Funeral Service for Chris Beck (2003 Doc)
The Scriptures Speak Out
Funeral Service for Chris Beck
Text: Jn. 14:1-6
Intro. – Jesus was looking at the end of His life and in this passage He is seen preparing His disciples for His death. The death of a loved one will certainly cause our hearts to be troubled and downcast. Death always brings forth fond memories and a certain sense of sadness because all that remains will be memories and photographs.
Jesus knew that His disciples will be sad and troubled at is death, and he prepared them these comforting words, “Let not your heart be troubled.” I believe that today the Lord is uttering these same words to this family, relative and friends. “Do not let you heart be troubled.”
Two Truths That Scripture Reveals About Death:
I. It’s Not the End of Life; Rather, It’s a New Beginning
A. Rather than being feared, Death is a transition to a fuller life.
1. A release from the afflictions of this world
a. Paul – (Rom. 8) - “…sufferings of this present time…”
b. Peter (1 Pet. 1) “…grieved by various trials…”
c. (2 Cor. 4:17) “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
1. Careful balancing of words: affliction vs. glory; lightness vs. weight; moment vs. eternal.
2. A release from an earthly body to a heavenly body
a. (2 Cor. 5:1) “For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.”
3. Paul speaks of death as sleep, resting from earthly labor
a. (1 Cor. 15:20) “…Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
4. It means going to be with our godly ancestors
a. (Gen. 25:8) “Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age…and was gathered to his people.”
5. It’s the door into the presence of the living God
a. (2 Cor. 5:8) “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”
II. Believers Should Be Comforted in Death
A. Scripture Speaks of the Believer’s Death in Comforting Terms
1. Death is “precious in the sight of the Lord.”
a. (Ps. 116:15) “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” (A departure to come home…leaving for home…)
2. Going to our Father’s house w/many mansions
a. (Jn. 14:2) “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.”
3. A time to receive a crown of righteousness
a. (2Tim. 4:8) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me on that Day -- and not to me only, but unto all those also who love His appearing.