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Good morning everyone, my name is Emma-Ruth Bagley. My sermon title is hope is here. But, before we begin, let us pray.
Open prayer: Dear Lord I thank you for everyone here today. We would be open to whatever you have for us today. Let your presence be here, we welcome you and we praise you. I pray that everyone here today will receive peace, direction, and hope. Fill our hearts with expectation, and help us to live each day in a way that is pleasing to you. Let this message bring hope and peace to all who hear it. I thank you for your presence here today. Give me the words to say and give the people ears to hear in Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
Introduction: Alright so today I will be preaching from 1 Thessalonians but first I want to give you an overview. I pray that this speaks to each of your hearts today and brings you hope. This book talks about and addresses one of life's greatest challenges, and that is the reality of death and grief that often comes along with it. In this text, we can see that Paul is talking to the believers in Thessalonica who are struggling with questions about death and the second coming of Christ. These new believers were having some doubts and facing the uncertainty of life and death in the context of persecution, fear, and not knowing. For any who have read this passage, you know that Paul's words were there to bring comfort, assurance, and a hope in which they so greatly needed. This was a message that is so much necessary today even as it was to them then. This passage was written by Paul, and it is one of the earliest books in the New Testament. It captures the urgency and foundation of the early Christian faith. Paul’s purpose in writing was that he wanted to bring encouragement to all believers who had already had to face loss but he also wanted to reassure them that the return of Christ would mean victory over death, a resurrection for all believers, and that they would have eternal life with God. Paul’s aim here was very clear, he wanted the thessalonians to understand the hope of the resurrection isn't just a future promise but it is still true today and that it can change our lives today. This message should help to remove any fear you may be facing today, and instead give you courage and strength to persevere in life and in your walk with Christ. As we read through this text, I strongly encourage you to allow these truths to sink deep into your hearts and I pray that it will encourage you to live with expectation, confidence, and peace. Now the specific text I will be reading from is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, again that is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and I will be reading from the NIV…. and it says, “13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For 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 word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until 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 forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
Introduction: Alright so today I will be preaching from 1 Thessalonians but first I want to give you an overview. I pray that this speaks to each of your hearts today and brings you hope. This book talks about and addresses one of life's greatest challenges, and that is the reality of death and grief that often comes along with it. In this text, we can see that Paul is talking to the believers in Thessalonica who are struggling with questions about death and the second coming of Christ. These new believers were having some doubts and facing the uncertainty of life and death in the context of persecution, fear, and not knowing. For any who have read this passage, you know that Paul's words were there to bring comfort, assurance, and a hope in which they so greatly needed. This was a message that is so much necessary today even as it was to them then. This passage was written by Paul, and it is one of the earliest books in the New Testament. It captures the urgency and foundation of the early Christian faith. Paul’s purpose in writing was that he wanted to bring encouragement to all believers who had already had to face loss but he also wanted to reassure them that the return of Christ would mean victory over death, a resurrection for all believers, and that they would have eternal life with God. Paul’s aim here was very clear, he wanted the thessalonians to understand the hope of the resurrection isn't just a future promise but it is still true today and that it can change our lives today. This message should help to remove any fear you may be facing today, and instead give you courage and strength to persevere in life and in your walk with Christ. As we read through this text, I strongly encourage you to allow these truths to sink deep into your hearts and I pray that it will encourage you to live with expectation, confidence, and peace. Now the specific text I will be reading from is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, again that is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and I will be reading from the NIV…. and it says, “13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For 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 word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until 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 forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
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Exposition: Believers have hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13) So looking at verse 13. Paul begins here with a powerful message of hope, writing, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” What is Paul saying here? Well… In Paul's words, “those who are asleep” is a nice way of saying those who have died. Paul's choice of wording here just shows the confidence we as believers can have in Christ. You see, Death, for Christians, is not a final ending. Yes, we will all die physically one day but we will wake. Back in Paul's day, this idea of life after death was either ignored or some if not most probably even feared as it was the ending of everything they knew and the fear of the unknown gripped them. But today we have the word of God to look back to. Paul says that those who are in Christ do not grieve like the world grieves. While yes, we all still experience grief we are able to experience it with the fact that we have hope in the midst of our grief. This hope comes from the sure promise of God. The world does not have this hope which makes it harder for them as they do not know where their loved one will go or what is going to happen to them.
