Series: Action [#55]
A LETTER OF ENCOURAGEMENT-
THE CHRISTIAN HOPE
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Introduction:
I want to thank all of those who kept things going while Karen and I went to California to meet our newest granddaughter. It is very encouraging as your Pastor for us to be able to be gone and know that everything is ok. It is a small similarity to what Paul was talking about in his letter to the Church in Thessalonica.
While sleeping in a Motel in Oregon, I had a dream that I kept hearing the phrase, “Extend your reach”. Since that dream on Wednesday before last, I continue to hear that phrase. I know that this relates to Bel Aire. I do not have all of the answers of what to do and when; but I know that God wants us to bring in as many people as possible. This may be people that most Churches would prefer not to have attend; but that is the people who need us the most.
There is a desperate need that almost every person has- It is hope. Even for Christians, we have to remind ourselves constantly that God is on the throne and is in control. Our text gives us a clear statement of that hope. The word hope has been weakened to mean an expectancy that something will happen but with much question as to whether it really will. “I hope” carries almost the same meaning as “I wish.” This is not the meaning of hope in the New Testament. Paul used the word in the sense of absolute certainty. It has been said that hope means being so sure about the future that we can enjoy it in the present.
The Thessalonian Christians apparently were experiencing strong anxiety over issues they did not understand. Paul obviously had taught them that Jesus was going to return. From what Paul said in our text, we can conclude that the Thessalonians were concerned about what would happen to believers who died before Jesus’ return. Their ignorance of the hope Paul spoke of had created anxiety for them, and it will create anxiety for us. Hope enables us to endure difficult days.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-15
Our hope is the…
1. Assurance of eternal life.
The Thessalonians were concerned that they never would see their Christian loved ones who had died. They also feared what would happen to them if they died before Jesus returned. Paul made it clear to them that death is not to be feared. Our hope is eternal life. and death is a springboard into personal fellowship with Jesus. In fact, Paul said that when Jesus comes, “that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
Paul used the word sleep to describe the death of Christians. He spoke of the body, not the soul. As a sleeper continues to exist while the body sleeps, so the dead in Christ continue to exist, though separated from earthly existence. As sleep is temporary, so is the death of the body. The Greek word used for sleep in this passage means “to lie down” and refers to the position of the body. As one awakens from sleep, so shall the bodies of Christians who have died will be awakened at the coming of the Lord. The soul will have been enjoying fellowship with Jesus, which begins immediately at death for a Christian. That is our hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
Our hope is the…
2. Resurrection of our bodies.
We have a body, the material part of us; but as I mentioned earlier, we also have a part of us that is not material. The spirit is that part of us that communicates with God. It is this part of Christians that continues on in face-to-face relationship with God after death. This face-to-face relationship is a part of our great hope; but another part of our hope is God’s plan for the body. His plan is to give all Christians another body. Our bodies are weak and frail. The body gets tired; it wears out and breaks down; it is resistant to God’s will.
Paul said that when Jesus comes, “the dead in Christ will rise first.” The 1st thing that will happen when Jesus comes back is that the saved who have departed this life will receive resurrected bodies. We are going to have a resurrected body like Jesus’ resurrected body. In essence Paul said, “Don’t worry about those who have died. They already are with Jesus. They will come back with Him, and their bodies will be awakened first.” Verse 17 makes it clear that both living and dead Christians will be with Jesus in the air and with Him forever.
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
Our hope is the…
3. Coming of Jesus Christ.
Many have tried to explain away the second coming as being something other than the actual personal return of Jesus. According to Scripture, the coming of the Lord involves 2 aspects- He is coming to claim His own and He is coming to restore order to a sin-cursed world.
3 words that sum up what will happen when Jesus comes.
* Resurrection.
The resurrection of believers is the 1st thing that will take place when Jesus comes.
* Rapture.
You will not find this word in the Bible. This word describes what will happen- The archangel will shout and the trumpet will sound. Then, those Christians who have already died will be resurrected to meet Jesus in the air; and then those Christians that remain will also meet Him in the air.
* Reunion.
In verse 17 Paul said, “And so we will be with the Lord forever.” Then Paul says, “Therefore encourage one another with these words.” Christians will be reunited with other believers; and even better, we will spend eternity in Heaven with our Savior.
Conclusion:
All people need to hear this. My hope is in Jesus. I will spend eternity with Him in Heaven. People need Jesus. Bel Aire, even with 3 Spanish Missions, a Minister that we licensed to minister to the Nepali people in Charlotte, NC, a Church that we are getting to know in the Philippines, and a Church that we are getting to know in Nigeria; we are not done. God wants us to extend our reach and preach about our hope in Jesus.
