“God must open a person’s heart to believe, but He often uses your words to do that miracle in someone’s heart.”
What Could Be “Wrong” at a Funeral Service?
It was a beautiful day today. An absolutely gorgeous day!
At 10:00 am the sun was shining, there was a light yet cool breeze blowing, and a wonderful fragrance of flowers floated through the air. The only thing wrong with the moment is that over a dozen people were gathered around a shiny coffin which contained the corpse of a man whom we’re all convinced was now — at that very moment– suffering in Hell.
Therefore, it wasn’t that beautiful of a day after all.
Funeral Service for Unbelievers: Fun?
I’ve been a pastor in a few churches since 2010 and I can honestly say that I like weddings a lot more than I like funerals. That’s probably not too shocking of a statement, but it’s still true. Even more than that is that I don’t particularly enjoy doing the funeral service for unbelievers.
After all, what can I or you or anyone else possibly say to give a grieving family hope when, at least for the deceased, there is no hope to be had? You, as the person preaching the memorial service, and almost everyone there in attendance, knows the person being remembered is in Hell, not Heaven, at this very moment.
And that’s a fact that will never change, regardless of what I can say in that moment.
Funeral Service for Unbelievers: Wonderful!
Grieving moments like those can be difficult for everyone in attendance, especially for believing (Christians) loved ones of the deceased. But a funeral service for an unbeliever can also be the most tremendous opportunity to tell people that Jesus is still actively saving sinners today!
And that’s the reason why I will never, ever … no never! … turn down a chance to preach the gospel at a funeral service or graveside memorial service.
In fact, here are 7 things I usually say in my sermon at the funeral service of an unbeliever.
1. Each human being is created in the image of God, regardless of how he or she lived in this world.
This fact always remains: Humans are created in God’s image. No angel or bird of the air or cattle in the field could ever boast of being created in God’s image. This is a feature of design reserved for humans alone. It is for this reason that each person, regardless of the color of his or her skin, where they live, what language they speak, or how much money they have stored in the bank, is important to God. This truth is so important, in fact, that God chose to send his Son to become a human in order to die for us.
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27)
2. The wages of sin is still death, even today.
Roughly 200,000 people around planet Earth die every day. 200,000 people. Dead. Every single day. Most of them are going to Hell, not Heaven. Does that bother you? Are you irked, perturbed, upset? If we aren’t concerned that people are dying and going to Hell … heaven help us!
People die because they are sinners. We will all die at some point. A funeral service is a reminder of this sobering truth.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
3. God requires absolute perfection from each person who ever lives.
We aren’t created in God’s image to be sinful. We were designed to be creatures who worship the God of our creation. We are to be holy, as our heavenly Father is holy; perfect, as Jesus is perfect. Nobody gets into heaven because of his or her own good works. Our good deeds will determine either the quality of our reward in Heaven or the severity of that Hell, but our deeds do not determine which place we go to (only faith in Jesus gets a person to Heaven).
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
4. Funerals have a way of reminding us that we, too, are going to die some day soon.
Picture yourself in the coffin. Your body’s final resting place. Soon to be either six-feet under or cremated to ash. Getting people to think decisively about eternity is one of the most difficult things for preachers to do. Funeral services have a natural atmosphere which gets people’s minds on the topic at hand.
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27)
5. God wants to save people, which is why He sent Jesus to live and die for us.
I’m the chief of sinners. So are you. So was the apostle Paul. None of us deserves to be saved, to be ransomed, to be given mercy. But God does it anyway. Why does God do that? Because He loves us. He loves you! We’re just a bunch of wretches but God is a wretch-loving Savior. When Jesus died on the cross, He died for the sins of all who would ever believe, once and for all.
“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30)
6. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a “Now!” gospel.
Don’t wait for a better “time” to be saved … do it now! Don’t say that God could never forgive what you have done in the past … be saved now! No person on Earth is guaranteed another day. In fact, you could die before you finish reading this article. You never know when you’ll exhale your final breath. (Poof! Your vapor could be extinguished in the blink of an eye!) It’s too late to believe in God when you’re six feet under. Be saved today. Believe!
