Funeral Series

As the family and friends of xxxx xxxxx, we are gathered today in the presence of God both to remember him and to find comfort from the word of God during this time of mourning.

The psalmist wrote, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” and then the writer of the book of Hebrews said, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” And for those who wrestle with so many questions as we face the loss of a loved one, Paul wrote, “For now we see through a glass darkly, someday we shall understand even as we are understood.” This tells us that someday, all of our questions will be answered and everything will be made clear.

Shall we pray: Our Father in heaven, how grateful we are that we have someone as loving and compassionate as you, for you are the one we turn to in our hour of need. You alone know the thoughts of each heart that’s bowed in your presence and so I would ask, that you would comfort all who mourn as only You can.

We thank you today for xxxx and the influence he has had on his family and his many friends. We pray that his memory might be an inspiration to each of us and that his death will stand to remind us of the brevity of life because none of know, when our time will come to leave this world. Grant that in our time here today, that each of us would hear the word of God with an open heart and that we would respond in a way that’s pleasing to you. For we ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

We will have the ministry of music at this time.

Personal bio

In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

In this passage we have an invitation from Jesus and it’s an invitation to come to Him to prepare ourselves for the day we have to meet God face to face. Now, many of us try to live good lives, we often give what we can and help where we’re able. And all this is good; but it’s not what Jesus is looking for because He says, “Come unto Me.”

Whenever I talk to someone about their relationship with the Lord they often say they’re a member or attend a certain church and they’re either excited or would rather forget they had ever gone. And some will associate what they know about the church with a popular television preacher or even someone they know who claims to be a Christian. But, Jesus doesn’t say that the forgiveness of God is found by going to church or by following anybody else but forgiveness for sin, is only found in Him.

People will say, “Well, I’m a religious person.” And the problem is, if you keep up with the news you’ve probably noticed that religion hasn’t solved too any of the world’s problems and if the truth be known it has probably hindered more than it’s ever helped. You see, religion is man’s way of reaching up to God; but when the Bible talks about a relationship with God it’s always God reaching down to man. And that’s why Jesus says, “Come unto Me.” A church can always help us grow in the faith but any faith without Jesus is no faith at all.

When we hear that we wonder, well, who is Jesus to invite us to come to Him? The Bible describes Him as the virgin-born Son of God who was crucified, died then buried and then He was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. The New Testament proves that He is who He says He is by showing Jesus doing miracles that only God could do. I mean, He healed the sick, raised the dead, walked on water, created food for thousands, cast out demons and He even controlled the weather. And those who knew Him, who were His disciples; claimed He was God, His enemies said He was innocent of the charges that were laid against Him and when God the Father spoke from heaven He said, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Listen, this is the One who says to both you and I; “Come unto Me.”

And then it tells us who should come when it says, “All you that labor and are heavy laden.” Where it says, all you that labor the word ‘labor’ carries the idea of someone who has been working to exhaustion. And some of those who were listening to Jesus back then and even some today have simply exhausted themselves trying to find relief from a guilty conscience. Some go to church, while others go to a psychiatrist and there are even some who go to a tavern but only Jesus can take our guilt away by forgiving our sin.