Davis Funeral 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

It’s a huge honor to deliver today’s sermon and to remember Wayne Davis. He represents an incredible generation of men whose faith in Jesus have brought us into this season of the life of our church family. It’s a little intimidating to stand here as well, because I know the quality of man that Wayne was. However, it’s also a joy to stand here, because I know where that quality came from: faith in Jesus.

I. Our Hope vv. 50-53

a. Our hope begins with the realization that this is not all that there is for us as believers

b. This life as we know it will come to an end whether through physical death or through the return of Christ, but regardless, we will all be changed!

i. The frailty of our human forms is constantly on display before us, but the inevitable march of time and age are not our final end

ii. We hope in the promise of an imperishable body and an eternal life

iii. We have this cartoon image of heaven, but the truth is so much better than anything we can imagine!

c. Our hope is not that we will be as we once were, but that we will be better than we’ve ever been before!

"Some day you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of East Northfield, is dead. Don't you believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now; I shall have gone up higher, that is all, out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal—a body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint; a body fashioned like unto His glorious body."

"I was born of the flesh in 1837. I was born of the Spirit in 1856. That which is born of the flesh may die. That which is born of the Spirit will live forever."

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place[a] of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,[b] and God himself will be with them as their God.[c] 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” –Revelation 21:4

II. Our Triumph vv. 54-55

a. When we are able to see heaven in this light, we recognize that death will never have the same kind of power of terror or fear for God’s people that it holds for the rest of the world

b. If the promise of death is eternal life, then why do we have to fear death?

c. It turns out, our lowest physical moment is when we will receive the greatest hope of our lives: Death is truly swallowed up in victory

I remember November 26, 2010 like it was yesterday. I was watching the Iron Bowl alongside family and friends. Any of you that know me know that orange isn’t really my color, so I had a great time watching the beginning of the game. I was sitting on the couch next to my cousin who had just graduated from the forestry program at Auburn and he wasn’t having nearly as good of a time as I was. Everything changed at the 12:22 mark of the 2nd quarter. With Alabama up 21-0, Mark Ingram caught a screen pass around his own 40 and rumbled to the opposite 20, where an Auburn defender popped the ball loose. The ball managed to tight rope all the way down the sideline into the end zone. Auburn got the ball and the rest is history. In the moment where it seemed like all hope was lost everything changed. That’s exactly what death looks like from the perspective of a Christian: It is only the beginning of the good things that God has in store for his children!

III. Our Victor vv. 56-58

a. All of this is because of the one who gives us the victory

b. Our new life is not a result of our own goodness, but of the greatness of Christ

c. By His life, death, and resurrection, He has secured the promise of eternal life for us

d. We join Him in His victory parade!

Earlier last week, I had the chance to go see Wayne a few times and to pray over him. I’m grateful that every time that I saw him, he was comfortable and at peace. It almost looked like he was ready for what was waiting, but the truth is that there was someone waiting for him.

750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers 300: Heaven

In Preaching Today writer Joni Eareckson Tada recalls the comment of one boy at the end of a retreat for the handicapped when participants were asked to tell what the week had meant to them:

Little freckle-faced, red-haired Jeff raised his hand. We were so excited to see what Jeff would say, because Jeff had won the hearts of us all at family retreat. Jeff has Down’s syndrome. He took the microphone, put it right up to his mouth, and said, “Let’s go home.”

Later, his mother told me, “Jeff really missed his dad back home. His dad couldn’t come to family retreat because he had to work.” Even though Jeff had had a great time, a fun-filled week, he was ready to go home because he missed his daddy.

This world is pleasant enough. But would we really want it to go on forever as a family retreat? I don’t think so. I’m with Jeff. I miss my Daddy, my Abba Father. My heart is longing to go home.

The hope of being with God in heaven is one of the strong pillars of the Christian life.