David Thoroughgood Funeral Service:

Introduction:

As I was preparing for this morning , I found out that David had a love for cooking. Finding out about this information lead me to an article called “The Useful Olive Tree” and it reads as followed;

During a recent visit to Israel, Michael Creed’s attention was drawn to a dirt lot, somewhere in the middle of the Judean region. The lot was filled with what looked like rough pieces of wood lying in disorganized piles. Mr. Creed assumed that they were lumberyard rejects, and he inquired of their purpose. The guide explained that they were actually olive trees. To Mr. Creed’s amazement, the guide began to explain that these stumps would be planted and watered. Soon this abandoned field would be a beautiful grove of olive trees. The guide shared with Mr. Creed how durable the olive tree is and how it is used in these three ways: 1. Olive oil is used in cooking and to burn in lamps. 2. The wood from the olive tree is used in building. 3. The olive is used for food.

A Christian can become very profitable by planting himself in the middle of God’s Word and being watered by the Word.

In the midst of loss, these two questions usually come come up. “Why did this happen?” and “What happens after we die?” In the midst of pain and sorrow, my goal this morning is to see you all watered with the Word of God, which brings comfort and hope in the midst of tragedy. Would you bow your heads this morning and join me in prayer.

(Prayer)

Death is Unnatural:

When the Lord Jesus Christ created the heavens and the earth, everything was perfect. There was no pain, sorrow, mourning, or death. When the curse of sin entered the world, all things became cursed, including us. Because of this curse, all things wither away. The first part of Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death...”

Knowing this truth helps understand the death and destruction that we constantly see around us. The curse of sin also brings eternal death, which separates us from the glory and the love of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Good News:

Now, if I were to just leave you with that sentence here this morning, you wouldn’t feel very comforted and encouraged. I’m grateful the sentence doesn’t end there! Romans 6:23 continues on by saying “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord!”

What fantastic news! Out of love, mercy, and grace, our heavenly Father sent His son Jesus Christ to break the curse of sin! The scriptures say that the grave has been conquered;

1 Corinthians 15:55–57 CSB

Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Yes death is unnatural. Yes we will grieve and mourn for those who pass away from this world. But for those who are in Christ Jesus, we can have joy knowing they are in paradise with the Lord forever and always!

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 CSB

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Closing:

O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast,

And our eternal home.

Under the shadow of Thy throne

They saints have dwelt secure;

Sufficient is Thine arm alone,

And our defense is sure.

A thousand ages in Thy sight

Are like an evening gone,

Short as the watch that ends the night

Before the rising sun.

O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Be Thou our guard while troubles last,

And our eternal home.

My hope and prayer for you all this morning that in the midst of this difficult season you can find true hope and true peace. That hope and peace won’t come from this world, but it will be found in Christ Jesus. If you don’t know Him as your Lord and Savior, today I encourage you right in your seat to be honest with the Lord. If you are hurting, let Him know. If you want hope and peace for what is to come after this life, call upon the name of Jesus Christ. He will meet you where you are at and He will be a lamp to your feet and a light to the path you are walking on.

(Prayer)

Burial Service:

Psalm 90:1–2 CSB

Lord, you have been our refuge in every generation. Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, you are God.

Once again, we have been summoned to this city of the dead to lay at rest the mortal remains of one who for a time lived among us as neighbor, loved one, and friend. Memory is hallowed here; for the stones and monuments around us speak of the affection of surviving relatives and friends. Rest is suggested here by the quiet surroundings in which the inhabitants of this city lie. Life beyond the grave is suggested by the renewal from year to year of the flowers and trees and shrubs which, having appeared to die, spring forth into newness of life. That a part of man never dies is the positive affirmation of Christian faith and a declaration of the Word of God. This future we leave in the hands of God who is perfect in love, infinite in mercy, and who does all things well.

1 Thessalonians 3:11–13 CSB

Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you. May he make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen.