09.28.06
WASTED FUNERALS
Have you ever attended a wasted funeral? You may wonder what I am talking about. In our culture, at least from the Christian perspective, funerals typically serve at least 3 major functions. The first is to say goodby to our departed loved one, to allow our expression of grief, love, sadness, whatever emotions need to be addressed at this time of parting. The second is to allow us to eulogize the deceased, to remember their contributions to society and to us personally. We hear and relive many of their attributes and mannerisms that made them personal and beloved by us. We honor their life achievements and reflect on their impact upon us. It is good to remember how their life intertwined with others, and how we were affected by them personally.
But perhaps the most important reason for a funeral is to remind us of our own mortality, that this life doesn’t last forever, and that we will someday be laid in the ground also, this earthly life ended forever. Funerals remind us that eternity is in store for all of us, and that we need to be prepared. I believe that a funeral is wasted when we do not take this opportunity to present the gospel, to remind the attenders that death is a result of sin, that Jesus is the only provision for salvation, and that salvation is our only hope for eternal life in glory with God.
I attended a wasted funeral earlier this week. A distant family member passed away, a true Christian who urged the pastor to ‘give the gospel’ at her funeral so that everyone would know who and what her faith was in. Her family stressed their urgent desire that the gospel be presented to the attenders, since many would be unsaved. What a tremendous opportunity for the Holy Spirit of God to work as God’s word would be given clearly and plainly for all to hear and consider the state of their own souls….but no. The gospel was NOT given. The lady’s goodness was stressed more than the saving work of Christ on the cross. She was now presented as having wings in heaven as an angel, nudging the heavenly spectators and urging them to look down on earth and to be proud of her grandchildren’s accomplishments. Whatever it was, it certainly was not the gospel. A wasted funeral. Don’t get me wrong, as far as a celebration of her life, it was great! It was a great time for family to say goodby and to remember her fondly! But it was no time for unbelievers to feel that they were in peril of eternal loss, or to hear how they could escape God’s wrath. Because the preacher never gave the gospel. Sin…never mentioned. Judgement…never mentioned. The universal human condition of separation from God because of sin…never mentioned. Forgiveness of sin and restoration to God only through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus…never mentioned.
Only shallow platitudes about how you need to know Jesus…without telling them why and how.
ANOTHER WASTED FUNERAL.
