We Do Not Grieve as Those Who No Hope

Introduction

Good evening, my name is Carl Seitz and I have the privilege of serving as the Chaplain for the Macomb Township Fire Department where Janet’s son Steven is a firefighter. I was asked to share a few words with you this evening as we work together through this difficult time.

When I received the call from the department on Wednesday morning advising me that the Lord had called Janet home, I headed out to her house to meet up with Steve and his family.

Of course no one ever knows what to say in a situation like this and I always feel more comfortable sharing God’s word than any words of my own.

So during my drive drive I wondered what exactly to read from.

It dawned on me that if there was any character in the Bible that Steve would most relate to, it was Peter.

When I think about the personality of the disciples I see John as spiritually sensitive and a deep thinker. When I think of Thomas, I think of someone always asking the tough questions, but when I think of Peter I imagine a Bull in the China Shop, or Steve on the Fire Ground.

Peter was the one who loudly objected to Jesus’ washing his feet when the Lord was trying to teach a valuable lesson.

It was Peter who rebuked the Lord when he tried to explain His mission of going to cross.

And it was Peter, at Jesus’ attempted peaceful arrest that drew His sword and cut off the ear of the Guard.

MESSAGE

But in his letter 1st letter to the church Peter gives us some of the most comforting words in all of Scripture.

In 1 Peter 1: 3-5

1 Peter 1:3–5 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

You see, one of the most discouraging truths in life is that everything that we know this side of eternity is perishable. Nothing lasts. Even our body’s , as we age begin to wear out.

But what Peter is saying here is that for those who have placed their hope in Christ, an inheritance that will never perish awaits us and is being guarded and protected by God Himself.

And he defines our looking forward to that day as “a living Hope.”

When we use the word HOPE in our english language, we say things like “I hope it doesn't rain” or” I hope I get that promotion.”

But when the Bible uses the word HOPE it speaks of assurance based on the promises of God Himself.

In His first letter to the church at Thessaloniaka, the Apostle Paul wrote;

1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 (ESV)

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have gone before us.

By “asleep” of course he is referring to those who have died.

First of all, Paul say that he wants us to be informed.

The great mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal once wrote:

“As men are not able to fight against death, misery, ignorance, they have taken it into their heads, in order to be happy, not to think of them at all.”

Death is real and it will come to all of us.

But he goes on to say that for those who trust in Christ, you have nothing to fear.

That is why he writes in

1 Corinthians 15:55 ESV

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

Please don’t mistake what I am saying. I do understand that the pain of loosing someone we love is real.

But if they placed their trust in Christ as Janet did. The pain is only felt on this side of eternity.

And if you put your trust in Christ, its temporary because these promises are for you too.

The Psalmist says”

Psalm 116:15 ESV

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

"hagiois (Greek)

"That is not only referring to someone who is recognized with sainthood by the Catholic Church.

No you see, when the Bible use the word saint it is referring to all who place their faith and hope in Christ.

So How can He say that?

Because scripture says;

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him ”—

That I believe is what Janet is enjoying today.

CLOSING

Funerals you see are really not for those who have gone before us.

They are for those of us who remain behind.

They do, you must admit force us to realize our own mortality.

So as a Christian Minister, there are 4 things I hope you can come to terms with.

Life is Brief

Death is Inevitable

Judgement is Certain

Faith in Christ provides Sure and Certain Hope.

So in the coming days and weeks.

embrace one another,

share precious memories,

Grieve together,

But not as those, who have no Hope.

Let’s Pray!