Comfort While We Wait

Introduction:

Hope: A silly dream, or the very best of things?

LOOK AT WHY WE NEED HOPE, WHAT WE HOPE FOR, AND HOW IT HELPS US WHILE WE WAIT.

I) Hopeful Grief?

A. In Our World, Grief Remains

i. Many today are grieving a loss of loved ones: (vs. 13)

1. Thessalonians grieved loved ones who had died: Would they miss out?

2. EXAMPLE: Christmas lights, parades, traditions… AND grief.

ii. Grieving a different kind of death

1. Advent also reminds us of a different grief: War? DomViolence? Abuse?

2. And, we grieve – sometimes with despair (i.e. Hopeless).

B. Yet, God’s Desire is that we “grieve with hope”

i. We are to grieve…(vs. 13b)

1. Note carefully: Paul never discounts our need to grief (as Stoics)

2. Some of us need permission: “Grief is not about a lack of faith.”

ii. …but grieve with hope

1. But different: Grief “seasoned” with “the very best thing” – that is, hope

2. EXAMPLE: whether loss of loved ones, or state of the world!

HOW CAN WE DO THIS?

II) A Hopeful Future

A. Jesus will “bring with” him those who sleep

i. Death is transformed (vv. 13, 14, 15)

1. Paul (like Jesus) calls death “sleep” partly because death is different

2. Like sleep, death is temporary, and will not last; we will awaken

ii. Jesus will bring us with him (vs. 14)

1. Jesus is “brings us” where he’s already gone, leading us into resurrection

2. EXAMPLE: We’ll be awakened, “C’mon, it’s time to go!”

B. Jesus’ Appearance Will Be a Victory Celebration (vv. 15-17)

i. God had ALWAYS promised that a Savior would appear (vv. 15)

1. Advent reminds us how Israel had longed for God’s Savior to “appear”

2. Yet no one expected the Messiah “appearing” as an infant, criminal!

ii. Jesus’ Second appearance will be a Great “Appearance”

1. But: there will be a second appearance when the king comes in victory

2. EXAMPLE: Volodymir Zelensky appearing in Kherson

iii. Jesus’ Second appearance will be a Victory celebration (vv. 16-17)

1. Far from being a silent rapture, Jesus’ return will be a public victory call

2. We will join Jesus in the air, welcoming him back to earth

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IS MEANT TO BE A SOURCE OF COMFORT.

III) A Hopeful Eternity

A. We Will Be With the Lord Forever (vs. 17b)

i. Using our “indoor voice” (not whispering or shouting) about this

1. Will we see him/her again? Reocgnize?

2. There is comfort knowing we will know our loved ones again

ii. Eternity will be “being with the Lord always”

1. More importantly, faith fill be sight, hope realized

2. EXAMPLE: Dorothy Rollema

B. Therefore, Encourage! (vs. 18)

i. Comforting ourselves with theology

1. If I said last week: “Come back next week for some eschatology!”

2. EXAMPLE: before surgery, we calm our fears by recalling what the doctor tells us

3. Some of us need to encourage ourselves, (and others) with this

ii. Comfort ourselves with hope

1. During Advent: “The Very best of things.”

2. As fallen as our world is – Advent assures us that all will be better!

Transition:

Conclusion

Silly? Or, the best of all things?