Funeral Sermon for Mom
Nobody’s perfect. But my mom, Lou Ada Brown—Grandma, Great Grandma, and Great Great Grandma to many—came pretty close. In our eyes, she was pretty close to perfect. Of course, only Jesus is truly perfect. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:10-12 tells us, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
Mom wasn’t an exception, but she was closer than most to being righteous, understanding, and seeking after God. Amen?! She was good and kind, but she also had a feisty side. How many of you loved her feisty side? Amen! She could also sense people’s intentions—what Christians call discernment. Discernment means “the ability to assess people, things, or situations by perceiving them clearly and intelligently.” That describes Mom perfectly. Amen?!
When Jesus preached, he spoke about “the way,” meaning the gospel. In the verses I just read, the Bible says, “They are all gone out of the way.” Today, we call “the way” the gospel or Christianity. Mom never left that path. She wanted to be sure she would go to heaven, so she made things right with God. She accepted Christ as her Savior and Lord, was baptized, and often asked me questions about salvation and baptism. She asked me about assurance that she was going to heaven, and I shared Scripture verses that address assurance. John 3:16, 1 John 5:13, and others. She asked me about Baptism, and I shared that it wasn't required for salvation, but it was an outward, public affirmation of her inner faith.
She wanted to be with Jesus, to see Dad, and to reunite with loved ones who had gone before her. We have a strong Christian family, so she looked forward to seeing a crowd waiting for her in heaven. This was very important to her, and it should be important to you as well. If you haven’t experienced the saving knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ, you still can.
Why is salvation so important? In the last days, all who are saved will meet at Christ's Judgment Seat. Jesus will show them the opportunities they missed to witness, help people, pray for others, and more. Many will weep over those missed opportunities and blessings, and Jesus will wipe their tears. Then He will reward them for their belief, faith, and service.
On the other hand, those who fail to accept Christ or reject Him will all meet at the Great White Throne Judgment. God will call them one by one, and each will plead their case in an attempt to avoid hell. They will plead, “But I was a good person!” or “I was a Sunday school teacher!” or “I was a faithful church member!” or “I was tricked into not believing!” or “I thought I had more time!” or my favorite excuse, “I would have accepted Christ if I had heard the gospel just one more time!” If your name is not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, God will say, “Depart from me, for I never knew you,” and you will be cast into the lake of fire that burns eternally.
You can’t talk your way into heaven or work your way there. We are saved by grace through our faith in Christ alone. Just remember, it’s more than saying a simple prayer. It begins with a simple prayer, but then comes repentance—turning away from your sins, wanting to know more about God and the Bible, and building a relationship with God. We grow that relationship as God speaks to us through the Scriptures, and we speak to Him through prayer. Then it becomes a two-way conversation so that you can develop that personal relationship with God.
That’s how I developed a personal relationship with God. For Mom, later in life, it was a little different because she couldn’t see well enough to read. She was almost blind, but she had wonderful hearing. So, she listened to the Bible on tape, heard God’s words spoken aloud, and prayed, building a close relationship with her Lord and Savior. If you want that same relationship, and hope to see your loved ones again, give your life to Christ and read and study the Bible. It mattered to Lou Ada Brown, and it should matter to you, too. If you want to talk about your salvation, I’d be happy to answer your questions.
People who die without Christ do not die peacefully. David Hume, a philosopher, shouted, “I’m in flames!” as his last words, according to some reports. Voltaire, another philosopher, is commonly reported as expressing severe regret or fear of damnation, and his last words were, "Then I shall die and go to hell!” Many others passed away in extreme distress. But Mom passed away peacefully, oh so very peacefully, knowing she was loved, respected, and cherished by all who knew her, and loved and welcomed into heaven by her Lord and Savior, Jesus.
I know I will see my mother again. I have no doubt. If you want that same assurance, please believe and accept Christ as your Savior and Lord. If you have any questions about salvation or the Bible, I would be glad to answer your questions. Don’t wait, because today is the day for your salvation. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed, so get saved today.
Mom is fine. She is in heaven with Jesus and Dad, and has a new, transfigured body and mind. She can see again, breathe comfortably again, and she is pain-free! Amen!
Thank you all for being here to honor this fine Christian wife, mother, and friend.
Let’s Pray! (Pray, then ask)
If you would like to share your thoughts or a story about Mom, please feel free to do so now.
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