SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). The Sleepers (vs 13-15).
(2). The Sorrowful (vs 13 & 14).
(3). The Survivors (vs 15-18).
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• Two brothers were sitting around in the kitchen;
• The older brother said to the younger.
• “I’ll give you a pound if you let me break three of these on your head,”
• “Promise?” asked the younger. “I promise!” replied the older brother.
• Then enthusiastically, the older boy broke two eggs over his brother’s head.
• Standing stiff for fear the gooey mess would get all over him, the little boy asked,
• “When is the third egg coming?”
• “It’s not,” replied the brother. “That would cost me a pound!”
• TRANSITION: I guess humans we have all made promises and failed to keep them;
• Be encouraged this morning that God has never ever broken a promise!
• He has never had to use the words; “Ah well, promises are meant to be broken!”
• God keeps his word!
• He will not tell us one thing and do another!
• God traffics in truth! What he says he will do!
• If you believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God,
• Then the second coming of Jesus is a fact in future history;
• It is not a question of ‘WILL HE’ come again but ‘WHEN WILL HE’ come again!
Ill:
Biblical promises/prophecy:
• Just as the Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ’s first advent,
• i.e. In 72 days we will be celebrating the fact that God kept his promise & sent Jesus!
• (That’s right 72 days till Christmas Day!)
• So just as the Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ’s first advent
• So both Testaments are filled with references to the second coming of Christ.
• In fact for every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ’s first advent,
• There are 8 which look forward to His second!
Ill:
• One scholar has estimated that there are 1,845 references;
• To Christ’s second coming in the Old Testament,
• Where 17 books give it prominence.
• In the 260 chapters of the New Testament,
• There are 318 references to the second advent of Christ;
• That means an amazing 1 out of every 30 verses.
• And 23 out of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event.
• That Jesus Christ is coming a second time to planet earth.
• So if we take this book seriously (and I hope we do):
• Then we can be confident, certain that the Lord is coming again!
Ill:
• In fact even the very last words of the Bible say:
• “He who testifies to these things says, Yes, I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus”.
These verses in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 are often called;
• The great hope of the Christian.
• They are a great encouragement especially when we are facing difficult times.
These verses were originally written as a response to a misunderstanding:
Ill:
• A woman had volunteered to work for a few months serving God in Kenya;
• On her final visit to a remote township she was taken to a medical clinic.
• As the Maasai women there began to sing;
• She found herself deeply moved by their beautiful harmonies.
• She wanted always to remember this moment;
• And try to share it with friends when she returned home to the UK.
• With tears flowing down her cheeks;
• She turned to her friend and asked;
• “Can you please translate he words of the song they are singing?”
• Her friend looked at her and with a smile said:
• “They are singing, ‘if you boil the water, you won’t get dysentery’”
TRANSITION:
• Sometimes misunderstandings can be humours;
• Sometimes a simple misunderstanding can cause great anxiety.
• Sometimes misunderstandings can cause confusion and trouble:
• A theological misunderstanding had caused;
• Confusion and grief to these new Christians at Thessalonica.
• Paul the apostle had personally taught this Church;
• But a few months after he had left the city of Thessalonica,
• To go to Athens and then go on to Corinth in the south of Greece.
• It was then, shortly after the apostle Paul’s departure;
• That a misunderstanding of the doctrine of the Second Coming arose among the Church.
The cause of the sadness was that a number of Christians in the Church had died;
• And this caused a problem for them.
• They did not know if this meant that those who had died;
• Would miss out on the celebrations when Christ returned.
Ill:
• Remember before they came to faith in Christ;
• These believers at Thessalonica had been pagans.
• And for pagans death comes with a fearful finality.
• A common inscription on the gravestone in the pagan world was:
‘I was not
I became
I am not
I care not’
• So the Christians at Thessalonica had a problem:
• They did not know if those who had died;
• Would miss out on the celebrations when Christ returned.
• The subject is too important to leave to chance.
• So just in case any of the Thessalonians are still uncertain or muddled in their thinking,
• The apostle Paul puts on record some clear teaching about the believers who have died.
• He writes to reassure them. - those who have died before Christ's return will not miss out.
• No calamity will rob the Thessalonians of their seats at the Lord's victory celebrations.
• So in these verses Paul the apostle will answer their questions;
• And in doing so he gives us some important insights regarding the 2nd coming of Christ.
He writes to three groups of people:
(1). THE SLEEPERS (vs 13-15).
“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.
14 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.
15 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”.
Ill:
The story is told of the family cat dying;
• The mother quickly disposed of the remains before her four-year-old son;
• Came home from school and found out about it.
• After a few days, the little boy obviously missed seeing the cat;
• So he asked his mum about the cat.
• “Sit down” she said; then she tenderly explained that the cat had died,”
• His mother then said; “But it’s all right. He’s up in heaven with God.”
• The little boy thought for a moment and then said;
• “Mum....what would God want with a dead cat?”
Everyone (human beings, animals and plants) will all at some time experience death:
• Quote: “Fact, one in one die!”
