Transcription
Funeral Sermons I Have Preached OnDifferent Occasions. Some DeathsHappened In Different Ways. Adapt ThemAnd Use Them.-- James Meadows
THE FUNERAL SERMONIntroduction1. The time of death, and what follows (funeral, etcis a very important time in the life and work of apreacher.a. Generally, the preacher is one of the very first people contacted withen a death hasoccured.b. What he does, and how he responds, will affect the people involved greatly, and will also affecthis effectiveness with a congregation. ,c. I personally know of situations where both help and harm was done, or given.d. In this respect, I would suggest that a preacher respond immediately by going to be withthe family, if possible. By this, he shows that he cares and that he wants to help.2. The funeral sermon can be any style, i.e., it may be topical, textual or expository.a. Whatevery style is chosen, the situaltion and the needs of the people must be kept central.b. This means that the funeral sermon will be a bit different from any other.i.By its very nature, its purpose is evident--to help those who are sorrowing.ii. I would encourage you to keep in mind that people are under duress and may not respond as they normally would, or as you would expect them to.iii. The funeral situation is beset with much emotion, and you must understand that- It can-bring outthe-best, or worst, in people.DiscussionI. THE BENEFIT OF FUNERALSA. English statesman, William Gladstone, said: "Show me the manner is which a nation or acommunity cares for its dead, and I will measure with mathematical exactness the characterof its people, their respect for laws of the land, and their loyalty to high ideals."1. The attitudes toward death, and the type of practices at the time of death, aresignificant projections of group life.2.We sometimes, say, "I don't care what they do with my body," etc., but it will matter to others.B. Various consultants of the National Funeral. Directors Association have given these purposes offunerals:1. "A funeral faces the reality of death--does not avoid it."2. "The funeral not only is a declaration that a death has occurred, it also is a testimony thata life has been lived."3. "The funeral provides the fitting climate 'for expressing our true feelings. Pain suffered insolitude is harder to bear than an anguish which is shared."4. The funeral tells us sadly about the present, the agony of separation, the reality ofdeath."C-,The funeral is for the living!1. It helps in the grieving process.2. It helps us face death.3. It gives help and commfort, or should.
D. Edgar N. Jackson, in The Christian Funeral, gives 5 purposes of afuneral.1. It recognizes that what is done is to meet the social, psychological, andspiritual needs of those who are able to participate in it--the living.2. It is aware of the powerful emotions that are at work and tries tofulfill the feelings rather than deny them.3. It is a time for facing death rather than denying it.4. It does not deny the fact of the event, and it does not deny thevalidity of the emotions that attend it. Grief is an honorable emotion.5. It gives the members of the religious community a chance to give evidenceof their emotional and spiritual support.E. As a preacher, you must understand why we have funeral before you canaid in the healing process.II. THE FUNERAL SERMONA. It should be shorter than most other sermons, generally.1. Remember the emotional state people are in. Put yourself in their place.2. They will remember little you say. They will remember that you were there,that you were kind, that you were comforting.B. It should be quiet and conversational.1. This is not a time to yell and rave and rant.2,-You are there to help not3. Maybe things are not as they should be; maybe the family is fighting,etc., but this is not the time to try to fix that.4. The only comfort some funeral sermons bring is when they are over!C. It should be positive and uplifting.1. Now, I know that no hope can be given in some cases, for we arecalled upon to preach the funeral of the worst sinner as well as thebest saint.2. We are to give comfort and uplift and help.D. It should be as personal as possible.1. I do not like generic funeral, i.e., the person, family is not mentionedand talked to directly.2. Now, I know that sometimes we will not even know the deceased.3. The people need to know that we are concerned about them-E. The heart of the message should be centered in Scripture.1. You will want to extend your sympathy, say something about thedeceased, etc., but you will want to bring God's word and God'spromises to apply to the people.2. Wiersbe says the key word is "sensitivity."--to the needs of thepeople.3. The situations of deaths differ, so the text and sermon will differ.i. Elderly - Prov.,16:31i i . C hi l d - ,'1& -!/ P Y: ( 3 -t riii. Saint - Rev. 14:13iv. Sinner - What does death teach us?
THE MYSTIC STEP OF DEATH1 Samuel 20:3James MeadowsIntroduction:1. Beloved, friends, and neighbors, as we have gathered here to pay the last respects to thedeceased one, and speak words of comfort to the loved ones, we are fully aware of thefeebleness of human words.2. Yes, our life is as if we were walking along the brink of a river or the edge of a cliffwhere one misstep would plunge us to our death.
