Death and a Christian's Sorrow

I must be honest, I am standing here in front of you in shock. Shanise was one of the strongest women I ever met. Listen, her strength came from the Lord! If I had known this day was coming I would have taken better records. If had known this day was coming I would have been able to stand here with details of the following events:

The first time I met Shanise - I know it was at a service while I was pastor of GBC, but I do not remember the date. She was faithful.

The first time she called me - It was at night, I hadn’t known her long, but she called me and told me about her need of a kidney. I had no idea she was on the transplant list. This struck a cord with me as my mother passed away waiting on a kidney. That night I prayed with her on the phone, and continued to do so daily. You can imagine how grateful I was God answered that prayer.

Of all the dates I wish I would have written down, the day Shanise walked the aisle of that church and put her trust in Jesus is the one I should have recorded.

I mentioned her strength and her faith, but I cannot go on unless I mention what impressed me most about sister Shanise: her love. She loved with her whole being. She loved and cherished her children. I know she did her absolute best by you all and that she gave her best for you. She’d be very proud of each of you today.

She loved her family and her friends, and seeing you all here today speaks to how much you loved her too.

She loved me, as her pastor. She was a tremendous supporter of my ministry at GBC. When Miss Ella called me about doing her service, I told her it would be my absolute honor to speak today.

Here is the most important truth about Shanise I hope you get today before we move forward: She loved her Lord.

Today I want to share with you some comforts for Saints who Sorrow

God’s people don’t have to sorrow like others...

Because the saved who die have fallen asleep in the Lord

This speaks of Rest (Revelation 14:13)

Revelation 14:13 KJV 1900

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Shanise, in her life had struggles

She needed and recieved a kidney transplant

How thankful we were when this took place

How grateful we were to hear of this news!

In the end, and we don’t know why, we will never know why but cancer took her body

How I wish I had answers for you today

I wish I could stand here and explain this, but I can’t.

Here is something I can say with assurance: Today, cancer no longer lays claim to her body!

She has won the victory!

Today she is whole,complete, healed in the arms of Jesus

Today she is at rest!

Not only does this speak of rest, but it speaks of...

2. This speaks of a day of awakening (Jn. 5:25)

John 5:25 KJV 1900

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

Today we gather here to say our goodbyes, but if today you know Jesus as your Savior, today is not goodbye, it is only “I will see you later!”

There is coming a day of resurrection! There is coming a day when we shall see and be with Shanise again! Today she is waiting on us to be reunited! IF you know Jesus as your Savior, then you do not need to sorrow as others do...

Because one day the Lord’s people are going to be gathered together again

I’ve hinted to this fact already, but let me elaborate now:

It will mean resurrection (1 Cor. 15:51-52)

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 KJV 1900

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

The last time you saw Shanise, she was weak and weary

The next time you see her…

IF we could see her now, we would not be sorrowing, we would be rejoicing!

She is not the same!

What a blessing it is that if you know Jesus as Savior, this life is not the end!

It will mean a reunion (1 Thess. 4:16-18)

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 KJV 1900

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The greatest comfort I can share with you today is that one day those of us who have put our faith in Jesus will be reunited with our loved ones

But don’t miss this important truth: One day, we will be with HIM!

It will mean rejoicing (Jn. 16:22)

John 16:22 KJV 1900

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

What a blessed promise this is! That even at a time of sorrow like this, we can rejoice, knowing that this is not the end for those who know the Lord.

One final reason God’s people don’t have to sorrow like others...

Because there are wonderful things awaiting the child of God beyond this life

There is Joy in the Presence of the Lord

Psalm 16:11 KJV 1900

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Even as we sorrow, Shanise rejoices in the presence of the One who died for her

There is Deliverance from Sufferings of this Life

Revelation 21:4 KJV 1900

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Let that sink in as I read it again…This is Shanise’ reality today, and yours for the future if you know the Lord

Conclusion:

As we break company today, let us remember: God’s people do not have to sorrow like others.

We have the hope of rest in God’s presence. We have the knowledge we will be reunited. We have the understanding that what lies beyond for us in heaven is greater than the greatest this world has to offer.

As bow our heads for prayer today, I can’t help but wonder, with all heads bowed and all eyes closed, is there someone here today that does not have this same hope which Shanise had. Listen to me, today if you are here and you are unable to say for certain that you are a child of God, I want you to know that before we leave here today you too can be saved.

The first thing you must understand is that you are a sinner and unable to save yourself. Romans 3:23 ; Eph 2:8-9

Romans 3:23 KJV 1900

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV 1900

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The second thing you must understand is that Jesus died for you so that you could be saved Romans 5:8 Romans 6:23

Romans 6:23 KJV 1900

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:8 KJV 1900

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

The last thing you must understand is that all that is needed for you to be saved is to believe and call on Him to save you Romans 10:10-13

Romans 10:10–13 (KJV 1900)

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation...For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Will you call on Him today and be saved?