Again, and again, this is taught in the Bible. Don't wait till your spouse dies to express your love. Sit in the back and see what they do. Funeral Sermon Ecclesiastes 3:11 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11 1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A . To nail that in place, Jesus told a troublesome little parable. When Jesus Comes to Reign (by Dr. John R. Rice, 1895-1980). It's what you get after Judgment Day. I'm not going back through the parable, but you saw what happened. We do this by providing free biblical content online for the good of Christs Church and for the glory of God. She was a real Christian for many years. WELL DONE! Christ shed His blood to cover our sins, but that's not all, He also gives us a fruitful life of service that's going to count for eternity. All of it taken away. Quite frankly, lost people, people who are dead in their transgressions and sins, they have no good works. The first time it's mentioned is in that incredible chapter, Genesis 15:1, After this the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, 'Fear not, Abram, I am your shield, and I am your very great reward.'" This sermon is Chapter 8 of A Minister's Treasury of Funeral and Memorial Messages by Jim Henry, former pastor of First Baptist Church Orlando, Florida. 3. But when they came into the region of Lycaonia, they continued to preach the gospel (14:7). Watch our worship service. Rev. They must be used for the glory of God. It's all over the world, salvation by works. There would be no rewards, but thanks be to God by his sovereign grace, He can make bad trees like you and me good and get some good fruit out of us. Keep your . That's how Jesus became the "way, truth and life" and becomes the best meal we'll ever eat. Preparing well for the funerals of unknowns is vital so that those who listen might find some consolation in Christ. You should be yearning to please Him so that He praises what you've done. Will we too hear those words, well done my good and faithful servant? As soon as he won, he turned and looked right to his father, and he climbs up over and around and through people to get up there and embrace him. You're going to be busy. Goodbye competition. Praise can be given to a created being without it being worship. The second is greater responsibility from God, and the third is joy in God. Paul says if you do that, you're not really a Jew. The one with the five talents comes and he says, "Master, I put your five talents to work and look, I've gained five more," And he hears these beautiful words, "Well done, you good and faithful servant. Edward Smith, we can not help but consider the song that the choir just sung. Jesus said that he stands up and prays about his favorite topic, himself. Sit down and eat. And concerning fasting, be sure that no one knows that you're fasting. But it says in Hebrews 6:10, God is not unjust, He will not forget your works and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and as you continue to help. She criticized the way funerals were done in America, including cosmetic excrescences and high expenses stemming from the greed . II.Concentrated. It's a moment in time where the significance of a person's life crystallizes. Matthew 7:16-20, "By their fruit, you will recognize them. ). Thirdly, He says it would actually be unjust for him not to reward us. You have been faithful with a few things. There's going to be no depression, no discouragement, just happiness. He says, "I tell you the truth, if you do that, you will never into eternity, lose your reward." You are presently, right now, auditioning for the role you're going to play in that eternal play. Just salivating for it, couldn't wait for it. His property, everything in the parable is his, it all belongs to him. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Most importantly, she loved her Lord and she. When you die, all that your spouse will have left of you are memories and pictures. First, the true Christians spirit goes immediately into the presence of Christ when they die, Luke 23:43; Romans 8:34, II Corinthians 12:2, 4. He's celebrating his creative beings. His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! WHEN YOU WRITE TO DR. HYMERS YOU MUST TELL HIM WHAT COUNTRY YOU ARE WRITING FROM OR HE CANNOT ANSWER YOUR E-MAIL. First of all, God's happy with what you did, just in the context that He gives the five talents and says, "I want you to know how happy I am with the talents, what you did. While recognizing the brevity of a funeral sermon (15 to 20 minutes), give them Christ. But the one with the one talent, he goes off and he hides his master's money in the ground. The kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. In addition, quoting the deceased loved one's favorite poems or lyrics or your own can help illustrate a life well-lived. Justice Scalia on Funeral Sermons. Our lives here on Earth are an extended interview for our heavenly position. It is the message of the Parable of the Talents. According to Paul in Romans 2, "This and this alone is the only way to live your whole life. The nations will walk by its light. Seven Resolutions for Finishing Well A Funeral Meditation Mar 11, 2016 Scripture: Psalm 71 John Piper Message Three Sightings of the Glory of Jesus Funeral Meditation for Char Ransom Jan 29, 2016 John Piper Sermon Death Is Not the End of Life Aug 10, 2014 Scripture: John 8:48-59 John Piper Conference Message What are you doing with your money? I dont know if I can say "I did everything God wanted me to do today". To miss one is to miss a part of life's full recipe. Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? The unbelieving will never hear those words, for "without faith it is impossible to please God" ( Hebrews 11:6 ). James says, "Show me your faith without deeds, I'll show you my faith by what I do." Ever. See, here is what belongs to you." I want the cup of cold-water reward. C. It should be positive and uplifting. 