Funeral Sermon:  Death Is Not The End Series

Funeral Sermon:  DEATH IS NOT THE END

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (KJV)

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

INTRODUCTION:

In moments of loss, we are confronted with the reality of death, a stark reminder of life’s brevity. Death often brings sorrow and grief, but for the Christian, it also serves as a reminder of a greater truth — death is not the end. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, reminds us of this powerful truth. In 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, Paul speaks of a mystery: a transformation, a victory over death, and the promise of eternal life. He assures us that though we face the physical reality of death, there is an unshakable hope in Christ that death does not have the final word.

Death, as painful as it may seem, is not a permanent separation. It is but a transition to a far better place for those who die in Christ. While we mourn the loss of our loved one, we are reminded that their death is not the end of their story. In Christ, death has been conquered, and eternal life has been promised. This hope should inspire us to look beyond the grave, knowing that the best is yet to come. As we reflect on this truth, we are reminded to live each day in the light of eternity, knowing that our labour in the Lord is never in vain.

Today, as we gather to remember and celebrate the life of our beloved, let us hold fast to the hope that death is not the end. Our loved one has merely crossed over into eternity, and we will one day join them in the presence of the Lord. Until that day, let us be steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our hope in Christ assures us of victory over death.

1. DEATH IS NOT THE END BECAUSE WE HAVE THE PROMISE OF RESURRECTION

For the believer, death is not the final destination but the doorway to resurrection and eternal life.

a) The dead will be raised incorruptible. Paul assures us that death does not hold the final say, and the dead in Christ will be raised to eternal life (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

b) Death is swallowed up in victory. When Christ rose from the dead, He defeated death, and that victory is extended to us, giving us hope beyond the grave (Romans 6:9).

c) The promise of transformation. At the last trumpet, our bodies will be transformed, putting on immortality and being made new in Christ (Philippians 3:21).

d) The eternal hope we have in Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has secured for us a future that is free from death, pain, and sorrow (Revelation 21:4).

Biblical Example: Jesus' resurrection is the ultimate proof that death is not the end. He rose on the third day, conquering death and ensuring the resurrection of all who trust in Him (Matthew 28:5-7).

Death is not the end because we have the promise of resurrection, a glorious transformation from mortal to immortal.

2. DEATH IS NOT THE END BECAUSE WE HAVE VICTORY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

In Christ, we have the victory over death, sin, and the grave, giving us hope for eternal life.

a) The victory is through Jesus Christ. Our victory over death is not by our own strength, but through the finished work of Jesus on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:57).

b) Death has no sting for the believer. The sting of death, which is sin, has been removed because of Christ’s sacrifice (Romans 8:2).

c) The grave has no victory. The grave cannot hold the believer, for we are promised eternal life in the presence of God (John 11:25-26).

d) Jesus has defeated the power of sin and death. Through His resurrection, Jesus has broken the power of sin and death, ensuring that we too will live eternally (Colossians 2:15).