Yesterday I officiated the funeral of JK Crain, a great man of faith. You can find his obituary here. Each funeral gives me an opportunity to reflect upon life, death, and the hope of the gospel.
Hope is a Cure for Heart Trouble
Here are a few remarks I made at JK’s service from John 14:1-6:
Jesus told his disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Unfortunately, many of us suffer from heart trouble. No, I’m not referring to a medical condition. Many of us let things of this world wear us down. Finances, the workplace, unrealized dreams cause us heart trouble. On a day like this one, the loss of a loved one gives us reason for heart trouble.
Yet, Jesus instructed the disciples, and he instructs us, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.” Jesus was not being insensitive in his statement. Rather, his words carried great wisdom. Jesus knew he was returning to Heaven to sit at the side of the Heavenly Father and nd at the Father’s side Jesus waits for us to join him.
When a person realizes they have a place in Heaven next to the Savior of the World and the Heavenly Father, they live with a sense of hope. And hope is a great cure for heart trouble.
Jesus stated that he was preparing a place for the disciples. Thomas asked, “Where is this place? How can we know the way?” Well, Jesus answered that question. He clearly said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
Do not let your hearts be troubled for Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. JK isn’t troubled. Nor should we be troubled.
The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8,
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
JK has departed his earthly body. He is now home with the Lord.
WHAT MAKES A FUNERAL A CHRISTIAN FUNERAL?
Each funeral also gives me an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the funeral service. A few quick thoughts about what makes a funeral a Christian funeral:
Hope: The Christian funeral contains Christian hope based on Scripture, not wishful thinking based on wild speculation.
Gospel: The Christian funeral contains preaching of the gospel, not the preaching of an obituary.
Worship: The Christian funeral contains worship of God Almighty, the giver of life, abundant life, and eternal life.
I have a prayer for First Baptist church of Sulphur Springs: May we frequently celebrate Christian baptisms and Christian funerals. In Christian baptism we celebrate new life in Jesus Christ. In Christian funerals we celebrate eternal life in Jesus Christ.
Jeff Gravens 
Amen!
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