Sermons on Funeral:

Without Wavering

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 11, 2009

Funeral sermon for Howard Abernethy, the church’s longest-standing member. He lived without wavering from old values, from his church, from his friendships.

Howard Abernethy approached me after worship one Sunday and said that he and his wife wanted to invite Margaret and me on a little excursion. It would be a day on the railroad. He had learned that my grandfather had been a railroad mechanic, and thought maybe we were kindred spirits. Howard ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 26:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 19, 2019

This was a funeral for a woman who had struggled with disease for several years. Every time she went to see the doctor she asked her daughter to play the song "Lord, I hope this day is good."

(prior to the sermon the funeral home played the old Country hit “Lord, I hope this day is good.”) OPEN: Kay was a wonderful woman who struggled with a terrible disease that ultimately took her life. Every day that she had to go to see the doctor she’d ask her daughter to play the song we just ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Heart Of A Shepherd - A Man After God's Own Heart Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 14, 2005

Psalm 23 is often quoted at funerals. But this is not a Psalm about death... it’s a song about life. The life that only the good shepherd can supply.

OPEN: I once read the story about a 1st-grader stood in front of his classroom. The class had been taking turns in front of the room answering the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” This little boy stood up and said, "I’m going to be a lion tamer and have lots of fierce ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In The Heavenlies!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 23, 2013

At a Christian’s funeral we say they have gone on to heaven. In truth, their heart had already been there for years, and the rest of their person is now rejoining their heart!

In the Heavenlies Ephesians 1:3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/130123.mp3 v. 3 is the key verse of this book. It is summarized in three words: "all spiritual blessings". Then vv. 4-14 give the detail of what ’all’ means. We are rich and famous in things that really matter. Rich as joint heirs ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Sola Gratia - Salvation By Grace Alone Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Nov 22, 2017

What is Grace? When the world hears "Amazing Grace" what do they think it means? Is it just a funeral dirge to be played by bagpipers? What is the source of Grace?

Please open your Bibles to John 1:1-18 which we will read in a few minutes. Over the past couple of weeks we have been taking a look at the five “Solas” that were established after the Protestant Reformation came along in 1517. These “Solas” are not something that was invented in the 16th century ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18, John 1:16-17

Denomination: Nazarene

All We Need Is Love. Oh, Really?

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Jul 29, 2008

Did you ever heard or thought that doctrines are not so important? All we need is Jesus… We don’t need that extra stuff. As Christians, how many doctrines we got so far? Muslims got 5. 1.Allah Akbar – Allah is one. 2.Mohamed is his prophet

Did you ever heard or thought that doctrines are not so important? All we need is Jesus… We don’t need that extra stuff. As Christians, how many doctrines we got so far? Muslims got 5. 1. Allah Akbar – Allah is one. 2. Mohamed is his prophet. 3. Give to the poor. 4. Fast at the end of Ramadan. ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

New Year 2023 - Your Legacy: Will It Make It Through The Fire?

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Dec 20, 2022

As we begin a new year, I wanted to share a message about our legacy. As you read the fictional stories of the three funerals, think about what your legacy will be when you leave here.

Your Legacy: Will It Make It Through The Fire? Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21; First Corinthians 3:11-15 Happy New Year New Light! This morning I want to talk with you about your legacy – the one you will leave behind on earth but will greet you in heaven. This is the first Sunday of a new year and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Tears That Touched Jesus’ Heart Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 15, 2012

Jesus only raised 3 people (that I know of) from the dead. Why didn’t He raise everybody out of the grave? Why just people like this only son of the widow of Nain?

OPEN: One of my favorite radio preachers is a man named Tony Evans. I remember listening to him use an illustration about standing in a cafeteria line – and he made it sound intriguing and almost exciting. What I want to share with you this morning (copying as best I can Evans’ distinctive way of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Participate In The Resurrection Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 1, 2013

The witness of the apostles to the Resurrection challenges us to face the mystery of our own existence and life, and adopt a way of life that would inspire others at our own funerals.

Monday of Easter Week Gaudium et Spes Fifty-one days. What a difference fifty-one days can make, if Jesus Christ and the Spirit of Jesus Christ permeates those days. Look at the followers of Jesus in the wake of His arrest, torture and execution. They were cowering in a little upper room in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:8-15

Denomination: Catholic

A Living Testimony

Contributed by Larry Grant on Mar 13, 2022

Lazarus would one day die again, and he would have another funeral, but because of him, everyone that encountered him would receive a Living Testimony!

The Changed (v.2 but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table) • Martha – Still serving, but now with no complaints for Jesus • Mary – Still at His feet, but now preparing for Jesus’ burial • Lazarus – Still with his sisters, but now alive and sitting at dinner with Jesus. He was alive and ...read more

Scripture: John 12:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Futility Of Life Without God Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Sep 22, 2024

Since God wants better for us, we must give Him our best.

The Futility of Life Without God Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 Rev. Brian Bill September 21-22, 2024 Sometimes people ask me if I’d rather officiate at a wedding or a funeral. A wedding celebrates a beginning, a funeral acknowledges an ending. Both are occasions where friends and family gather together to ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Filling The Holes--A Christmas Story

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 30, 2009

Jesus Christ can fill up the God-sized, God-shaped hole in any heart.

Homily for Wake Service One of the most popular films [of this season] is a little fifties vignette, A Christmas Story. In the plot, young Ralphie sets his heart on an air rifle for Christmas, and endures ridicule and scorn in his quest for this gift he believes will make him happy. In the end, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Denomination: Catholic

On Board With God

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jun 14, 2011

A sermon preached at the memorial service for the Honorable Graham B. Purcell, Jr.

First Presbyterian Church Wichita Falls, Texas June 14, 2011 Witness to the Resurrection Graham B. Purcell, Jr. (May 5, 1919 - June 11, 2011) ON BOARD WITH GOD Isaac Butterworth Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV) 1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

pequeñas Cosas Que Ilustran El Poder De La Lengua! Series

Contributed by John Wright on Feb 1, 2010

James teaches the importance of controling the tongue and this sermon is in Spanish, but this whole series can be converted to Spanish by going to James #0.

INTRODUCCIÓN 1. Abre tu Biblia James 3:2-6. 2. El título de la lección: "Las cosas pequeñas que ilustran el poder de la lengua"! 3. Santiago 3:2-6 está lleno de imágenes visuales. 4. Las tres imágenes que ilustran los usos James punto que, desde que son pequeños y, sin embargo, controlar ...read more

Scripture: James 3:2-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grief With A Hope Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Sep 23, 2010

Our grief is not that of the world, but it is a grief that is sheltered in the grace, mercy and love of God thru the person of Jesus Christ, and although we hurt and are stung by death in this world, our hope is in Christ who promises eternity in Heaven w

Sermon Brief Date Written: September 23, 2010 Date Preached: September 23, 2010 Sermon Details: Sermon Series: Funeral Service for Mary Jo Frazier Sermon Title: We grieve, but Our Grief has a Hope! Sermon Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Baptist