Ross Elkins Funeral

Message.... Ross loved Jesus and wanted to share with others. Tell the salvation of Jesus Christ and how He forgives us of our sins. At the end of the message, tell them Ross wanted to leave this message with them:While Ron sings, anyone can come forward to make a decision for Jesus.

I. What is death?

This is a question that we all should ponder. Although it is the greatest fear on mankind, what exactly is it?

Furthermore, when we speak of death we should understand that the Bible speaks of two deaths.

1. First death-separation from the familiar.

Death is separation. Separation from family, friends, joy and pain, and the things we love. However, these are just the beginning of death for some.

For others there is a death worse than what we witness here today.

Genesis 4:8 NKJV

Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

Genesis 5:5 NKJV

So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died.

In these verses we see the first recorded deaths in the Bible. One was a tragedy, a violet act, the other was a natural death.

Both resulted in a physical death.

Romans 5:12 NKJV

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Yet, there is another type of death.

2. The second death-separation from God.

Revelation 20:14–15 NKJV

Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

To those who do not know Jesus, death is eternal. It is eternal separation from the things mentioned but ultimately eternal death is separation from God.

In Genesis chapter three we see that death is a result of sin.

Now I am not saying that everyone that dies is a horrible person, but ultimately, death is a result of sin. However, sin is the root of all death.

Romans 3:23 NKJV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 4:4 NKJV

Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

Romans 6:23 NKJV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Revelation 21:8 NKJV

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Revelation 2:11 NKJV

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’

1 John 5:4 NKJV

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

II. Is there any hope?

1. Hope because of his sacrifice.

Titus 3:5–7 NKJV

not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Ephesians 1:7 NKJV

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

2. Hope through our faith in Him.

Romans 4:4–5 NKJV

Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Romans 10:13 NKJV

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

ROSS requested that I leave you with these parting message, In his own words he said,

"Today is the day of salvation: Accept, Believe, and Confess in Jesus."