Over the years I have developed a tradition when asked to preach a funeral or memorial service of asking for the Bible of the deceased. I find it very helpful to take note of the things marked or underlined in the Bible to know something of their faith and hope and what they considered important. As I use these gems to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the service, I reference Abel and what is said about him in the book of Hebrews.
Hebrews 11:4 (ESV) — 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
Equating the situation, I’ll mention that though this person is dead, yet their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ still speaks as I use passages and speak from their Bible.
Recently, it was my privilege to speak at the memorial service of a mother of one of our members who had lived with her daughter and who was a woman of great faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Although her Bible had many markings in it, one thing stood out – her expression of faith in the Heidelberg Catechism – Question One.
Q1. What is your only comfort in life and death?
- That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.
Not only was this in her Bible, but she had this posted on a mirror and several other places. What an opportunity was given to me to express to those present what she believed so that like Abel, through her faith, though she had died, yet she was able to speak.
This answer to the catechism question is really about the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself as He comforts, He redeems, He bring salvation, He keeps, and He assures. Based upon 18 scriptural references, this question and answer gives us a basis upon which to express our faith and hope, which this dear sister in the Lord did frequently. Let’s break it down:
- He comforts me.
What is your only comfort in life and death?
God comforts us and that comfort is found in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ as God brings it to our souls by the work of the comforter, the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (ESV) — 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
- He has redeemed me.
That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.
It’s important to realize that the work of Jesus Christ in His paying the debt for our sins and releasing us from the power of sin, gives us a reason to know that we are not our own but belong to Him.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (ESV) — 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
- He has brought salvation to me.
He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood and has set me free from all the power of the devil.
Again, noting the price that was paid and because of that price He calls each one of His sheep specifically.
1 Peter 1:18–19 (ESV) — 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
John 10:27–30 (ESV) — 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
- He keeps me.
He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.
It’s good to note that the blessings of salvation never stop. He not only saves us and calls us, but He preserves us and uses everything in our lives for our good.
Romans 8:28 (ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
- He assures me.
Therefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.
Romans 8:15–17 (ESV) — 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
What will your life of faith be saying after you die? I kid our congregation to make sure they leave some notation if they are not writing in their Bibles or if they are using a digital Bible so I’ll have something to say at their service! Obviously, the life of faith you live is what speaks volumes, but It’s also important to leave some notation.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
Check out the PowerBreak podcast wherever you download podcasts or from our website.