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
7. We’re all going to die, but you choose where you’ll spend eternity.
Christians get to go to Heaven because they chose to believe and, therefore, surrendered by faith alone in Jesus Christ. Non-Christians end up in Hell because they chose not to believe, or love, or worship God. I believe in the absolute sovereignty of God, and I also believe in the responsibility of humans. We must believe. We must exercise saving faith. There is no such thing is “being neutral” when it comes to Jesus Christ. You either believe in Him for salvation, or you don’t.
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These are typically the seven things I will talk about when I give a sermon at the funeral service or graveside memorial service of an unbeliever.
5. God wants to save people, which is why He sent Jesus to live and die for us…
Friend your job is to be a disciple..give the message not to correct or condemn..you must learn to Connect…….let God correct every one….
I guess I don’t fully understand what you mean in your comment. Can you expand your idea?
Brother Jorge, we are supposed to correct people. Especially as ministers. How are sinners supposed to know if we don’t warn them with love.
When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. EZK 3:18
awesome opportunities for His will to be done ~ Christ blessings to u!
sounds like u have ground cover in all areas, dear brother, Charles, in the sprinkling of seed & the rest is left for God’s marvelous grace to move on hearts so His excellent Word takes root<333
Thank you for your encouraging words. I pray that God continues to use you as well, my friend. God bless!
God is gracious. Even in our final moments! Any thoughts?
Befor death all humans are the same.We are like unfenced or unfortified city..The only hope is in Jesus Christ who had congered death.So therefor thorough Him we shall become victors at the end..
The message is not for the deceased, it is for the living, we need to reach out to those who need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I’ve just been asked to deliver the funeral message for an unbelieving uncle. How to be true to the gospel, glorify God, and not alienate a very large family (also predominantly unbelieving) … that is the rub. I want them to hear about the love of God without giving any nonsense about him being in a better place, or with his loved ones that predeceased him, etc. I’m leaning towards the account of Lazarus and the rich man from Luke 16:19-31. Even that may come across as caustic if I’m not very careful. Would love to hear your thoughts/suggestions about this, and would surely appreciate prayer about it.
Rusty, I hope you get this message. I’m in the same situation and I want to know if you can help me out with advice. Thanks. Grace and peace
Your reference scripture on point 3 is incorrect. It should be Matthew 5:48 not 28.
It is Matthew 48 , you dont read . You are correcting without reading
He probably corrected the reference, don’t be so harsh.
Thanks for your seven important things i call them keys that unbelivers need to know about death. Am blessed and touched . May God continue to bless and increase you in Jesus Name. From the Salt & Light Ministry, Liberia.
The number 8 thing to add is to tell the true name of the messiah, in original name..come to think of it Pastor, well… if you do not know it, just simple questions i am going to ask with you, Why you used the name of the messiah in an English name?..Why not in Hebrew name?…the facts are: The messiah was born Jew..He has Hebrew parents, He grown up in Israel….Is the angel really said Jesus Christ is the name of the messiah?..the fact is no letter J in Hebrew alphabet….Why Christians used an English name for the messiah, including YOU? why you do not dare to find the truth of the name of our Savior? If we can ask the apostles right now, Peter, John, James,Paul,James etc..Would you bring us to Jesus Christ ,the messiah?..did they know that name we mentioned? Surely they will answer to us…Who is that ?..now Why Jesus Christ? Because of the translation or transliteration, evolution of languages? Can we find scriptures saying that the name of the messiah be changed into different languages? I have researched different names of messiah, more than 50 names of the messiah in other languages… if we apply Acts 4:12,…. no other name….Exodus 3:15….His name is forever and must be remembered from generation to generation…how about that verses?… a big conflict…I challenge you all to research and dig for the truth was hidden from us, you go back to Hebrew roots ,and history of how the bible compiled..go back to original manuscripts, the original scriptures in scroll, the copy of it.. Thank you.
Lol
#8 = the status of a man’s salvation is between him and God; we don’t know what happened in the final moments of his life – perhaps like the thief on the cross, he recognized Christ as Savior in the hours before his death, and is now with Him “in paradise”.
It’s a way to broach the subject of salvation, leaving a ray of hope that while we may not have been privy to it, the person being buried may have made the decision that we all need to make – to follow Christ, now, while there is still time.
8 May be that in our suffering Jesus suffers with us. In his coming he experienced death and wept too.
thank so much for this ,I feel people need tu know that Jesus is d resurrection and d life and that they needed him in their live tu enjoy their eternity forever.
