Celebration service for Rosemary Therres

Our living hope

It’s my honour and privilege to be able to share a few thoughts today for Rosemary. Rosemary’s faith in God was strong, because she had hope in Christ.

I would like to take a few minutes and share about Our Hope, Our Help, and our Home

Let’s begin with

Our Hope

1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 NLT

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

A couple of weeks ago when Donna and I were talking to Rosemary, I shared a Scripture that I have been putting to memory.

1 Peter 1:3–5 NIV

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

When we look at the world and see the chaos that is around us, it can cause great alarm. We can wonder if somebody is crazy enough to end it all. I want to give you assurance today that the world is not going to end with nuclear war. We have a promise that Jesus will return, and we have hope that there is an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.

When we think of inheritances, it may cause us to think of a last will and testament. God wants to include you in His last will and testament, but to get your name on the will, you need to come to Him in faith believing that Jesus Christ died for you, and that God the Father has raised Him from the dead.

John 1:12 NIV

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

Some believe that we are all children of God. Others believe that when we are baptized we become children of God. This isn’t the case. We can’t do enough on our own. We need God.

In fact, God is

Our Help

Ephesians 2:4–5 NIV

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

We can’t make it to heaven by being good enough. We can’t even go to heaven because our Dad and Mom believed. It’s because of God’s great mercy, we can go to heaven when we accept God’s grace through faith. God will make a way where there seems to be no way. In fact, He has already made a way through the cross.

Finally, lets talk about our home.

You’ve probably heard the statement,

There’s no place like home...

It’s great to get away on a holiday, but there is no place like home. Rosemary spent her earthly life here, now she is Home. Where she is, there is no more cancer. There is no death. There is no more suffering or sorrow.

Jesus said

John 14:1–3 NKJV

“Let not your heart be troubled; you 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

One day Rosemary will come back with Jesus, and her body will be raised as a glorious body. The dead in Christ will rise first. Those who are alive will be caught up to be with Jesus.

If we are still here, will you be ready when Jesus comes?

Will you be watching? Rosemary would have wanted nothing more than to know that one day you will see her because you love Jesus will all your heart, soul, and mind.

How can we know that we will go to heaven?

John 14:6 NIV

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

If you haven’t yet, will you receive Jesus’ death on the cross for you. There is no other way, but Christ. No one else has paid the price for our sins but Jesus, and nobody ever can.

If you come in faith, Jesus won’t turn you away. It’s simple and yet profound. You can pray, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner. Jesus, I believe you died for me, and that you are alive, never to die again. Please come into my life, and be my Lord and Saviour. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Let’s pray!

Lord give us the desire to love you, follow you, and live for you. May we see you one day and hear you say, “Well Done!” In Jesus’ name. Amen!