3. I've known the deceased one only a short while; many of you have known him for many4.years. Regardless of how long the acquaintance with one may be, death is always asad occasion.I realize that what I might say will neither help nor hinder the eternal destiny of thedeceased one; his spirit is in the hands of a just God. (Her epistle is written - 2 Cor. 3:2).Realizing that such is true, I want us to notice a few things about the mystic step of death.Discussion:I. Death Is A Certain Step.A. It is appointed unto all men to die (Heb. 9:27).B. Our life is a vapor (lames 4: 1 4).C. Even though death is certain we are neve, prepared for it.II. Death Is An Uncertain Step.A.We know not when, where or how we shaltdie.B.The deceased one and his family had probably nevek given thought to hispassing in this way. The uncertainty of death (James 4:13,14). (His death at soyoung an age shows wisdom of Solomon - Ucle. 12:1.)III. Death Is The Final Earthly Step.A.End of earthly life.B.End of earthly responsibilities.IV. Death Is A Parting Step.
A. Farewell to friends and loved ones.B. Farewell to all that is earthly.V. Death Is A Solitary Step.A. It is a step that friends and loved ones cannot take with us. (Use song We AreGoing Down the Valley--Lord with Christian.)B. It is a step in which our earthly possessions cannot avail us anything.VI. To The Christian Death Is The Last Step To The Lord Jesus Christ. (To the man thathas obeyed the gospel by believing, repenting, confessing, being baptized, and isadding the Christian graces.)A.Jesus will lead us home (John 14:1-3).B.Enjoy his companionship throughout eternity (1 Thess. 4:17). C.Thus, death to the Christian is a blessing in disguise.1. End of all sorrow, pain, tears, death, etc.2. Paul said, "To live is Christ; to die is gain." (Phil. 1:21).Conclusion:1. This one has taken the final step, the step that we his friends, relatives and loved ones dnnottake with him. But, we have come to help the ones that are left behind in whatever waywe can.2. The beautiful flowers and the many people here are our ways of saying that wesorrow with you and pray that you may find comfort in the fact that this one has not diedwithout hope; as those that are outside of Christ.
STRENGTH FOR LIFE'S BURDENSFUNERALPHIL 4:13INTRO:1 0 LIFE HAS ITS BURDENS AND SORROWS AND HEARTACHES.SOME MORE THAN OTHERS.2.SOMETIMES WE ASK WHY. BUT WE CANNOT FIND THESOLUTION IN ASKING WHY. BURDENS,SORROWS,DEATHARE HERE. TOr-ASK WHY IS NOT TO TOUCH THE SOURCE FROM WHENCE STRENGTHWE NEED COMES. T O ASK WHY MARY WEAKEN BECAUSE WE MAYNOTKNOW THE ANSWER.3.WE NEED STRENGTH, THUS NEED TO LOOK WHERE IT CAN BE FOUND.4. PAUL GIVES THE ANSWER. LET US THINK NOW OF HOW CHRISTSTRENGTHENS.WAYS THAT HE STRENGTHENS.FAITH IN HIM.1.JN. 14:1-2IN VIEW OF HIS DEATH, AND TO STRENGTHEN HIS DISCIPLETHAT HE MADE THIS STATEMENT.2. ABRAHAMFOUND STRENGTH IN FAITHAS HE STOOD BESIDETHE LIFELESS BODY OF SARAH. GEN 23: HEB. 11:10.3. DAVID.2 . SAM 12:15-23B. BY HIS EXAMPLE. 1 PET 2:21NOTE THE WORD SUFFEREDCALLED THEMAN OF SORROWS. ISA. 53:32.HIS PROMISESTRENGTH TOC.BH I SW O R DPOWERFUL.1:16, HEB 4:12,ITHES 4:18Y.ROM.D. B Y HIS PROMISES 2 P E T . 1 : 4NOTE THE WORDS PRECIOUS, GREAT, EXCEEDING.1.HIS PROMISE T O A B R A H A M - ' )TO ISRAEL, JOSHUA AND CALEB. GAVE THEMFACE GIANTS.E. BY H IS POWER.MT. 28:18
1 . HIS MIRACLES SHOW HIS POWER--OVER NATURE--OVER DISEASEOVER DEATH.F. BY HIS LOVE.JN 13:1JN 3:16ROM. 5:6.WHILE WE WERE YET WEAK, JN DUE SEASON,CHRISTDIED FOR THE UNGODLY.REB?. 4:15,16 TOUCHED BY THE FEELING OF OUR ENFORNITES. LETUS DRAW NEAR.
STRENGTH FOR LIFE 1 S BURDENSPACE 2 CONTINUED:G.BY KNOW ING HE IS BY OUR S IDE. HEB. 13:5IT IS EASIER TO STAND WITH OTHERS THAN TO STAND ALONE.BY INTERCED ING FOR US. HEB. 7:25.CON: HERE IS THE SOURCE OF STRENGTH NEEDED.H.
