Topical - Funeral Template
Introduction:
1. THANKS FROM FAMILY – presence - cards - flowers - gifts - love, donations
2. My Sympathy - great loss which words can not heal, _Richard will be missed for sure, but we must go forward…For ourselves and for HIM as HE would have us to do.
Paul the Apostle wrote: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18, NASB95)
One more verse: "Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it." (Psalm 37:5, NASB95)
3. Pray (for comfort)
4. Scripture Reading:
Paul the Apostle wrote:"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NASB95)
The Psalmist declares that: "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1-5, NASB95)
The Psalmist again declares: "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them." (Psalm 145:18-19, NASB95)
Paul writing to the Romans said: "For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living." (Romans 14:7-9, NASB95)
Our Lord Jesus Christ Said: "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”" (John 6:40, NASB95)
5. Open up this time for those who would want to speak.
B. The Message—Emphasize Eternity & Heaven, Hope and Comfort
1. “I am the resurrection and the Life” (John 11:1-27)
a) How Does Christ Resurrection Benefit Us (1Cor.15:1-4)?
(1) By His resurrection He has overcome death.
(2) By His Power, those who believe in Him are resurrected to a new life (2Cor.5:17)
(3) Christ’s resurrection guarantees of our glorious resurrection.
2. Revelation 21:1-4 – “God will wipe away all tears”
No More Tears – For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (Revelation 7:17)… He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces (Isaiah 25:8).
3. John 14:1-6 – “Christ is the Only way to God”
Jesus said: "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." (John 10:9,)
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”" (Acts 4:12, NKJV)
"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25, NKJV)
C. Benediction
May the love of God be above you to overshadow you; beneath you to uphold you; before you to guide you; behind you to protect you; close behind you and within you to make you able for all things; and to reward both your faith and your faithfulness with a joy and a peace which the world cannot give, neither can it take away; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be glory in our lives now and forever-more. Amen.