S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

There should be a vast difference between a Christian funeral and that of a non-believer. It is the difference between light and darkness, joy and sorrow, hope and despair, heaven and hell. A Chris...

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July 17 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Kathy Brundidge Supporter church of Christ

In Matthew 8:21-22, a disciple of Jesus asked to follow Him, but he wanted to bury his late father first. Jesus said, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead, verse 22. What He meant was, Don't worry about your father. You come and follow me now, let the spiritually dead bury the physically dead. The focus of a funeral is not the dead person in the casket, but the living. The living need to know how to be saved, so that they can be rewarded, like the dead person has been rewarded.

July 17 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

My thought is that every funeral should focus on trying to comfort the bereaved whether the deceased person is a professed Christian or BELIEVED (by many) TO HAVE passed away unsaved. (purposeful emphasis). How do we do that? How do we comfort the heartbroken? We remind them of God's goodness; His amazing grace! His enduring love for all of mankind.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have everlasting life (John 3:16). 

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever (Psalm 136:1).

It matters not who the deceased person is, nor their lot in life. God is who He says He is! It's a soul-comforting truth! For every occasion!

I've attended my unwanted share of funerals; they are awkward; especially when the person giving the eulogy (usually a preacher, in this community) treats the event as what I refer to as, "A final destination court case." His main point is usually 'We don't know who is where; we ain't got no hell to put nobody in.' (ebonics 101 - lol). (I try to not be seen SMH). I don't think that 'line of witness testimony' offers enduring comfort to them whose loved ones they think of as being unsaved (lost). They need the same comfort that everyone else leans into. God's goodness!

For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt. I am mourning; astonishment has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there? (Jeremiah 8:21, 22) 

I say YES, there is! The people must be constantly reminded that 'In the time of trouble 'He (God) will hide [you] in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He (God) will hide [you]; He (God) will set [you] high upon a rock' (Psalm 27:5). 

In the time of trouble we need to focus on the Lord. A funeral is to be seen (by a Christian) as "Trouble's Burial," whether the deceased is a Christian or not!

1 day ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report