Bryan Clements - Graveside1

This is the hardest time of our experience today.  As you prepare to say your final goodbyes to Bob I want to share with you a few words from Scripture.

The Bible tells us that life on earth is temporary and that even our bodies are only temporary

2 Corinthians 5:1 (NASB95)
 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

This body that we have is only temporary.  The cancer that Bob fought damaged his earthly body.  Today we will leave his body in this grave, to be resurrected and transformed at the return of our Lord.  Let us rejoice the fact that his suffering is over.

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (NASB95)
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Our worn out bodies will be replaced with new perfect bodies. And Revelation 21:4 tells us

4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

Let us Pray

Father,

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Bob.  We entrust him into your care.  Father guide this family, and strengthen them in the days to come.  Comfort them and assure them of your loving kindness.  Lord, we do look forward to that time when you will wipe away every tear from our eyes and when there will no longer be any death; we look forward to that time when there will no longer be mourning, or crying or pain.  Father, I pray that you will be a continual source of comfort and strength and wisdom for this family.

Lord, we ask all these things in the name of your Son Jesus Christ.

Amen