Grieve with Hope

Good morning, everyone! Whether you're here with us in the room or joining online—listening live or later—I am truly glad you're here. Leaf River Baptist church exist to Know Christ, Grow in faith, and to Go make Him known.

Hey, if you’ve got kids with you this morning—now’s a great time for them to head to class. We’ve got an amazing team ready to welcome them and help them know Jesus in a way that makes sense to them.

For everyone else…we are going to be in 1 Thessalonians 4 today and today we’re going to finish up the chapter.

Now today might be hard for some, but I hope it will be encouraging as well. Today we are going to look at the reality of death and what that means in the life of the Christian.

So there are two phrases that can sound almost identical, but actually carry a completely different meaning.

“Goodbye”

and…

“See you later”

Imagine standing at the airport with someone you truly love. The moment comes when you have to let them go. You hug them, you watch them walk through security, and then eventually they disappear from sight.

Now, if you believed this was the last time you would ever see them, the tears would be very difficult.

But, if you knew they were simply going somewhere you couldn’t go yet — and that you would see them again — you might still cry…but it would be vastly different.

You would likely still miss them…You would feel the pain of their absence…But you wouldn’t grieve in the same way.

That’s what Paul is taking the Thessalonians to in chapter 4.

The Thessalonian believers knew what it was to lose someone they loved. They were grieving, but they had questions.

“What happens to our loved ones who died?” — “Have they missed Christ return?” — “Will we ever see them again?”

You will remember that Paul had to leave after a pretty short time of teaching for these Christians. Now they are concerned.

You see, Paul had taught them about Jesus’ return…However, they still had questions about what would happen to the Christians who died before Jesus returned.

They were in crisis and Timothy’s report to Paul had indicated that some had died. Effectively, these are their thoughts.

“If Jesus comes back, and my believing loved one has already died, will they miss the resurrection? Will they miss Christ’s kingdom?

Will I have some sort of advantage over those who have died if haven’t died yet?

Now, to us in 2026, that may seem like a silly concern…but that’s only because we have a deeper understanding of Jesus’s coming kingdom.

So…Paul addresses their concerns.

Essentially, here is what Paul will tell them. “For the Christian, death is not the end of the story.

Death is not simply “goodbye” — Because of Jesus, death is “see ya later”

So today Paul isn’t going to tell the Thessalonians not to grieve…that would be completly unrealistic…What Paul is going to do is tell them how to grieve.

You see…there is a type of grief that has no hope because it sees death as the end. And for some this is the reality.

But there’s another kind of grief — the grief of a Christian, for a Christian — this is deeply painful, but it’s fundamentally different becuase Jesus has defeated death.

So today Paul isn’t only answering the question about what happens when Christians die…He is telling the Thessalonians, and us today, how to live and grieve when death comes.

So as we read today’s passage I want you to listen for Paul’s repeated emphasis on what beleivers KNOW, what Christ WILL DO, and what beleivers WILL BE.

Christian hope is not built on our ability to see the future. It’s built upon the promises of God about who Jesus Christ actually is.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 ESV

13 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. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 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. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Today we will see three reasons Paul gives why the Christian can face death without despair.

First of all…

Parting Without Despair (v.13-14)

When Paul turns his attention to this matter, he begins by acknowledging that grieving loved ones is hard.

Christianity isn’t about pretending that pain isn’t real. Christians are not detached emotionally in order to remain faithful. Jesus himself wept at the loss of Lazarus.

So, when Paul says that Christian grief is different from the grief of those who “have no hope”. The difference isn’t whether Christians grieve or not.

The difference is why we grieve.

Christian grief is real — but it is not hopeless.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 ESV

13 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. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

Paul didn’t say, “Don’t grieve”. He says, “Don’t grieve like those who have not hope.”

Everyone else grieves becasue they believe death has the final say.

They believe that they will never see their loved ones again because there is nothing after the grave.

But the Christian grief is different. When a Christian grieves they say,

“This hurts…I miss them…I wish they were still with me…death is an enemy, but it is not the end.”

That matters folks.

This doesn’t come from the power of positive thinking or some mystical belief that somehow everything will just work out in the end. It also doesn’t come from the misguided belief that everyone who dies automatically just goes to heaven.

For the Christian, hope has an objective foundation…Jesus Christ dief and rose again.

Listen, Paul wrote to the church in Corith also. He wrote to them to encourage them, and that encouragement has the same foundation. If Christ has been raise, then death has been defeatedat it’s core.

