“I am the Resurrection and the Life”
A Book
of
Funeral Sermons.
by
Lutheran Pastors.
AMERICAN LUTHERAN PUBLICATION BOARD,
PITTSBURG, PA.
1899.
Copyrighted March 1899.
American Lutheran Publication Board.
Pittsburg. Pa. [[@Page:v]]
PREFACE.
The history of this volume of funeral sermons is, at the same time, its apology. It is briefly this: for a number of years individual pastors of the English Synod of Missouri have been urged to publish such sermons as homiletical aids to such pastors as, for want of time or proper equipment, have felt embarrassed when called upon, often on very short notice, to conduct a burial in the English language. These requests were brought to the attention of the English Synod, and as it appeared reasonable and fair that English pastors should supply this want of church-literature, and the Synod had thus, in a manner, been called upon to supply the same, it was resolved at the convention held in the city of Baltimore in 1897 to proceed with the publication of the present volume. Synod’s Publication Board, after collecting some material and outlining the general plan of the book, instructed the undersigned to arrange details and [[@Page:vi]]complete this volume, which has, in all its parts, been duly passed upon by the Revision Committee of Synod.
The volume, which is herewith presented to the Church for such use as it will find it convenient to make of it, is the joint product of a number of authors, all of whom have approached their part in its elaboration with a greater or less degree of diffidence, and none of whom claims any merit or recognition for its execution. Owing to the joint authorship of this book absolute uniformity of thought and expression and of the exposition and application of Scripture texts will probably be found wanting in it. Besides, a number of the sermons admitted into this book, were written for special occasions arising in the parochial work of pastors, and thus bear the stamp peculiar to such sermons. It was thought advisable to admit them just for this reason, rather than in spite of it. For the same reason two sermons each on the same text were admitted in three instances. However, this lack of uniformity, if it is a defect at all, will be compensated for by the diversity of gifts which has been available for this work. In the compilation of the burial service appended at the end Lochner’s Liturgische Monatshefte has been followed.
May Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life, accept of this humble work and bless its use to the [[@Page:vii]]instruction, correction, and comforting of his children in some of their saddest hours in this perishable life.
“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.” [[Ezech. 3:17. > Ezek 3.17]]
“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. Isa. 40:1, 2.
By order of the
American Lutheran Publication Board,
W. H. T. DAU.
CONOVER, N. C,
On the eve of Reformation Day 1898. [[@Page:ix]]
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
I. FOR INFANTS AND VERY YOUNG CHILDREN. (1 — 3 years.)
1. 2 Sam. 12: 23 [[1 > Page:1]]
How to submit to God’s will and be comforted by it.
2. Jerem. 31: 3 [[5 > Page:5]]
This word of God is true.
3. Jerem. 31:3 [[9 > Page:9]]
Why God so often takes away our little ones from this earth.
4. Matt. 6: 10 [[14 > Page:14]]
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
5. Mark. 10: 14 [[20 > Page:20]]
(Address.)
II. FOR CHILDREN. (3—13 years.)
6. Psalm 73: 23, 24 [[25 > Page:25]]
The believing confession of an afflicted Christian: “Nevertheless I am continually with thee.”
7. Psalm 116: 15 [[33 > Page:33]]
Our comforting assurance that the death of this child is precious in the sight of the Lord.
8. John 8: 51 [[37 > Page:37]]
The keeping of Christ’s saying as the victory over death.
9. 2 Tim. 4:18 [[48 > Page:48]]
Why Christian parents should not weep over the death of their children. [[@Page:x]]
III. FOR CONFIRMED YOUTHS. (13— 17 years.)
a) For Boys:
10. Job. 1: 21 [[56 > Page:56]]
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
11. John 11: 25, 26 [[63 > Page:63]]
I am the resurrection and the life.
12. 2 Tim. 4: 18 [[69 > Page:69]]
Confirmed indeed.
b) For Girls:
13. Isaiah 57: 1, 2 [[74 > Page:74]]
The righteous taken away from the evil to come.
14. Luke 8: 52 [[79 > Page:79]]
Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
15. Luke 12: 37 [[86 > Page:86]]
(Address.)
IV. FOR YOUNG MEN. (17—25 years.)
16. Rom. 8: 18 [[91 > Page:91]]
Two reasons for cheerfulness in suffering.
17. Phil. 3:20, 21 [[97 > Page:97]]
The renewing or transforming of the body.
18. I Pet. 4: 12, 13 [[108 > Page:108]]
Why it is not strange that Christians should suffer.
V. FOR YOUNG WOMEN. (17— 25 years.)
19. Matt. 25: 10 [[115 > Page:115]]
The bridegroom came.
20. Luke 1: 48 [[122 > Page:122]]
The Lord’s handmaiden. [[@Page:xi]]
21. John 20: 15, 16 [[127 > Page:127]]
Why weepest thou ?
VI. FOR YOUNG MARRIED MEN.
22. Psalm 66: 16 [[136 > Page:136]]
What God hath done for my soul.
23. John 16: 16 [[141 > Page:141]]
A little while.
24. Hebr. 4: 9, 11 [[145 > Page:145]]
At rest,
VII. FOR YOUNG MARRIED WOMEN.
25. Ruth 1: 16, 17 [[152 > Page:152]]
Wither thou goest, I will go.
26. Job. 19: 25 — 27 [[159 > Page:159]]
(Address).
27. Phil. 1:21 [[164 > Page:164]]
The Christian’s happiness in life and death.
VIII. FOR MIDDLE AGED MEN.
28. Psalm 16: 6 [[171 > Page:171]]
The lines fallen in pleasant places.
29. Matt. 25: 21 [[176 > Page:176]]
The good and faithful servant,
30. 2 Cor. 12: 3, 4 [[181 > Page:181]]
The glories of heaven.
IX. FOR MIDDLE AGED WOMEN.
31. Acts 21: 14 [[187 > Page:187]]
Patient submission to the will of God.
32. 1 Cor. 15: 42, 43 [[192 > Page:192]]
The glorious hope of the resurrection of the body. [[@Page:xii]]
33. Phil. 1: 21 [[198 > Page:198]]
To live is Christ, and to die is gain.
34. Hebr. 13:14 [[203 > Page:203]]
The continuing city, the goal of our pilgrimage.
35. Rev. 14: 13 [[208 > Page:208]]
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.
X. FOR ELDERLY MEN AND WOMEN.
36. Gen. 25: 8 [[215 > Page:215]]
(Address).
37. Psalm 4: 8 [[220 > Page:220]]
I will lay me down in peace.
38. Psalm 71:9 [[225 > Page:225]]
Cast me not off in time of old age.
39. Isa. 53: 5 [[230 > Page:230]]
With His stripes are we healed.
40. 1 Cor. 13: 13 [[236 > Page:236]]
The kindly offices of the three cardinal Christian virtues at the burial of Christians.
41. Col. 1: 9, 10 [[243 > Page:243]]
The inheritance of the saints in light.
42. 2 Tim. 4: 7, 8 [[252 > Page:252]]
The life of a Christian a fight for a crown.
43. 2 Tim. 4: 7, 8 [[259 > Page:259]]
The dying Christian’s song of triumph.
44. Hebr 9:27 [[269 > Page:269]]
It is appointed unto men once to die.
45. Rev. 2: 10 [[277 > Page:277]]
Faithfulness unto death. [[@Page:xiii]]
XI. FOR EXTRAORDINARY OCCASIONS.
46. Job. 7: 16 [[286 > Page:286]]
Under what circumstances is the desire to die a pious desire.
47. Psalm 46: 10 [[294 > Page:294]]
Be still, and know that I am God.
48. Isa. 55: 8, 9 [[301 > Page:301]]
(Address).
49. Isa. 57: 2 [[305 > Page:305]]
(Address).
50. Jerem. 22:29 [[310 > Page:310]]
(Address).
51. Hosea 6: 1 [[315 > Page:315]]
Come and let us return unto the Lord.
XII. BURIAL SERVICE: [[325 > Page:325]][[@Page:xiv]]
INDEX OF SCRIPTURE TEXTS
(Numbers in ( ) refer to number of sermon.)
