What Do We Do When Our Loved Ones Die? Series

Intro: When John the Baptist died tragically, the

disciples of Jesus exemplified what we must do today

when our loved ones die. Let us notice what verse

14 says:

I. THE DISCIPLES CAME

1. They stopped what they were doing, came

together from various places.

2. Sadly, funerals are about the only time some

families get together anymore...but today

many of you have stopped, travelled long

distances, and have come together to show

love and sympathy during this time.

3. The disciples were about the only family

John the Baptist had left...and they came

together for an important task.

II. THEY TOOK UP THE BODY AND BURIED IT

1.I know of no one who is comfortable with

the painful but necessary task of making

arrangements for the burial of the body

of a loved one.

2.In the disciples’ case, it was the same...

no matter how upsetting, unpleasant, or

uncomfortable, the task had to be done..

and it was the RIGHT THING TO DO to see

that John the Baptist got a decent burial.

3.Scripture teaches that those who personally

receive Jesus as Savior, inviting him

to come into their heart and cleanse them

from sin can look forward to a day when

our bodies will be raised from the grave,

re-joined with our spirits, and be re-united

with Christ and our saved loved ones forever.

4.So today, we, like the disciples, gather to

do what is "right" and "necessary"...and that

is as it should be.

III. THEY WENT AND TOLD JESUS

1. This is my favorite part of this verse.

2. They were grieving the loss of John the

Baptist, and were heavy-hearted over the

task of burying his body....they were

emotionally drained...

3. But after they did what was necessary,

they IMMEDIATELY WENT AND TOLD JESUS about

it all.

4. I am GLAD TO SAY that you and I can tell

Jesus about anything, any time, as many times

as necessary...and he will always listen and

help us through.

5. SONG: I MUST TELL JESUS ALL OF MY TRIALS

I CANNOT BEAR MY BURDENS ALONE

IN MY DISTRESS HE KINDLY WILL HELP ME

HE EVER LOVES AND CARES FOR HIS OWN.

6.In the days to come, the relatives will all

return home, things will get back to somewhat

of a routine...and then is when you may sense

a real need to talk to someone...YOU CAN GO

TO JESUS AND TELL HIM OF YOUR HURT, YOUR

CONFUSION, YOUR FEARS, whatever is bothering

you!

7.He will hear, help, and heal our broken

hearts...and he will UNDERSTAND OUR EMOTIONS.

8.Scripture says Jesus was a "man of sorrows

aquainted with grief."

Conclusion: Yes, we come together today, painfully

doing what is necessary at a time like this. When

we leave this cemetary, we can GO AND TELL JESUS

ALL ABOUT OUR TROUBLES AND WE CAN REST ASSURED THAT

HE WILL HELP US BEGIN TO RECOVER FROM THIS EXPERIENCE.