1 Thessalonians 4:13:5-11 - Living in the Light of the End

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 Living in the Light of the End Summer Hill Church 1. 15 July 2018 1. 1. Optimism or Hope a. a. Empty Optimism i. i. We’ve all come across the annoying optimist. I. I. Who just doesn’t see the glass as half full - but refuses to admit that the empty glass is empty at all. a). a). They’re always seeing the up side of things i). i). It’s the ridiculousness of Monty Python, crucified smiling and saying א. א. Some things in life are bad They can really make you mad Other things just make you swear and curse When you're chewing on life's gristle Don't grumble, give a whistle And this'll help things turn out for the best And always look on the bright side of life b). b). It’s funny in its way - but only because it is completely absurd frankly quite ugly and just plain wrong! c). c). Just being optimistic won’t change anything i). i). It makes you feel better than crushing depression but is completely out of step with reality II. II. And Christians have and are accused of being that sort of unrealistic optimist a). a). Where everything’s OK because we are looking forward to the pie in the sky when we die - and who knows if that’s true? That’s exactly what Monty Python is making fun of! III. III. So are Christians crazy, or is there something to this different outlook that they have b. b. Real hope i. i. I trust you assume that I will be trying to persuade you that Christians aren’t just crazy, since I am one, and I don’t think I am (though some disagree I know!) I. I. But it’s a really important question as to what makes the Christian view of life different, and not just empty optimism ii. ii. Because Christians believe that God provides us in the good news about Jesus is a real, dependable and rational reason for hope I. I. For 100 years atheism has argued that it is mindless and irrational to truly have hope, because death evacuates all life of lasting hope. iii. iii. But in Christ, the Christian has a basis for hope - especially in the face of death - and it changes everything. I. I. So... 2. 2. What is our hope? a. a. Not ignorant i. i. All the way through 1 Thess we have seen how becoming a follower of Jesus fundamentally changes our lives I. I. We saw back in ch 1 the revolution that we are called to - that if we believe in the Lord Jesus then: a). a). They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, 1Thessalonians 1:9–10 II. II. we turn from our old ways and turn to the new life - and that’s what’s called repentance - to change your mind and that issues in a changed life. a). a). And we have seen that we were called to a life lived in love for one another - lived out in the life of our hope - to wait for Jesus. ii. ii. Centred on his coming and I. I. Revolving around the great day of judgement and salvation i). i). when the Lord Jesus Christ returns and we will see the final outcome of this world and of our lives and of his kingdom iii. iii. But the Thessalonians had a question... I. I. What happens if you die before Jesus comes? a). a). It’s not a question we ever ask, because after 2000 years we’re used to Christians dying iv. iv. but in that first generation had a real question - if you die too soon, will you miss out on Jesus return? a). a). 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. 4:13 II. I. 3 things to see here a). a). First - what he is about to say is important - we shouldn’t be ignorant about it (that’s the word). because it’s about our destiny - how to view it. b. b. Not Final i. i. Second - death is described as sleep I. I. Sleep is something you awaken from. It’s not how we view death. i). i). Death is a final full stop at the end of life. b). a). But Paul says No! It’s like sleep - there is something beyond death - and we know that because Jesus rose from the dead. c). b). For we believe that Jesus died and rose again. 4:14a II. II. Death is not the end - so there is hope beyond the grave - beyond what you can see, feel, hear and touch. a). a). Life doesn’t just lead to death - but something beyond death. c. c. Not grieving i. i. Thirdly - if we understand this it changes our life now I. I. 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. 4:13 ii. ii. We should not be grieving as others who have no hope. Because we know there is life and justice beyond our current mortal existence. I. I. it's not that we don't grieve when people die a). a). Christians grieve - everybody should grieve - death is awful i). i). but believers don't grieve for other believers in the same way א. א. 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. 4:14 b). b). Unlike our world, we know that those who are in Christ are safe i). i). Because of the hope of eternal life - that is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ c). c). of course we grieve i). i). Some months ago we looked at John 11 when Jesus came to the graveside of his friend Lazarus א. א. How did he react? A. A. Jesus wept. John 11:35 ב. ב. Even though he he knew that Lazarus was about to be raised to life ii). ii). he still wept - death is a dreadful thing that should lead us to mourn d. d. Not Empty i. i. but Christians don't grieve like everyone else who have no hope because we have great hope - it’s not an empty hope. I. I. A couple of years ago, I conducted the memorial service for my cousin. Who was not a believer as far as I know a). a). And her two girls and estranged husband were adamant that I was not to preach a sermon. II. II. But they agreed that I could conduct a Christian form of the funeral. a). a). And I found the comparison so stark. i). i). The eulogies were lovely and heart-wrenching, but constantly reminded us of our loss. Constantly reminded us that we wouldn’t see, or hear, or hug or relate to her again. ii). ii). The eulogies didn’t comfort, can never comfort, because they reminded us of just how much we wouldn’t have in the days and weeks and years to come b). b). But the funeral service itself is astonishing because it begins with the words of Jesus: i). i). ‘‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” John 11:25–26 III. III. As Christians, our future is not focussed on our loss a). a). But on the Lord Jesus Christ, i). i). we don't focus on the death because our focus is on the resurrection from the dead IV. IV. that is our basis for our confidence and hope a). a). 