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The Difference Christ Can Make - - 2 Cor 5

This funeral was for a dedicated unmarried man that had lost his godly mother only a short while before

OBITUARY:

Let us pray.

First, let me thank all of you on behalf of the family for all that have been a comfort and help in the time of NAME passing over. Your presence, kind words, flowers, caring support will always be special to them.

Second, may I extend my sympathy to NAME's family in your time of grief. NAME was very faithful to attend Sunday School and church. Many do not show the kind of devotion he has displayed over the last while. Just as we miss the presence of his mother, we will now miss the presence of NAME greatly.

2 Cor 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

I would like to take a short glimpse at four things as we consider NAME's passing. Our Entrance into this life, Our Existence in this life, Our Exchange of this life, and Our Eternal Abode.

As we look at our...
Entrance into this life

We see that we...

Are all basically the same

Have little choice in the matter

Basically start on even ground

But as we notice our...
Existence in this life

We do find some...

Advantages. in NAME's case.

He had a loving mother, father, family, friends

Having known NAME's mother, (brother, sister, etc.) and all of you, I know this was an advantage for him.

We also see NAME's advantage of a...
Loving Savior (and NAME's acceptance of Him)

We also see that in our existence of this life, we do make...
Choices

Hopefully, Godly choices that are spiritual

Not just..
Personal and selfishness.

NAME made some good choices in life because of his advantage of the presence of his loved ones and a Loving Savior.

Everyone, having entered into this life, will make a final exit from this life

It is then that we face the difference Paul talks about, exchanging this body or being absent from this body, to be forever present with the Lord..

Thus as we leave this life behind,
We will exchange of this life, as NAME has already done...

This life for better

Our sadness for satisfaction

Our heartaches for help

Our troubles for tranquillity

Our pain for peace

Our sickness for soundness of body

Let us not forget, NAME may be absent from this life, but he has exchanged all these and is now present with the Lord in his...
Eternal Abode

We understand, as a child of God, to be absent from this life, is to be present with the Lord!

NAME’s absence from us is his rest and his joyful reunion with his family members already there.

May God Bless You, and may you strive to also join in that reunion some glad day.