Thank you so much I did lean something new god bless you
Thank you very much, Charles. Your clear words gave me an excellent starting block to write my own message for a funeral I’m doing tomorrow for an unbeliever. I appreciate all you expressed and respect your obvious desire to share both truth AND comfort. That is often a delicate balance to work at achieving when communicating . . . but God gives grace for the task.
Well Charles I guess the next or 8th point is to invite people to accept Jesus into their hearts and be born again. Thank you.
I would just like to say that point ! is not entirely true. It is a common misconception, but men are not made in the image of God until they are reborn “To them gave he power to BECOME the sons of God. .. “(Jn 1:12)
Genesis 5:1-3 demonstrates that only Adam was created in God’s image, we were born in the image of Adam.
We must become a NEW CREATURE (new creation) in order to go to heaven.
If all men were made in the image of God, then all men are already saved….
I understand the sentiment, but it’s not a Biblically sound statement to say that all men were created in the image of God. All men were created BY God but only those who have trusted the finished work on calvary have been made IN God’s image.
You say that we need to be absolutely perfect, but never mentioned if you mean to get our righteousness from Jesus or not. With all respect If you truly believe a Christian is going to be absolutely perfect on his own than you’re critically wrong. If your saying that the only good in us is Jesus and that his perfectness covers us that we shine like Him than I agree but you should state it a little more clearer. God bless you
Since our lives consist of both negative and positive, good and evil, righteous and unrighteous, whether your a believer or an unbeliever the purpose of the funeral service is for those left behind mourning for their loved one. The object at that time is to console with love , understanding and sympathy from the heart, not a railing accusation of hell fire and brimstone. For all we know the departed unbeliever made his / her peace with the Creator prior to exiting. For the sake of the ones mourning – “deliver truth with love and understanding” – by all means preach and deliver the truth of eternity by not in the absence of the Love of our LORD who wept for Lazarus! ( My father has passed away as an unbeliever , his remains will be cremated and memorial on Friday, November 4 th- so this is an upcoming trial for all involved – keep us in prayer)
It is shocking how terrified you all are of death…
What do all religions have in common?
CHARLES, NO DOUBT YOU MEAN WELL BUT YOU ARE AN ARROGANT MAN. ARE YOU GOD? GOD, AND GOD ALONE, IS JUDGE OF THE LIVING AND THE DEAD. GOD, AND GOD ALONE, MAKES THE FINAL DECISION BECAUSE HE, AND HE ALONE, KNOWS THE SECRET OF EACH HEART. THANK GOD THAT HE IS ALWAYS MORE MERCIFUL THAN OUR SELF-RIGHTEOUS FELLOWMEN AND WOMEN.
CHARLES, TWO MEN WENT UP TO THE TEMPLE TO PRAY. YOU OUGHT TO TAKE AS YOUR EXAMPLE THE MAN WHO SAID: “GOD BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER.”
Thank you. The only thing I would be certain of as we do have free will to choose BUT. God has also said HE wish that we were either Hot or Cold. Explain how this works as it states a preference from God.
You have some wonderful thoughts brother and I thank you for sharing. However, having performed several funerals for the unbelieving let me add a few things. If our entrance to heaven was based on another persons judgement of us, no one would make it in. Thank God He judges us and not each other. God in His mercy sent His son for Us. We can not say who is and who isn’t in heaven. You never know that persons heart or God’s intervention. We all meet our savior face to face and who is to say what that persons response is?
I know few will be inflamed about my thinking. But let me remind you. We are All Sinners who fall short of God’s glory daily. It doesn’t matter if you accept Christ at 10 years old or 100. No extra reward for years of faith compared to moments. The parable of the hired workers shows us that Matthew 20:1-16. Also, if you use this as an opportunity to show condemnation rather than love, you will undoubtedly harden the hearts of the hearers. Speaking of Christs love and mercy reaches far more than speaking of judgement for sinners. That’s why Christ came, to pay our sin debt out of His love and mercy. To grant us eternal life through the free gift of salvation.
My apologies, I tried to keep this short. Thank you for your faithful service! This is in no way meant to be condoning or critical. Just sharing my personal understanding. May God bless you.
Sinners must be reminded that they are not going to live forever in the earthy body but the spirit person must be prepared to live in heaven for entternity
Sinners must be reminded that they are not going to live forever in this earthly body but they need to prepare their sprit person to live for entternity with the Lord