Funeral for Helen (Message only)

Today we’re here to formally say good-by to Helen KA HOW NANI KA GI KAWA, but not good-by forever, we will see her again. But we’re also here to honor MAMA Helen, and to show our respects, but we can also be here to celebrate MAMA Helen’s HomeComing. Helen is in a far better place, free from all sickness and pain. She is now walking on streets of glory with the Lord Jesus Christ, full of joy.

I) With those thoughts in mind I would like to read to you 2 portions of scripture both from the book of JOHN.

A) 1st In (John 11:25-26) Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

B) And in (John 14:1-6) Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

II) I think that one of the hardest things that we have to face with the death of a loved one, who really knew the Lord, is the loss that we feel. It’s sad and hard to say good-by to someone that we love. But as I said earlier, we will see them again. But it’s also very common, when someone goes home to be with the Lord that we feel a sense of guilt. We think that we could have done this or that for them, that we could have done more.

A) But we should not feel any sorrow for them or any guilt because they’re in a far better place.

1) Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 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: 17 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. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

(a) Paul says in these Vs that we do not have to have sorrow.

(b) Why does he say that?

2) 1st of all we will be with the Lord forever.

(a) We don’t need to feel sorrow for any one that has died knowing the Lord. They are with the Lord now and forever.

3) The 2nd reason why we should feel no sorrow is that we will be with them again.

(a) Paul said in this same V together we will be with the Lord.

(i) All those that know the Lord will be reunited.

B) Salvation and entrance into heaven only comes by accepting Jesus into your heart, and making Him your personal Lord and Saviour.

1) This is something that Mama Helen did.

(a) In Revelation 14:13 it says, “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 labors; and their works do follow them.”

(b) Those that have died in the Lord are blessed. They rest from all the trials and tribulation that we have on earth and they receive rewards for the works that they have done.

(i) Paul said, “When we (our spirit) is away from the body we are at home with the Lord.”

(ii) For the Christian when the spirit leaves the body, they are present with the Lord.

C) Paul said something about death that is very comforting.

1) Paul said in Philippians 1 (V 21) “To die is gain.” And in (V 23) he said, “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”

(a) Paul says that heaven is FAR better.

D) 2 Timothy 4:7-8 says, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

1) Those that have died in the Lord are blessed.

III) In conclusion I want to read to you a 2 different passages of scripture.

A) In (Matthew 25:14-23) Jesus said, “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

1) I can picture the Lord saying to Mama Helen, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.

B) Jude 24-25 “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”