Monday’s Ministry Encouragement: Written to encourage you, my friend in ministry, to be refreshed and renewed as we live for Christ and look toward the Bema.
Please read on lest you think I’m uncaring and cold-hearted.
Recently I attended a graveside service at a cemetery nestled on a hillside overlooking a quiet, beautiful Virginia valley. Although I did not know the deceased, my heart hurt for his wife of many years as well as family and friends.
I watched as the preacher stepped under the funeral tent and began to expound John 3:16 in a clear, simple presentation of the gospel. His heart for these folk was on display and his compassion through his words spoke volumes. His voice didn’t get ramped up. His tone and cadence was steady, clear and caring.
He and I have something in common as ministers of the Word of God in that we officiated our share of funerals over the years, and they require intense care and decorum.
To say that funerals are a blessed opportunity is not a flippant or cavalier statement. Included in the numerous services that I have preached over the years have been our stillborn daughter, my mom and dad, dear friends, mentors, and even those unknown as well as participating in my father-in-law’s service.
You see, funerals provide a blessed opportunity . . .
- To lovingly, yet uncompromisingly share the gospel to hearts that are confronted with the reality of death, once again. (Hebrews 9:27-28; John 11:25)
- To point hurting hearts to the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:4)
- To be a gentle, loving shepherd living out the Christ life to the bereaved. (Luke 7:13)
- To speak the truth in love to erroneous statements about death, heaven, and eternity. (Ephesians 4:15)
- To help the grieving think clearly about decisions in the midst of their sorrow. This is especially true when meeting with the funeral director to make arrangements.
- To be a listening ear . . . not always the “answer man.”
- To just be there. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
- To build lasting, genuine relationships with the bereaving family.
How marvelous to know that Revelation 21:4 will be fulfilled in the future, And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
Until that day, we will have to grapple with death and funerals. Pastors, let’s not become “professional” in our approach to times like these. Neither let us preach the same old, stale sermons again and again. Let’s be fresh, genuine, loving, and compassionate as we preach the Word and care for the hurting.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. (2 Corinthians 1:3-6)
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