Funeral Service - The Lord Is My Shepherd

Welcome and Words of Comfort

• Thank you for coming today to say goodbye and to pay your last respects to …….

• Whether we are family or friends, we have been drawn together today by the life of …………………...

• ………...... was born ………… and lived a full life until he died on ……………. this year at the age of …….

• He married ……… and they had three boys, ………………… and they in turn are responsible for ……… grandchildren

• …….. and the family would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate ………… life but also to support her and the family during their time of loss.

• ………… was a man of faith, so last ………….night one of God’s saints died.

• God’s word tells us in the book of Psalms (116:15) that, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."

• What we see revealed here is that God was and still is, intimately involved in ………. life.

• Not only was ………. a precious saint in God’s eyes, but he was also someone who was precious to his family and friends. He has enriched all of our lives as a result of his touching those of us gathered here today.

• We grieve that loss and God shares in our grief.

• But this is not the end for ……… as God has a plan to overcome all grief and death.

• God, who ultimately is the Father of every human being, that’s why He labels himself “Father”, is not going to allow “death” to be the final word for humanity. God is about life not death.

• We will talk more of that later, but right now we need to hear about ………. life and what he meant to his family and to do that we have ………….

Obituaries

• As we have heard, ……. was a loving husband, a devoted father and a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. If we were to etch words on a gravestone, there are no better descriptions than these.

Message of Comfort and Encouragement

• One of the most reassuring passages of scripture that has comforted believers throughout history has been the 23rd Psalm.

• This psalm is about the faithful God, the Good Shepherd, who walks beside those who acknowledge Him as their God.

• Regardless of the circumstances one faces, whether they are good, threatening or even death, God is there taking us by the hand and leading us to that final glory He has prepared for us.

• Notice the different circumstances, good, threatening and even death that is mentioned as I read it to you.

• I’m a little old fashioned so this comes from the NKJ version.

• The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

• 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

• 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.

• How reassuring is that message to those facing the trials and tribulations of this world knowing our faithful God is right there leading and sometimes carrying us through those trials.

• Jesus too has a reassuring message for believers.

• John 14:1-3 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.

• Just over a week ago, ………. fell asleep for the last time. When he did, the greatest arms in the universe slipped under him, gently lifted him up and carried him to that place God has prepared for him.

• Jesus Christ Himself is there to welcome ………….. and as he is one of God’s faithful servants, he will hear those reassuring words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; You have fought a good fight, you have finished the course, you have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ (Matthew 25:21, 2 Timothy 4:7-8)