1 Corinthians 15:20–22 ESV

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

This isn’t something that is only good for Jesus…this is the basis of our hope in Christ. This is the guarantee of what will happen to all who belong to Jesus.

Listen…because Jesus lives, the grave no longer has the final say over those who believe and accept him.

Ultimately that’s where our hope lies.

Christian hope rests on Christ’s resurrection.

Look at what Paul rests their hope in. Paul says, “ For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again”

This is the foundation of their hope.

This is not because they believe, “their loved ones are in a better place”

This is not because they believe, “everything happens for a reason”

This is not because they believe, “there is life after death”

Paul says that the foundation of their hope is that “Jesus died and rose again.”

Paul says that becasue that is true…that God will bring those who have already died.

Did you get that…the resurrection of Chrsit guarantees the resurrection of his people.

That means that when you stand beside the grave of a believer, you don’t deny the pain of that loss.

You feel the weight of loss, and you say, “Death is real — but Christ is risen.”

And because Christ is risen…you’re not saying, “goodbye”, you’re saying, “see ya later”

So Paul is not giving us some general hope that things will get better one day. He is giving us a specific promise that proves the hope we have in Christ.

That promise is the second reason we we do not despair…

Promise of His Coming (v.15-16)

This promise is so powerful. I want you to all understand this promise, ok.

This hope that Paul is telling the Thessalonians about isn’t just that there is something after death.

Paul is giving hope about the return of Jesus himself…and that will usher in something new and amazing!

The Christian hope is not about escaping this world…It’s about Jesus coming again…raising his people…and completing his redemptive work!

This is a promise that gives believers a bigger picture of God’s redemption plan…this makes earthly loss bearable.

Listen…

Christ’s return is certain.

This is not some blind optimism. Pay attention to what Paul says here.

1 Thessalonians 4:15–16 ESV

15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

“For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord.”

This is not Paul speculating…this is divine revelation here

This is not Paul giving a theory…this is Paul saying, “This is what the Lord has promised.”

Jesus is active here — The Lord will descend…The Lord will have a commanding voice of an archangel…There will be a sound of a trumpet…then something amazing will happen.

In the same way that Paul physically saw Jesus standing in front of him after his crucifixion…Paul says, “the dead in Christ will rise first.”

Paul is describing a future event that will occur in glory…not quietly. Jesus who once came quietly in all humility, will come again making noise in all glory.

Listen, Jesus talked to his disciples and he was telling them that he would leave, but that he would also come again. Here’s what he said,

John 14:1–3 ESV

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

The Christian’s hope is personal. We are not waiting for an event…though there will be an event.

We are waiting for Christ! He promised, “I will come again.” And what Jesus promises — Jesus accomplishes.

Christ’s return guarantees His people’s resurrection.

The people of Thessalonica were concerned that their loved one’s who had already died would miss out on what Jesus was doing.

So…Paul assures them that they will actually be joining Christ first.

That’s important because that menas that death cannot steal the future that God has already promised his people.

Ok…I need to explain something real quick becuase it actually matters.

The hope that we have in Christ is a literal physical resurrection — The body that is placed in the ground…will not remain in the ground forever.

We do not simply hope in the future because “my soul goes somewhere when I die.”

The Christian hope is in a literal resurrection. That is why Jesus’ literal physical resurrection was so impactful.

God created humanity as embodied creatures. Sin brought death. Christ defeated death. And at his return…Christ will raise his people as he himself was raised!

If you are a Christian…you will be resurrected in a perfected body. That means no more cancer, or other illness that the fall created.

So…for the Christian, the grave is not the destination.

The grave is a temporary resting place for our physical bodies while we wait for the sound of the trumpet of the King.

Then…when Jesus comes back, Paul tells us what happens next and I gotta tell you…this is one of the most exciting things to think about.

Because the hope of the Christian is not simply resurrection…as if that were not enough…it’s a reunion! Christ is reunited with his people!

And because we are reunified…you’re not saying, “goodbye”, you’re saying, “see ya later”

So…the third reason we don’t despair…Is that we must…

Prepare for Reunion (v.17-18)

Paul moves the eyes of the Thesalonians from the grave to the sky.

The dead in Christ are raised…Those who are still alive are caught up together with them.

Then comes the best part of all!

“And so we will always be with the Lord.”

This is the source of the Christians hope…This is more than simply a reunion with loved ones…We have a reunion with Christ.

Our greatest hope is to be with Christ forever.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 ESV

17 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.

All who are left will be caught up together with them into the clouds.

Folks…this is describing the event that is called the Rapture.

