Sorrow and sighing shall flee away! The Greatest Love Story - A Funeral Sermon Marvin Patterson John 3:16 Introduction: The family would like for me to thank all of you for your prayers, support, cards, flowers, food and all that you have done in this time of need. Secondly, greater responsibility entrusted by God. 7) One of the best things you can do for yourself, pastor, is to drop in on funeral services being conducted by other ministers whom you know and respect. It is to the glory of God for you to be a spiritual athlete and go after joy. A. No, he didn't reach millions but he was faithful right where he was. And we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:10). This principle captures our task regardless the kind of funeral we do. I want you to look at this new Earth. At his funeral countless numbers of his co-workers all told the same story - this man loved Jesus and loved people. As Jesus said in Matthew 12:33, "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit." 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. Rarely is it longer than an hour. He came to find us, to forgive us, and to free us from the power of sin. He will make no mistakes, his praise will not puff you up, it will not go to your head, it will not corrupt you. When we see Jesus, it will be the most important words we may hear. And when that happens, you know, the funeral's pretty much over. 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 . The Bible goes way beyond this though, on the issue of good works, not just identifying whether you're going to heaven or hell. By the way, only God can make a bad tree good. And here we are at a funeral this morning, mourning the loss of a loved one, someone we know and love. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. I said last week that in Matthew 25:14-15, the greatest single-focused verse or two verses on the essentials of stewardship, all of the basic ingredients of stewardship are there. If you are not yet converted I'm telling you to repent by turning away from your sins. God will withhold the reward if we fail to use the talents He has given. IT is remarkable that David should say, in the sixteenth Psalm, "Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption," and yet that Paul should say concerning him, when preaching at Antioch, that he "saw corruption . You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. It is one of the greatest motivators to live the Christian life. Amen. Kingdoms shall fall, and old Satans rule Wow. And concerning fasting, be sure that no one knows that you're fasting. Part of that is an instinct, rightly, to make little of the creature, we are just created beings. IV. 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. One church I previously served also had such a service, but the Anglican rector always took that, and so . Christ will descend to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Flowers at the graveside might make you feel better, but your spouse could only have enjoyed them in life. Praise can be given to a created being without it being worship. Thats on page 1135 of the Scofield Study Bible. 3 Finishing strong can only be done by a life that has chosen Christ as Savior and Lord. What's it going to be like in the new heaven, the new Earth? A concentrated life to the lordship of Jesus Christ results in a focused, centered life. Every time you go into your room and close the door and pray for a missionary, a brother and sister in Christ, somebody sick, somebody struggling, a marriage is struggling. She was married to James Roop on New Years Eve, December 31, 1994. Reign for a thousand years. 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. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. I saw such strong similarities between the story of Dorcas and Elaine's story. God is actually intending to reward you for good works. God says, "I'm going to teach you joy that you havent known before. Where's my father? His mother was dead. It's all over the world, salvation by works. His praise means He is pleased with you and with your service. Jesus will save you for all time and all eternity if you turn from your sin and trust Him. We know this because God says He will do it for his servants who's serving by faith, He says it multiple times. A funeral message for a Christian woman who passed away. They will tag us as believers in Jesus Christ. Isn't it fantastic? He's going to walk with you and he's going to teach you how to feel joy, and not only that, but he's going to teach you joy in his other children. His property, everything in the parable is his, it all belongs to him. It's a life that's characterized by, as he puts it, "Persistence in doing good, seeking glory, honor, and immortality." The servants must give an account back to the master what they did with the things entrusted. Romans Chapter 2:7-8 says,"To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. Good and faithful Christians like Eloise will descend with Christ to rule and reign over the earth for 1,000 years. One moment let us drink the blue Transcendent air together Then down where the same old work's to do In the same dull daily weather. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. No, a man's a Jew if he's one inwardly. From talking to you and in the short time that I have known her, I believe she invested those talents very faithfully in her service for the Lord. But, Jesus and His men do not go straight back to Jewish country. Edward Smith, we can not help but consider the song that the choir just sung. Today we're going to focus in on verse 21, verse 23, this statement you've heard already a number of times this morning, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Eloises body, and the bodies of all true Christians, will be caught upto meet the Lord in the air (v. 17). Can you do that? 33. Take that one talent away from him and give it to the one who has the five talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Can we all say that? . The gospel must be preached clearly in the sermon. Matthew 25:23New International Version. When you die, all that your spouse will have left of you are memories and pictures. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Ephesians 2:8-10, Matthew 25:14-30, Revelation 21:4, 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, [NEW YEAR] 4-Week Series to kick off 2023, [PRODUCTIVITY] Fulfill your full potential, [FOUNDATIONS] Getting back to what matters most. It's profound happiness, a delight that's very difficult to capture in words, and notice the invitation: Enter into the joy of your Master. In Luke 19 says, The king sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, each person getting the same one mina, to find out what they had gained with it. To most sons, if it's not the central desire, it's important. Paul and Barnabas had been forced to flee from Antioch and Iconium. It says that you will never lose your reward. 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." While recognizing the brevity of a funeral sermon (15 to 20 minutes), give them Christ. We're going to celebrate. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58). Shall end with all its tears. Where's my father? Praise from God. Even despite their. Don't wait till your spouse dies to express your love. 23 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! Friday Evening, December 22, 2017. Napoleon said these motivate men more than just about anything he knew. I. But in the middle of it all is you get a sense of God's joy in what He's made. You're storing up rewards. Our works, good works apart from faith in Christ are actually corrupt because they're not done for the glory of God, but rather for the glory of man. Solo Sung Before the Sermon by Mr. Benjamin Kincaid Griffith: You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Would you want to spend eternity with a grumpy God? Please stand and turn to John, chapter 14, verse 1. 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. The master replies, "You wicked, lazy servant. It is said that when one of his church members was dying, John Watson, the Scottish preacher of Edinburgh, would kneel down and whisper in the person's ear: "In my Father's house are many rooms.". by Ibrahim Smile. They testify to our relationship with Him. James says, "Show me your faith without deeds, I'll show you my faith by what I do." A key lesson of these parables is that God expects us to gain a measurable increase in our lives. He is among us; He is in us; He is our very life. A life well done, "Well done, good and faithful servant." God asks no less of us then he asked of His son. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 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! The occasion is very serious and many there are thinking of eternal things who have not done so in quiet a while. Secondly, it's not becoming. He is a richly generous master, but you must come to Him for forgiveness. We also want glory and honor. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. the funeral sermon? Fourth, Eloise and all good and true Christians will return to this earth to reign with Christ. A funeral service is an event unlike any other. We are all given a certain amount of talents. We are not justified by works. The one with the two talents, he gains the two more. Through trust in Jesus, Richard had become so united to Jesus that his last breath was like Jesus' last breath on the cross, his body giving way was like Jesus' giving way, and when Richard finally fell asleep to the world early in the morning Sep. 22, he opened his eyes to behold his Lord and Savior saying, "Well done. If you want to write to Dr. Hymers by postal mail, his address is P.O. That's staggering when you think about it, unjust. Rev. Such a man's praise does not come from men, but from God. To hear those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant," from Jesus, first make sure you are saved. Among the many laws in the Pentateuch, Deuteronomy 24:5 is one of the most quaint. In the kingdom of Christ, grow it, build it for the glory of God. Note: Ephesians 2:8-10: Works do not save us, but we are created in Christ to do them. 34 And Jesus said, ''Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.''