Sermons on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-17:

The Rapture: Taking A Closer Look

Contributed by Chris Workman on Jun 20, 2001

An exposition of the two primary texts from which the doctrine of the rapture is drawn, distinguishing what the Bible actually says from common ideas.

The rapture is an intriguing subject and at the forefront of much Christian thought. What is it? This is the teaching that the church will be "caught up" or raptured in the clouds with Jesus and the resurrected believers and be with the Lord forever. That much is taught very plainly in 1 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:37-41, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Holy Security

Contributed by Stephen Schwartz on Dec 18, 2001

Does every Christian have Eternal Security?

Holy Security Some have wondered, after being entirely sanctified (living above willful sin), if this work of God in a person’s heart makes one eternally secure. They come to the conclusion that they will never sin again so they will never be lost. This is not true. There is no spiritual plain of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

Denomination: Methodist

The Second Coming Of Christ

Contributed by Keith Bunch on Jan 5, 2002

What does the Bible really say about the Rapture? Will Jesus come secretly? Will People really be left behind? Is your Knowledge based on fact or fiction?

Pastor Keith R. Bunch Antioch Baptist Church of Dandridge, Tennessee 1. Pre-Tribulation Doctrine: Secret Rapture - 7 Years of Tribulation - Second Coming of Christ - Judgment Sermon Text: (Matt. 13:24-30; 36-43) "Parable of Wheat and Tares" 2. Is the Rapture of the Church a Secret ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Strive For Excellence In Pleasing God

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

GROWING DISCIPLES MUST STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE IN PLEASING GOD A.

GROWING DISCIPLES MUST STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE IN PLEASING GOD A. Our Present Level of Obedience Should Be the Foundation For Striving For Excellence in Pleasing God (:1-2) (rather than the excuse for settling for mediocrity or the mountaintop for sliding to the valley) 1. Growing Disciples Need ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Conviction Gives Hope To The Bereaved

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

CONVICTION REGARDING GOD'S PROGRAM FOR THE FUTURE GIVES HOPE FOR THE BEREAVED GOD'S FORMULA OF COMPASSION: KNOWLEDGE + FAITH GIVES HOPE KNOWLEDGE + FAITH = CONVICTION CONVICTION GIVES HOPE Introd.

CONVICTION REGARDING GOD'S PROGRAM FOR THE FUTURE GIVES HOPE FOR THE BEREAVED GOD'S FORMULA OF COMPASSION: KNOWLEDGE + FAITH GIVES HOPE KNOWLEDGE + FAITH = CONVICTION CONVICTION GIVES HOPE Introd.: Two different groups of believers in view: 1) those who are alive and remain until the coming of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Nov 24, 2002

Funeral Sermon: For the funeral of a 44 year-young woman called home by the Lord after a short, acute and pernicious illness. She is survived by her young adult children, by her parents and by seven brothers and sisters.

Let me express my very sincere condolences to each and every member of ______ (name of immediate) family. ______ (name of children) – for a short time, you’ve parted with your mom. ______ (name of parents) my prayers are with you. You’ve lived through the saddest thing that a parent can see - ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18, Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Lutheran

Funeral For A Stillborn Baby

Contributed by Jane White on Dec 6, 2002

Funeral sermon and liturgy suggestions for a full term stillborn boy.

{All liturgical material used was from the United Methodist Book of Worship service for a stillborn child, and service for the loss of a pregnancy. I scoured the internet and other resources looking for help. The UM BOW was by far the best resource. This baby boy was born dead at term. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 11:25-30

Denomination: Methodist

Now Playing: Back To The Future!

Contributed by Rick Shockley on Jun 29, 2002

In light of the things happening in our world, what does the future hold? Where are we headed? When will the world end?

Now Playing: “Back To The Future!” 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18; MATTHEW 24:42-44; 25:13 1 Thes. 4:13-18 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. 14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Rapture Of The Church

Contributed by Larry Cockerham on Jul 1, 2002

The Rapture of the Church will be the most startling event to happen in all of human history. Millions will disappear in "the twinkling of an eye."

The Rapture of the Church will be the most startling event to happen in all of human history. Millions will disappear in "the twinkling of an eye." Great confusion and bewilderment will occupy the minds of those left behind. Many explanations for the disappearance of those missing will be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

"The Grave Isn't The Final Word"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 11, 2002

Death is the final healing and homecoming, but it’s still tough for us who remain and grieve.

Funeral meditation: "The grave isn’t the final word" Someone in our family is in the hospital, dieing, and we whisper at the bedside, “I’d do anything to make you well.” I heard a relative say, “If I could take your sickness and have you well, I would.” That is exactly what God the Father did. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Congregational

Privacy And Priesthood Of All Believers

Contributed by Frank Gallagher on Dec 8, 2000

Every believer is equally a priest in full-time Christian service, and there are no "lay" people. Believers have privacy, and their spiritual life is between them and God.

PRIVACY & PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS (6-12-01) (1 Thes. 4:11-12; Rev. 1:5-6, 5:9-10) [HTTP formatted version of this outline is located at http://members.aol.com/abidingitw/priests.html] 1. All born-again believers are PRIESTS in full-time Christian service (Rev. 1:5-6, 5:9-10). Rev 1:5 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Revelation 1:5-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Words Of Comfort

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jan 2, 2001

A devotion for young believers

14 “FOR IF WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN, EVEN SO GOD WILL BRING WITH HIM THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP IN JESUS. 15 FOR THIS WE SAY TO YOU BY THE WORD OF THE LORD, THAT WE WHO ARE ALIVE, AND REMAIN UNTIL THE COMING OF THE LORD SHALL NOT PRECEDE THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP. 16 FOR ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18

Denomination: Orthodox

The Rapture And Left Behind! Series

Contributed by Dave Martin on Jan 9, 2001

Without warning millions of people instantly vanish from the face of the earth! Civilization is torn apart, chaos reigns. The Rapture has just occurred!

The Rapture and Left Behind! "Left Behind" series Part 1 Text: 1Co. 15-50-53 & Selected Cross Creek Community Church Pastor Dave Martin - Jan. 7, 2001 www.crosscreekcc.org God’s Word is Powerful, Relevant, and Life Changing! 1 Cor. 15:50-53 I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:50-53, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Denomination: Bible Church

No Adultery Series

Contributed by Joe Bedy on Oct 23, 2002

Marriage is a covenantal relationship, put together by God and adultery happens in the mind before it happens in the bed.

God’s Top Ten Thou shall not commit adultery Central Christian Church St. Petersburg, Fl October 2002 Exo 20:14 "You shall not commit adultery. I was told that Moses came down from the mountain with the two tablets and as the people gathered around him he said, “I have some good news and some ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, Exodus 20:14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Rapture Of The Church (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Oct 23, 2002

The rapture of the church.

The Rapture of the Church Even though many groups deny the rapture, the Bible clearly teaches that there is a rapture of God’s people when Christ returns. I can understand why there is a debate as to when the rapture will occur, but I can’t identify with groups who deny the rapture will happen at ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:50-53, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

Denomination: Baptist