Comfort And Memories Series

It’s with heavy hearts and great source of loss that each of us share as we gather here today. Each of us have lost a special friend. In Sid, he was a friend to all. He was my friend. The community of Kaycee has lost a valuable employee. Sid knew and did his job well. The family has lost a son. His children has lost a father. His wife has lost a husband.

Sid filled his role well. He taught and instilled in his family the most important principle of life. He built in his home, raised his sons on the principles of God’s word. Our church has lost an inspirational leader. One of its most faithful and resolute men. A man who enjoyed this church and its service.

The last church service Sid attended I spoke of heaven. He smiled and understood well. If it were proper for me to use the words of our Lord Jesus concerning a child of God and the work of God, it would be “Well done thou good and faithful servant.

A funeral service is conducted for two reasons:

1. To comfort the loved ones left behind.

2. In memory of the loved one that has gone to be with the Lord.

I. In Finding Comfort in this Trying Hour, Remember Their Faith

1. The Bible is the only authority on the subject of death and eternity.

a. I know our feelings have been touched.

b. Our faith has been tested.

c. There is no other time we need to trust in the facts of the Bible.

2. We need to have a Bible understanding of the word death.

a. There is much confusion and misunderstanding concerning the word death.

b. The Bible speaks of two deaths:

1) Physical

2) Spiritual

c. Physical death is referred to as the first death.

1) Something we all face.

2) Hebrews 9:27

3) Ecclesiastes 9:5

4) James 4:14

d. Spiritual death is referred to as the second death.

1) Revelation 20:6-14

2) Only the lost person will die twice.

e. Death is simply separation.

1) Separation of soul and spirit from the body.

2) 2 Corinthians 5:1-8

f. Death for the saved is called sleep.

1) 1 Corinthians 15:51

2) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

g. Death is swallowed up in victory.

1) John 11:23-27

2) 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

h. Death for the Christian is not a word of defeat, a word of finality, but death for the saved means separation and sleep.

i. Death is the only means for God to transport a person from this life to the next, Heaven.

3. Third, in trying to understand death, consider the people who are affected by death.

a. Jesus, what is His feelings toward Sid?

1) Psalm 116:15

2) Acts 7:56-60

3) John 14:2-3

b. Sid

1) He has gone to be with the Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:1,6 & 8.

2) It has been a time of gain not loss.

a) Philippians 1:20-23

b) To die is gain.

3) A time or rewarding for Sid.

a) 2 Timothy 4:6-8

b) Crown

c. Us who have been left behind. How should we feel?

1) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

a) Two negatives: not to be ignorant and not to sorrow.

b) Two positives: we have a hope: 1 Corinthians 15:19, Titus 2:13, 1 Peter 1:21

c) We are to comfort or encourage one another with these words.

II. Memories of Sid and What He has Left Behind.

1. I know all of us have our own personal memories and thoughts of Sid. That nothing can ever take their place.

2. Romans 14:7, Sid has left behind a godly Christian influence.

3. Sid left behind a burden and concern for lost souls, and his unchurched friends.

a. He has prayed and asked prayers for some of you here today.

b. He really cared about your spiritual life.

4. If there was one request or desire that Sid would have for each of us, it would be simply to know his Jesus as savior.

a. At the close of your life, the only thing that is going to matter is Jesus.

b. Not what success you have had in this life.

c. Not what failure you have experienced.

d. Not how many people you have known or did not know.

5. What have you done with Jesus?

a. John 3:18

b. John 14:6

c. 1 John 5:11-13

6. Salvation is in a person. Death is defeated in a person. Our hope rests in a person, Jesus. Do you know Him? Sid did!