By Pastor Dale
Hope: Realized
“Some day you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of East Northfield, is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now.” - Dwight Lyman Moody
This week I officiated a fu
neral for a woman who was a follower of Christ and though her believing family and friends were saddened by her physical death, I watched them hold on tightly to the truth of her promised physical resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) and rejoice at the truth of her spiritual birth while here on earth (Ephesians 2:1-10). They focused on the truth that her body would be made perfect for all of eternity and talked about a coming reunion with her, where they would spend eternity in fellowship with each other as they worshiped God. I watched them speak boldly before, during and after the funeral ceremony, to believers and non-believers alike, about the coming day where God will fulfill his promises.
I couldn’t help but to feel joy for this woman and hopeful for all of us who are followers of Christ. At the same time, a tremendous burden swelled up in my heart for those who don’t know the truth about Christ. I was reminded at that instance of the reason God sustains our lives. He wants us, no, he commands us to share the truth of Christ with all (Matthew 28:18-20). While we Christians rejoiced in the knowledge that this woman had entered in to eternity with our Lord, we were also reminded that our work here on earth is not finished and that God is only sustaining our lives further so that we might be used by him to share the truth of Christ with others so that they too might have the same hope that we do.
Thanks Pastor Dale! This is a great reminder that our work here is not finished. As the Great Commision states, “we are to make disciples of all nations”.
One need not look any farther than the neighborhood in which they live to find souls in need of Christ.
MANY PEOPLE do not have the hope we are freely given through Christ Jesus. I cannot imagine living any other way!
Jeff
Christians are called to not mourn like the rest of the world. We truly have a hope that is firmly rooted in Christ. The graveside is the perfect place to see this truth revealed. Pastor Dale thanks for sharing your insights.
Pete
I went to a funeral several years ago of a Christian women who had led a Christ centered life. As I listened to her friends and family share the wonderful ways her life had impacted others, I prayed that my legacy would be one in which others would say they saw the love of Christ lived out in my life. Thanks, Dale, for the reminder to live for Him every day!
Diana
Jesus is our only hope in life and death. Thank you for your blog and your ministry Pastor Dale.
Thanks for the blog Pastor Dale. We have joy in Christ, let us also be joyful in sharing God’s truth(John 17:17) to others.
Great post Pastor Dale… I have always found funerals to be the best place to spread the gospel. I always go up just to say a few words then the Holy Spirit has me giving a message that usually has the minister saying amen…. With faith in Jesus Christ the only sadness at a funeral should be missing the person for that short while here on Earth…….. LOVE HOBIE
Dale, Thanks for sharing this. It reminded me that God is glorifed in all phases of our walk. His glory was made clear by what a believer’s life showed to those who were blessed to be around her. God uses all things for the good of all his people, those saved and those yet to be saved.
“We have this hope as an anchor to our soul, firm and secure” right?
I am so happy when I think of my father in heaven in the presence of the God that He loved and served so faithfully and being in perfect fellowship with the Lord and his brothers and sisters(not being double minded,etc.).
Striving for our living hope to be realized to obtain the prize is reason enough to press on in sanctification, but “snatching others from the fire” by living lives that are showing the attractiveness of the gospel and being able to articulate the reason for our hope is such an awesome and humbling opportunity!
I had the privilege of ushering my Dad into heaven and there is such joy knowing that a believer is going to their real home and I pray on the day that God has appointed for me to see him face to face that I too will be ready!