FACING LIFE’S FINAL UNCERTAINTY
I THESS. 4:13-18
What happens when we die? Today you can hear people advancing theories ranging from reincarnation to annihilation. Some suggest that when we die we become angels. But none of these notions about life after death comes from God. By contrast, in our epistle lesson today the apostle Paul says that what he writes about life after death is “according to the Lord’s own word.” As we live life on the dot but for the long line called eternity how should death and the second coming effect us?
LIFE ON THE DOT
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. (v.13)
- ___________________ is a normal response to the death of someone we know and love.
- But our grief is not the grief of those who have no _________________.
LIFE ON THE LINE
We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (VV. 14-18)
We can be sure about the long line called eternity because we are sure about 4 things....
1. (We’re sure about) His R_____________________
He will return, there is a 2nd coming - but how will he return?
3 audible attention getting sounds will announce J arrival.
- Loud Command
- The Voice of the Arch Angel
- The Trumpet Call of God
2. (We’re sure about) R______________________
We Christians have hope: “We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
3. (We’re sure about) R_______________________
Paul continues, “After that—(after that the joyful noise of Christ’s return)— we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (v. 17)
4. (We’re sure about) R______________________ with the Lord forever
“And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (v.17)
LIVING FOR THE LINE NOT FOR THE DOT
Therefore encourage each other with these words. (V. 18)
In other words , encourage one another to Be Ready
Too many of us are focused today on anything but the 2nd coming of Christ.
Are we looking, waiting, and watching daily for His return?
