your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Cor 15:58 (NIV)
We are struggling with all our might to bear fruit...
we labor in sharing our faith...
we work to influence our family members...
we work to invite our neighbors...
We are in a constant struggle to build the Church...
to attract more people to Jesus Christ!...
to help disciple those who are new Christians....
it is a constant struggle.
it is an on-going labor...
certainly it is a labor of love...
but it is tiring labor nonetheless.
and when we die...
we are no longer caught up in the struggle to influence people for Christ...
we will have done all that we can do...
the rest will be up to those whose lives we have touched throughout our life.
D. And there is even another kind of struggle
our struggle against sin...
our struggle against temptation...
Paul said, "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" Eph 6:12 (NIV)
If we remain faithful in the face of temptation...
if we refuse to follow the allure of sin...
then, when we die, we are blessed...
because we no longer have to struggle against sin...
our battle will be over...
and we will join in singing the victor’s song.
E. Those of you who are Christians...
Let me encourage you with more words from Paul that I used during Marge’s funeral:
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.
Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,
because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor 15:58 (NIV)
F. One day, in the life of the Christian...
if the Lord tarries...
we will someday die...
on that day...
we will be happy...
we will be blessed...
because certainly our pain has ended...
our sorrow has been wiped away...
we get to see Jesus...face to face...
And all our labors will be over.

4. Their deeds will follow them.
A. Scripture tells us that the dead are blessed because they will rest from their labors...
AND THEIR DEEDS FOLLOW THEM.
So what does that mean?
I see 2 meanings in this promise.
1. First of all, their deeds follow them into heaven...
Scripture tells us that we will be judged according to what we have done.
Our actions...our works... our deeds...
Have we encouraged people?
Have we helped those less fortunate?
Have we been giving?
These things will be rewarded when we make heaven our home...
our deeds "follow us" as it were...into heaven...
John was on the Isle of Patmos when he wrote, in Rev. 20:12, "I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books."
2. But I see another meaning to this promise...
I believe that the things that we have done here on earth go on long after our death.
In other words, Blessed are those who die in the Lord; they will rest from their labor...
and, those good deeds they have done will continue to work and bless and encourage...
even after that person has gone to be with the Lord!
I’m sure those of you who knew Marge...
you are still benefiting from having known her.
Her deeds continue to bless and encourage...
even though Marge herself is with Jesus.
B. This is a