The Hope We Have (My Father-in-law, Keith Mobley's Eulogy)

I am preaching today on this topic, "The Hope We Have." My text from the word of God is found in Paul's first epistle to the Thessalonian church, chapter 4:13-15.

Before I read the Scriptures I want to thank my family for the privilege of standing before you this day. Few of you will ever know the blessing I have.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-15

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.[b]

The Apostle Paul penned these words under the inspiration of the Spirit of God in the later half of the first century. He was writing to a church filled with believers who had a growing concern over the death of their fellow members, friends and loved ones.

Christians in the first century lived with the certain expectation that Christ their Savior was coming again soon, and they expected His return to be in their lifetime. When He did not return and believers began to die, many grew anxious about the eternal state of their deceased loved ones. Paul wrote, in part, to answer this concern.

And so Paul tells them, "I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep." And then he tells them why. "lest you sorrow as others who have no hope."

We have come together today as family and friends of Keith Mobley to grieve, to express our sorrow over the death of our loved one, but not without hope. We have a hope.

I. The Hope We Have is built upon our understanding

of Christian Death.

As Christians, we understand and believe the Bible's teachings concerning death for a believer.

1. Death is like a sleep. That's how Paul referred to death. And Jesus himself referred to death as sleep in the case of the little girl that he raised from the dead.

Sleep is a euphemism, a figure of speech that softens the meaning of a word. Not that his soul is asleep in the grave as some mistaken believe, but that death is not to be feared for it is like going to sleep only to awaken in the morning.

The great Presbyterian preacher of another century, Peter Marshall, said to his wife as they put him in the ambulance to take him to the hospital, where he died of a heart attack, "Catherine, I'll see you in the morning."

I've adopted that same practice over the years of ministry. I've often said to church members, as I did with Keith just the other night, "I'll see you in the morning," to which he gave a strong "Amen."

Our great preacher mentor, and Southern Baptist statesman, Adrian Rogers, just a few months ago it is reported to have said to his own family, just before he was placed on a ventilator in a Memphis Hospital, "I see this as a win-win situation." I win if the Lord calls me home, or I win if He heals me to return home with my family."

These men of God knew what we know about the Bible's teachings concerning death for the child of God. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord," 2 Corinthians 5:8. Paul said, "I am in a strait betwixt two. Whether to depart and be with the Lord which is far better, or to remain for your sakes." Philippians 1:23

Fear not child of God. The night may be dark, the long nights dreary, but joy comes in the morning!

Oh, we have a hope. Not only because of what we believe about death for the child of God, but also...

II. The Hope We Have helps us to grieve differently

from those who have no hope.

Even with all our Bible knowledge, do we still grieve? Do we hurt on the inside as others do? Of course we do. But our grief, our sorrow is different.

In the KJV it says "that ye sorrow not, as those who have no hope." But we have a hope. God is not telling us not to experience or express our grief, our sorrow, our pain. But He is telling us that our sorrow or grief is to be different from those who have no hope.

Even Jesus wept over the death of His dear friend Lazarus. (John 11)

The Christians of the first church in Acts wept bitterly over the death of the gracious Dorcas. (Acts 9)

We too grieve over our temporal loss on earth of one we have known and loved for these many years.

We grieve over the sorrow and pain we see in the lives of our own loved ones who like us are left to face life without him.

It is impossible to experience the end of a marriage, and lifetime together for nearly 47 years without feeling some grief and heartache.

It is unthinkable that children who have known a loving father, who have lived together, laughed together, played together, and worshipped together, can now say goodbye without tears.

The same is true for sisters who have known him an entire lifetime, or grandchildren, who had a wonderful grandfather who loved them as much as anything in this world.

Oh yes, we grieve, ....

But not as those who have no hope. No hope. What awful words of finality they are. Think of it, we live, we die, and then it's over. Never again to see one another. Never again to hear the voice of our loved ones here on earth. Never again to feel the touch or gentle embrace of the one we've known throughout our lifetime. No hope.

But we have a hope and....

III. The Hope We Have is based upon our faith

in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,

The Gospel is the good news that God has provided salvation to mankind through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Salvation is by faith alone, in Christ alone. "For by grace are we saved through faith, not of works, lest we should boast." Ephesians 2:8

Salvation comes through the cross of Christ, the death of Christ. The Bible says, "Christ died for our transgressions and was raised again for our justification."

Salvation is secured through the victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. "Because Christ lives we live." Galatians 2:20

The hope we have is found in the words of Christ when He said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in me shall never die." John 11:28

IV. The Hope We Have abides in the certain return

of Christ and those who are in Christ.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.[

Someone said in the home just last evening that Paw was probably riding a horse up in heaven. And someone else wondered if there were horses in heaven at which I said, we know there's at least one white one there somewhere. Revelation 19:11.

Although I believe this passage teaches of the rapture of the saints of God when Christ returns there is the return of Christ found in Revelation 19 when all the saints of God will return with Christ to establish His reign on earth.

The point is, we will see him again. Whether we too pass through the valley of the shadow of death, or should Christ return the hope we have is that we will be together again with Christ, with one another, forever. The hymn writer said it this way.

Face to face with Christ, my Savior,

Face to face--what will it be,

When with rapture I behold Him,

Jesus Christ who died for me!

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all his glory,

I shall see him by and by!

Carrie E. Breck

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