FUNERAL:
TEXT:
INTRODUCTION:
On behalf of the family of ______ ________ I want to thank you all for coming this morning.
We realize that Death is part of the natural laws of God, commissioned by our creator to be a messenger of mercy to rescue the soul from the monsters of suffering, pain and disease.
Therefore, we have not assembled here in protest of the natural laws of our wise Creator; but to help loved ones to prepare to accept it.
It is men once to die, but after this the judgment."
We are assembled here to show our respect for the life that Virginia lived, the legacy she has left behind, and to acknowledge that Jesse’s soul has returned to God who gave it.
We are also assembled here to express our sympathies with those who are in sorrow,
It was Peter who said, "Lord to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of Life."
Perhaps most important of all, we are here to give comfort the those who morn.
First encounter with Virginia
"Love Is."
DISCUSSION:
Some wonder at a time like this Does Jesus really care? And the answer is yes.
One of the reasons our Lord came to this earth was to comfort those who mourn.
Isa 61:1-2 The Spirit of the LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim
freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners ,to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
This comfort gives us great confidence.
Philippians 1:20-24 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
Paul further Elaborates on the reasons for this confidence.
1 Cor. 15:1-8.
Did Paul really believe this preaching?
2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
A Lesson for Those left behind
2 Sam. 12:16-23
Psalms 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS
2. Psalms 46:1-7
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
3 Psalms 103:15-17
As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more. 17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,
4 John 5:28-29
"Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 "and come forth; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
5 John 14:1-3
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
6 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen 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 sleep in Jesus.
7 Revelation 14:13
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: ’Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ " "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."
THE COMMITTAL
And now as we gather here in this chapel we commit this body to into the Hands of our loving God. Forasmuch as it has pleased Almighty God, in His wise providence, to take out of this world & bring home with Him eternally, ______ ________ a friend, father and husband, we therefore commit him body and Him soul to God who gave them. We now leave our departed loved one, Virginia to await the morning for which all mornings were made, the resurrection day. When the earth & the sea shall give up their dead; & the corruptible bodies who sleep in Him shall be changed & made like His own glorious body; according to the mighty working whereby He is able to subdue all things unto himself. The apostle Paul wrote in Gal. 1:3,4 -
"Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from the present evil age..."
In Gen. 3:19, God said -
"...for dust you are and unto dust you shall return."
Commit thou all thy griefs & ways into His hands,
to His sure Truth & tender care who earth & heaven commands.
Friends, family & brethren, we have come here this morning knowing that Jesse’s spirit which departed from him at death, has already returned to God who gave it . We have come to say a fond, final farewell to one who shall not soon be forgotten . All who knew & loved Him are going to miss Him very much. We can truly be thankful to God for the marvelous blessing of the memories Virginia left behind to sustain us in the days, weeks & months ahead.
COMMITTAL SCRIPTURE
Num 6:24-26 -
The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
PRAYER
Our Gracious Father we know that thou dost watch over and care for all things from the greatest to the least. We now commit this body to the earth in thy keeping. Believing that thou wilt do what is best for it and for us. As we go from this place, may thy blessing go with us, and thy grace, mercy and peace be multiplied.
In the name of Christ, Amen.