• But the Christian has hope in death!
• I love the way the New Testament talks about those who have died in Christ:
Ill:
• In Luke chapter 8 verse 52, Jesus got himself laughed at;
• When he went into the bedroom of Jairus’ 12 year old daughter;
• And in the face of expert opinion, and the evidence lying there before him;
• Pronounced the girl as ‘not dead but asleep’.
• Question: Who was right Jesus or the houseful of mourners;
• Answer is both were right.
• To the mourners he girl was medically dead, past the point of no return;
• There was nothing more humanly speaking that could be done for her!
• “But what is impossible for man is not impossible for God!”
• To Jesus the Son of God she was not dead but sleeping, he had the power to awaken her!
Ill:
“Sleep” – Sleep of course is a pleasant experience:
• i.e. How many here enjoy morning lye in,
• Or afternoon nap or an early night.
• Sleep brings refreshment & restoration to our bodies and minds,
• It’s a positive experience!
• Sleep is natural function of the body and holds no terror.
• When the body is tired and worn, rest is a welcome friend!
Note:
• Along with sleep comes an awakening.
• For the ‘dead in Christ’ they will all experience a glorious awakening!
The apostle Paul is able to remind the Christians at Thessalonica:
• This hope is not just hopeful wishing;
• It is based on the very words of Jesus:
• Verse 15: “According to the Lord's own word,”
• The Lord himself is the author and the promise giver of this hope;
• Therefore as Christians we do not need to listen to human speculation regarding death;
• Every Christian has a divine revelation!
• The words of Jesus and the teaching of the New Testament;
• Replaces superstition and hearsay with facts and surety regarding death.
The sleepers – those who have died. The sorrowful – those who remain!
(2). THE SORROWFUL (vs 13 & 14):
“My friends, we want you to understand how it will be for those followers who have already died. Then you won't grieve over them and be like people who don't have any hope”.
Grief is a very powerful human experience and emotion:
• However firm our Christian faith may be,
• The loss of a relative or friend, causes a profound emotional shockwave.
• Notice: that Paul isn’t saying in verse 13 that you shouldn’t grieve at all.
• He’s saying that you shouldn’t grieve the way non-Christians grieve!
• They get all upset because they think that once a person’s dead, they are gone forever.
• But the Christian has a different understanding and a different mind-set.
So to those Christians who are alive and mourning, Paul offers comfort:
• Death for the Christian is entirely different from that of the unbeliever:
• Because we share in Christ’s victory over death.
Ill:
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor and theologian;
• Who days before the end of the Second World War in 1945,
• Was martyred for his faith by the Nazis
• Just before he was executed he wrote:
• "This is the end, but for me the beginning of life."
• He realised that death for the Christian;
• Is but the gateway into the very presence of God.
Christians are to be inspired and comforted by "hope in our Lord Jesus Christ":
• Yes, we may mourn for ourselves and our own sense of personal loss,
• But we don’t need to mourn over those who have died in Christ.
Ill:
• When Roy Castle, the entertainer, but also a devoted believer, died,
• His widow, Fiona was able to say to her friends,
• "No flowers, no fuss, no mourning, just lots of joy!"
• Because he Roy was safe in the arms of Jesus.
The apostle Paul encourages those Christians who have heavy hearts:
• Those who are mourning;
• That their loved ones who have died will not miss out at the second coming:
• Their bodies may be buried in the ground;
• And they may well be a grave that you can go and visit.
• But as for the spirit, the soul of that Christian, it is not there!
• They have gone into the presence of Jesus (verse 14).
14 “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.”
Ill:
• Elsewhere in the New Testament (2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 8).Paul put it this way;
• “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”.
Ill:
• Warren Wiersbe tells the story;
• He said to a friend; “I hear you recently lost your wife, I’m very sorry”
• The friend replied: “No, I didn’t lose her.
• You can’t lose something when you know where it is – and I know where she is!”
• Paul reminds the Thessalonians on the authority of God’s word;
• Jesus Christ will return and bring with him all Christians who have already died!
The sleepers – those who have died. The sorrowful – those who remain!
(3). THE SURVIVORS (vs 15-18):
“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.
16 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.
17 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 for ever”.
Paul now turns his attention on those who are alive at the time of Christ's coming.
• Paul says, 'we who are alive'.
• He longed for Jesus to come soon, even in his lifetime.
• He cannot give any date, because he just does not know.
• But every day he was ready and prepared.
• So he tells the survivors (Christians who are still alive) that they will have to wait their turn:
• FIRST: Those who have died believing in Christ will rise to life first.
• Christians who have already died will be first in the queue to rise!
• And when they rise they will be transformed:
• They will receive their ‘resurrection’ bodies.
• There old mortal, decayed rotting bodies;
• Will be changed like Christ’s immortal resurrection body;
• (It was the same yet very different, it was very different yet the same).
Verse 17:
“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 for ever”.
Notice: the expression: “in the clouds”.
• Question: Why the clouds?