JOURNEY INTO THE NEXT WORLDI.1.MOST PEOPLE INTERESTED IN GOING PLACES AND SEEING THINGS.2.TALK OF GOING TO OTHER PLANETS TODAY. WORLDS. I DO NOT KNOW.CERTAINTY OF TRIP.1.: MANYII.TRIPS OPTIONAL,. BUT THIS ONE NECESSARY.2.WE RETURN FROM. FROM MOST TRIPS, BUT NOT THIS ONE. JAH. 16:22, 2CORN. 12-23.3.SOMETIMES TAKE WRIP WITH OTHERS BUT THIS ONE ALONE.PREPRATION SHOULD BE MADE.1.HARDLY THINK OF MAKING AN EXTENDED TRIP WITHOUT.2.PREPARATION.NEEDWOULD I B E R E A D Y ?3. SETIII.IV.ROM. 3:27. IF I SHOULD DIE,TIME FOR MOST TRIPS. CHANCES ARE THIS ONE BE UNEXPECTED.NEED A GUIDE.1.CANIT FIND WAY ALONE. PROV. 1 4 : 1 2 .2.JESUS ONLY ONE BEEN THIS WAY. MAN WHO SAID HIS MOTHER WENT TOHEAVEN. D A DDU ASKED HOW HE KNEW. HAD SHE BEEN BACK TOTELL.JER. 10:23.WAY PLAIN.1.MAN ASKED DIRECTIONS. MAN SAID GO DOWN HERE. TURN RIGHT. NO.GIVE OTHER DIRECTION. THEN FINALLY SAID, YOU JUST CAN'T GETTHERE.2.WAY OF HOLINESS. IS A. 35: 83o WAY OF REDEEMED.4. UPWARD WAY.V.HEB. 9:27, Ps.9:10.THE END OF JOURNEY.1. FOR1,2.3.RIGHTEOUS.SEE /ABRAHAM ETC.CITY, LEAVE BEHIND ALL TOILS AND CARES, HEARTACHES.2. FOR WICKED.1.CONDEMNATION.
2.3.4.TORMENT.FIRE.WICKED.
A QUESTIONNAIRE FOR A FUNERALName of deceasedWhere living when diedDate of birth Where bornWhere grew upAny interesting things about childhoodWhen and where baptizedor religious affiliation in generalWhere and how met wife/husbandWife's maiden nameWhen and where marriedNames of children (in order of birth)Record of jobs (type of work, companies, approximate number of years, etc )(AJVarious places lived (general locations, in order if possible, approximate number of years, etc )Service in the churchOther hobbies and interests, organizations belonged to, etcSpecialmemories and reminiscences
Recordofillness (sickfor along time before death, died suddenly, or what)ate of deathSurvived byTHE PREACHER'S PERIODICAL
Funeral for1. We havegathered here today because our lives weretouched in some way by ------------------------- . Thoseof us here and many others who wish to be here are his family, his friends, his co -workers,brother and sister in Christ.a. We all could share something of a personal experience from the many ways that ---meant to you and the many ways he touched our lives. Our memories will continue to live on in our hearts - and those memories willbecome more precious, and highly valued in our future.And each of you could give testimony of how highly you thought of -----------by your presencehere today.2. Possibly read obituary.3. Our sympathy and prayers are with you all in this time of loss. But we also rememberthatalso leaves all of us as his friends, co-workers, andchurch family.4. How do you explain the events of the last few months that have led us to this point?a. There may not be a explanation for where some of the things we deal with in life comefrom. Where does disease come from? Why are healthy people affected?b. We can know a few things.c. We can know the Bible says James 4:14 What is your life? You are a mistthat appears for a little while and then vanishes.d. We know that everything that could be done for was done. He hadthe care of his doctors and nurses and he had the love of his family who was with him to the veryend.5. How can you describes a persons life in such little time? It's impossible to tell it all.a. life could be described as successful by any standard of the word.b. Maybe not the wealthiest, most fame, not the oldest. But he had other qualities thatprepared better for the journey he has taken into eternity.c. Life was good to --------------------- . He had a good long life on this earth. Some havelived longer, many have not lived as long. We can be thankful for the length of life heenjoyed.d. Whatmadelife so successful?1. was success because of his relationship with his Lord.a. He is the recipient of some of the greatest promises in the world. .Rev 2:10 Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.Rev 3:21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as Iovercame and sat down with my Father on his throne.Rev 14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die inthe Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for theirdeeds will follow them."b. Nothing can give more comfort and hope for a family during times like these than toknow that their loved one died in the Lord.c. gave his life to the Lord. He put his faith in Jesus Christ.
He put his Lord on in baptism and lived faithfully to that commitment.
He comes from a family with a Christian heritage and I know he wants that for hisfamily. His families dedication to the Lord's work com
E. As a preacher, you must understand why we have funeral before you can aid in the healing process. II. THE FUNERAL SERMON A. It should be shorter than most other sermons, generally. 1. Remember the emotional state people are in. Put yourself in their place. 2. They will remember little you say. They will remember that you were there,File Size: 466KBPage Count: 62
