And Now What? (A Funeral Sermon)

The reason we ask ourselves this question is because someone very important in our life has been removed.

Today we mourn the death of ________________Not because he/she has gone to a better place, but because we no longer will be able to enjoy his/her presence.

If we had a choice in the matter he/she would still be with us.

But today______________if they had a choice he/she had a choice he/she would choose to remain in his/her heavenly home.

This is a day of mourning for us who have gathered here.

Illus: As a pastor I have preached many funeral services. Some of them was where:

• Not one tear was shed.

• Sad to say I have preached a few funeral services where someone actually would say, “I am glad they are dead, everyone will be a lot better off since they are gone.

• I preached one funeral service and before the service a grown son of the decease came up to me and said, “Preacher, make it as short as you can, there is not much good you can say about dad.”

But this is not the case today, we come here today mourning because a dear saint of God has left us.

Someone said, “Death is not hard on those who have died, it is hard on those who are left behind.” I think we can all agree with that statement.

And I know this is a very difficult time for this family and the friends who have gathered hear today to mourn the lost of__________________________.

I have heard people say when they die they want people to be laughing and rejoicing. I personally think laughing and rejoicing would not be appropriate here today.

I would not wish when I past from this life that people would be laughing and rejoicing. I would hope that I lived in such a way that I will be greatly missed and my absence has brought mourning among those that I knew and serve God with.

This is how we feel today about the death of _________________. He/she is going to be greatly missed, so we come to this service rejoicing that he/she is with the Lord, but mourn that he/she is no longer with us.

As we come to this memorial service for___________________.

I. WE COME TO MOURN.

Mourning is as much part of life as rejoicing.

Through the history of mankind men and women have mourned over the death of a loved one. For example-

(1) ABRAHAM MOURNED WHEN SARAH DIED.

Look at Genesis 23:2, we read, And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

Notice the Bible says Abraham who was a great saint of God when his beloved wife (Sarah) died the Bible records, “…And Abraham came to MOURN for Sarah, and to WEEP FOR HER.”

(2) ANOTHER MARY MOURNED FOR BROTHER LAZARUS.

Look at John 11:31, we read, The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.

Mary loved her brother Lazarus and when she rushed out of the house they knew she was going to his grave side to weep for him.

Jesus pronounced a blessing on those who mourn. In Matthew 5:4, we read, Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Of course, our comfort as we mourn the death of _________________________we find comfort in knowing we shall only be separted from them for a short time.

The followers of Jesus are asked to share in the feelings of those who mourn.

Look at Rom 12:15-16, we read, Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

We mourn when a loved one is taken away from us.

Matthew 9:15, we read, And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

It’s OK to cry, to be sad when a loved one is taken away.

Naturally, we are sad. We can no longer visit that person; or to hear their voice or to receive their wise counsel.

But as believers, we believe in the Word of God, the Bible tells us that as a believer who has given his/her life to Jesus has passed on from this life to be in the presence of Jesus.

He/she has not gone to purgatory or some other place where there is uncertainty.

II Cor. 5:8-9, we read, We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.