Have you ever used Romans 6:23 as a funeral text?

During my 46 years of ministry, I have been called upon to preach hundreds of funerals. I have never used Romans 6:23 (For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.), as a funeral text until just recently. However, it is a perfect text to deal with the issues at hand.

I titled the message "Thank God For Eternal Life". The message was not profound but it was effective. My first point was "The Reality Of Death". We do not like to talk about death. Yet, 100% of us are terminal. We do everything to ease the harshness of death. We have special clothes for the deceased, a beautiful casket, many lovely flowers and a heart-warming service. I have even seen a funeral director take his handkerchief and wipe off a few dust particles from the casket before lowering it into the grave where they shovel a ton of dirt on it. Death is real and we all have an appointment with it.

The second point was "The Reason For Death". Death is the consequences Of sin. From Adam until now, the human race is sinful and must face God's judgment on sin. If you do not believe you are a sinner, prove it by never dying. Otherwise, prepare for eternity.

The last point was "The Rescue From Death". The love of God caused Him to send His Son to die in our place. Those who believe in Jesus never really die. They have been given eternal life.

Thank God for eternal life!

It is a simple message. Use it if you can.

Blessings,

Ray

Ray Gilder Bivocational Ministry Tennessee Baptist Convention

National Coordinator Bivocational and Small Church Leadership Network