A funeral message for a dear saint with the Lord,...

Today is an in between chapter devotional and so I thought I would give you what I presented yesterday afternoon at the funeral of Evelyn Moyle.  

It might be odd to say but funerals are valuable to us.  I read a quote this week while preparing this message that said,

“No one can preach our funeral, we preach our own funeral while we live.”

1.  Funerals have value to us because it allows us to mourn, to weep, and to be subdued for a time.  We have the example of our Jesus weeping at the grave of Lazarus.  We were created to show some emotion when someone we love passes away and funerals give us this opportunity to do so.

2.  Funerals have value that they remind us that death is near us.  David says to his friend Jonathan in 1 Samuel 20:3, 4,

But David said, “Your father certainly knows that I have found favor with you.  He has said, ‘Jonathan must not know of this, or else he will be grieved.’”  David also swore, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.”

We don’t know our day or time.  We are face to face with this reality that it is in God’s hands.  Funerals make us evaluate our lives in the here and now.

3.  Funerals have value that they re-establish what is of true value.  We put value on possessions and degrees and accomplishments and notoriety.  All these go to the grave with the individual but love and remembrance emerge at funerals as we realize that we loved their presence more than their possessions.  

The Apostle Paul gives us some thoughts at this junction of life.  He starts of his letter to the Philippians with these words,

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus:  To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Not far into the letter, the Apostle Paul shares with them a dilemma that he is in between this world and the next.  As he sits in a prison cell he writes,

My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

The Apostle Paul is thinking about his life and pending death.  He has an eager expectation and hope to represent Christ with honor whether dead or alive.  This will take commitment (eager expectation), consistency (now as always), and courage.

The Apostle Paul goes on to say,

For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 

The Apostle Paul is saying that the Christian gains something at death.  What does he gain?

1.  A better body - Can I hear an “AMEN!”  We exchange the corruptible body for an incorruptible one.  We will be changed.

2.  A better home - How much have we invested in our dwelling places here?  How many times have we had to unclog a drain or replace the carpeting or put fresh paint on the walls?  John 14:1 says, 

“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if not, I would have told you.  I am going away to prepare a place for you.”  

No taxes, no upkeep, no changing out the carpet because green shag isn’t in anymore.

3.  A better inheritance - Is Social Security going to be there?  How is your 401k doing?  How much is enough to carry you through?  What if we have another 1929 or 2008?  1 Peter 1:3, 4 says,

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Because of His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.

4.  A better fellowship - Life is great here but Jesus is there.  We will be in a place where there is no evil, no sin, no corruption, and no deception.  The fellowship there will be pure and we will get to experience 1 Corinthians 13:12 which says,

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, but then face to face.  Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known.

A better body, a better home, a better inheritance, and a better fellowship but we are not there yet.  The Apostle Paul expresses this reality as he goes on to say,

Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose.  I am torn between the two.  I long to depart and be with Christ--which is far better--but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

The Apostle Paul knows that heaven would be better as he is sitting in a prison cell but there is a purpose that he is still here.  The answer comes as he takes his eyes off of himself and looks at those God has put around him.  God has some fruitful work for the Apostle Paul to accomplish and it is necessary for the sake of others.  What is that good work and what is necessary?  He goes on to say,

Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound.

As Christians we live on this side of heaven with a mandate to disciple others.  We work to see other progress in their faith with joy that is increasing and boasting in Jesus Christ alone.  Jesus gave us that Great Commission.

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

For us Christians who are on this side of heaven who have a better body, home, inheritance, and fellowship ahead of us, we need to turn our eyes toward those God has put around us.  So when you look at your life, do you see yourself helping others making progress in their faith?  Do you see yourself helping their joy increase in the Lord?  Do you see yourself helping them to grow so that their boasting in the Lord is abounding?  Do you see yourself producing that fruitful work this side of heaven which is far better?  Are you doing what is necessary?

The Apostle Paul goes on to say to the Christians in Philippi and us,

Just one thing:  As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.  Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents.  This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation--and this is from God.

Our lives preach our funerals.  When people see us or hear of us do they see those who are standing firm in one spirit and in the unity of one accord, and contending together for the faith of the gospel?  Do they see and hear about Christians who are not frightened by the world and its ever changing moral code?  Are they witnessing in real time a life that is described by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:38 and 39,

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

You are able to do this and be a witness of it because God gave you faith.  He opened your eyes to see Him and to hear His call to you to “Come, follow Me.”  You turned to Him on the cross and responded like the thief hanging beside Him, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”   You were given the forgiveness of sins, a righteous standing before God through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the grave, and an eternal home held for you until you arrive.

We have so much from God.  He has done so much to show us His love even before we loved Him.  Are you responding back with a life of fruitful work that loves God by loving others to grow more in Him?  Are you doing what is necessary as one who holds the name Christian, a follower of Christ, a disciple, a sinner saved by the blood of the Lamb?  

Funerals are valuable, especially of those of saints who showed us an example to follow.  One who now realizes what is far better, heaven above, but lived a life that produced fruit for Jesus that was necessary by His standards.  Are we truly expressing love to our Lord with our lives or are we focused on ourselves and things that will die when we do.  Let us pray:

"Lord help us to live in a way to glorify and honor you in our life and in our death.  Help us to see what is fruitful work and what is necessary this side of heaven.  May we start today to help others progress in their faith and help increase their joy and boasting in You.  Amen."

Pastor Adam