Into: the birth of man marks the beginning of a journey. The Bible describes man’s life on earth as a vapour, a passing shadow, as a cloud consumed and vanished away. Life is also described as swifter than the shuttle of a weavers loom.
The Word of God, tells us, there is a time to be born: a time to begin our earthly pilgrimage." Along the way we are touched by the lives of others, and hopefully we will have touched and left a mark upon the lives of our family, friends, and loved ones.
It is for this reason we have gathered today to remember not just the passing of life, but the ending of his earthly journey.
In this life we experience many joys and sorrows, we have many good memories. No doubt as we think about the birth of our children, our marriage, and the years spent together, these memories will live on in our heart and our mind.
These thoughts will bring much comfort in the coming days, weeks and months.
The Book of James chapter four asks the question, "What is life?" We who believe God’s Word know that Death Does Not End It All!
But, it does bring us to the Final Frontier.
(A) The Bible says, "There is a way that seemeth right unto man but the ends thereof are death. Enter in a the straight gate, for straight is the gate and narrow the way that leads to eternal life."
(a) How do we enter this narrow way to eternal life?
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
He also declared , "I am the door."
(b) read (John 3:16).
(c) This eternal life brings us to the Final Frontier.
(B) The Grave Is Not The End.
(a) Thank God we can have a hope.
(b) Peter called it a "Blessed Hope."
(c) The Apostle Paul said, "That if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
(C) This Hope Goes Beyond The Grave.
(a) There is the hope of Heaven. read (John 14:1-3).
(b) The desire for a life beyond this present one is universal: Every culture on every continent are looking and believing in a life beyond the grave.
(c) The Old Testament Hope.
(1) Abraham "Looked for a city which hath foundation, whose builder and maker is God."
(d) The Hope Of the Prophets.
(1) David said, "I shall be satisfied, when I wake with thy likeness."
(2) Solomon said, "The spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
(D) The New Testament Hope
(a) Was taught by Jesus. "In my Father’s house are many mansions."
(b) John described it "When He shall appear, we shall be like Him."
(c) In the Book of Revelation, He said, "Behold I saw a new Heaven and a new earth."
(E) The Influence Of This Hope
(a) (Philippians 3:8) "I count all things but loss, that I may win Christ."
(b) John prayed , "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
(F) The Consumation Of This Hope.
(a) "Behold I show you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump."
(b) "For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, and the dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up to be with the Lord, and there shall we ever be. therefore comfort one another with these words."