'well Done, Good and Faithful Servant', a Sermon, Preached After the Funeral of J.W. "Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Were all enjoying Jesus, just kneeling at His feet. It's all gone, He's going to teach you to delight in the widow who gave her two little coins and out-gave you. Goodbye pride. To another he gave 2 sacks of treasure. However, God is not an idolater, is he? You're storing up rewards. Praise from God. In-Depth Biblical Content by Pastor Andy Davis, The Person and Purpose of Jesus Christ (Matthew Sermon 1 of 151), The Visit of the Magi (Matthew Sermon 2 of 151), A King's Selfish Cruelty and the Fulfillment of Prophecy (Matthew Sermon 3 of 151), A Great Man Fearlessly Tells the Truth: John the Baptist (Matthew Sermon 4 of 151), The Coronation and Testing of the King (Matthew Sermon 5 of 151), An Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew Sermon 6 of 151), The Heart of a True Christian: The Beatitudes, Part 1 (Matthew Sermon 7 of 151), Seeing the Needy and Seeing God: The Beatitudes, Part 2 (Matthew Sermon 8 of 151), Character that Advances the Kingdom: The Beatitudes, Part 3 (Matthew Sermon 9 of 151), Salt and Light: Christian Influence on Society (Matthew Sermon 10 of 151), Christ, the Christian, and the Old Testament (Matthew Sermon 11 of 151), Christ Judges the Heart: Anger (Matthew Sermon 12 of 151), Heart Righteousness and the Law (Matthew Sermon 13 of 151), What Are You Doing More Than Others? You wouldnt want me to leave this place if you could see me now. I want to go where there's happiness. Rarely is it longer than an hour. Those who are Christians in name only do not have this blessed hope. When Jesus comes to reign. Right from the beginning, God said in Genesis 1:31, God saw all that He had made and behold it was very good. Learn about the parable that this Bible phrase originates from and the wisdom we can gain from it. All their work for the United Way and for UNICEF and Habitat for Humanity and Walk for Hunger and cerebral palsy and all of that, all our righteous acts are like filthy rags in the sight of God. You're going to learn more joy after 1000 years than you knew in the first 1000 years. In this time of grief, you must honor the deceased, comfort their family and friends, help people mourn, and ultimately share the good news of the hope we have in Jesus Christ for eternal life after death. (My other church will do the same in a fortnight.) And why? Randy Alcorn's bookHeavenargues for hundreds of pages against the concept that we're going to be floating on some cloud strumming a harp. I preached the funeral that I could preach for a Rahab, or a Ruth, or the thief on the cross. XXV. That's after you've done everything you were commanded to do. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away! Jonathan Edwards, in his 22nd resolution said, Resolved to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor and vehemence, yea, even violence, I am capable of or can bring myself to exert in any way that can be thought of. Okay, and if that's not plain, I just rephrase it a bit. It is one of the greatest motivators to live the Christian life. A funeral service is an event unlike any other. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. He is blameless and upright, a man who fears God, he lives a righteous life. He's celebrating Job, a human being. God is an incredibly joyous being. "Well done, good and faithful servant." Each receives the same invitation: "You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. I think the idea for this book was born that day. This concept of authority structure is taught openly in the Parable of the 10 minas[money] which is a parallel parable here. Jesus died on the Cross to pay the full penalty for your sin. Lamb book. We're all enjoying Jesus, just kneeling at His feet. He moves in us by faith through the Holy Spirit when the time comes to actually do those good works, overcoming our own native selfishness and weakness. If God would not leave his Son in the grave, he will not abandon those who trusted in his Son. Some have a limited amount of these things. But when Christ returns, she will come down to this earth with Him in her resurrected body, walking and leaping and praising God in Christs 1,000-year earthly kingdom! For I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger, you did not invite me, and I needed clothes, you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me." A key lesson of these parables is that God expects us to gain a measurable increase in our lives. Friends, if you hear me saying, we don't need to be doing that, you have missed it. Can you do that? Tonight, one of my churches holds an 'All Souls Service', where we invite all the families for whom we have conducted funerals over the past year. is absolutely true. Look at the procedure we see in the stories. It is a life that God will richly reward by grace on Judgment Day." by Pastor Jim Henry on Wednesday, January 01, 2014 at 6:00 AM. Often, preachers see these funerals as a mere duty every clergyman simply must do. Third, Eloise, and all true Christians, will appear before Christ to receive rewards, II Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:21; I Corinthians 15:58; Luke 19:12-26, Revelation 2:26; 5:10. It is the consummation of the very thing that we should have been seeking all along. Secondly, it's not becoming. He speaks of wrestling, boxing, running, winning the race, winning the prize, and winning crowns. Such a man's praise does not come from men, but from God. Our works will identify us, dear friends, not save us. . Amen. (21&23). However, though we may not be justified by good works, the Bible teaches, and this