Encouragement for a friend

I was asked to do a funeral for a friend who’s  sister had died. I directed my friend to our Pastor, who is better equipped to meet the peoples needs.  He continued to ask me to speak at the funeral and I continued to point to the pastor. I agreed reluctantly to my friends request.  So, I began to write a message that I hoped would speak to the grieving family and friends. When I finally completed it, I discovered the pastor was already planning to give the message and oversee the proceedings.

I wondered why the Lord had me write a message that would not never be used or delivered. I have now found a use for the message. It can be used to bless and encourage others. Feel free to use it, modify it and encourage others with it. I modified the text format then it can be easily changed for individual needs. Feel free to modify this message as a letter that could be sent to the grieving family.

I would like to say to all those who knew and loved Sandra that I am sorry for your loss. I know that many of you are going through a very difficult time and your hearts are broken in many ways over your loss.  This is a time to draw close to your family and friends. Everyone needs a helping hand and support at times like these, so draw close to your family and pray that the Lord would reach down and carry each others burdens.

I pray that God would also reach out his loving hands and begin to heal and strengthen you. He is the light we need in these dark times and he is able to speak tender words that will bring healing to your heart and soul.

I would like to tell a story that speaks to the separation of a loved one.

“They had brother and sister that were really close as they grew up. As time went on, each of their lives brought them to different parts of the country. The older brother was a very successful contractor but one thing that tore at his heart on a daily bases was that his sister was so far away. He missed her terrible. He often thought of her smiling face and the joyful conversations they had that continued into the night. He missed her so much he decided to do something about it and he finally came up with an idea. He decided to draw up plans for the perfect house that would meet all her sister’s needs and desires.

After a little while of setting the plans in motions he called his sister and said, “I miss you so much and I want to spend more time with you, so I decided to move forward with an idea. I have drawn up plans for the perfect house for you. It will meet all your needs and desires. I designed it with you in mind and you are going to absolutely love it. Not only that, but I search a long time and found the perfect spot to build upon, you’re going to love it. It is your dream house on the perfect location.

I have a few things to do before it is ready though, I have to finish building a complex and then I will start on your house. It will take about ten to eleven months till it is ready. I also ran into a few of our old friends and was surprised that they lived close by. One of them was already looking for a new place to live and decided to buy the house a few doors down from yours.

I can’t wait till you come and I just want to see the expression on your face.  Also, don’t worry about finding a job. I really want you to work with me and the job I have in mind is perfect for you and you will excel in it. So, you need to wait a little while until I complete it and then I will personally fly you out. I do not want to tell you too much more because I want the rest to be a surprise. So keep on guessing, imagining and dreaming of your new home. I love you and looking forward to seeing you soon.”

Jesus said in John 14:2-3, “In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places.  If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and make a place for you, I will come back and get you and take you to Myself, that where I am you may also may be.”

That is what happened with Sandra; Jesus took her home to be by his side.

Let’s consider the greatness of her heavenly home and imagine the Kingdom she is now a part of.

In the past, great kings and kingdoms has risen and fallen. We have seen the reigns of many of these Kings, some were tyrants to the people, while others loved them, served them and tried to be a blessing to them. All these earthly kings and kingdoms have risen and fallen, but Sandra lives in an eternal Kingdom which foundations cannot be shaken, and whose King is her Everlasting Father, her Wonderful Councilor, her Might God, and her Prince of Peace.

Lets consider these two things:

1. The joy Sandra has in being a citizen of the Eternal Kingdom
2. The joy Sandra has being with the God who loves her and calls her his beloved.

Let’s consider the kingdom first that Sandra now dwells in.

Today she lives in an Eternal Kingdom that can never be shaken. That kingdom will never be affected by the results of a fallen world, where there are no earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and any other things that would cause destruction. This kingdom is not subject to the chaos and the decay on this world.

It say’s in 1 Peter 1:4, that Sandra has received and an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade away.

• She now lives in a Kingdom that meets all her needs and fills all the longings and desires of her heart.
• Sandra now lives in a Majestic Kingdom:
  • Consider the greatness of this creation and the beauty of it. We can see God’s handy work everywhere.
  • If we look to the hills, we can see the White Mountains, the Grand Tetons and a hundred other mountain ranges that display God grandeur and majesty.
  • If you look to the valley, we can see fields filled with life, from flowers to butterflies and a host of other created things that were made to make our hearts rejoice.
  • If we look to the streams, rivers, seas and oceans we can see so much beauty that it cannot be contained.
  • If we look to the Stars above to the rising and setting of the sun, all these things were created by a loving God.

Every part of this creation was made to point to him, they are like sign posts. Gods uses this creation to help us to turn our eyes upon him and love him.  It is amazing that the God of all creation desires me and you.

If God made such a beautiful creation here for us to live in, should not our heavenly home be more spectacular.  This creation has fallen and is still glorious. Sandra lives in a place where everything is so much richer. This world is like a seed and heaven is like what the seed grows into.

Sandra is not alone; she live is in the City of the Living God: She lives not only in a Kingdom, but she lives in a celestial city, it is also known as the Heavenly Jerusalem. She is now fully experiencing what the bible says in the book of Hebrews. “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.”

Sandra now lives in a place that meets all her needs. Even though she may have only caught a glimpse of the promises of God here on earth, she is now living in a Kingdom and City, which foundations, whose architect and builder is God. She is now experiencing what we dream of. She will never be lonely again, she will never cry again because God will wipe every tear from her eyes. There she is with her eternal family that I and you are a part of and all who call on the name of the Lord.

As we trust in Jesus we see our relationship with Sandra did not end. I say it again; our relationship with Sandra did not end. We are only shelving that relationship for a time.  You will be with her, you will embrace her, you will hear her voice again, and you will walk with her and be with her throughout eternity. So remember, we are only shelving our relationship for a season, it is not over it is just beginning. So, as we trust the Lord he is more then capable of meeting all our needs and desires in this life and the life to come.

We considered the Eternal Kingdom where Sandra now joyfully dwells; now let’s turn our eyes upon the Lord of the Kingdom, who she finds her greatest joy in.

Sandra came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and now she is with him.  Her new life will stretch into eternity, where she will learn more and more about him and grow more and more in love with him. What can we know about the one who now captures all her attention?

We know God is the creator of all things and he has created us to have a relationship with him.

Acts 17:26-27 says, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

We see from this passage that God placed us at particular times, lands and families. He did this so that we would seek him, reach out for him and find him. So we have a God who desires us, wants us and loves us. He is even willing to demonstrate his love for us in a very unique way.

Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Gods love reaches over all the centuries to everyone that is alive today. Everyone here knows they don’t deserve such a love as this. For we are all sinners, we all have the same problem, we seem to have no power to do the things we should do and we regularly fall into the things we should not do. We are all in the same camp. We often times turn away from the God and we follow our own desires.

In 1 Timothy 1:15 the Apostle Paul says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

God sees our sin and knows we needed a remedy for our sin. God took on flesh and came to us in the person of Jesus Christ, who is fully God and man. Jesus is able to fully save us, for he can hold his father’s hand and he can hold our hands and make reconciliation, the forgiveness of sins. He is the perfect mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.

Jesus calls us today like he called Sandra on a particular day, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

In Hebrews 6:10-20 it says,” We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.

In closing, let us follow Sandra in her faith. Let us find that anchor for our souls, firm and secure and follow Jesus into his kingdom, that we may find rest for our weary souls and here the Father say, well done good and faithful servant.