, Aaron, and Moses. This does not mean they were laid to rest with their people, for Moses was not. It means their souls and spirits were reunited in a place called Abraham's bosom or paradise.

When David's child died, he said "Can I bring him back? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me" (II Sam. 12:23). It was comforting to David to know he would someday be reunited with his child whom he would know and with whom he would have eternal fellowship.

(2) The Word of God tells us that the sting of death has been swallowed up in the victory of Christ. The "sting of death," Scripture says, "is sin," and Scripture says because of this sin "it is appointed unto men once to die and after that the judgment." But for (Name), the sting, which is sin, has been removed and so also the judgment. For Romans 8:1 says "there is therefore now no condemnation (no Great White Throne Judgment for sin) to them who are in Christ Jesus."

(3) For (Name), this appointment has been canceled because an earlier appointment was made and kept when she received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Christ's death canceled sin's penalty and its judgment was born by the Lord in the sinners place on the cross.

(4) Because of the victory of Christ, death for (Name) was a departure for home and means being in the presence of the Lord as well as in the presence of other believing loved ones. In II Timothy 4:6, Paul wrote to Timothy "for I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand."

The Greek word here for departure is analusis which is (a) a nautical term used of a ship which pulls up its anchor and sets sail; (b) it also used in a military way of an army breaking camp to move on; and (c) it was used of freeing someone from his chains.

Do you see? This, for the Christian, is what death is--it’s setting sail, it’s breaking camp, it’s being freed from this life so we can go home. The anchor is weighed and we set sail for the golden shore of the blessed presence of God, carried into God's presence.

Have you never been away from home and then boarded a plane or train, and as the time to depart approached, experienced that warm feeling and the thought--I am going home. This explains what death is like for the believer--it’s a going home experience.

John 14:1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for 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."

II Corinthians 5:8 "We are of good courage, I say, and prefer to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord."

There is no intermediate state. The Bible teaches us there is no soul sleep, no purgatory, but instant entrance into God's presence and home. So, heaven is our eternal home. Our Lord is there. Our friends and loved ones in Christ are there. There is no sin nor sinful nature there to cause unhappiness.

Death for the believer is not a venture into the unknown, or a strange or alien atmosphere: it’s like going home. But it is even more wonderful than that because it is a home in God’s presence.

(5) While the ultimate wiping away of every tear awaits the final battle and the resurrection, our victory in Christ means that at death, we are ushered into the Lord's presence which brings joy unspeakable. In this heavenly home there won't be the sorrow, the tears, and the pain that we have here, and certainly, there is no death there (Rev. 21:4). The believer there experiences perfect happiness and all the joys which attend being in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

When thinking of the glories of heaven and being at home with the Lord, the apostle Paul wrote, "I am in a straight between two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better, or to abide here."

So you can see we should receive much comfort and joy if we think about what death really means to the departed believer in Christ.

(6) Our victory in Christ also assures us that the believer will one day experience a glorious resurrection and a glorified body like that of Christ. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live."

Paul said, "For our manner of life is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body" (Phil. 3:20-21).

This life is so often beset by ailing and painfully sick bodies, but our future body will know no such problems.

(7) The Word of God assures us that the victory accomplished for us by the Lord Jesus means a glorious, eternal inheritance "an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, that fadeth not away, which is reserved in heaven for those who are kept by the power of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ" (I Pet. 1:3-5).

In other words, our heavenly inheritance is everything that our earthy inheritances are not. Our heavenly inheritance is: incorruptible in substance, undefiled in purity, unfading in beauty and joy, and reserved in heaven (kept sure) for every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ by the eternal power and love of God in Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:39).

This means that our work on earth is never forgotten and that the labors of believers will follow them into eternity. So the Apostle concludes the resurrection chapter with these words:

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).

(8) Finally, we can find further comfort in knowing "that precious in the sight of the LORD, is the death of His saints." There are no accidents with God, His timing is perfect, and He works all things together for good, for the one taken and those left (Rom. 8:28-29). When a believer is called home, it's because God's purposes for that believer are over. It's because in God's love and wisdom, He wants that believer with Him in glory.

The apostle also wrote: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Conclusion

The awful pity is when one dies and departs without faith in Jesus Christ. And I only hope that this service, which causes us all to face the realities of death and what lies beyond, will cause you, if you have never done so, to do what (Name) did, trust in Jesus Christ, to consider Him . . .

Further, may this cause each of us to reflect on the meaning of life . . .

The Psalmist exclaimed:

Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

Then in Psalm 90:12, in view of the temporality of life, the Psalmist wrote,

So teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

That is, that we may redeem the time, that, through the knowledge and application of God's truth, we may glorify god and live for Him.

May we think on these things:

Related Topics: Soteriology (Salvation), Funerals

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How Faith Faces Death

Closing Prayer

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How Old Testament Saints Faced Death

GravesideLuke 16

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Our Hope: The Character of God (Psalm 130)

Closing Prayer

Graveside Service

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The Goodness of God in Grief and Death

Eulogy and Scripture Reading

Prayer

Conclusion

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The Joy of Knowing Christ (1 Peter 1:3-8)

Introduction

The First Truth

The Second Truth

The Third Truth

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The Lord is Our Shepherd

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The Raising of Lazarus (John 11)

What Glorifies God at the Time of Death?

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Promises from the Bible (1 Thessalonians 4)

Introduction

The Bible Promises the Believer a Reception in Glory 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

The Bible Promises the Believer a Resurrection of His Body1 Thessalonians 4:15-16

The Bible Promises a Reunion With Christ and With Loved OnesI Thessalonians 4:17

Application/Conclusion

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Ready to Die

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What Death Means for the Believer in Christ

Introduction

Death Is An Enemy

Victory Over Death

Conclusion

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Pages

Graveside
Luke 16

What Glorifies
God at the Time of Death?

The Bible Promises
the Believer a Reception in Glory
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

The Bible Promises
the Believer a Resurrection of His Body
1 Thessalonians 4:15-16

The Bible Promises
a Reunion With Christ and With Loved Ones
I Thessalonians 4:17