Our Hope of the Resurrection
-A Funeral Message of Hope-
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, 1 Corinthians 15:50-55, Revelation 21:1-5
So, today, we are here to honor George and we are to do it in a celebration of life.
George was a very upbeat and positive person, a very God-fearing man who always had his nose right in the Bible. Jan said that a lot of the times when she would go looking for George, she would find him glued to the Bible, always studying, and you know what? It showed.
It showed in his
• attitude and desire to serve the brethren,
• in his life and dedication to God, as well as
• in his dedication to his wife and family.
That truly is a testament to a Godly life of a Godly man.
George understood and had great hope in the resurrection and the Kingdom of God.
A friend of the family posted a quote on face-book that did agree with the life George lived and the example he set.
The quote went like this.
• “Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.”
Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely. George had nothing to fear in his physical death because he did live wisely. He lived wisely because he did keep his nose in the Bible and he grew in knowledge and understanding. Again, it was evident by the wonderful example he set for us all.
Many of us who have the same faith and belief that George had understand exactly what the Bible says about death and what’s next. We have that understanding and great comfort in knowing that this physical life is not all there is, that God’s plan of salvation promises much more even after our physical death.
Maybe some of us don't fully understand what George knew about this next phase after death.
Let me share just a bit about what George knew concerning the hope he had and the hope we all need to have and keep in mind.
There is a section of scripture found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 that Paul used to give us all understanding of the great hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen [b]asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who [c]sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [d]asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
First, we see that there is an order to those who will meet Christ at His return. The dead in Christ, the saints, those who remained faithful until the end of their physical life, will be raised first.
Christ said some special things for the saints who have died. We are told in
Psalm 116:15 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. And then Paul says in Philippians 1:21 that 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Then getting back to the order, the remaining saints of God will meet Christ next.
Paul told us to comfort one another with these words. Death in this physical life is hard. It hurts when we lose a loved one and a friend. We don’t know how long we will have to wait to see them again, but we can rest assured that if we follow God’s way of life, we will see them again.
If you noticed just into verse 17 here, Paul said that “we who are alive and remain” this lends itself to a dual meaning. First it is speaking of the ones who are blessed to be alive at the return of Christ, but also it carries the notion that we must Spiritually endure to the end.
George knew that it was very important to endure and to have this hope in the resurrection and the Plan of God. It is life changing.
You know, it is through the resurrection that God destroys death.
He tells us in 1Corinthians 15:51 that “…all shall be changed”
Today, death is a feared enemy of most people.
Let me read to you
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have [d]fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
You see, God made man physical first to give man the opportunity to learn how live and how not to live, how to build within himself the very character of God.
Continuing on:
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
Again, we see, as the Plan of God is fulfilled in this physical world, the final act will be to destroy death.
God has a plan that He is working out. He is developing a spiritual Kingdom, not of physical human beings that are subject to all the human problems and weaknesses, but that of a spiritual family.
This is stated in
1 Corinthians 15:50-55
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a [m]mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O[n] Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
You know, George had the blessing of knowing all this and the understanding that all these promises of God will be granted.
I want to share one final section of scripture with you that George also understood and knew to be true, as the promises of God, and he faithfully knew that these promises will also be fulfilled in God’s time.
Revelation 21 (NKJV)
21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, [a]John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said [b]to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
This is exactly what George knew and understood. I have no doubt because I have spoken with him over the years on this and other biblical topics.
What a great comfort it is to have the knowledge of God and His wonderful plan of salvation sowed right in our very hearts and minds. That should give us the strength and comfort to keep going as far as God chooses to take us in this physical life.
In the faithful words of the Apostle Paul,
George has fought a good fight, he has finished his race, and has kept the faith. He now rests and awaits the resurrection and we will patiently wait to see him again!
