Funeral Sermon (Revelation 14:13)
We are here to remember and celebrate the life of ___________________, a husband/wife, a father/mother, a grandfather/mother, a friend, and a child of God. It is hard to capture the greatness of someone’s life in just a few moments.
Personal Stories
The Apostle John wrote in Revelation 14:13: And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
The Bible teaches that life does not end at the grave. The death of the body cannot destroy the eternal spirit and image of God within us.
Now, obviously, this is a view of death from the other side. Viewed from our vantage point, death appears to be dreadful, defeating, and devastating. But from God’s vantage point, it is altogether different. He calls the dead, “blessed.” That word means “happy,” “to be congratulated,” or “fortunate.” Far from being pitied, God tells us that those who die with faith in the Lord are to be envied. So, Death is the doorway to the rest we need.
The word “labor” describes a wearing out from work, a wearisome labor. It suggests that life is often hard, full of difficulties, disappointments, and disease. God promises us rest from all of that. There comes a time when we need to lay down our burdens and be at rest.
The word “rest” that appears here is a beautiful word. It means to be at ease, to be refreshed. It suggests an end to the toils and tribulations of life. In this world of trouble, we may know some rest. But there is a greater and more complete rest for us when we go to be with the Lord. It is the rest of heaven and the presence of God. And those who have laid their burden down and entered into it are to be congratulated—they are truly fortunate.
John says in Revelation 14, “for their deeds follow them.” We are all making a record on earth. We carry the record of our life with us into eternity. By the lives that we live, by the words that we say, and the deeds that we do, we are laying up treasures in heaven for ourselves. The Bible tells us that God will not forget our works and labor of love, which we have done in His name as we minister to others (Heb. 6:10). Our works follow us. They accompany us to the very judgment seat of God.
For a Christian, the purpose of judgment is not to determine our destiny but to determine our reward in that destiny. We are saved by grace, but we will be rewarded by our works. Part of that reward is knowing a place is prepared for us. In John’s gospel, Jesus encourages his disciples with these words.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:1-6)
With this thought in mind., C.S. Lewis once said, “If we really think that home is elsewhere and that this life is a ‘wandering to find home,’ why should we not look forward to the arrival?” For us, Heaven is our true home; this world is not our home; we are only passers-by. This home speaks of God’s provision. There is room for each of us.
So, if we have lived faithfully and served our Lord lovingly, then death becomes the doorway to our reward. Those who have gone to a good reward are fortunate. They are to be congratulated. While the resurrection is not mentioned in this verse, it is affirmed in 1 Corinthians 15:20–22: “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
The Bible teaches more than immortality or the survival of our spirit. It also teaches the resurrection of the body. Those who die in Christ go immediately to be with the Lord. When Christ returns, the body that has died will come to life again. It will be a new and glorious resurrection body, like the resurrected body of Christ.
As His body was recognizable, so our friend and loved one will be recognizable also.
As His body transcended the limitations of time and space, our body will not be subject to the limitations of this life.
As His body was no longer subject to disease and decay, our body will be immortal—it will live forever. That is why we believe, and can confidently say, that death is not the end; it is only the beginning. ___________________ may have passed from this life, but he is now in the presence of the author of life.
