A Good Funeral?

I just got in from a funeral at the Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood for a sister of a congregation member. And it was a good funeral. I know that to a naturalist that can sound like a contradiction in terms. How can the death of someone - what a naturalist would have to consider a complete cessation of existence - be good? Now, I know that not every naturalist considers death a bad thing, but, frankly, it is only young naturalists for the most part that I have found who feel that way. Something in us not only wants to live forever, but senses the injustice of sentience without eternal life. But of course, that is why a Christian funeral can be a good thing. We know that the God who created all that there is has not only promised us eternal life, but made good on that promise by sending His own Son to guarantee it. "To as many as received him (the Son), He gave the authority to become the children of God." Notice that we are not all children of God. By birth we are creatures of God, but we only become children by being adopted into God's family - a decision we make when we receive Christ. Audrey had done just that. And she had lived as a part of God's family faithfully for decades. So, in the midst of the pain of separation, there was joy in her "homegoing." Because, as we have all been reminded time and again, home is where our family is. Audrey is with her Father and the rest of her family at home. The rest of us who want to go there too are still on our way. It was a good funeral!

Pastor Ken