. It's the story of redemption, of God's love extended to one whom many thought beyond his reach. Invested in the kingdom, God can multiply, A. Now, isn't it incredible that God, Almighty God, the one whose eyes are like blazing fire, will actually look at you and praise you? Sometimes it may be up to an hour. . . Good works cannot pay for our sinfulness, only faith in the blood of Jesus Christ can. He's going on a journey, the master is going to be away for a key period of time, so the servants are going to be able to function without him visibly right there. That gold medal is a symbol of a lot of self-sacrifice of some extraordinary skill, and at the key moments when the time came to perform, winning that race or that contest and winning that gold medal. They will ask you to go out through the back door to the street and to the foyer. God isnt going to dock you for your not gaining as much as those with more. If you've not been trustworthy with someone else's property now, who would give you property of your own? Medals of honor, medals of valor, medals of glory, medals of achievement, medals of bravery, medals of service. His name was Lazarus. Whenever Jesus came to a funeral in the gospels, it stopped being a funeral. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Rest from thy loved employ; The battle fought, the victory won, Enter thy master's joy." 2 The voice at midnight came, He started up to hear; A mortal arrow pierced his frame; He fell, but felt no fear. So, we have to be told over and over again, we are never going to be justified or vindicated or forgiven for our sins by any good thing we can do. It's of the essence of the life that God has implanted in our hearts, in our souls. Then when I came back, I would have received it back with interest. First is praise from God. Joy is a powerful word in the happiness family, it is the most powerful happiness word, I think. Isn't it beautiful? You've been faithful with a few things, I'm going to put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master." Garden of Eden restored that day! He always agrees, provided they don't mind that he speaks Christian truth. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away, If this is all there was to life it would seem like an . 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. You should be yearning to please Him so that He praises what you've done. We are justified by simple faith in Jesus Christ. He speaks of wrestling, boxing, running, winning the race, winning the prize, and winning crowns. Is it wrong to yearn for praise from Jesus? So on July 27, I did not preach the funeral I dreaded. B. 4. But when they came into the region of Lycaonia, they continued to preach the gospel (14:7). First, I just want to lay the groundwork, doctrinally, so we understand biblically how to think about rewards. There are actually going to be responsibilities in the new heaven, the new Earth. In Luke 17:7-10, Suppose one of you had a servant plowing looking after the sheep. But we also know from the world around us / the struggles and the conflicts / the pre-determined attitudes and fixed mind-sets / which do not uphold those "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. Those who are Christians in name only do not have this blessed hope. As this sermon reminds us, the scriptures are very clear and forceful that in times of crisis, many people feel the absence of God. Even if there were a system whereby, we could pay for our good works through our sins, through our good works, you would empty out your pockets on Judgment Day and find you didn't have a single one. You may telephone him at (818)352-0452. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, Pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church, provides a homily entitled, "Well Done" at the Memorial Service of Rev. In John 11, the Bible tells a story about a funeral for a man who had been one of Jesus' close friends. Clearly, since immortality is not something we seek for God, these are self-referential things. So, I urge you to flee to Christ. When Jesus comes to reign. She died at 3:04 PM on December 13, 2017 at the age of 71. How good is Jesus, how good is Jesus Christ for giving us these things? And then to the goats, He will say, "Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Thanks be to God, if He couldn't do that, this sermon would be a waste of everyone's time. To the first two servants Jesus said, "Well DONE! Now I know that "celebrating" is not the usual term applied to this day. Scripture says, You've made known to me the path of life, you'll fill me with joy in your presence with eternal pleasures at your right hand. How about spending eternity sitting at the feet of the Joy Master? Imagine if the factory that made the gold medals for the Beijing games happened to make a few extra and you could buy one at cost, 500 or 600, and then you could probably wear it to work, show all your friends. It's like the honor and glory given to an Olympic athlete who wins the gold medal. If you know anything about God and His holy perfection and about yourself and the nature of your works, that should stagger you back on your heels, that He would reward anything you ever did. His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! I. We see this principle also in the parable of The Sheep and the Goats. Everybody in the room is focused on death, so utilize this as a time to connect people with the truth that this life is short, and the Gospel is the only hope of eternity with Jesus. Note: The reward for both the one with 5 and the one with 2 is the same! Verse 31 tells us that they went to " Decapolis ". (My other church will do the same in a fortnight.) Again, and again, this is taught in the Bible. Yet, even in the context of a funeral, we remember what Ezekiel learned: God's breath suffocates death. And why? Did you know that the New Testament mentions rewards 28 different times? She criticized the way funerals were done in