Sermon -- Funeral for Elaine Swartz Patton (January 23, 2026)

+ (Ruth) Elaine Swartz Patton +

September 13, 1932 – January 17, 2026

ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER WITH RESURRECTION HOPE.

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

In the name + of Jesus.

      At the death of a loved one, we look for different ways to cope and to find comfort.  One of the ways to cope with the death of your mother or grandmother is to tell stories and share memories.  Those memories are good.  They are why you loved her so much and why you will miss her so much.  But the memories also make this hard.  You don’t grieve over people you don’t know.  You grieve because the death of a loved one is final.  It puts an end to any more memories. 

     Another way you could cope with Elaine’s death is recognizing that her health was not very good over the past few years.  She was frustrated that her eyesight was pretty much gone.  She was not as vibrant as in past years.  Just because you knew that Elaine’s death was coming does not make it any easier.  People often console themselves by saying, “She went to a better place.”  But many don’t know where that place is, so how can they know it is any better?

     St. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians who were grieving over their Christian family and friends who had died.  Somehow, they had gotten the idea that their loved ones missed out on the glory that God promised because they died before Jesus returned.  So, St. Paul wrote words to correct and to comfort them.  They are words for you to take to heart, too.  Encourage one another with resurrection hope.

     St. Paul begins, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you do not grieve in the same way as the others, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).  You will notice that Paul does not forbid you to grieve.  Death is painful.  It rips away those whom we love, and it leaves a wounded heart.  Death is not what God had intended for anyone when he created the world.  But once sin entered the world, death was the result. 

     The Bible declares, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).  As much as you loved your mother or grandmother, it does not change the fact that she was a sinner.  As much as she loved you, it does not change the fact that you are sinners, too.  And since we are all sinners, death comes for us all.  Pretending it is not true is no way to cope with that, and it is certainly no way to escape it.

     Even though you grieve, you are not without hope.  You are not hopeless in the face of death, and you are not hopeless in regard to your sin.  Elaine and I got to visit with each other often.  She liked to hear the Scriptures read to her, to ponder what they said, and to partake in the sacrament of holy communion.  The reason is because in God’s word and sacraments, the Lord provides a remedy for sin and death.  It is not merely a way to cope with sin and death; it is how we are delivered from them.

     God’s word reveals God’s love for sinners.  St. Paul referred to that in his letter to the Thessalonians.  He wrote, “If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then in the same way we also believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:14).  Jesus died because he took upon himself the sins of the world, including Elaine’s.  Since the wages of sin is death, Jesus died bearing the sins of Elaine and of us all.  Jesus took God’s curse so that he could deliver God’s blessing.  Jesus was sentenced for our guilt so that he could issue to us a full pardon for all our offenses against God.  Jesus endured death so that he could bestow upon us eternal life.

     Jesus died for our sins; then he rose from the dead.  This confirms that the payment for your sin has been made in full.  More than that, it shows that death does not get the last word.  Jesus has overcome death.  He rose from the dead not as a ghost, but with a glorified body that can never die again.  This is what Jesus grants to all who believe in him.  Jesus delivers us from sin and death.  Encourage one another with resurrection hope. 

     If you went to Jerusalem, you could visit the sites there where Jesus died and rose.  You could take selfies and post them on Facebook for everyone to see.  But you won’t find forgiveness there.  What Jesus won for you 2,000 years ago needs to be delivered to you now.  Jesus’ salvation was delivered to Elaine when she was baptized.  She was washed clean of all guilt and marked as a child of God.  The Lord strengthened her faith through his word.  She received the living body and blood of Jesus in holy communion.  This is how Jesus supplied to Elaine the benefits of his bloody cross and empty tomb.  This is how Jesus delivers them to you, too.  This is Jesus encourages you with resurrection hope.

     If you want to cope with Elaine’s death, our Lord gives you the hope you need.  Now, the way we use the word “hope” tends to leave us with some doubts about the future.  I am sure that Elaine hoped that she would be surrounded by dogs in the heavenly kingdom.  Will she?  I don’t know.  God’s word makes no specific promises about that.  However, since there would have been dogs in the Garden of Eden, and since the Garden of Eden was a perfect home for holy people, it is not ridiculous to hope that there will be dogs in heaven, but it is not a certainty.

     When we speak of the hope of the resurrection and the glories of heaven, we do have certainty because God’s promises are our hope.  It is not called a hope because God’s promises are in question; it is a hope because we haven’t received the fullness of them yet.  We have not entered the glories of heaven.  Well, now Elaine has.  I am sure that she hoped to be reunited with her beloved George.  What hope is there for that?  This is what the Lord says: “We believe that God will bring with (Jesus) those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.  … And so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:14,17).  This is not a wish, but a promise.  And our Lord’s word is always sure.

     Encourage one another with resurrection hope.  Just as Jesus rose from the dead, so he will come again to raise up and restore Elaine to glory.  He will grant her a body that will never become frail, will never suffer pain, and will live forever.  This will endure much longer than any memories or stories.  As precious as those are, they don’t save her.  As endearing as those are, they don’t offer a comfort that overrules death.  Jesus does.  His promises remain firm when your world is shattered.  His grace to soothes you when your hearts are hurting.  Jesus lives and rules over all things, even death.  At his word, death must give Elaine Patton back so that she will live and rejoice with her beloved George and all who believe in Jesus.  “And so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).  Therefore, encourage one another with resurrection hope. 

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.