ENCOURAGING FAITH: Sleeping Comfort

1 Thessalonians 4:13 CSB

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

INTRO—

[[Have you ever thought about how you like to sleep would look like on a stage in front of everyone? … Final one = ‘me practicing for being in my coffin’]]

ASLEEP = Dead in Christ…

The question/concern of the Thessalonian believers = You have taught us of the return of Jesus, and the blessing of seeing him at his return. What about our family, our friends who committed their lives to Christ…but have died? What’s going on with them?…going to happen with them?

1 Thessalonians 4:13 “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.”

**COMFORT FOR THE LIVING ABOUT THOSE WHO ARE ASLEEP (or if they were to join those who are asleep)…

COMFORT: Death is Only Sleep [1 Thessalonians 4.13-15]

“Those who are asleep”

‘CEMETERY’ — Sleeping Chamber/Place (The world even says RIP…but, they have no basis upon which they are assured of death = rest/sleep.)

“That you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope”

We still grieve…just with a solid, immovable hope.

“We believe that Jesus died and rose again”

Jesus, forged a way of hope in the face of death. (“In the same way”)

We say this (ALL of this) to you “By a word from the Lord.”

COMFORT: Anticipate a Heavenly Reunion [1 Thessalonians 4.15-17]

“We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep” [We are all going to participate!]

Theologian John RW Stott explains the COMFORT/ENCOURAGEMENT of this Heavenly Reunion this way…

Jesus, himself, is returning! (4.16a) [A shout, the archangel’s voice, the trumpet of God]

Those asleep get to go first! (4.16b) [Dead in Christ returning with Christ…they have never been left alone!]

The rest of God’s people join in next! (4.17a) [We will be ‘caught up,’ meeting Jesus in the air]

WE ALL will always be with the Lord! (4.17b) [Jesus has prepared a place for us—his people—to always be together with him.]

COMFORT: Hold on to Eternal Promise [1 Thessalonians 4.17-18]

“And so” [It is ‘so’…even now, before it fully happens.]

“We will always be” [It will be like this…forever!]

1 Thessalonians 4:18 “Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

ENCOURAGE…COMFORT

With THESE words!

…With these words — alongside one another!!

CONCL—

The DAY OF THE LORD comes to the forefront of Paul’s letter once again!

Not for the primary purpose of debate…for the primary purpose of continuing to ‘establish’ its permanence…a permanence which brings…ENCOURAGEMENT for us!

1 Thessalonians 4:18 “Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

INVITATION:

Salvation

Comforted by God’s Word

Comfort with God’s Word

1 Thessalonians 4:18 CSB

Therefore encourage one another with these words.