America, including cosmetic excrescences and high expenses stemming from the greed . YouTube feeds people to our website. Two Journeysexists to help Christians make progress in the two journeys of the Christian life, the internal journey of sanctification and the external journey of gospel advancement. That's what it looks like when somebody does good works to be justified by them. Luke 16: Whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will be dishonest with much. If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, then who would hand you true riches? I will set you over much. We have good stewardship on display with the one who had received the five talents; he goes at once, no procrastination, focuses on the talents and he gains five more. The kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. Speaking at a funeral or memorial service is a somber moment. A Brief Sermon For A Memorial Service. 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 mean, that's incredible to me, it's just amazing. D. It should be as personal as possible. I thank you, God, that I'm not like other men, robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector over here. As a matter of fact, much of Matthew 6, Jesus devotes that section of the Sermon on the Mount to protecting your heavenly stash of rewards. The third aspect of joy is he's going to teach you to rejoice in everything he rejoices in, in detail. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him." He's not making a mistake here, He's not forgetting himself and worshipping created beings, not at all. Including words or songs from others in your funeral sermon can be "meaning-making.". The second aspect of joy is God's joy in general. Two Journeys Ministry houses all of PastorAndy Davis' content. Can I back it up? Well done, good, and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things. B. Goodbye pride. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." Whatever pleases Him. Friends, we are all stewards, aren't we? The apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:5, Judge nothing before the appointed time. Let them leave with a sense that Christ is the hope of . We are here this evening for the joyful funeral of Mrs. Eloise Roop. Often, preachers see these funerals as a mere duty every clergyman simply must do. Watch our worship service. Sermon Matthew 25:14-30 "Well Done Good and Faithful Servant" Presbyterian Church of Easton November 15, 2020. Today, we're going to zero in on the concept of eternal rewards, heavenly rewards for being good stewards of the grace that God has entrusted to us. Perhaps you remember in 1980, after the men's hockey Olympic hockey team had defeated the Russians and went on to win the gold medal. Actually, amazingly, the Scripture says, not only is it not wrong, but we must also yearn for it. I want to talk about the doctrine of Christian rewards. Nuts and Bolts: Things to Know About Your Sermon and the Funeral Process. Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password. You don't tell anybody, you weep for somebody that's lost, God sees it, He knows, and He will reward you. ). It would be this, "To hear these words from Christ, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'" Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. Look at what I've made. Do you know how long you'll have that? He only wanted one thing, he didn't even care about Gold Medal at that point, Where is my father? He wanted to hug him and be with his father to share that moment together. Justice Scalia on Funeral Sermons. IV. You have servants who are owned by the master and are accountable to him. Thus we are told that Christ will descend from Heaven into the atmosphere above the earth. And recognize that Jesus is not only your Savior; He is also your Lord (see Luke 6:46 ). What is it then you're storing up in heaven? 2. What I would have given for a volume funeral messages to get me started. That's a doctrine of rewards. FUNERAL HOMILY DOROTHY THOMPSON It is a basic tenant of our faith / that human life is sacred, / that the human person is respected, / that we are made / in the image and likeness of God. We want to be immortal, that is, we want to live forever. Like Paul, in his vision, Eloise was caught up to the third heavenup into paradise (II Corinthians 12:2, 4). 3. In our witness to the watching world. Death is all around us. He says later,"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead." When we reach the end of our life, unless Jesus comes, it will be the most precious thing said at our funeral. I think it is. We have said many good things about our friend today, and to the best of my knowledge they are all true. and went to the most spectacularly beautiful place I've ever seen in my life, the Karakoram mountains, 20,000 feet high, plus the incredibly beautiful Hunza Valley, less than a day's ride from there. As we remember Miriam Smith, Tom Jacobs, and Bro. The Parable of the Talents 22 The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, 'Master, you entrusted me with two talents. 