yet look below! You have servants who are owned by the master and are accountable to him. Jesus died on the Cross to pay the full penalty for your sin. Put oil on your head and wash your face. Even as we rejoice, however, let us not forget that Lent is still not over. We may not wait . It's worthwhile, and He prepares good works in advance for us to walk in, and He prepares us to do those good works so that we are ready for them when they come. On July 15th, 1815, the defeated former Emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, boarded the British warship, the HMS Bellerophon, and was being sent to his final earthly destination. He is a richly generous master, but you must come to Him for forgiveness. In John 11, the Bible tells a story about a funeral for a man who had been one of Jesus' close friends. No ones in a hurry, no schedule to keep. You have a master who has authority and is the owner of all things. He's anticipating it. You wouldnt want me to leave this place if you could see me now. In our worship. Come along now. Whatever pleases Him. Of so many things, so many rich blessings. Jesus said. The property is entrusted to the servant, is given over to the servant to be managed in the absence of the master. "Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. This was the funeral of a very lovely 94-year-old woman in our church, who was a believer. I preached the funeral that I could preach for a Rahab, or a Ruth, or the thief on the cross. The purpose of this website is to provide free sermon manuscripts and sermon videos to pastors and missionaries throughout the world, especially the Third World, where there are few if any theological seminaries or Bible schools. Verse 31 tells us that they went to " Decapolis ". To miss one is to miss a part of life's full recipe. How part? The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11) is particularly helpful on this point. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, Pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church, provides a homily entitled, "Well Done" at the Memorial Service of Rev. Write a script. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away! If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." Paul and Barnabas had been forced to flee from Antioch and Iconium. Among the many laws in the Pentateuch, Deuteronomy 24:5 is one of the most quaint. Now I know that "celebrating" is not the usual term applied to this day. As many money giving opportunities and prayers up in secret and actions done and gospel shared, and fear overcome and everything you need to do to store up your Father's praise for you. See, here is what belongs to you." This principle captures our task regardless the kind of funeral we do. I will do whatever I can to maximize my heavenly happiness. Or will we hear the other words? As this sermon reminds us, the scriptures are very clear and forceful that in times of crisis, many people feel the absence of God. The servants must give an account back to the master what they did with the things entrusted. Matthew 25:23 in all English translations. These are the basic ingredients of stewardship. You will learn both things to avoid and practices to emulate. That's after you've done everything you were commanded to do. So, we might immediately try to distance ourselves from that drive to be praised, that drive for glory. Now, I know that no hope can be given in some cases, for we are called upon to preach the funeral of the worst sinner as well as the best saint. We came to this strange mountain lake that was incredibly salty. But for those who are self-seeking, who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger." Second, Eloise is fully aware of what is happening to her in Paradise right now. For I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger, you did not invite me, and I needed clothes, you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me." It's a moment in time where the significance of a person's life crystallizes. Good works cannot pay for our sinfulness, only faith in the blood of Jesus Christ can. Amen. Sit down and eat. When you die, all that your spouse will have left of you are memories and pictures. This concept of authority structure is taught openly in the Parable of the 10 minas[money] which is a parallel parable here. Let's look at the first one: praise from God. Well done, good, and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things. Goodbye jealousy. . Now by way of review, you've known the reading of the parable of the talents is rich and full. The first time it's mentioned is in that incredible chapter, Genesis 15:1, After this the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, 'Fear not, Abram, I am your shield, and I am your very great reward.'" Every time you go into your room and close the door and pray for a missionary, a brother and sister in Christ, somebody sick, somebody struggling, a marriage is struggling. A tornado watch is in effect, so to speak. I'm pleased with your offering. Our whole lives should go into gaining that honor and glory that God will give to faithful servants. Because this is the