Psalm 23 Funeral

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The 23rd Psalm was written by King David, some 3,000 years ago. Before becoming Israel’s most famous king, David tended the flocks of his father, Jesse. He protected his sheep, fed them and cared for their well-being. From his study of the Law of Moses and his life experiences, David came to know God as his loving shepherd. David understood the Lord as doing the same things for him as David did for his sheep.
With the words of this famous Psalm as our guide, let us consider the many ways in which God leads a person who has yielded his life to Him. There are several verbs listed here that describe the actions of God toward His followers. He gives us rest, leads us, restores us, guides us, blesses us with His presence, comforts us, feeds us- even in the presence of our enemies, anoints us, and creates an eternal dwelling for us. These blessings are not received by everyone. They accompany the one who has followed the Lord. As Christians, we yield our lives to Jesus Christ.
Jesus referred to Himself as “the Good Shepherd,” in John 10:11. He said: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” And Jesus would speak of the indicator of His followers when He said in verse 27: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
With Christ as one’s shepherd, the believer does not have to live an anxious life, nor worry about what he is to eat or if he will have clothing and shelter. God takes special care of His own. Jesus said this in His “Sermon on the Mount.” He concluded that section by saying: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
This gives the believer a theology of death. There is a certain inevitability associated with death. Death entered our world for a reason. That reason is due to the presence of sin. Romans 5:12 states, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned….” As a result of the Fall and our disobedience to God, humankind suffered the sentence of death.
All people die because all sin. We are told in Hebrews 9:27 that it is “…appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment….” Everyone must die and then give an account of their lives before a holy and a righteous God.
But as dismal as this situation may sound, it was for this reason that Jesus Christ came to this earth as God incarnate so many years ago. Christ died and rose again to abolish death for those who trust in Him. The believer possesses the sweet knowledge and anticipation of life after death, because Jesus arose from the dead. The Christian lives in this world knowing that his real home is not of this world.
So the Christian learns not to despise death, knowing that something better awaits him. The Apostle Paul wrestled with this when he wrote: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.”
How do we access this gift of life after death? It is not through being a good person or adhering to a moral code. Although important, these have never been the way to eternal life. Rather, a relationship with God is found through the gifts of repentance and faith. Jesus preached at the outset of His ministry in Mark 1:14: “The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"
Repentance means to turn; a change of heart and mind. It is implied in the act of confession; asking God to forgive you for your sins and offenses done to Him and to others.
The other act is faith. Faith is not just believing that there is a God, but embracing Him; following Him; becoming a disciple of Jesus. “Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” So there is urgency for all to repent of their sins and place their trust in Jesus Christ, in order to possess heaven as their home. It is a wonderful thing that God reached out to us in the gift of His Son, so we could be reconciled to Him.
We are also gathered here to celebrate the life of
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