• Answer: God often works with "Clouds";
• e.g. At the Exodus and also Mount Sinai;
• God revealed Himself in clouds,
• e.g. And in the life of Jesus;
• At both His transfiguration and ascension – Clouds were prominent to the event,
Notice: the expression: “the air”.
• The reference to "the air" was thought of as the dwelling-place of the devil;
• He is called “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2)
• So the fact the Lord chooses to meet His saints there;
• Speaks of His complete mastery over the devil.
• He and he alone is Lord! And his lordship is demonstrated everywhere!
Now whatever imagery or symbolism is used by Paul:
• The primary thing to note is;
• The personal, visible appearing of Jesus Christ & the gathering to Him of all His people,
• Whether those people be dead or alive.
Ill:
Billy Graham years ago was in Korea.
• He visited a naval hospital .
• He went from bed to bed talking and sharing with the various male patients.
• He came across one soldier who had been wounded in the back;
• Consequently the man was forced to lie face down.
• As he faced the ground he said to Billy Graham;
“For years I have listened to your voice and been influenced by your teaching, but I would love to see your face”
• Quick as a flash Billy got down on the floor and slid under the man’s bed/contraption;
• In that position the two men viewed each other face to face!
• TRANSITION: You and I have heard the voice of Jesus through his word;
• Through the Holy Spirit we have been influenced and changed by Jesus.
• But a day is coming;
• When we will see him face to face!
• (ill: Sidlow Baxter: “excuse me – hallelujah!”)
Note: The Greek word that the apostle Paul uses for "coming":
• Was a word used for a visit of a person of high rank,
• Such as the visit of a kings or emperor, visiting a province.
• The Second Coming will be of the Lord Himself,
• Not one of His deputies or representatives.
• Notice: they will “Meet the Lord”
• It will be a personal, dramatic, public and unmistakable coming,
• A visit in person, of "the Lord".
Ill:
His First Advent was in humility and weakness.
• Charles Wesley summarised it in memorable words:
• "Our God contracted to a span, incomprehensibly made man."
• Then His deity was concealed in His humanity
• Many failed to recognise who it was that walked among them.
• But in the Second Advent;
• It will be with the FULL glory of the Victor over death and evil.
Quote:
• J B Phillips’ translation captures the drama:
• There’s some inspired poetry here!
"One word of command, one shout from the archangel, one blast from the trumpet of God and the Lord himself will come down from Heaven."
The technical term for this event is the word ‘Rapture’:
• This word is not used in this section;
• Because the word ‘Rapture’ is an English word that comes from the Latin word ‘Rapto’
• ‘Rapto’ means ‘to seize, to carry off, to be caught up’.
• And that is the description Paul uses in verse 17: “Caught up”.
So in verse 18: “Therefore encourage each other with these words.”
• These Christians and all Christians can be comforted by:
• (1). The fact of these events.
• (2). The order of these events.
• (3). The expectation of these events.
Ill:
• An elderly Christian lady attended a Christian conference gathering;
• Similar to Kewick/Spring Harvest etc.
• For her it was really the first time she had mixed with Christians from other denominations,
• This really blessed her and opened her eyes to the richness of Christian traditions
• She especially liked it when the preacher suggested;
• Instead of using the normal greetings,
• Why not use one popularised by the early Church.
• He pointed out that the first Christians were so eagerly awaiting the return of Christ;
• That they used the word ‘maranatha’;
• An Aramaic word meaning ‘the Lord is coming’.
• The elderly lady took this on board;
• And the next day went around greeting everyone they met with the words;
• “Marijuana, brother, marijuana”.
Punch-line: The Lord is coming! Are you ready?
Ill:
• Robert Murray McCheyne; the godly Presbyterian preacher, used to ask people:
• "Do you think Jesus Christ will return today?"
• Most of them would reply, "No, not today."
• Then McCheyne would say,
• "Then, my friend, you had better be ready;
• For He is coming at such an hour as ye think not" (Luke 12:40).
Final Quote: Bob Dylan song ‘Are You Ready?’
• Are you ready to meet Jesus?
• Are you where you ought to be?
• Will He know you when He sees you
• Or will He say, "Depart from Me"?
• Are you ready, hope you're ready.
• Am I ready, am I ready?
• Am I ready, am I ready?
• Am I ready to lay down my life for the brethren
• And to take up my cross?
• Have I surrendered to the will of God
• Or am I still acting like the boss?
• Am I ready, hope I'm ready.
• When destruction cometh swiftly
• And there's no time to say a fare-thee-well,
• Have you decided whether you want to be
• In heaven or in hell?
• Are you ready, are you ready?
• Have you got some unfinished business?
• Is there something holding you back?
• Are you thinking for yourself
• Or are you following the pack?
• Are you ready, hope you're ready.
• Are you ready?
• Are you ready for the judgment?
• Are you ready for that terrible swift sword?
• Are you ready for Armageddon?
• Are you ready for the day of the Lord?
• Are you ready, I hope you're ready.
