Be Not Deceived
Funeral Sermon For A Believer
Text
Are you not, therefore, mistaken, because you do not know the scriptures nor the power of God.
But concerning the dead that they rise. Have you not read in the book of Moses in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him saying, “ I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living, you
are therefore greatly mistaken. “ Mark 12: 24, 26, 27
This text was conceived of a question raised from the Sadducees who had drawn a conclusion that there was no resurrection; In making this assumption they asked Jesus about the writing of Moses. Jesus answered them and said, “ are you not therefore, mistaken, because
you do not know the scriptures nor the power of God.
But concerning the dead that they rise. Have you not read in the book of Moses in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him saying. “ I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You
are therefore greatly mistaken. “
Jesus was very emphatic when he said, “ He is not the God of the dead While you can’t speak to the deceased, there is always someone who is in need of the word of God. It is in your discretion that you may speak briefly to the family and friends of the deceased.
Example
Examine The Body of The Deceased Before The Congregation:
(1) Let Them Know That The Body Is:
(A) An empty shell
(B) An image of the former life
Be Not Deceived
(2) Examine The Conscience State Of The Deceased
(A) Has moved to physical death - to - spiritual life
(Pertaining to the Believer) (Give an example)
Be Not Deceived
For God is not the God of the dead, but the god of the living.
The Apostle Paul said, “ for none of us lives to himself and no one dies to himself,
For if we live, we live to the Lord, Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lords.
Be Not Deceived
For God is not the God of the dead, But the God of the living
(3) Death - To - Life
(A) The hour is coming, and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God and they that hear shall live.
(B) For the father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the son to have life in himself;
(C) For the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the
resurrection of damnation.
Be Not Deceived
For God is not the God of the dead, but the God Of the living.
Closing
The minister May say:
“ And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with
them “ (Rev 14:13).
“ Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever (Psalm 73: 24-26).
