The Offer of Hope

The Offer of Hope

13 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. 14 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 own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till 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 each other with these words.

(1 Th 4:13-18 NIV)

Introduction:

        I did not know Madge personally, but from all I hear of her, she was a loving woman, who put the needs of others above her own. Even while she was in the nursing home, her great concern was for others. As we come to this day, where we say goodbye to Madge Pollock, we celebrate her life. But because of what she was like when she was living, I think her first concern today would not be for herself, but for you. She would not want you to come to today with sorrow, as much as she would want you to meet it with hope. It is my understanding that Madge had a hope, and I believe she would want me to share it with you. I think she would want you to have:

I.         Hope in the Face of Death

A.      Hope in the Presence of Grief

B.      Hope in the Person of Christ

C.      Hope in the Preservation of our Loved Ones

II.       Hope in the Resurrection

A.      Our Lord will Come Back

B.      Our Lord will Call Out

C.      Our Loved Ones Will Come Forth

III.     Hope in a Reunion

A.      To be United With The Lord

B.      To Be United With Our Loved Ones

C.      To Be United Forever More

Conclusion:

        I believe Madge will be missed, and I believe there will be grief for our missing her, but let us not grieve as those who have not hope. Though we may miss her, let us not say our goodbye’s as though we will never see her again. But let us say “goodbye, until we meet again.” For we shall meet again, if we share in this hope.