7. Let's call people to salvation in our funeral messages. Professor and denominational statesman Ken Chafin used to say, "I tell my seminary students, 'When you stand at the graveside, give the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because it's the only word in town!'"

There is only one gospel, and this is it. It is good news, in that it addresses and remedies the bad news that so pervades the world and terrorizes men's hearts. As the angel told the shepherds, this is "good news of great joy which will be for all the people. For unto you is born ... a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (ESV).

I hate funerals. And I take a little solace in the fact that our Lord did too. He broke up every funeral procession He came to by raising the dead. Scripture says the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death (1 Cor. 15:26).

Until then, let's try to get as many people in the kingdom as we can.

Post script: I am not suggesting we take advantage of people in their moments of grief when they are most vulnerable. But we must keep reminding ourselves that we are not selling a product here and not trying to talk anyone into buying a used car or the Brooklyn Bridge. We're hoping to say something that God will use to turn them to righteousness and eternal life. Whether they appreciate it now or not, they will later.

Dr. Joe McKeever writes from the vantage point of more than 60 years as a disciple of Jesus, more than 50 years preaching His gospel and more than 40 years of cartooning for every imaginable Christian publication.

For the original article, visit joemckeever.com.

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