Exposition: Believers have hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13) So looking at verse 13. Paul begins here with a powerful message of hope, writing, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” What is Paul saying here? Well… In Paul's words, “those who are asleep” is a nice way of saying those who have died. Paul's choice of wording here just shows the confidence we as believers can have in Christ. You see, Death, for Christians, is not a final ending. Yes, we will all die physically one day but we will wake. Back in Paul's day, this idea of life after death was either ignored or some if not most probably even feared as it was the ending of everything they knew and the fear of the unknown gripped them. But today we have the word of God to look back to. Paul says that those who are in Christ do not grieve like the world grieves. While yes, we all still experience grief we are able to experience it with the fact that we have hope in the midst of our grief. This hope comes from the sure promise of God. The world does not have this hope which makes it harder for them as they do not know where their loved one will go or what is going to happen to them.
Illustration: Imagine you have to attend 2 different funerals. They are both close to you but at one there is a sort of heaviness in the room and you feel like you will never see them again. Everyone there is devastated and just can not believe that they are gone. Now think of the second funeral, you look around and there are people who are crying as they miss their loved one but this time the room has more of an atmosphere of peace. The people say their goodbyes in a way that lets them know they will see each other again someday. This second funeral is a representation of what Paul was trying to communicate when he said we grieve with hope.
Illustration: Imagine you have to attend 2 different funerals. They are both close to you but at one there is a sort of heaviness in the room and you feel like you will never see them again. Everyone there is devastated and just can not believe that they are gone. Now think of the second funeral, you look around and there are people who are crying as they miss their loved one but this time the room has more of an atmosphere of peace. The people say their goodbyes in a way that lets them know they will see each other again someday. This second funeral is a representation of what Paul was trying to communicate when he said we grieve with hope.
Application: The message Paul is sharing with this is important for us as believers. It will make it possible for us to have peace even in the midst of the hardest days we may face, we as believers in Christ can rest in the fact that death is not the end, it is the beginning. As Christians, we can live with the assurance that we will see our loved ones again and that when we personally die it just means we will get to be united with God and spend eternity praising Him for all He has done. When you start having this perspective, all fear will leave and instead, you can live with courage and peace, knowing that what we will receive is way better than anything we are leaving behind here.
Transition: Now this message of hope that Paul gives us can only happen because of the resurrection of Jesus. Paul then continues and explains how the resurrection gives us hope for our future.
Exposition: Assurance of Resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:14–16) In verses 14 to 16, we see that Paul is assuring the Thessalonians here telling them that their hope is firmly grounded in the resurrection of Christ. It says…. “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith, it’s the proof that death has been defeated, because of God sending His son to pay that price for all of humanity. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, those who belong to Him will rise as well. Paul's message was giving an assurance to people personally and a reminder that Jesus always wins, He has the final say even over death itself.
Exposition: Assurance of Resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:14–16) In verses 14 to 16, we see that Paul is assuring the Thessalonians here telling them that their hope is firmly grounded in the resurrection of Christ. It says…. “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith, it’s the proof that death has been defeated, because of God sending His son to pay that price for all of humanity. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, those who belong to Him will rise as well. Paul's message was giving an assurance to people personally and a reminder that Jesus always wins, He has the final say even over death itself.
Illustration: Now I want you to think of a seed planted in the ground. In the beginning, it seems as if it disappears into the earth, and becomes lifeless. But if you give it time, that same seed transforms, comes up from the ground, and looks completely new. This picture should help you better understand the resurrection.… What may appear as the end for believers is actually just the beginning of a new life with Christ.
Illustration: Now I want you to think of a seed planted in the ground. In the beginning, it seems as if it disappears into the earth, and becomes lifeless. But if you give it time, that same seed transforms, comes up from the ground, and looks completely new. This picture should help you better understand the resurrection.… What may appear as the end for believers is actually just the beginning of a new life with Christ.