is hard for Christian to understand, but the Bible teaches it, we will be assessed by our works. This was the funeral of a very lovely 94-year-old woman in our church, who was a believer. The occasion is very serious and many there are thinking of eternal things who have not done so in quiet a while. I'm pleased with your offering. Our whole lives should go into gaining that honor and glory that God will give to faithful servants. The purpose of this website is to provide free sermon manuscripts and sermon videos to pastors and missionaries throughout the world, especially the Third World, where there are few if any theological seminaries or Bible schools. seminaries or Bible schools. If you could see me now, I'm walking streets of gold, if you could see me now, I'm standing tall and whole, if you could see me now you'd see the pains erased, if you could see me now you'd know I'd seen His face. If you want to write to Dr. Hymers by postal mail, his address is P.O. We can't say it too often, why? Look to Christ, not to your own works. Is it wrong to yearn for praise from Jesus? Have your father put your arm around you after the game and say, "Win or lose, I was proud of what you did today. When Jesus comes to reign. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? John 12:26, says, Whoever serves Me must follow Me, and where I am, there, my servant also will be. Without faith, he says, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. You've got to believe in rewards to be pleasing to God. How good is Jesus, how good is Jesus Christ for giving us these things? It is essentially idolatrous in the non-Christian because it's not connected in any way with the glory of God and faith in Jesus Christ and His kingdom. I will do whatever I can to maximize my heavenly happiness. I thank you, God, that I'm not like other men, robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector over here. Tonight I will give you a brief outline of the main events that happen to a Christian like Eloise after they die. It would be this, "To hear these words from Christ, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'" Christ will descend to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. All sickness gone, all sore. Can you do this like I did? And we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:10). 2021 14 Dec. His Lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. I don't know how that works, but it's an eternal praise from God. Matthew 25:23New International Version. He always agrees, provided they don't mind that he speaks Christian truth. In Luke 17:7-10, Suppose one of you had a servant plowing looking after the sheep. And recognize that Jesus is not only your Savior; He is also your Lord (see Luke 6:46 ). For we must all [who are true Christians] appear before the judgment seat of Christ (II Corinthians 5:10). The rewards Christ will give at this time will determine the position the Christian will have in Christs earthly kingdom (Luke 19:12-26). The apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:5, Judge nothing before the appointed time. This is the objective ground of our faith in the coming day of resurrection. The only comfort some funeral sermons bring is when they are over! The sermon manuscripts are not copyrighted, so preachers can use them without our permission. If you could see me now, Im walking streets of gold, if you could see me now, Im standing tall and whole, if you could see me now youd see the pains erased, if you could see me now youd know Id seen His face. He is among us; He is in us; He is our very life. The Bible also tells us that rewards are given to us by grace, dear friends, we cannot demand them, and we know we don't deserve them. What are you going to do with the fact that most knowledgeable Christians if you ask them and say, "What is the one thing you'd want on Judgment Day?" This is the focus of the rest of our time. She was married to James Roop on New Years Eve, December 31, 1994. Sermon Matthew 25:14-30 Trust, Not Fear. But just in case it might not be, let's elaborate a bit. He will make no mistakes, his praise will not puff you up, it will not go to your head, it will not corrupt you. by Ibrahim Smile. Goodbye jealousy. Some of you may be thinking, "Well, then what difference does it make if Im going to be just as happy with other people's achievements " Don't think like that. Then that one with the one talent comes in and insults the master, not a good way to begin your Judgment Day encounter. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. Including words or songs from others in your funeral sermon can be "meaning-making.". As many money giving opportunities and prayers up in secret and actions done and gospel shared, and fear overcome and everything you need to do to store up your Father's praise for you. Turn your life over to Jesus and He will save you, as He saved all of the true Christians here tonight. taken her place among the heroes of faith now to cheer us on and to pray for us that we also might follow and finish well . Come and share your master's happiness!'. God is actually intending to reward you for good works. Because the father's happy with it, that's going to band us together. No, he didn't reach millions but he was faithful right where he was. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. As Napoleon was talking with the captain of the Bellerophon, the ship that would carry him to his exile, he was in a pensive and somewhat ironic mood. No ones in a hurry, no schedule to keep. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life. He's just happy. IV. Story #4: In My Father's House. I'm going to close now with Jonathan Edwards' resolution, by way of application. If you've not been trustworthy with someone else's property now, who would give you property of your own?
