3,23,21 John Brand Funeral

Death is an interesting part of life.

Death is a REMINDER-

1) How Precious Life is

3 A man might have a hundred children and live to be very old. But if he finds no satisfaction in life and doesn’t even get a decent burial, it would have been better for him to be born dead. 4 His birth would have been meaningless, and he would have ended in darkness. He wouldn’t even have had a name, 5 and he would never have seen the sun or known of its existence. Yet he would have had more peace than in growing up to be an unhappy man. 6 He might live a thousand years twice over but still not find contentment. And since he must die like everyone else—well, what’s the use? Eccl 6:3-6

Devoted

    -Christian—He love HIs Lord!

Member of FBC McComb

-Husband - Dixie, HE LOVED YOU. Some of the happiest moments of his life were with you. You created the perfect blended family.

     -Dad -he taught his children about Jesus being first, Worship was important- whenever the doors were opened, he would be present.

He loved each of you!

-Family man

         To be devoted doesn't mean you don't have hardships--

He was a working man

May I say, he was devoted to those cows and his tractors.

Neighbor

-He knew how to grow a garden—corn, peas, squash, etc.

He cared about people —

-He and Mrs Dixie—your home was open and we have had many gatherings—crawfish, fried fish, etc.

2) How the Passing of Life is A Reality

14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. James 4:14

3) Reminder of the Promises of Life

--Our God said that He would “never leave nor forsake us” (Heb 13:5)

--“to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:8)

--38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,* neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Rom 8:38-39)

--“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom 10:9)

Matthew 25-

Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids* who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’

7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’

9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’

12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’

13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return. 

Kingdom--

-He knew about a kingdom that was not of this world.

     -He surrendered his life to Jesus

     -He knew that this life would come to an end, but he didn't stop living before he died.

     -He knew he needed the oil - the power and presence of the Holy Spirit n His life.

     -He knew Jesus died for him, buried, raised again, and would one day come back for him.

This is a time for us to “check our oil”—

"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

INTERNMENT

POEM

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities, 

And then there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it - Daddy

Death as a Christian does not:

-endanger our interests

-destroy our purpose

-prevent our rewards

The New Jerusalem

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.* 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.