IN THE ARMS OF THE LORD (Funeral sermon)
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text:. Luke 16:22 (KJV)
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried.
INTRODUCTION:
In moments of grief, we often find ourselves looking for comfort and hope. The question of where our loved ones go after death is one that brings solace to those who are left behind. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, as shared by Jesus in Luke 16:22, we see the powerful imagery of a soul being received into the arms of the Lord. While the rich man, despite his wealth, faced a grim eternity, the beggar Lazarus was carried by angels into the comfort of Abraham's bosom, a symbol of peace and rest in the presence of the Lord.
For those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, death is not an end but a transition into the arms of a loving Savior. This truth is a comfort to us as we reflect on the life of our dear departed, knowing that they have now entered into a place of eternal rest and peace. As we mourn, we are reminded that there is hope beyond the grave, that in death, our loved ones are embraced by the Lord and carried into His presence.
Let this truth strengthen our hearts today, as we reflect on the reality that our loved one is no longer suffering but is safely held in the arms of the Lord, iswhere there is no pain, no sorrow, only eternal peace and joy.
1. THE COMFORT OF THE LORD'S ARMS
When we think of the arms of the Lord, we imagine a place of comfort, protection, and peace, far from the struggles and pain of this world.
a) The Lord is our refuge in times of trouble. In moments of grief, the Lord's arms offer us protection, keeping us safe under His wing (Psalm 91:1-2).
b) God’s arms hold us close to His heart. His arms are a place of intimate care, where we are never alone, even in the face of death (Isaiah 40:11).
c) Death is a transition to eternal comfort. Just as Lazarus was carried to Abraham’s bosom, so too will the righteous find rest in the arms of the Lord, where there is no more pain or sorrow (Revelation 14:13).
d) The Lord’s arms are arms of love. In life and in death, God’s love is unwavering, and He calls His children to rest in His everlasting love (Romans 8:38-39).
Biblical Example: In the Old Testament, when Jacob was comforted by God in his grief over Joseph’s supposed death, God’s arms were a source of reassurance and peace (Genesis 37:35).
The arms of the Lord offer ultimate comfort, where there is no fear, only peace.
2. THE LORD CARRIES HIS PEOPLE INTO HIS PRESENCE
In death, the believer is not left to face the unknown alone; they are carried by the Lord Himself into His eternal presence.
a) God sends His angels to carry us. Just as Lazarus was carried by angels, God provides His heavenly messengers to escort His children into His eternal rest (Luke 16:22).
b) Jesus promised to prepare a place for us. In John 14:2-3, Jesus assured us that He is preparing a place for us, where we will dwell with Him forever.
c) Our entrance into heaven is guaranteed. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are assured that when we die, we will be carried safely into the presence of God (2 Corinthians 5:8).
d) The journey from life to death is in God’s hands. For the believer, there is no uncertainty or fear in death; the Lord Himself guides us safely to our eternal home (Psalm 23:4).
Biblical Example: When Stephen was stoned, he saw heaven opened and Jesus standing to receive him. This shows how the Lord Himself welcomes His faithful ones into His presence (Acts 7:55-59).
The Lord carries us from the pains of this world into the peace of His eternal presence, ensuring we are never alone.
3. DEATH IS NOT THE END, BUT A NEW BEGINNING
For the believer, death marks the beginning of an eternal life in the arms of the Lord, where we will experience peace and joy forevermore.
a) Death is a doorway to eternal life. For those who die in Christ, death is not the end but the beginning of eternal life with God (John 11:25-26).
b) We will be free from all suffering. In the presence of the Lord, there is no pain, no sorrow, only peace and joy for eternity (Revelation 21:4).
c) The believer’s soul enters into rest. When we pass from this life, we enter into rest with the Lord, where we experience the fullness of His peace (Hebrews 4:9-10).
d) We shall be with the Lord forever. The promise of eternal life is not just life after death, but eternal fellowship with God, where we will never be separated from Him (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Biblical Example: The apostle Paul described his longing to depart and be with Christ, which he considered far better than anything on earth (Philippians 1:23).
Death is a new beginning for the believer, a transition into the eternal presence of God, where all things are made new.
4. THE LORD’S ARMS ARE A PLACE OF PEACE AND REST
In the arms of the Lord, there is complete rest, free from the burdens and struggles of life.
a) The weary find rest in the Lord’s arms. For those who have labored in this life, the arms of the Lord offer a place of rest and peace (Matthew 11:28-30).
b) There is no more pain or sorrow. In God’s presence, we are completely restored, and there is no more mourning or suffering (Isaiah 25:8).
c) The peace of God surpasses understanding. Even in the face of death, those who are in Christ have access to a peace that transcends all human understanding (Philippians 4:7).
d) In God’s arms, we are healed and made whole. The healing and restoration of our souls take place in the arms of the Lord, where we are made whole and complete (Isaiah 53:5).
Biblical Example: When the Apostle John saw a vision of heaven, he saw a place where there was no more death, mourning, or pain, only peace in the arms of God (Revelation 21:1-4).
The arms of the Lord are a place of eternal peace, where our souls find true rest.
5. DEATH BRINGS US CLOSER TO GOD’S LOVING EMBRACE
While death separates us temporarily from our loved ones, it brings the believer closer to the embrace of God, where we are forever held in His love.
a) God’s love is the source of our eternal comfort. The love of God is a constant and unchanging force that surrounds us, especially in the moment of death (Romans 8:39).
b) The believer’s soul is held securely by God’s love. No matter what happens in this life, the believer is always held securely by God’s love, both in life and in death (John 10:28-30).
c) We are never truly separated from God. Even in death, the believer is forever united with God, and His love will never fail (Romans 8:35).
d) Death brings us into the fullness of God’s presence. While on earth we experience glimpses of God’s presence, in death we enter into His full embrace (Psalm 73:24).
Biblical Example: Jesus, speaking of Lazarus, assured Martha that he would rise again and that those who believe in Him would never die, for they have eternal life in His love (John 11:25-26).
Death brings the believer closer to the full embrace of God’s love, where we are held forever in His arms.
CONCLUSION:
As we grieve the loss of our loved one, let us find comfort in the truth that they are now in the arms of the Lord. Death is not the end, but a transition into the eternal embrace of God’s love and peace. For those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ, death is simply a passage into His loving arms, where there is no more sorrow, only eternal rest and joy. Let us live with the hope that one day, we too will be carried into His presence, where we will be united with Him forever.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, comfort my heart as I mourn the loss of my loved one.
2. Father, help me to trust in Your eternal promises, knowing that death is not the end.
3. I pray for peace that surpasses all understanding as I grieve.
4. Lord, let Your love and comfort surround my family during this time of loss.
5. Help me to live in the light of eternity, trusting in Your arms of protection.