number one competing religion in the world. He was being exiled to the tiny volcanic island of St. Helena, which is in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, 700 miles from the nearest landfall, several thousand miles from coastlines of Africa or South America, just in the middle of the ocean. The third reward is an experience of joy. There's also going to be responsibilities in the new Heaven, the new Earth, there's going to be jobs up there. I will set you over much. Please click here to learn how you can make a monthly donation to help us in this great work of preaching the Gospel to the whole world. He's going on a journey, the master is going to be away for a key period of time, so the servants are going to be able to function without him visibly right there. Now, let's look at verse 21, and what I'm going to do with verse 21 is tell you what rewards you'll get. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58). IV. What is it then you're storing up in heaven? The unbelieving will never hear those words, for "without faith it is impossible to please God" ( Hebrews 11:6 ). If you look at where they were and where they were headed to, you would see that Jesus and His men took the . There are certain verses in Scripture that become the strength of Christians. Those who have done good will rise to live, those who have done evil will rise to be condemned." It is essentially idolatrous in the non-Christian because it's not connected in any way with the glory of God and faith in Jesus Christ and His kingdom. When we see Jesus, it will be the most important words we may hear. I want to go where there's happiness. Two Journeys Ministry houses all of PastorAndy Davis' content. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Preparing well for the funerals of unknowns is vital so that those who listen might find some consolation in Christ. I think it's going to be detailed praise from God for each good work done, every good work you do, every time you give to the needy, and don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Turn away from your sins and trust Jesus with all your heart. I never had the privilege of meeting this loved one, but I do know several of her family that I love very much, and I am . It does to me, but it is true. James tells us how the mechanism works. You are presently, right now, auditioning for the role you're going to play in that eternal play. We are going to be praising him and giving him glory and honor. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Try, Slow Down, Big Fellawhat A Motorcyclist Taught Me About Preaching, Spit-Shine Tomorrow's Sermon Before You Go To Bed Tonight. Where's my father? His mother was dead. Sometimes it may be up to an hour. John, chapter fourteen, verse one. It affects the way you live. (My other church will do the same in a fortnight.) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. Or what about the hawk or the eagle? This is the essence of, Well done, good and faithful servant., Death & Dying, Bible Prophecy, The Birth of Christ, Providence and Sovereignty of God, Temptation, Baptism and the Lord's Supper, Joy, War Against the Flesh, Works of the Flesh, Repentance, Humility, Holiness, Anabaptists, Beatitudes, Forgiveness, The Law of God, The Power of Sin, Sexual Purity, Marriage and Parenting, War Against the Flesh, Works of the Flesh, Prophecy, False Teaching & False Teachers, Abiding in Christ, Persecution, Boldness & Courage, Temptation. How can you believe, Jesus said, If you accept praise from one another and yet you make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? Back at the beginning of the sermon, I said that Napoleon said people are motivated by a yearning for praise and honor, God made that. She invested her talents in her love for ***. This sermon is Chapter 8 of A Minister's Treasury of Funeral and Memorial Messages by Jim Henry, former pastor of First Baptist Church Orlando, Florida. Eloise was the church pianist and later she was the church organist. And then to the goats, He will say, "Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Don't wait till your spouse dies to express your love. XXV. Today, we're going to zero in on the concept of eternal rewards, heavenly rewards for being good stewards of the grace that God has entrusted to us. (When Jesus Comes to Reign by Dr. John R. Rice, 1895-1980). "Well done, good and faithful servant." Each receives the same invitation: "You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Rewards will be given to good Christians for their faithfulness to Christ and the church, and especially for winning souls to Christ. To nail that in place, Jesus told a troublesome little parable. It provides us with a chance to reflect on our own personal relationship with the Lord. Third, Eloise, and all true Christians, will appear before Christ to receive rewards, II Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:21; I Corinthians 15:58; Luke 19:12-26, Revelation 2:26; 5:10. I baptized her in 1989 and was her pastor for 29 years. When Jesus Comes to Reign (by Dr. John R. Rice, 1895-1980). As a matter of fact, Jesus criticizes His Jewish enemies, his adversaries, for not seeking praise from God, but rather praise from one another. Is it wrong to yearn for praise from Jesus? There's going to be things to do in Heaven, responsibilities. Garden of Eden restored that day! The rewards Christ will give at this time will determine the position the Christian will have in Christs earthly kingdom (Luke 19:12-26). Words like, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21) Or Revelation 2:10, "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." We want to be immortal, that is, we want to live forever. 