Epitaphs are a powerful thing. What is said about us when we die is a window into how we lived our lives and what we think was most important. Ludolph van Ceulen, a Dutch mathematician who was the first to calculate pi, died at the age of seventy in 1610. He had 3.14159265358979323846264338327950 engraved on his tombstone. He wanted his proudest achievement to be known to all as he entered eternity.

Martin Luther King Jr. had the following epitaph: "Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty I am free at last."

Benjamin Franklin once wrote an epitaph for himself in one of his journals: "The Body of B. Franklin, Printer, like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms. …" Despite his many achievements, Franklin wanted to be known first and foremost as a printer.

Thomas Jefferson's read: "Author of the Declaration of Independence [and] of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom & Father of the University of Virginia."

Possible Preaching Angles: Cross; Jesus' death—The cross was Jesus' ultimate epitaph with a resounding message from God to us: "It is finished," or "I died for your sins," or "I have set you free," or "My blood shed for you."