Funeral Service #5

I. Welcome and Greeting

II. Psalm 23 Reading

III. Obituary Reading

IV. Opening Prayer 

V. Lesson
   A. Person has now been released from body
      1. Physical suffering has ended
      2. A relief
   B. More difficult for us today
      1. Died at a younger age than many today
      2. As most people do, expected to live longer
   C. Realization: no guarantee of tomorrow
      1. James 4:14
      2. Even with all our technology, tomorrow is never guaranteed
      3. A sobering reality
   D. The great unknown awaits
      1. What do we do about the great unknown-- death?
      2. We may not know exactly what happens after death, but we do 
         know who is in control of all things-- God, and Jesus Christ
      3. Person, thankfully, dies with the hope of Heaven 
         (1 Peter 1:3-5)
      4. He became a Christian, a servant of God
      5. Do we, right now, have that hope, or are as those without 
         hope after death (1 Thessalonians 4:13)?
   E. Person now awaits the resurrection      
      1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
      2. 1 Corinthians 15:42-58
   C. Person's earthly life may be over, but awaits the 
      resurrection and to be with Christ
   D. At this time, we remember person and their life
   E. But what about us?
      1. Do we have the hope of Heaven?
      2. Will we attain the resurrection and glory?
      3. Will we make it to Heaven?
   F. Person would want you to have that hope!
   G. Let us also serve God and share in that hope!

VI. Graveside Service
   A. The dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit 
      returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
   B. The body may be laid to rest, but the spirit, in hope, 
      awaits to return to it
   C. Now laid to rest
   D. Concluding prayer