"hope And Renewal" 1 Thes 4:13-18

Deadline Slide 1

Every once in awhile, the semantics for a word study intrigues me. A word peaking my interest this week was the word “deadline”. Today, we use deadline as a point in time which something must be completed. There is a deadline to mail my taxes. Or in the case, of submitting an absentee ballot, the deadline has passed. It’s too late. But in the 1700’s when the word came into use, a deadline was the space at either end of the printed page where the printing plate was least effective. In the Civil War, the deadline was a prisoner of war ground about 50 feet in length that escaping prisoners feared being shot dead. It was only in the 1920’s when deadline was first equated with time for reporters to get their news articles in.

Too Early Slide 2

But the concern Paul addresses is not being too late – but too early. Timothy report appears to include an observation the Thessalonians are consumed with worry for believers who died before Christ’s return. What follows is the third area Paul speaks to shortfalls in their faith. Over the last two weeks, we covered the first two – increasing in their love for each other and avoiding sexual immorality. All these lessons in chapters 4 and 5 are teaching gaps Paul covers because of his early exit due to the riots.

But unlike the first two lessons that built on previous lessons, Paul’s lesson sheds light on new material. Timothy doesn’t disclose why this is a cause for concern. But looking back to the culture of the day – Commentators like Dr. Weima offer some reasons based on well preserved archaeological ruins.

These include ancient tombstones. My in laws for example spent a lot of time recently walking the cemeteries in Ottawa County as they researched family genealogies. My father in law was dragged along for the effort. But many of the oldest stones were illegible.

Yet clear as day - Archaeological ruins of grave markers in Thessalonica were discovered well preserved – many with a phrase chiseled into them translated into English as “I was not and I was, I am not and I care not.” Compare that to today’s tombstones and the names of cemeteries such as where my mom and grandparents are buried in the Garden of Everlasting Life. To the Thessalonians at large, death was viewed as a hopeless end.

Ancient church historians cite a phrase found in the Apocrypha from that time indicating those who are left when Christ returns are more blessed than those who died too early.

There is a difference Slide 3

It’s no wonder Paul opens with the subject of grief. Verse 13 - 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.

Paul is concluding there is a difference between the way believers and unbelievers face death. I’ve seen the best and the worst of both returning to on-call chaplaincy. This isn’t about tears – because there is no shame in shedding tears when a loved one dies or has been serious injured – Tears are a God-given means of releasing the burden of sorrow. For using Scripture to interpret Scripture we can flip the pages back to John 11 where Jesus wept on seeing his dear friend Lazarus dead. Or we can flip the pages ahead to Philippians 2, as Paul identifies a dear friend Epaphrodites who was ill and almost died, but God spared Paul sorrow by healing him. Paul’s point in what follows then is not to eliminate grief, but instead to offer a gentle corrective as to why their grief for their loved ones also includes hope. But compared to Christians whose faith serves as a bedrock of faith to fall back on - I’ve been present for deaths with surrounding family where prayers and the promises of Christ in Scripture are not welcomed. While the ministry of simply being present is at least something, they don’t have a faith foundation for real hope. These believers are reported to be grieving like unbelievers - without hope.

Today, when we attend funerals or visitation, Somewhere in that moment – even if it is just a passing thought - think of our own deaths as well. Paul’s encouragement for what follows is addressed directly to believers. While the Thessalonians were fearful for their loved ones, we may need this text as well because of our own fears about death and what the future hold. We can’t continue without saying that it’s never too early to accept God’s call on your life – but there is a point in time where it will sadly also be too late, for no one really knows in advance the hour or deadline for their death – Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. This is what Paul highlights