Through trust in Jesus, Richard had become so united to Jesus that his last breath was like Jesus' last breath on the cross, his body giving way was like Jesus' giving way, and when Richard finally fell asleep to the world early in the morning Sep. 22, he opened his eyes to behold his Lord and Savior saying, "Well done. (END OF SERMON) But not so fast, dear friends. As a matter of fact, the rewards can go down to a small deed as in Matthew 10:42, "Giving a cup of cold water to a servant in Lord who's out on mission, and you just help him on his way." In other words, I'm willing to fight and claw and struggle and suffer and strive and study and sacrifice and hurt and wear myself out, turn my back on any earthly pleasure to embrace any earthly hardship. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." God will reward us for what we do. The second is greater responsibility from God, and the third is joy in God. Actually, God makes three very strong statements about rewards, all of them found in the Book of Hebrews. James tells us how the mechanism works. She was born on June 14, 1946. Turn away from your sins and trust Jesus with all your heart. As a matter of fact, Jesus criticizes His Jewish enemies, his adversaries, for not seeking praise from God, but rather praise from one another. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." The purpose of this website is to provide free sermon manuscripts and sermon videos to pastors and missionaries throughout the world, especially the Third World, where there are few if any theological seminaries or Bible schools. 1. "Well Done" are the words that we want to hear the Savior say to us when we see Him. In our witness to the watching world. That's a doctrine of rewards. Our works will identify us, dear friends, not save us. Why do I say this? Dr. Hymers e-mail is at rlhymersjr@sbcglobal.net (click here). Jesus said to the converted thief, who was dying on the cross next to Him, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43). Two Journeys Ministry houses all of PastorAndy Davis' content. Keep your . Can you do that? I want the cup of cold-water reward. This sermon is useful when speaking at a memorial service for an unexpected passing. Paul then describes the kind of life that leads to eternal life. Please stand and turn to John, chapter 14, verse 1. Third, Eloise, and all true Christians, will appear before Christ to receive rewards. You've been weaned off praise from men, and you are focused on one thing, "I want God to praise me". She invested her talents in her love for ***. missionaries throughout the world, especially the Third World, where there are few if any God is an incredibly joyous being. Well done." But . The sermon manuscripts are not copyrighted, so preachers can use them without our permission. Isn't that funny? His name was Lazarus. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. It's worthwhile, and He prepares good works in advance for us to walk in, and He prepares us to do those good works so that we are ready for them when they come. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Here is the funeral poem: On a sheer peak of joy we meet; Below us hums the abyss; Death either way allures our feet If we take one step amiss. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites out in the streets, but go into your room and close your door and pray to your Father who's unseen, and your Father who sees what is done in secret, he's going to reward you. He says to the sheep, to the righteous, to the redeemed,"Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. Napoleon said these motivate men more than just about anything he knew. taken her place among the heroes of faith now to cheer us on and to pray for us that we also might follow and finish well . A life well done, "Well done, good and faithful servant." God asks no less of us then he asked of His son. Tongues of the dumb shall sing. But genuine saving faith always results in good works. You can write to Dr. Hymers in any language, but write in English To miss one is to miss a part of life's full recipe. When we see Jesus, it will be the most important words we may hear. This is an Olympic gold medal. Where did you get it? I Bought it. How did you buy it? Medalsforsale.com, you know? Oh, my goodness -worthless- and you're wearing it, that's even worse. The thing is, it's symbolic of the relationship or the commitment or the scheme of the world community, that's the value of the Olympic gold medal, not the thing itself. In our worship. The Bible goes way beyond this though, on the issue of good works, not just identifying whether you're going to heaven or hell. If you've not been trustworthy with someone else's property now, who would give you property of your own? We can't say it too often, why? I go to prepare a place for you. It would be this, "To hear these words from Christ, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'" His praise means He is pleased with you and with your service. Again, works identified. Randy Alcorn's bookHeavenargues for hundreds of pages against the concept that we're going to be floating on some cloud strumming a harp. Sermon Matthew 25:14-30 "Well Done Good and Faithful Servant" Presbyterian Church of Easton November 15, 2020. John 12:26, says, Whoever serves Me must follow Me, and where I am, there, my servant also will be. 1 "Servant of God, well done! Garden of Eden restored that day! Sorrow and sighing shall flee away, Yes. What are you doing with your money? First, I just want to lay the groundwork, doctrinally, so we understand biblically how to think about rewards. Can I back it up? D. It should be as personal as possible. The horse, what I made. He is a richly generous master, but you must come to Him for forgiveness. Wait until the Lord comes the Second Coming of Christ, He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts, and at that time, each will receive his praise from God.. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away! Matthew 5, the Sermon on the Mount,"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. We have good stewardship on display with the one who had received the five talents; he goes at once, no procrastination, focuses on the talents and he gains five more. That's staggering when you think about it, unjust. Friends, we are all stewards, aren't we? Including words or songs from others in your funeral sermon can be "meaning-making.". I have no doubt that Brother Moore has already heard those words that await every faithful follower of Christ: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.". The rewards Christ will give at this time will determine the position the Christian will have in Christs earthly kingdom (Luke 19:12-26). "Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." the funeral sermon? I was watching an interview recently with Pete Sampras. I go to prepare a place for you. Think about these words in Revelation 21, the city, the New Jerusalem, does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its lamp. Rest from thy loved employ; The battle fought, the victory won, Enter thy master's joy." 2 The voice at midnight came, He started up to hear; A mortal arrow pierced his frame; He fell, but felt no fear. I want to learn from God how to do general happiness for the rest of my life, I want to have eternal pleasures at His right hand. When you die, all that your spouse will have left of you are memories and pictures. Be in charge of 10 cities because of what you did. Do you see where they live way up high, where the Eries are, way up high up in the rocky crag and how it sees its food from afar. What is God doing? Many sons have expressed that the central desire in their life is to make their father proud of them. There are certain verses in Scripture that become the strength of Christians. How good is Jesus, how good is Jesus Christ for giving us these things? What does he do? And then to the goats, He will say, "Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. In Luke 19 says, The king sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, each person getting the same one mina, to find out what they had gained with it. Funeral Sermon: God's Breath Suffocates Death. Because this is the number one competing religion in the world. This sermon is Chapter 8 of A Minister's Treasury of Funeral and Memorial Messages by Jim Henry, former pastor of First Baptist Church Orlando, Florida. One church I previously served also had such a service, but the Anglican rector always took that, and so . And why? Good job". Rev. The one who had taken the one mina and got five, he's entrusted with five cities to rule and to be in charge of. You have a master who has authority and is the owner of all things. They will tag us as believers in Jesus Christ. There are six characters we play out in life. No one's in a hurry, no schedule to keep. His own Funeral Sermon "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep." Acts xiii. We are to give comfort and uplift and help. He says there's no need in a funeral to make any pronouncement about the faith or non-faith of the deceased. The other day as I was thinking about what to preach for Elaine's funeral sermon, I was scanning my mental files for possible biblical texts to work with. Tonight I will give you a brief outline of the main events that happen to a Christian like Eloise after they die. Story #5: Dwight Moody . I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 1. Well done, good, and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things. This statement is a staggering one. A. And after that, and then you may have your dinner.? So, we have to be told over and over again, we are never going to be justified or vindicated or forgiven for our sins by any good thing we can do. The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11) is particularly helpful on this point. The one with the two talents reports that he gained two more, and gets the exact same commendation, "Well done, good and faithful servant. It's all over the world, salvation by works. The conditions are present. The following is a sermon given at a funeral for a 19-year-old who took his own life (see blog post).All names are changed, but all the sad facts are true. Righteousness fill all the earth, and peace Whatever pleases Him. How part? I pray my interpretations and shadings are accurate and help find some "comfort in life and death" for the community here and, with God's grace, for some others dealing with great pain while hoping in the Lord. You are presently, right now, auditioning for the role you're going to play in that eternal play. May 25, 2022. 34 And Jesus said, ''Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.''. Nuts and Bolts: Things to Know About Your Sermon and the Funeral Process. This isn't just any joy; this is the happiness that comes from God. What do you say to the servant when he comes in from the field? Every time you go into your room and close the door and pray for a missionary, a brother and sister in Christ, somebody sick, somebody struggling, a marriage is struggling. It says that you will never lose your reward. God is measuring our accountability with what we're doing with what He's given us now. As this sermon reminds us, the scriptures are very clear and forceful that in times of crisis, many people feel the absence of God. Box 15308, Los Angeles, CA 90015. Thirdly, He says it would actually be unjust for him not to reward us. For we must all [who are true Christians] appear before the judgment seat of Christ (II Corinthians 5:10). (When Jesus Comes to Reign by Dr. John R. Rice, 1895-1980). You will learn both things to avoid and practices to emulate. This concept of authority structure is taught openly in the Parable of the 10 minas[money] which is a parallel parable here. Matthew 25:14-30 . At the end of Job 39, He talks about the horse, and He says, Did you give the horse its strength? By the way, only God can make a bad tree good. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. According to Paul in Romans 2, "This and this alone is the only way to live your whole life. Isn't that good news? In Luke 17:7-10, Suppose one of you had a servant plowing looking after the sheep. But in the middle of it all is you get a sense of God's joy in what He's made. As a matter of fact, much of Matthew 6, Jesus devotes that section of the Sermon on the Mount to protecting your heavenly stash of rewards. In all this, she used that which God gave her to multiply Gods gifts to her in order that she might do the will of God! The Pharisee stands up and prays about himself. But, Jesus and His men do not go straight back to Jewish country. Write a script. Fourth, Eloise and all good and true Christians will return to this earth to reign with Christ, Revelation 20:6; I John 1:7. Goodbye competition. As we remember Miriam Smith, Tom Jacobs, and Bro. I'm pleased with your offering. Our whole lives should go into gaining that honor and glory that God will give to faithful servants. He only wanted one thing, he didn't even care about Gold Medal at that point, Where is my father? He wanted to hug him and be with his father to share that moment together. Let them leave with a sense that Christ is the hope of . Part of that is an instinct, rightly, to make little of the creature, we are just created beings. He was always encouraging, smiling, joyful and shining the love of Christ every single day on his job. Many times, actually in Scripture, God with unbridled joy, just celebrates something he's made, he talks about its attributes and its nature. He's going on a journey, the master is going to be away for a key period of time, so the servants are going to be able to function without him visibly right there. Those who have done good will rise to live, those who have done evil will rise to be condemned." Is it wrong to yearn for that? A funeral message for a Christian woman who passed away. It provides us with a chance to reflect on our own personal relationship with the Lord. I never had the privilege of meeting this loved one, but I do know several of her family that I love very much, and I am . That's how Jesus became the "way, truth and life" and becomes the best meal we'll ever eat. On this keen ridge My prayers have all been answered, Ive finally arrived. But it says in Hebrews 6:10, God is not unjust, He will not forget your works and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and as you continue to help. The idea is powerful, the more faithful we were in this world, the more responsibility we're going to have in the next. Often, preachers see these funerals as a mere duty every clergyman simply must do. yet look below! And my mind landed on the story about this woman named Dorcas from the Book of Acts. You're going to be busy. 2. . So, I urge you to flee to Christ. Now, isn't it incredible that God, Almighty God, the one whose eyes are like blazing fire, will actually look at you and praise you? Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Quite frankly, lost people, people who are dead in their transgressions and sins, they have no good works. I don't know how that works, but it's an eternal praise from God. Flee away that glory day! Are you living for yourself when you get money? In the context of this statement, this one verse, verse 21, also verse 23, same verse, is the parable of the talents that we looked at in detail last week. Just salivating for it, couldn't wait for it. The cup of cold-water reward. If this is all there was to life it would seem like an . He is very zealous that you learn to not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving may be in secret and your Father sees what is done in secret and will reward you. Medals of honor, medals of valor, medals of glory, medals of achievement, medals of bravery, medals of service. To hear those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant," from Jesus, first make sure you are saved. at www.sermonsfortheworld.com. This is the objective ground of our faith in the coming day of resurrection. That's after you've done everything you were commanded to do. These sermon manuscripts and videos now go out to about 1,500,000 computers in over 221 countries every year at www.sermonsfortheworld.com. Look at verse 21 again, his master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a little. FUNERAL HOMILY DOROTHY THOMPSON It is a basic tenant of our faith / that human life is sacred, / that the human person is respected, / that we are made / in the image and likeness of God. If you want to write to Dr. Hymers by postal mail, his address is P.O. Death is all around us. What is it then you're storing up in heaven? ). Funerals that Minister to Those Left Behind Howard Vanderwell has conducted more than 160 funeralsmarking deaths that were expected, and very unexpected; for newborns, children, youth, and aged; some involving high trauma. Flee away that glory day! Shall curse the earth no more! If these sermons bless you send an e-mail to Dr. Hymers and tell him, but always include what country you are writing from. Watch our worship service. Eloise was the church pianist and later she was the church organist.