Funeral Service
Last Monday—exactly a week ago—I was informed that Don was at home and not doing well. So I called Mary and she very graciously invited me to come over and visit Don.
When I arrived at their house, Cindy showed me in. She took me to the Living Room where her mom and dad were. Don was resting in a recliner. The recliner was set next to a bay window in the house.
Don was medicated. So I could only talk to him for a minute or two at a time before he would doze off. Then I would talk to Mary and Cindy until Don woke up again. I teased him by telling him it reminded me of what he did at Shiloh every time I preached!
Well, Don and Mary have a lovely house. And they have a wonderful view of Nob Mountain right outside their bay window. And so I told Don, “You have a beautiful home.” He smiled. And then he replied, “I have an even better home.” Of course, he was referring to heaven. Isn’t that great?
But why would Don consider it a better home? What’s so great about heaven?
Well, first of all, heaven is a better home because of …
1. WHAT ISN’T THERE
For instance, in heaven, there is …
• No Sin
Revelation 21:27 states: “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful.”
Every time you open the Press Enterprise you read of people lying, stealing, and cheating. You read of people mistreating others. You read of flagrant violations of the commands of God. But you won’t see that in heaven. That’s because heaven is a perfect environment— there is no sin.
Also in heaven, there is ...
• No Sorrow
Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
Everything that brings heartache and heartbreak will be eliminated from heaven. Heaven is a place where there will be no sorrow.
And then also in heaven, there will be …
• No Suffering
The remainder of Revelation 21:4 says, “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Don was a diabetic. And he had kidney failure. He was also in stage 2 of Alzheimer’s. But Don could say that he had a better home because he knew he was going to a place where there would be no more suffering; no more pain; no more death.
Shortly before his death, Dr. M. R. De Haan, founder of Radio Bible Class, took great comfort from an article written by J. E. Campbell. The article spoke of death in a unique way: “Moving day is coming. Just when the van will stop at our home we do not know—but for everyone it is sure, and for those along in years it is soon. As the day approaches, we realize the necessity of leaving our present abode and occupying the new house ‘not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.’ Death for the believer is a Homegoing and not a dreaded parting. The Owner of the house I have occupied here on earth has served notice that I must soon move out. The foundation is crumbling, the heating system is failing, and the windows are getting dim.”
Don’s body was wearing out. And so he welcomed the opportunity to leave this old house and go to a better home where there is no sin, no sorrow, no suffering.
But Don wanted to go there not only because of what is not there, but also because of …
2. WHAT IS THERE
In Don’s better home in heaven, there would be complete …
• Serenity
1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”
Heaven is a place of total bliss; total happiness; total peace; total serenity.
An advertisement based on Revelation chapter 21 reads: “Free, beautiful homes to be given away in a perfect city! With: 100% pure water, no electric bills, perpetual lighting, permanent pavement, nothing undesirable, everything new, perfect health, immunity from accidents, best of society, beautiful music, free transportation.”
It’s no wonder that Don wanted to go to this ideal place. But Toody wanted to go to his better home not only because of what’s not there and what is there, but most importantly because of …
3. WHO IS THERE
And who is there? The …
• Savior
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:8: “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
The most appealing part of heaven is not what isn’t there or what is there, but rather who is there. And I am referring to Jesus, our Savior. We want to be where our Savior is.
Don had 3 German Shepherds—Ranger, Gunner, and Josie. He loved those dogs. And they loved him—especially Ranger. During Don’s last days, Mary would let Ranger into the house. And Ranger would go into the Living Room. Ranger wasn’t interested in lying down in the kitchen or in the bedroom or in the dining room. He wanted to be in the Living Room. Why? Because that’s where Don was—that’s where his master was.
And that’s the best part about going to heaven. That’s where Jesus is. And just as Ranger wanted to be with Don, so Don wanted to be with Jesus. And ultimately, that’s what really makes heaven a better home—Jesus is there.
My friend, when it comes your turn to leave this earthly scene, where will you go? You say, “Well, doesn’t everyone go to heaven when they die?” I’m sorry to say “No”—unfortunately, they don’t.
You see, the Bible teaches that you’ve disobeyed God by breaking His commandments. And the penalty for your sin is going to a place of torment called hell when you die. And none of your good works will pay for your sins and prevent you from going to hell. You don’t get to heaven by attempting to live a moral life. You don’t get to heaven by performing a lot of kind deeds for others. You don’t get to heaven by giving money to charitable organizations. You don’t get to heaven by performing religious acts such as being baptized or attending church or teaching Sunday School. There is only one way to get to heaven. And that is by trusting in Jesus Christ as your Savior.
You see, when Jesus died on the cross, He paid for your sins. And He offers you forgiveness of sins and a home in heaven as a free gift. And so you have a choice you need to make. Will you accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus offers you today?
If you would like to accept Christ’s gift of eternal life, let me give you an opportunity to do that right now. Right now, pray a silent prayer to God using words like these:
“Lord, I realize that I have disobeyed You./ And I know that my good works can’t repair our relationship./ Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to die for my sins, as my substitute./ Right now I receive Him as my Savior./ I trust in Him alone to forgive me.”
My friend, if you’ve just trusted in Christ as your Savior and meant it sincerely, then on the authority of God’s Word I can tell you that your sins are forgiven, you have eternal life, and when you die, you will go to your home in heaven to be with the Lord.
