Funeral - Death Is

I. Death is SEPARATION John 3:16-18

a. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

b. God so loved the world -

does not mean that God approved of the conduct of mankind.

c. It means that God so loved the world

that He gave Himself as our sacrifice.

d. We find that Death is separation

i. From loved ones and friends in this life.

ii. From God, Himself, if we aren’t saved when we leave this life.

e. The world needs God’s love

Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God:”

Because the world needed God’s love …..

whether they knew it or not …..

whether they wanted it or not …..

God sent His Son.

So we don’t have to perish –

but we might be saved from an eternal, spiritual death.

To NOT believe on the work of Jesus Christ, is to be condemned ALREADY.

II. Death is SURE Hebrews 9:27

a. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”

b. “appointed” - to be reserved, to await, laid up, an appointment

The reason for the appointment is SIN

Ezekiel 18:4 “…..the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Because of sin - we ALL have an appointment with death.

Not only physical death, but spiritual death as well.

BUT - the gift of God is eternal life (through Jesus Christ our Lord).

Immediately after death, our destination (judgment)

is known and locked in - Heaven or Hell

III. Death is VICTORIOUS I Corinthians 15:51-57

a. “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.”

b. What a Joy!

c. What a Triumph!

d. Victory over Sin, Victory over Death, and Victory over the Grave!

e. What a Victory!

IV. Death is COMFORTING I Thessalonians 4:13-18

a. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

b. There is hope!

c. There is assurance of being with Christ FOREVER.

d. There is much comfort.