Application: For us believers, the resurrection means nothing, not even death can separate us from God. Knowing this should change the way we live our lives. I want you all to know that you can live with courage, you can overcome any challenge life throws at you, just persevere through it. It is so important that we do not live for this world but we live to please God as the eternal things are far more valuable than anything we could ever get here.
Application: For us believers, the resurrection means nothing, not even death can separate us from God. Knowing this should change the way we live our lives. I want you all to know that you can live with courage, you can overcome any challenge life throws at you, just persevere through it. It is so important that we do not live for this world but we live to please God as the eternal things are far more valuable than anything we could ever get here.
Transition: This promise given to us of the resurrection assures us that death is not the end. Paul then goes on to describe what the great resurrection looks like, he gives this picture in the future where all the believers will come together and be united with Christ and with each other forever.
Transition: This promise given to us of the resurrection assures us that death is not the end. Paul then goes on to describe what the great resurrection looks like, he gives this picture in the future where all the believers will come together and be united with Christ and with each other forever.
Exposition: Comfort in Community (1 Thessalonians 4:17–18) Then continuing in verses 17 and 18, where Paul is describing the reunion…. And it says “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” As we read this we can see that Paul is emphasizing that death doesn’t break the bonds between believers, instead it leads to us having reunion in Christ. This verse should give comfort, encourage us to unify, and give courage to everyone still here. This gathering with Christ and recursion with other believers is a picture of God completing His redemptive work. These verses should give us peace knowing that we will be with the Lord and with each other again and that we will one day be forever away from any sadness or loss that we have to experience here on earth.
Exposition: Comfort in Community (1 Thessalonians 4:17–18) Then continuing in verses 17 and 18, where Paul is describing the reunion…. And it says “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” As we read this we can see that Paul is emphasizing that death doesn’t break the bonds between believers, instead it leads to us having reunion in Christ. This verse should give comfort, encourage us to unify, and give courage to everyone still here. This gathering with Christ and recursion with other believers is a picture of God completing His redemptive work. These verses should give us peace knowing that we will be with the Lord and with each other again and that we will one day be forever away from any sadness or loss that we have to experience here on earth.
Illustration: I want you all to close your eyes and picture a family, they were traveling but in all the cautious they were separated and now on other ends of the world. After years of waiting, they’re brought together at an airport. There are tears, laughter, and a sense that nothing else matters in that moment but being reunited. Paul describes this type of joy, but on an eternal scale, that being one that will never end. This is the comfort we share, the promise that separation is only temporary.
Illustration: I want you all to close your eyes and picture a family, they were traveling but in all the cautious they were separated and now on other ends of the world. After years of waiting, they’re brought together at an airport. There are tears, laughter, and a sense that nothing else matters in that moment but being reunited. Paul describes this type of joy, but on an eternal scale, that being one that will never end. This is the comfort we share, the promise that separation is only temporary.
Application: Knowing that we are united in Christ should change the way our relationships are. We as followers of Christ are called to be people that live in unity, share the love of God and help each other when someone is struggling. When someone you know is grieving you can be there to remind them of this promise and encourage them to support eachother with Gods word. Let us be a church that looks to God and points others to Him as well.
Application: Knowing that we are united in Christ should change the way our relationships are. We as followers of Christ are called to be people that live in unity, share the love of God and help each other when someone is struggling. When someone you know is grieving you can be there to remind them of this promise and encourage them to support eachother with Gods word. Let us be a church that looks to God and points others to Him as well.
Transition: As we close, I want each of you to remember what was shared today and reflect on how God’s promises can help us live with a new sense of purpose and exepctiaion in your personal lives. I hope that this passage “1 Thessalonians 4:13–18” helps you realize that you have purpose and hope for your life both now and for the future. In Christ, death is not the end, and when a beliver in Christ dies it is only temporary. We have a promise of resurrection, a future reunion to look forward to, and a comfort through the body of Christ. This hope changes everything. As a believers, this life is just the beginning but there is eternal life after this which can bring us peace and hope knowing we will be more than okay. When we live with this perspective, we can face challenges, fears, and losses with a peace that surpasses any human understanding. Let this hope shape the way you live your life, that you are men and women who have courage, and peace knoiwing God has it all in His hands.
