The Same Jesus Who Got Him Can Get You Too
Text: John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
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INTRODUCTION
We gather here today with heavy hearts, but not without hope. We come together as family, as friends, as a community that has been touched by the life of a man who knew something that death cannot take away—he knew Jesus. And beloved, I want you to hear this good news today: the same Jesus who got him can get you too.
Death has a way of making us ask the hard questions. It strips away all our pretenses and confronts us with eternity. But when we look at the life of our dear brother, we don't just see an ending—we know a testimony. We see a man who found something worth living for and dying with. He found Jesus.
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I. THE LOVE THAT PURSUED HIM IS THE SAME LOVE PURSUING YOU
"For God so loved the world..." These aren't just pretty words to put on a church sign. This is the foundation of everything we believe. Before our brother ever thought about seeking God, God was seeking him. Before he ever reached up to heaven, heaven reached down to him.
You see, God's love isn't based on how good we are, how long we've lived, or what we've accomplished. It is based on who God is. He loved this man through every season of his life—through his youth and strength, through his struggles and victories, through his pain and his joy. And that same love is pursuing every person in this room today.
Maybe you're sitting here thinking about all the years you've lived without seriously considering God. Perhaps you remember all the times you said "later" when God said "now." But hear me clearly: it's not too late. The same love that wouldn't let him go won't let you go either.
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II. THE SACRIFICE THAT SAVED HIM IS THE SAME SACRIFICE OFFERED TO YOU
"...that he gave his one and only Son..." God didn't just feel sorry for us from a distance. He didn't just send us good wishes and positive thoughts. He gave His Son. He gave Jesus.
Our brother understood something that changed his life: Jesus didn't die for perfect people. He died for sinners, for people who had made mistakes, for people who had lived rough and struggled hard, for people just like him—and just like you and me.
When Jesus hung on that cross, He wasn't thinking about how many church services you attended or how much money you put in the offering plate. He was thinking about your soul. He was thinking about breaking the power of sin and death. He was thinking about opening the way to heaven.
The blood that Jesus shed on Calvary was enough for our departed brother, beloved; it's enough for you, too. The cross that saved him is the same cross that can save you.
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III. THE PROMISE HE CLAIMED IS THE SAME PROMISE AVAILABLE TO YOU
"...that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Did you catch that word? Whoever. Not just the preacher. Not just the deacon. Not just the church mother who's been saved for fifty years. Whoever believes.
Our brother took God at His word. He believed that Jesus was who He said He was and that Jesus could do what He said He could. And that faith—simple, childlike faith—made all the difference.
You don't have to have a theology degree to be saved. You don't have to clean yourself up first. You just have to believe. You have to say, "Jesus, I need You. I can't make it without You. Save me."
That's what he did. And that's what you can do today.
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IV. THE DESTINATION HE REACHED IS THE SAME DESTINATION WAITING FOR YOU
Our brother isn't worried about what we're eating after the funeral. He's not concerned about who's going to get his belongings. He's in the presence of Jesus, and beloved, that's where we all ought to want to be.
Heaven is real. It's not just a fairy tale we tell to make ourselves feel better about death. It's a prepared place for prepared people. Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you." And our brother has gone to claim his reservation.
But here's the question that should shake every soul in this room: Do you have a reservation? If you were to die today, do you know where you would spend eternity?
The same heaven that welcomed him is waiting to welcome you. But you must decide. You must choose. You must accept Jesus while you still have breath in your body.
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CONCLUSION: THE INVITATION
As we prepare to say our final goodbyes to this good man, I want to give you the same invitation he accepted years ago. The same Jesus who saved him wants to save you. The same Jesus who kept him wants to keep you. The same Jesus who took him home is preparing a place for you.
But you must come to Him. You must believe in Him. You must surrender to Him.
Maybe you're sitting here today and have never given your life to Christ. The Lord is speaking to your heart right now. Don't harden your heart. Don't say, "Later." Come to Jesus today.
Maybe you once knew the Lord, but you've drifted away. Come back home. The Father is waiting with open arms.
The same Jesus who got him can get you, too. But you must come. You must believe. You must surrender.
Don't leave this place without settling your soul's eternal destiny. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Today is the day of salvation.
Let us pray.
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Gracious God, we thank You for the life and testimony of our departed brother. Thank You that he knew You and that You knew him. Now, Lord, speak to every heart in this room. Draw those who need to be saved. Restore those who have wandered away. And give us all the assurance that we too shall see Your face one day. In Jesus' name, Amen.