I want to briefly talk about that because it’s actually important.

The word that most pastors will spend time talking about is “harpazō” which means “catch up or snatch up”

That’s important becuase it speaks of the rescue of beleivers.

However…Paul is using language very intently, and there is a deeper sense that I want us to focus on this morning.

When Paul said that Christians would “meet the Lord in the air”, Paul is painting a picture that I want you to understand.

That word “meet” is the greek word, “apantēsis”. The reason that’s important is that this is the word that was used for dignitaries coming to town.

The most vivid illustration comes from Josephus’s (a Jewish historian) account of how Rome welcomed the emperor Vespasian.

Citizens of higher rank traveled long distances to greet him first (think of those who have fallen asleep), and the entire population poured out in such large crowds that the city was emptied.

When he approached, people lined the roadsides with wives and children, all crying out to hail him as “benefactor,” “savior,” and “only worthy emperor of Rome.”

That is the picture that Paul is painting to the Thessalonians.

When Jesus comes back, there will be a moment when that trumpet sounds that all who have died will be raised, and all who are still alive will be caught up into the clouds.

We will literally be rescued into the clouds to meet King Jesus.

As believers we will form a welcoming party to meet Jesus partway and then escort him back to earth in all triumph

But Notice where this verse ended. Paul could have ended with the resurrection and that would have been powerful.

He could have ended with believers being reunited in the clouds and that would have been amazing.

Paul takes us further though: “and so we will always be with the Lord”

That my friends is the Christians greatest hope.

The resurrection gives hope because we will be with Christ!

Philippians 3:20–21 ESV

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Pay attention to where Paul says our citizenship is…As Christians…we are citizens of heaven!

Christianity is not about ending in a better place

Christianity is about belonging to a better King

And when he returns, he will transform our beaten and broken bodies to be like his glorious body.

Now…if you actually believe this is true…let me tell you something important.

Let your hope change how you live together today.

Paul ends this passage in vs 18 saying,

1 Thessalonians 4:18 ESV

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

The doctrine of the rapture and 2nd coming of King Jesus is meant to produce action…not passivity.

Paul doesn’t say, “study these things so you can win an argument about the end times.’

Pauls says to use this information to encourage one another

So when you see a believer grieving, bring them the gospel.

When you encounter someone that is afraid of death, bring them the gospel.

When you see someone standing beside a grave…bring them the gospel.

Even when you are yourself grieving…bring yourself the gospel.

Jesus died — Jesus rose — Jesus is coming again!

The dead in Christ will rise — We will be with the Lord forever!

And because we will be witth the Lord together…you’re not saying, “goodbye”, you’re saying, “see ya later”

And these are not empty platitudes — These are the promises of an infinitely holy God!

So as Christians we know how to grieve together…but we don’t grieve as those who have no hope.

We weep with those who weep

We carry one another’s burdens

We pray for one another

And we continually point one another away from the grave and towards the risen King Jesus

Pause

Paul began this section with grieving beleivers and he ends by telling believers to encourage each other.

Why?

Well…Because Jesus Christ has conquered death and is coming again.

So Christian, when you grieve…grieve with hope. Don’t pretend death doesn’t hurt. We weep because we love. But we do not grieve as those who has no hope.

Christ has risen, and because he lives, death will not have the final word over those who are with Christ.

And…if Christ is coming again…then live like that’s actually true.

Don’t walk around this world living like this is all there is. Use your time faithfully — and take the gospel beyond these walls.

Tell your children — Tell your friends — Tell the grieving person — Tell the person who fears death — Encourage each other with these words!

But there’s is a question that everyone here or joining us online must answer: Are you in Christ?

Paul said “the dead in Christ will rise.”

The very hope of this passage is not based on being a pretty good person…going to church…being baptized…or even having christian parents.

Our only hope is in Jesus Christ.

We are all sinners by our actions and deserve God’s judgement for that sin.

But Christ came for sinners.

Christ lived a righteous life we could never live…died the death we deserved…bore the wrath of God in the place of his people…and then rose 3 days later.

Everyone who turns from sin and trusts christ receives forgiveness and the sure hope of the resurrection.

And if that does not describe your own decisions…then there is no resurrection and there is only the eternal wrath of God.

So…come to Christ and trust him alone.

And Christian…take this hope with you this week. Bring your grief to Christ — live faithfully before Christ — and tell someone about Christ.

Because one day the trumpet will sound…the dead in Christ will rise…We will be caught up together…and we will always be with the Lord.

Because of that…encourage one another with these words.

Let’s pray