When a loved one dies

“Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His godly ones.” (Psalm 115:16)

We don’t grieve like those without hope 

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” (1 Thess. 4:14 ESV)

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18 ESV)

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4 ESV)

Jesus is the resurrection and the life 

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live…” (John 11:25 ESV)

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:22 ESV)

“For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thess. 4:14 ESV)

Jesus has the keys of death

“…I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” (Rev. 1:18)

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:1-4 ESV)

Therefore…

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21)

“The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” (1 Cor. 15:26)

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:38 ESV)

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:4 ESV)

Quote:

“As I go into a cemetery I like to think of the time when the dead shall rise from their graves. ... Thank God, our friends are not buried; they are only sown!” - Dwight L. Moody