+ Mavis Brummond + Funeral Sermon

1 Corinthians 15

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
⁵⁵ “O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Dear friends in Christ, death is swallowed up in victory.  St. Paul seems to contradict the reality of our sinful world with the words he speaks today.  It’s a cold day, and we’re gathered in the church cemetery on a cold and windy day to put to rest the mortal remains a beloved sister and aunt, Mavis. 

How can Paul say death has been defeated, when we are here seeing its effects with our own eyes?  How can Paul say that life is victorious in our world, when obviously death still surrounds us, bringing with it the pain and tears that we today know all too well?  It seems like death wins.  After all, we know that Mavis had fallen, that she was hospitalized, and that she struggled to breathe in the hospital for the last few days of her life.  And now, death has taken her away. 

It seems death is the reality of our world, and our life.  That in the end death wins.  And yet, Paul says, “Death is swallowed up in victory.”  How can this be?  St. Paul tells us very clearly, that it’s not because of us, or our works, or our power at all.  It’s completely and totally because of Christ.  “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Paul writes.

Its because of Jesus, the very Son of God made flesh, that we know death is defeated.  Christ Jesus submitted himself to death, even death on a cross.  His blood was all poured out.  Nails held his hands and his feet to the cross.  And the Son of God died, and was buried in a tomb, much like the one we stand before today. 

But death could not hold Jesus.  The grave could not swallow his body, but on the third day he rose again from the dead, he ascended into heaven and even today lives and reigns with the Father.  And because he rose from the dead, we too shall rise, and Mavis shall rise.  This grave is not a final resting place, instead this is a temporary resting place, and it is a future resurrection place. 

One day Jesus will stand on the earth, and His voice will cry out.  Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.  And we, and Mavis, and all the other saints here buried who trust in Christ will rise, our bodies being restored to their perfect state, and we shall then enter our final rest. 

This promise of life was given to Mavis many years ago when she was baptized.  It was confirmed in her in our church building.  And that promise was given again a few days before she passed, when she ate the very body and blood of her Crucified and Risen Lord for the forgiveness of her sins, and for the promise of her eternal life. 

And so today, we mourn, but we do so with hope, that today, Mavis is with Jesus her Lord.  With hope that one day this body will rise, and be reunited with Mavis’ soul, to live forever.  We mourn knowing that same promise is made to you and me, that in Jesus death is defeated forever.  And that in him, we have the promise of life, and life to the full. 

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”   “O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?”  God is victorious over death.  A promise for you, a promise for Mavis, a promise sealed in the blood of Christ.  In the name of Jesus.  Amen.