Funeral Sermon: DEATH IS NOT THE END

Funeral Sermon:  DEATH IS NOT THE END

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (KJV)
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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.

INTRODUCTION:
In moments of loss, we are confronted with the reality of death, a stark reminder of life’s brevity. Death often brings sorrow and grief, but for the Christian, it also serves as a reminder of a greater truth — death is not the end. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, reminds us of this powerful truth. In 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, Paul speaks of a mystery: a transformation, a victory over death, and the promise of eternal life. He assures us that though we face the physical reality of death, there is an unshakable hope in Christ that death does not have the final word.

Death, as painful as it may seem, is not a permanent separation. It is but a transition to a far better place for those who die in Christ. While we mourn the loss of our loved one, we are reminded that their death is not the end of their story. In Christ, death has been conquered, and eternal life has been promised. This hope should inspire us to look beyond the grave, knowing that the best is yet to come. As we reflect on this truth, we are reminded to live each day in the light of eternity, knowing that our labour in the Lord is never in vain.

Today, as we gather to remember and celebrate the life of our beloved, let us hold fast to the hope that death is not the end. Our loved one has merely crossed over into eternity, and we will one day join them in the presence of the Lord. Until that day, let us be steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our hope in Christ assures us of victory over death.

1. DEATH IS NOT THE END BECAUSE WE HAVE THE PROMISE OF RESURRECTION
For the believer, death is not the final destination but the doorway to resurrection and eternal life.

a) The dead will be raised incorruptible. Paul assures us that death does not hold the final say, and the dead in Christ will be raised to eternal life (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

b) Death is swallowed up in victory. When Christ rose from the dead, He defeated death, and that victory is extended to us, giving us hope beyond the grave (Romans 6:9).

c) The promise of transformation. At the last trumpet, our bodies will be transformed, putting on immortality and being made new in Christ (Philippians 3:21).

d) The eternal hope we have in Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has secured for us a future that is free from death, pain, and sorrow (Revelation 21:4).

Biblical Example: Jesus' resurrection is the ultimate proof that death is not the end. He rose on the third day, conquering death and ensuring the resurrection of all who trust in Him (Matthew 28:5-7).

Death is not the end because we have the promise of resurrection, a glorious transformation from mortal to immortal.

2. DEATH IS NOT THE END BECAUSE WE HAVE VICTORY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
In Christ, we have the victory over death, sin, and the grave, giving us hope for eternal life.

a) The victory is through Jesus Christ. Our victory over death is not by our own strength, but through the finished work of Jesus on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:57).

b) Death has no sting for the believer. The sting of death, which is sin, has been removed because of Christ’s sacrifice (Romans 8:2).

c) The grave has no victory. The grave cannot hold the believer, for we are promised eternal life in the presence of God (John 11:25-26).

d) Jesus has defeated the power of sin and death. Through His resurrection, Jesus has broken the power of sin and death, ensuring that we too will live eternally (Colossians 2:15).

Biblical Example: The resurrection of Lazarus in John 11:38-44 shows that Jesus has authority over death and that He can bring life to the dead.

Through Jesus, we have victory over death, sin, and the grave, securing for us an eternal future.

3. DEATH IS NOT THE END BECAUSE OUR LABOUR IN THE LORD IS NOT IN VAIN
As believers, we can be assured that our efforts in the Lord's service have eternal significance.

a) Our work for God has eternal rewards. The work we do in the service of God will not be forgotten, and it will bear eternal fruit (Revelation 22:12).

b) Our faithfulness is remembered by God. God sees every act of faith and service, and He rewards His faithful servants with eternal blessings (Matthew 25:21).

c) Our labour in Christ is never in vain. No matter how small the act of service may seem, it is valuable in God’s eyes and will have lasting impact (1 Corinthians 15:58).

d) We are called to be steadfast and unmovable. In light of the resurrection and victory over death, we are called to remain firm in our faith and in our commitment to God’s work (2 Peter 1:10-11).

Biblical Example: The Apostle Paul, despite facing many trials, was steadfast in his ministry. He knew that his labour in the Lord was not in vain, and that he was laying up treasures in heaven (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Our labour in the Lord has eternal significance, and death does not erase the fruits of our faithfulness.

4. DEATH IS NOT THE END BECAUSE WE HAVE THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE
For the believer, death is the transition to eternal life with God, where there will be no more pain or sorrow.

a) Eternal life is God’s gift. The gift of eternal life is freely given to all who believe in Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

b) Eternal life is a life of peace and joy. In the presence of God, we will experience perfect peace and everlasting joy (Psalm 16:11).

c) We will be in the presence of God forever. The greatest reward of eternal life is being with God forever, in perfect fellowship with Him (Revelation 21:3-4).

d) No more death, mourning, or pain. In heaven, death and sorrow will be no more, for God will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4).

Biblical Example: Jesus’ promise to the thief on the cross, "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43), illustrates that death for the believer is not the end, but the entrance into eternal life with God.

Death is not the end because it ushers the believer into eternal life, where we will be with God forever, in peace and joy.

5. DEATH IS NOT THE END BECAUSE CHRIST IS OUR ETERNAL HOPE
The death and resurrection of Jesus give us unshakable hope, even in the face of death.

a) Christ is the resurrection and the life. Jesus Himself is our eternal hope; He is the one who gives life to all who believe (John 11:25-26).

b) Our hope is in Christ alone. In Christ, we have a secure hope that death cannot take away, because He has already conquered it (Romans 5:8-10).

c) Our hope transcends the grave. Death has no hold over the believer because Christ is alive, and we are alive in Him (1 Peter 1:3).

d) Our hope is sure and certain. Our hope in Christ is not wishful thinking but a sure and certain expectation of eternal life (Titus 1:2).

Biblical Example: The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate proof of our hope. As He rose from the dead, we too are promised resurrection and eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).

Christ is our eternal hope, and through His resurrection, we have the assurance that death is not the end.

CONCLUSION:
Death, though a natural part of life, is not the end. For the believer, death is a transition from this earthly life to an eternal one, where we will experience the fullness of God's presence.