1. Please click here to learn how you can make a monthly donation to help us in this great work of preaching the Gospel to the whole world. She criticized the way funerals were done in America, including cosmetic excrescences and high expenses stemming from the greed . God isnt going to dock you for your not gaining as much as those with more. Brother Moore, we love you and will carry on your legacy. Learn about the parable that this Bible phrase originates from and the wisdom we can gain from it. His praise means He is pleased with you and with your service. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him." The alert has been sounded. seminaries or Bible schools. Jesus shed His Blood on the Cross to cleanse you from all sin (I John 1:7). 16. They will ask you to go out through the back door to the street and to the foyer. Dr. Hymers e-mail is at rlhymersjr@sbcglobal.net (click here). Look at verse 21 again, his master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a little. To start saving items to a SermonFolder, please create an account. However, God is not an idolater, is he? XXV. Wait until the Lord comes the Second Coming of Christ, He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts, and at that time, each will receive his praise from God.. Then finally, there is accountability. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." The conditions are present. Yes. But in the middle of it all is you get a sense of God's joy in what He's made. But when Christ returns, she will come down to this earth with Him in her resurrected body, walking and leaping and praising God in Christs 1,000-year earthly kingdom! 4. First, the true Christians spirit goes immediately into the presence of Christ when they die, Luke 23:43; Romans 8:34, II Corinthians 12:2, 4. Then He rewards us for doing it. His soldiers were fanatically loyal to him, were willing to trudge across the bitter snows of Russia to win him an empire. Were all enjoying Jesus, just kneeling at His feet. Story #4: In My Father's House. However, though we may not be justified by good works, the Bible teaches, and this is hard for Christian to understand, but the Bible teaches it, we will be assessed by our works. He says, "I tell you the truth, if you do that, you will never into eternity, lose your reward." The Pharisee stands up and prays about himself. He wanted his parents' approval, and especially mentioned his father's approval. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. At the end of Job 39, He talks about the horse, and He says, Did you give the horse its strength? The healing that has been delayed, has now been realized. 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 . Revelation 20,"I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Watch our worship service. These words are - "Well done, good and faithful servant." A sermon of encouragement LET US NOT BE WEARY IN WELL DOING 1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my brothers and sister, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. I'm not going back through the parable, but you saw what happened. (END OF SERMON) My dad, a Reformed pastor, has been asked to do Christian funerals for non-believers many times. Thirdly, He says it would actually be unjust for him not to reward us. Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. He had led armies of over 600,000 men, he had won battles in Egypt and throughout Europe, and at one point controlled most of continental Europe. Hundreds of others watch the videos on YouTube, but they soon leave YouTube and come to our website. 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 (Matthew 25:21). In other words, I'm willing to fight and claw and struggle and suffer and strive and study and sacrifice and hurt and wear myself out, turn my back on any earthly pleasure to embrace any earthly hardship. She loved playing the organ for her Lord. He is among us; He is in us; He is our very life. Words fail on a day like this. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you." ). Tonight, one of my churches holds an 'All Souls Service', where we invite all the families for whom we have conducted funerals over the past year. Matthew 25:14-30 . Eloises body, and the bodies of all true Christians, will be caught upto meet the Lord in the air (v. 17). We see this principle also in the parable of The Sheep and the Goats. When Jesus comes to reign. Let's go over it, let's sit down and watch a little video of what you did. Youre auditioning right now for your heavenly position. They had so much in common. IT is the happiness of our religion, that all mankind, poor and rich, are equally able to please God. The cup of cold-water reward. She was a real Christian for many years. "Serve the LORD with gladness!" I'm going to close now with Jonathan Edwards' resolution, by way of application. the funeral sermon? The purpose of this website is to provide free sermon manuscripts and sermon videos to pastors and missionaries throughout the world, especially the Third World, where there are few if any theological seminaries or Bible schools. I go to prepare a place for you. Secondly, it's not becoming. I think what happens is the more faithful we are, the greater our capacity for heavenly joy and love. I know. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. We're going to be judged by our works, assessed by them. The idea is powerful, the more faithful we were in this world, the more responsibility we're going to have in the next. The apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:5, Judge nothing before the appointed time. "Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." The Parable of the Talents 22 The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, 'Master, you entrusted me with two talents. He will make no mistakes, his praise will not puff you up, it will not go to your head, it will not corrupt you. God says, "I'm going to teach you joy that you havent known before. Jonathan Edwards, in his 22nd resolution said, Resolved to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor and vehemence, yea, even violence, I am capable of or can bring myself to exert in any way that can be thought of. Okay, and if that's not plain, I just rephrase it a bit. You can read Dr. Hymers' sermons each week on the Internet Jesus will save you for all time and all eternity if you turn from your sin and trust Him. Friends, we are all stewards, aren't we? 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. You've been faithful with a few things, I'm going to put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master." Napoleon said these motivate men more than just about anything he knew. Think about these words in Revelation 21, the city, the New Jerusalem, does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its lamp. This statement is a staggering one. Then, with a contented sigh, the person would "slip away" - entirely unafraid. How good is Jesus, how good is Jesus Christ for giving us these things? Christ shed His blood to cover our sins, but that's not all, He also gives us a fruitful life of service that's going to count for eternity. Goodbye pride. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. I am now turning the service over to the funeral directors. We can't say it too often, why? WELL DONE! It is one of the greatest motivators to live the Christian life. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.Isn't that incredible? He is blameless and upright, a man who fears God, he lives a righteous life. He's celebrating Job, a human being. I was on my own. The first answer is that God raised his own Son from the dead. `Well done, good and faithful servant! In 1 Corinthians 4:5, what we get is praise from God. If you want to write to Dr. Hymers by postal mail, his address is P.O. If you could see me now, I'm walking streets of gold, if you could see me now, I'm standing tall and whole, if you could see me now you'd see the pains erased, if you could see me now you'd know I'd seen His face. Fourth, Eloise and all good and true Christians will return to this earth to reign with Christ, Revelation 20:6; I John 1:7. All their work for the United Way and for UNICEF and Habitat for Humanity and Walk for Hunger and cerebral palsy and all of that, all our righteous acts are like filthy rags in the sight of God. God is measuring our accountability with what we're doing with what He's given us now. A life well done, "Well done, good and faithful servant." God asks no less of us then he asked of His son. It says in Colossians 1,We pray this in order that youmay live a life worthy of the Lord, may please Him in every good work, bearing fruit in all good works.When God says, "Well done, good and faithful servant", He's saying, I am pleased with you. That's what it looks like when somebody does good works to be justified by them. Speaking at a funeral or memorial service is a somber moment. Shes already outgiven you, so she's already the number one giver, so you're going to take number two, maybe your number 20, but what's going to happen is you're going to rejoice in the widow's achievement as much as if it had been you. 1 Timothy 1:15 speaks of the Gospel, the good news of the blessed God, which is the good news that God is happy. He is very zealous that you learn to not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving may be in secret and your Father sees what is done in secret and will reward you. Actually, amazingly, the Scripture says, not only is it not wrong, but we must also yearn for it. We swam in it and you couldn't go under the surface of the water. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away! The essence of heavenly life is praise and worship focused on Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and all of the direction of the heavenly beings up there, all of those mysterious heavenly beings, all the angels and the living creatures and all that, it's totally God God's centered, God-focused, God glorified, that's heaven. Have your father put your arm around you after the game and say, "Win or lose, I was proud of what you did today. at www.sermonsfortheworld.com. Amen. However, all of Dr. Hymers video messages, and all other sermons on video The sea gave up the dead that were in it, the death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done." Feb 17, 2013. He's celebrating his creative beings. So, I urge you to flee to Christ. II. The dead rose from the grave. If you've not been trustworthy with someone else's property now, who would give you property of your own? His name was Lazarus. I thank you, God, that I'm not like other men, robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector over here. What Jesus did was great, it was infinite. Would you want to spend eternity with a grumpy God? I want to celebrate my joy over your good work together, let's do it together. Psalm 116:15. Therefore, the famous assessment in Isaiah of good works done by an unbeliever. FUNERAL HOMILY DOROTHY THOMPSON It is a basic tenant of our faith / that human life is sacred, / that the human person is respected, / that we are made / in the image and likeness of God. One church I previously served also had such a service, but the Anglican rector always took that, and so . His property, everything in the parable is his, it all belongs to him. Remember that picture of Jim Craig with the American flag around his shoulders, scanning the crowds, and you could see, you could read his lips. Seven Resolutions for Finishing Well A Funeral Meditation Mar 11, 2016 Scripture: Psalm 71 John Piper Message Three Sightings of the Glory of Jesus Funeral Meditation for Char Ransom Jan 29, 2016 John Piper Sermon Death Is Not the End of Life Aug 10, 2014 Scripture: John 8:48-59 John Piper Conference Message 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: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life. I want the cup of cold-water reward. When Jesus comes to reign. There are actually going to be responsibilities in the new heaven, the new Earth. My prayers have all been answered, Ive finally arrived. Friends, if you hear me saying, we don't need to be doing that, you have missed it. The Napoleonic Wars resulted in the deaths of perhaps as many as six million human beings. To the first two servants Jesus said, "Well DONE! His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! That's how Jesus became the "way, truth and life" and becomes the best meal we'll ever eat. Some of you may be thinking, "Well, then what difference does it make if Im going to be just as happy with other people's achievements " Don't think like that. All sickness gone, all sore. But we also know from the world around us / the struggles and the conflicts / the pre-determined attitudes and fixed mind-sets / which do not uphold those You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. No one's in a hurry, no schedule to keep. #4. The clear statements make it obvious. Keep your . Whenever Jesus came to a funeral in the gospels, it stopped being a funeral. Lame men shall leap as an hart, for then But the one with the one talent, he goes off and he hides his master's money in the ground. You should be yearning to please Him so that He praises what you've done. Ironically, though we focus on remembering and celebrating the life of the deceased, the funeral service is ultimately for those who attend. And my mind landed on the story about this woman named Dorcas from the Book of Acts. What are you going to do with the fact that most knowledgeable Christians if you ask them and say, "What is the one thing you'd want on Judgment Day?" He can celebrate the attributes and the actions of a created being without worshipping that created being. WHEN YOU WRITE TO DR. HYMERS YOU MUST TELL HIM WHAT COUNTRY YOU ARE WRITING FROM OR HE CANNOT ANSWER YOUR E-MAIL. She died at 3:04 PM on December 13, 2017 at the age of 71. But when they came into the region of Lycaonia, they continued to preach the gospel (14:7). The purpose of this website is to provide free sermon manuscripts and sermon videos to pastors and Or as we already heard in Romans chapter 2,"God will give to each person according to what he has done. He was always encouraging, smiling, joyful and shining the love of Christ every single day on his job. Rev. A FUNERAL SERMON. Do you see it? . A funeral sermon should not exceed 20 minutes and should highlight these three categories, preferably expounded from a text or texts of Scripture: 1) Acknowledge the need to grieve. The gospel must be preached clearly in the sermon. Ever. It says that you will never lose your reward. Paul says if you do that, you're not really a Jew. We're going to celebrate. Quite frankly, lost people, people who are dead in their transgressions and sins, they have no good works.

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