Transition: As we close, I want each of you to remember what was shared today and reflect on how God’s promises can help us live with a new sense of purpose and exepctiaion in your personal lives. I hope that this passage “1 Thessalonians 4:13–18” helps you realize that you have purpose and hope for your life both now and for the future. In Christ, death is not the end, and when a beliver in Christ dies it is only temporary. We have a promise of resurrection, a future reunion to look forward to, and a comfort through the body of Christ. This hope changes everything. As a believers, this life is just the beginning but there is eternal life after this which can bring us peace and hope knowing we will be more than okay. When we live with this perspective, we can face challenges, fears, and losses with a peace that surpasses any human understanding. Let this hope shape the way you live your life, that you are men and women who have courage, and peace knoiwing God has it all in His hands.
Final Exhortation: And I just want to leave you with this…I want to encourage you to live each day with this hope of eternal life as your anchor. When doubts arise or life becomes difficult, remember the victory that Jesus has won so not one of you ever need to live in defeat. Every one of you are called to live in victory! Not just in some areas of your life but all areas. Hold tightly to His promises and be a source of comfort and encouragement to those around you. Now as we are wrapping thing up I want to give anyone who hasn’t receive Jesus as the Lord and savior the opportunity to do so. Maybe you have been sitting here thinking well thats great all all but what about me? I haven’t received Christ and what happens to the unbelievers. Well I want you too to go home tonight knowing that you have this hope. So for anyone that wants to receive Christ into their life and make Him the Lord and saviour over you life I want you to raise your hand. (wait a few seconds). Alright now let us pray…. Dear Lord, Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins I ask that you would forgive me of all my sins and wrong doings, wash my heart clean. I invite you into my heart and I give you control of my life. I belong to you. I thank you Lord. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Awesome! (everyone aplaudes)
Final Exhortation: And I just want to leave you with this…I want to encourage you to live each day with this hope of eternal life as your anchor. When doubts arise or life becomes difficult, remember the victory that Jesus has won so not one of you ever need to live in defeat. Every one of you are called to live in victory! Not just in some areas of your life but all areas. Hold tightly to His promises and be a source of comfort and encouragement to those around you. Now as we are wrapping thing up I want to give anyone who hasn’t receive Jesus as the Lord and savior the opportunity to do so. Maybe you have been sitting here thinking well thats great all all but what about me? I haven’t received Christ and what happens to the unbelievers. Well I want you too to go home tonight knowing that you have this hope. So for anyone that wants to receive Christ into their life and make Him the Lord and saviour over you life I want you to raise your hand. (wait a few seconds). Alright now let us pray…. Dear Lord, Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins I ask that you would forgive me of all my sins and wrong doings, wash my heart clean. I invite you into my heart and I give you control of my life. I belong to you. I thank you Lord. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Awesome! (everyone aplaudes)
Closing Prayer: Let us pray. Lord I thank you. I thank you for the gift of eternal life that you offer to all of us. Thank you for your love and kindness shown to us. Thank You for the assurance of resurrection and the promise we have to be with you forever. Help us to live each day with the confidence knowing that our future is secure in you. Thank you for all you did here today in the hearts and lives of everyone present. I pray that you would give peace today for anyone who may be delaing with the loss of a loved one even right now. Bless them and keep them safe. In Jesus name, Amen.
Closing Prayer: Let us pray. Lord I thank you. I thank you for the gift of eternal life that you offer to all of us. Thank you for your love and kindness shown to us. Thank You for the assurance of resurrection and the promise we have to be with you forever. Help us to live each day with the confidence knowing that our future is secure in you. Thank you for all you did here today in the hearts and lives of everyone present. I pray that you would give peace today for anyone who may be delaing with the loss of a loved one even right now. Bless them and keep them safe. In Jesus name, Amen.
