The Journey through Life (Funeral)

Hebrews 11:8–16 NKJV

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Life is like a Journey.

The journey of life begins at birth and ends at death.

The question is where are we going and how do we get there?

The Journey of Life is a Mixed Experience.

Life often provides us with many enjoyments.

Family, friends, food, fun, entertainment, pleasure.

Have you taken time to thank God for the blessings of life?

Life doesn’t always seem like a vacation. Life can be very hard at times.

Life can throw us some curve balls—things we didn’t expect, consequences we didn’t want, hardships that change our course, burdens that overwhelm us, hurts that haunt us

For some, life can seem more like a prison sentence than a vacation.

Life can make you either better or bitter.

What makes the difference?

God has a Personal Interest in You.

You are not here by accident. There may be accidental parents but there are no accidental children.

God created you the way He wanted you. He has determined your design and function. If you are confused about your identity and design, take it up with the One who made you!

God has a Plan for Your Life.

Jeremiah 29:11

Many live and die and never know God’s plan for their life.

God uses the Questions of Life to Bring us to Himself.

Life is full of questions—the “why’s”.

Life is not fair, but God is always good.

God allows the circumstances of life to cause us to grope for Him

Acts 17:26–27 (NKJV) “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;”

Tony Evans—"When God takes you from where you are to where He wants you to be, He is not only taking you to the place - in the process of taking you there - He is preparing you for the place.”

The Journey of Life has a Destination.

We will arrive at our destination when we die.

There are only two destinations in the journey of life—heaven or hell.

Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV) “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Which will be your destination when you die? The answer is found in which door you enter. Jesus is the door that leads to eternal life.

John 10:9 (NKJV) “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

John 14:6 (NKJV) “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

Abraham looked for a heavenly city in a heavenly country which he had never been to before. By faith, Abraham called it home.