Gen. 25:8 (36) [[215 > Page:215]]
Ruth 1:16,17 (25) [[152 > Page:152]]
2 Sam. 12:23 (1) [[1 > Page:1]]
Job 1:21 (10) [[56 > Page:56]]
Job 7:16 (46) [[286 > Page:286]]
Job 19:25-27 (26) [[159 > Page:159]]
Psalm 4:8 (37) [[220 > Page:220]]
Psalm 16:6 (28) [[171 > Page:171]]
Psalm 46: 10 (47) [[294 > Page:294]]
Psalm 66: 16 (22) [[136 > Page:136]]
Psalm 71:9 (38) [[225 > Page:225]]
Psalm 73:23,24 (6) [[25 > Page:25]]
Psalm 116:15 (7) [[33 > Page:33]]
Isaiah 53:5 (39) [[230 > Page:230]]
Isaiah 55:8,9 (48) [[301 > Page:301]]
Isaiah 57:1,2 (13) [[74 > Page:74]]
Isaiah 57:2 (49) [[305 > Page:305]]
Jerem. 22:29 (50) [[310 > Page:310]]
Jerem. 31:3 (2) [[5 > Page:5]]
Jerem. 31:3 (3) [[9 > Page:9]]
Hosea 6:1 (51) [[315 > Page:315]]
Matthew 6:10 (4) [[14 > Page:14]]
Matthew 25:10 (19) [[115 > Page:115]]
Matthew 25:21 (29) [[176 > Page:176]]
Mark 10:14 (5) [[20 > Page:20]]
Luke 1:48 (20) [[122 > Page:122]] [[@Page:xv]]
Luke 8:52 (14) [[79 > Page:79]]
Luke 12:37 (15) [[86 > Page:86]]
John 8:51 (8) [[37 > Page:37]]
John 11:25,26 (11) [[63 > Page:63]]
John 16:16 (23) [[141 > Page:141]]
John 20:15,16 (21) [[127 > Page:127]]
Acts 21:14 (31) [[187 > Page:187]]
Rom. 8:18 (16) [[91 > Page:91]]
1 Cor. 13:13 (40) [[236 > Page:236]]
1 Cor. 15:42,43 (32) [[192 > Page:192]]
2 Cor. 12:3,4 (30) [[181 > Page:181]]
Phil. 1:21 (27) [[164 > Page:164]]
Phil. 1:21 (33) [[198 > Page:198]]
Phil. 3:20,21 (17) [[97 > Page:97]]
Col. 1:9,10 (41) [[243 > Page:243]]
2 Tim. 4:7,8 (42) [[252 > Page:252]]
2 Tim. 4:7,8 (43) [[259 > Page:259]]
2 Tim. 4:18 (9) [[48 > Page:48]]
2 Tim. 4:18 (12) [[69 > Page:69]]
Heb. 4:9,11 (24) [[145 > Page:145]]
Heb. 9:27 (44) [[269 > Page:269]]
Heb. 13:14 (34) [[203 > Page:203]]
I Pet. 4:12,13 (18) [[108 > Page:108]]
Rev. 2: 10 (45) [[277 > Page:277]]
Rev. 14:13 (35) [[208 > Page:208]] [[@Page:1]]
FOR INFANTS AND VERY YOUNG CHILDREN (1— 3 Years).
I. HOW TO SUBMIT TO GOD’s WILL AND BE COMFORTED BY IT.
But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. 2 Sam. 12:23.
“It is appointed unto men once to die.” This holds good alike with the tottering- sire and the infant in the cradle. And it is quite natural for grief and mourning to follow in the wake of death; tears and sorrow, too, being like death a consequence of sin. For loving parents to experience grief, when their child, a special gift of God’s grace, is taken from them, is very much in the order of things and not displeasing to God. Such sorrow we do not find censured in Holy Writ. Hagar, when believing her son about to die in the desert, “sat down over against him a good way off: for she said. Let me not see the death of the child. And she lifted up her voice and wept.” How very downcast the pious Shunamite widow was, when the son, whom the Lord had given her at the instance of the prophet’s prayer, was taken from her by the hand of death! And witness the pangs of Jairus, the father, when his daughter was about to die. Again, did not the ruler whose son lay sick [[@Page:2]]at Capernaum, show a parent’s grief. Finally, note David’s grief at the prospects of his infant child’s death. We do not find this pain censured, nor this grief forbidden.
So on this occasion we shall not chide the parents for feeling the heaviness of the Lord’s hand, for to have the objects of our greatest love taken from us, will and must cause us pain.
Still there is a limit to grief; there is a balm in Gilead. We would recall to you the peculiar, yet God-fearing conduct of David at the death of his child, in that he rose up on learning its death, went into the house of God to worship, and did eat bread. Hence, let us learn from David how to submit to God’s ruling, and how to be comforted by it.
I.
David saw in the death of his child the infallible yet gracious will of God. He said, “now he is dead… can I bring him back?” David had prayed for the life of the child as long as breath was in him, but when death had set in, the will of God was evident. We as Christians wish to live in accord with it, hence must not murmur against it, or show insubmission by excessive grief. “Thy will be done,” we pray, and when we find His will done, let us bow to it. This David did. By his petitions and actions he acknowledged God to be the one that gives us life, and that children are a heritage of God. He then, it follows, has full authority to call the children, whom He gave us for a time, to Himself again. Say you, there is little comfort in this stern fact of God [[@Page:3]]being the ruler and we the ruled? But I pray you, remember we are speaking not of an irrevocable, inexorable blind fate, but of an infallible judgment of God. What He does is right. So when God acts, even in His omnipotence, such acts being infallibly right, must be for our good.
Beloved “it is well!”
God’s ways are always right;
And perfect love is o'er them all,
Though far above our sight.