Introduction

Good morning, everyone! I hope you're all doing well and feeling blessed today. We're here to talk about something that's a bit heavy, but also incredibly important. It's about remembering those who have passed on before us, and about our own place in the grand scheme of things.

Our scripture passage for today is from John 5:24-27. Let's read it together, shall we? Here's what it says:

"Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man."

Powerful stuff, isn't it?

Commemoration of All Faithful Departed

We find ourselves in the midst of a grand tapestry, woven together by the threads of countless lives. Each thread represents a person, a soul, who has lived, loved, and served in this world. These threads, these lives, are not forgotten. They continue to be part of the fabric of our existence, even after they've moved on from this earthly life. We are called to remember them, to honor them, and to learn from their examples.

The passage we read speaks to this: It tells us that those who hear the word of God and believe in Him have eternal life. They have crossed over from death to life. This is a powerful promise, a promise of life beyond death, a promise of a continued existence in the presence of God.

Not just for the few: It's not just for the saints or the martyrs or the heroes of the faith. It's for all who believe, for all who have heard the word of God and have put their trust in Him. This is the first aspect we need to understand. The promise of eternal life is for all the faithful departed, for all who have lived their lives in faith and service to God.

The role of Jesus in this: The scripture tells us that the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. Jesus is the one who calls us to eternal life. He is the one who bridges the gap between death and life. He is the one who brings us into the presence of God.

Not just a theoretical idea: It's a practical reality. It's something that impacts our lives here and now. It's something that gives us hope in the face of death. It's something that gives us comfort in the midst of grief. It's something that gives us a sense of purpose and direction in our lives.

Remembering Those Who Have Gone Before Us

As we reflect on the words of John 5:24-27, we find ourselves in a space of remembrance ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO