A Most Significant Day
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Introduction
Introduction
, especially 1, 2, and 4
By Dr. Dave Earley
This message is appropriate to give at the memorial service for a
believer in Jesus Christ. This message is most effective when made
most personal. It is designed to minister to the saved and preach
the gospel to the lost. When you read the words “the deceased”
you should fill in the name of the believer in Jesus Christ who has
gone to be with the Lord.
Introduction
Introduction
Today is not just an ordinary day for any of us. Today marks one of
those special times and seasons of life. Most of us do not come to the
funeral home very often. We do not wrestle with the reality of death
frequently. There are several special aspects about us being gathered
here today.
Today is a significant time for several reasons:
Today marks a time of rejoicing (; ; ).
For us it is a day of sorrow and grief, but do not forget that for the
For us it is a day of sorrow and grief, but do not forget that for the
deceased today marks a time of rejoicing. They are truly in a much
better place, experiencing a much higher quality of life. There is no
more sickness, pain, sorrow, or tears. Today, for the deceased, is a
commencement exercise to a better life. Today is their graduation
into glory.
into glory.
Today marks a time of remembering.
2. Today marks a time of remembering.
Today marks a time of remembering.
2. Today marks a time of remembering.
2. Today marks a time of remembering.
These beautiful flowers, the lovely music, our presence here
today are in honor of the life of the deceased. Today is a day for
remembering them. We are fortunate in that there are so many good
memories of the deceased.
about the deceased at this time.]
[It is appropriate to share positive memories about the deceased at this time.]
454 / NELSON’S ANNUAL PREACHER’S SOURCEBOOK FUNERAL MESSAGE / 45
3. Today also marks a time for grieving ().
3. Today also marks a time for grieving ().
The preacher of Ecclesiastes says that there is a “time to mourn.”
Losing someone we love produces genuine pain and grief. While we
have tears of joy, we also have tears of sadness. Those who’ve walked
this road know that grieving is a common process that takes several
forms and progresses through several stages. The key to successfully
moving through is choosing to take each one to God.
a. A sense of shock, numbness, and often denial
Just a few days ago, the deceased was right here with us.
Now they are gone. It may feel like a shock. Death should shock
us. God’s original plan was for lives without death, but when
sin entered into the world, death came with it. So death should
shock us, and it does. Take your shock to God today.
b. Feelings of anger and resentment
Death also often provokes feelings of anger. We feel anger
at death, anger at sin, anger at people, anger at self, anger at
sickness, and sometimes anger toward God. Th e important
thing is to not stay angry. Choose to use this event as a prod to
draw you closer to God and not away from Him.
c. Guilt
Death may cause us to feel guilty. Th ere are two kinds of
guilt: real guilt and false guilt. Real guilt is the loving touch of
God calling you to confess specific sin and change in an area of
your life. If you have such guilt, realize that “if we confess our
sins, [God] is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness” ().
False guilt is a vague accusation that you don’t measure up. It
is also based on untruths. Take your guilt, real or false, to God
today. He loves you, will forgive you, and will cleanse you.
d. Loss, loneliness, sorrow, emptiness, pain
Th e departure of the deceased will leave a great hole. If you
have not yet felt the deep sense of loss and pain, you will. You
will miss them. Th is hole is a clear call to run to God. Ultimately
He alone can fi ll the holes in our hearts. Take your loss and pain
to God.
4. Today is a time for examination (; ; ).
Funerals are reminders of the reality of death, the certainty of
death, and the inevitability of examination. We should prepare
ourselves for death, because “after this the judgment” ().
Let me ask you, are you in the faith? Have you trusted Christ to
be your Savior?
Are we living with eternity in view? No one has a guarantee of
tomorrow. We could be here next week doing your funeral. Would
we have the hope of knowing you would be in heaven? Would we
have the confidence that you would do well on your exam?
Conclusion
Are you ready for your final examination? Will you see the deceased
in heaven? How can you know for sure that you are saved?
A—Admit you are a sinner and need God.
B—Believe in Jesus Christ. That He lived a sinless life, died for
you, rose again.
C—Call upon Him to save you; commit your life to Him.
D—Determine to begin doing everything He says.A Most Significant Day
, especially 1, 2, and 4
By Dr. Dave Earley
Th is message is appropriate to give at the memorial service for a
believer in Jesus Christ. Th is message is most effective when made
most personal. It is designed to minister to the saved and preach
the gospel to the lost. When you read the words “the deceased”
you should fi ll in the name of the believer in Jesus Christ who has
gone to be with the Lord.
Introduction
Today is not just an ordinary day for any of us. Today marks one of
those special times and seasons of life. Most of us do not come to the
funeral home very often. We do not wrestle with the reality of death
frequently. There are several special aspects about us being gathered
here today. Today is a significant time for several reasons:
1. Today marks a time of rejoicing (; ; ).
For us it is a day of sorrow and grief, but do not forget that for the
deceased today marks a time of rejoicing. They are truly in a much
better place, experiencing a much higher quality of life. Th ere is no
more sickness, pain, sorrow, or tears. Today, for the deceased, is a
commencement exercise to a better life. Today is their graduation
into glory.
2. Today marks a time of remembering.
These beautiful flowers, the lovely music, our presence here
today are in honor of the life of the deceased. Today is a day for
remembering them. We are fortunate in that there are so many good
memories of the deceased. [It is appropriate to share positive memories
about the deceased at this time.]
454 / NELSON’S ANNUAL PREACHER’S SOURCEBOOK FUNERAL MESSAGE / 45
3. Today also marks a time for grieving ().
The preacher of Ecclesiastes says that there is a “time to mourn.”
Losing someone we love produces genuine pain and grief. While we
have tears of joy, we also have tears of sadness. Those who’ve walked
this road know that grieving is a common process that takes several
forms and progresses through several stages. The key to successfully
moving through is choosing to take each one to God.
a. A sense of shock, numbness, and often denial
Just a few days ago, the deceased was right here with us.
Now they are gone. It may feel like a shock. Death should shock
us. God’s original plan was for lives without death, but when
sin entered into the world, death came with it. So death should
shock us, and it does. Take your shock to God today.
b. Feelings of anger and resentment
Death also often provokes feelings of anger. We feel anger
at death, anger at sin, anger at people, anger at self, anger at
sickness, and sometimes anger toward God. Th e important
thing is to not stay angry. Choose to use this event as a prod to
draw you closer to God and not away from Him.
c. Guilt
Death may cause us to feel guilty. Th ere are two kinds of
guilt: real guilt and false guilt. Real guilt is the loving touch of
God calling you to confess specific sin and change in an area of
your life. If you have such guilt, realize that “if we confess our
sins, [God] is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness” ().
False guilt is a vague accusation that you don’t measure up. It
is also based on untruths. Take your guilt, real or false, to God
today. He loves you, will forgive you, and will cleanse you.
d. Loss, loneliness, sorrow, emptiness, pain
Th e departure of the deceased will leave a great hole. If you
have not yet felt the deep sense of loss and pain, you will. You
will miss them. Th is hole is a clear call to run to God. Ultimately
He alone can fi ll the holes in our hearts. Take your loss and pain
to God.
4. Today is a time for examination (; ; ).
Funerals are reminders of the reality of death, the certainty of
death, and the inevitability of examination. We should prepare
ourselves for death, because “after this the judgment” ().
Let me ask you, are you in the faith? Have you trusted Christ to
be your Savior?
Are we living with eternity in view? No one has a guarantee of
tomorrow. We could be here next week doing your funeral. Would
we have the hope of knowing you would be in heaven? Would we
have the confidence that you would do well on your exam?
Conclusion
Are you ready for your final examination? Will you see the deceased
in heaven? How can you know for sure that you are saved?
A—Admit you are a sinner and need God.
B—Believe in Jesus Christ. That He lived a sinless life, died for
you, rose again.
C—Call upon Him to save you; commit your life to Him.
D—Determine to begin doing everything He says.A Most Significant Day
, especially 1, 2, and 4
By Dr. Dave Earley
Th is message is appropriate to give at the memorial service for a
believer in Jesus Christ. Th is message is most effective when made
most personal. It is designed to minister to the saved and preach
the gospel to the lost. When you read the words “the deceased”
you should fi ll in the name of the believer in Jesus Christ who has
gone to be with the Lord.
Introduction
Today is not just an ordinary day for any of us. Today marks one of
those special times and seasons of life. Most of us do not come to the
funeral home very often. We do not wrestle with the reality of death
frequently. There are several special aspects about us being gathered
here today. Today is a significant time for several reasons:
1. Today marks a time of rejoicing (; ; ).
For us it is a day of sorrow and grief, but do not forget that for the
deceased today marks a time of rejoicing. They are truly in a much
better place, experiencing a much higher quality of life. Th ere is no
more sickness, pain, sorrow, or tears. Today, for the deceased, is a
commencement exercise to a better life. Today is their graduation
into glory.
2. Today marks a time of remembering.
These beautiful flowers, the lovely music, our presence here
today are in honor of the life of the deceased. Today is a day for
remembering them. We are fortunate in that there are so many good
memories of the deceased. [It is appropriate to share positive memories
about the deceased at this time.]
454 / NELSON’S ANNUAL PREACHER’S SOURCEBOOK FUNERAL MESSAGE / 45
3. Today also marks a time for grieving ().
The preacher of Ecclesiastes says that there is a “time to mourn.”
Losing someone we love produces genuine pain and grief. While we
have tears of joy, we also have tears of sadness. Those who’ve walked
this road know that grieving is a common process that takes several
forms and progresses through several stages. The key to successfully
moving through is choosing to take each one to God.
a. A sense of shock, numbness, and often denial
Just a few days ago, the deceased was right here with us.
Now they are gone. It may feel like a shock. Death should shock
us. God’s original plan was for lives without death, but when
sin entered into the world, death came with it. So death should
shock us, and it does. Take your shock to God today.
b. Feelings of anger and resentment
Death also often provokes feelings of anger. We feel anger
at death, anger at sin, anger at people, anger at self, anger at
sickness, and sometimes anger toward God. Th e important
thing is to not stay angry. Choose to use this event as a prod to
draw you closer to God and not away from Him.
c. Guilt
Death may cause us to feel guilty. Th ere are two kinds of
guilt: real guilt and false guilt. Real guilt is the loving touch of
God calling you to confess specific sin and change in an area of
your life. If you have such guilt, realize that “if we confess our
sins, [God] is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness” ().
False guilt is a vague accusation that you don’t measure up. It
is also based on untruths. Take your guilt, real or false, to God
today. He loves you, will forgive you, and will cleanse you.
d. Loss, loneliness, sorrow, emptiness, pain
Th e departure of the deceased will leave a great hole. If you
have not yet felt the deep sense of loss and pain, you will. You
will miss them. Th is hole is a clear call to run to God. Ultimately
He alone can fi ll the holes in our hearts. Take your loss and pain
to God.
4. Today is a time for examination (; ; ).
Funerals are reminders of the reality of death, the certainty of
death, and the inevitability of examination. We should prepare
ourselves for death, because “after this the judgment” ().
Let me ask you, are you in the faith? Have you trusted Christ to
be your Savior?
Are we living with eternity in view? No one has a guarantee of
tomorrow. We could be here next week doing your funeral. Would
we have the hope of knowing you would be in heaven? Would we
have the confidence that you would do well on your exam?
Conclusion
Are you ready for your final examination? Will you see the deceased
in heaven? How can you know for sure that you are saved?
A—Admit you are a sinner and need God.
B—Believe in Jesus Christ. That He lived a sinless life, died for
you, rose again.
C—Call upon Him to save you; commit your life to Him.
D—Determine to begin doing everything He says.