Funeral

John 11:25-26 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

Introduction

I’m thankful that in talking with Ms. Barbara to know that she was saved. It didn’t matter where I went and saw her, she was always talking about telling others about Jesus, she would tell me “I’m working on them”, It didn’t matter how bad she felt she would ask how the church was going and if we had any visitors. She accepted me as her pastor from the very beginning. The first time I met Ms. Barbara she had a goodie box for me to take home to my kids. The most important thing I can tell you about Ms. Barbara though is that she was saved and is now in heaven with her husband and daughter. If she was here today she would want you to join her.

The credentials of Jesus vs 25a

1. Jesus is the resurrection

a. Rom. 6:8-10 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

b. Jesus can be the resurrection because he has power over death, he defeated death and gave us the promise of eternal life

c. While death is promised to every man, we can find eternal life after death in Jesus Christ.

2. Jesus is the life

a. Jesus is the giver of life in fact he was there when life was breathed into the first man Adam.

i. John 1:4 in Him was life and the life was the light of men

b. I’m thankful this afternoon that Jesus not only gives us life here on earth but also gives us eternal life in heaven if we believe in the Gospel.

3. Because of whom Jesus is we can trust him with our eternity

The message of Jesus vs 25b

1. Believe in Him

a. All of us believe in something, but the most important thing to believe is the Gospel

i. The gospel is according to 1 Cor. 1:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

b. Ms. Barbara believed the Gospel and because of that she is in heaven this very moment, and I believe she would want you to join her there.

2. Although we are physically gone, we will live for all eternity with Jesus

a. Because Jesus is the resurrection and the life by us believing in the Gospel we will have eternal life through him

3. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

The promise of Jesus

1. Jesus says And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

2. Jesus promises us eternal life and a mansion waiting for us in heaven

a. John 14:1-7 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 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. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

3. Believest thou this?

a. I’ll end with the same question that Jesus did. Do you believe the gospel?

Conclusion

I’ll close with Ps 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Ms. Barbara believed the gospel and now is in heaven for all eternity.

There are only 2 eternal destinations for all of us. Heaven or Hell?

Will you trust Jesus today?