1) Well DONE James 1:22, KJV But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. If you're here today and you're lost, if you don't know Jesus, and the rest of the sermon is going to be about rewards, just know this, if you stand before God on Judgment Day without Christ as your Savior, you will have no rewards, there will be none, nothing but wrath and anger for sin. Let's go over it, let's sit down and watch a little video of what you did. His own Funeral Sermon "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep." Acts xiii. Third, Eloise, and all true Christians, will appear before Christ to receive rewards. Preaching a funeral is one of the greatest responsibilities of being a pastor. The Pharisee stands up and prays about himself. 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. Why is that? Then finally, there is accountability. Therefore, we have no good works apart from Christ. A sermon of encouragement LET US NOT BE WEARY IN WELL DOING 1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my brothers and sister, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Eyes of the blind will be opened then; You have a sense, though it doesn't ascribe that statement to God, that God is saying it. Goodbye jealousy. He's going to say, Look at the New Jerusalem I made. You should have put my money on deposit with the bankers. If you find these resources helpful, please prayerfully consider donating as the Lord leads you. 4. We're going to be judged by our works, assessed by them. This was the funeral of a very lovely 94-year-old woman in our church, who was a believer. As we remember *********, let us remember: worker. II. Why do I say this? And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life. 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. Feb 17, 2013. Is that enough for you friends? The purpose of this website is to provide free sermon manuscripts and sermon videos to pastors and Now by way of review, you've known the reading of the parable of the talents is rich and full. Eloise was the church pianist and later she was the church organist. Jesus shed His blood on the cross that you might have eternal life, and as we're going to find out in this message so much more than that. Death cannot win in the end because our Lord conquered the grave. Will we too hear those words, well done my good and faithful servant? I was on my own. What is heaven going to be like when your Father embraces you and says, I'm pleased with what you did there. I think it would behoove you to have as many moments as possible like that with Him stored up. It's the story of the 5 o'clock worker who gets the same reward as the one who's labored . She was a real Christian for many years. You're going to be busy. If you want a bigger part, then live like it, friends. When I began my preparation I found almost no funeral sermons in print. 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. WELL DONE! I fast twice a week and I give a tenth of all I get." The master comes back and settles accounts with these servants. When Jesus comes to reign. Keep your . Many times, actually in Scripture, God with unbridled joy, just celebrates something he's made, he talks about its attributes and its nature. John, chapter fourteen, verse one. We came to this strange mountain lake that was incredibly salty. if you can. Now, let's look at verse 21, and what I'm going to do with verse 21 is tell you what rewards you'll get. Second, Eloise is fully aware of what is happening to her in Paradise right now. : The Supernatural Life of a Christian (Matthew Sermon 14 of 151), Heart Righteousness or Hypocrisy: Good Deeds Sifted (Matthew Sermon 15 of 151), The Lord Teaches Us to Pray: The Lord's Prayer, Part 1 (Matthew Sermon 16 of 151), The Lord Teaches Us to Pray: The Lord's Prayer, Part 2 (Matthew Sermon 17 of 151), Storing Up Heavenly Treasure: Jesus Protects Us From Loss (Matthew Sermon 18 of 151), Trusting Your Heavenly Father: Jesus Protects Us From Anxiety (Matthew Sermon 19 of 151), Eye Surgery for Eye Surgeons: Jesus and Judging (Matthew Sermon 20 of 151), Spiritual Beggars Satisfied: Jesus Teaches Us to Ask and Act (Matthew Sermon 21 of 151), The Narrow Gate: Jesus Commands Us to Enter the Kingdom (Matthew Sermon 22 of 151), False Prophets, False Professions (Matthew Sermon 23 of 151), Built Wisely Is Built to Last: Jesus Prepares Us For Judgment Day (Matthew Sermon 24 of 151), The Supernatural Healing Ministry of Jesus (Matthew Sermon 25 of 151), Counting the Cost of Following Christ (Matthew Sermon 26 of 151), What Kind of Man is This? You have been faithful with a few things. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. John 12:26, says, Whoever serves Me must follow Me, and where I am, there, my servant also will be. Funeral sermon example Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30 Alison Gerber There is a story Jesus told about a man who entrusted his servants with his possessions. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14:1-3). Or what about the hawk or the eagle? The tornado watch has just been upgraded to a warning. II Timothy 4:7-8: I have fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith. Well done, you good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over little. That is his praise for the deeds done, for the actual work done, so the character of the servant and the work are both focus of praise. Having trouble logging into your account? He reflected back over his amazing military career and the immense sacrifices that soldiers had made to win him an empire, and he uttered some famous words, "A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon." There is pain, loss, brokenness and death in all of our lives.
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