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. 4:14 ii. ii. the way the gospel works is very simple I. I. did Jesus live II. II. did Jesus die III. III. did Jesus rise from the dead a). a). If those things are true - then we know what our future holds - he has shown us, he’s gone there first. i). i). but if it’s not true, א. א. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 1Corinthians 15:19 ii). ii). because we hope in something false IV. IV. However the truth of the death and resurrection of Christ - that we can check out! a). a). And that is how we are sure of our resurrection from the dead iii. iii. and there is Jesus’ promise in verse 15. I. I. 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. 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. 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. 4:15–17 iv. iv. don't worry about our brothers and sisters who have died already says Paul I. I. for they will rise first a). a). and then we who remain will join them to be with Jesus - always. II. II. the picture of what we would call heaven is - fellowship, not clouds etc a). a). being with the Lord and his people III. III. And the picture of judgement - that Jesus calls hell a). a). is therefore of being separated from the Lord and his people b). b). not going to be a big rage party with all our friends enjoying ourselves i). i). Because in judgement there won't be any friendship, and no parties c). c). all good gifts come from heaven i). i). And when we’re separated from God we’re separated from everything good. Because we chose not to have God. IV. IV. heaven is friendship and community with the Lord and his people a). a). So we encourage each other in the face of our mortality by the resurrection of Jesus i). i). which carries the promise of his return and of our resurrection V. V. Now death is not meaningless and pointless a). a). Because it’s simply waiting for Jesus to come back when we will be with him and each other forever e. e. Not expected, yet expected i. i. But when when will this happen? I. I. And the answer is that it is not expected yet to be expected a). a). Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 5:1–3 II. II. when you feel safe and at peace then suddenly he will arrive ii. ii. Jesus will return like a thief - unannounced and unexpected. I. I. If you expect the thief - then they are unlikely to be successful. The best thieves are never noticed or seen a). a). When you leave home you lock the door, right? How do you feel when you get home and you find your door open, or even just unlocked? You know that clutch inside? What’s happened, who’s there? II. II. So always be prepared - or you will be surprised - in a bad way. iii. iii. Or, it’s like pregnancy I. I. usually (apart from inductions) babies don’t come on a schedule - 5% a). a). Mothers don’t know the day and the time, but they do know that the baby is coming - just not precisely when. II. II. In the same way, we don't know precisely when the Jesus is returning but we do know that he is returning because he rose from the dead a). a). And promised to return and bring us with him i). i). And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:3 f. f. Not living in darkness i. i. And since we are living in the light knowing that the Jesus will come again I. I. the day of the Lord shouldn’t surprise us a). a). But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 5:4–5 II. II. Because we know that Jesus has promised to return and will judge the world a). a). we’re not ignorant of the future - been warned and should be prepared b). b). There’s no excuse for living as if we haven’t seen the signs i). i). Because God has told us. c). c). But our world goes on it’s way as if nothing will ever change i). i). And we can’t be like that א. א. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 5:6–7 d). d). characteristic of people who are drunk that they usually deny that they are. They are so often self-deluded. III. III. But we see clearly what’s happening and what’s coming a). a). we are to be sober-minded - not self-deluded i). i). But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 5:8 b). b). Always ready for the day that Jesus will return, i). i). living in the righteousness that the day will bring with faith and love and hope c). c). In 1:3 Paul prayed i). i). We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Thessalonians 1:3 d). d). He’s not writing to rebuke them - he’s writing to encourage them! i). i). And the very things the children of the light should have, Faith love and hope, they have! א. א. As we have seen over and over as we’ve gone through this little book, this is characteristic of Christian living IV. IV. And we can sbe sure of the truth... a). a). For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 5:9–10 V. V. And so, Paul who had been a prisoner in Philippi, and facing prison again in Thessalonica before he escaped, wrote to encourage them a). a). Rome didn’t keep prisoners long. It was remand for trial only. Then you were executed, enslaved, or freed. VI. VI. And in jail Paul never knew which way his prison sentence would go a). a). But he could still say i). i). For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 b). b). Whatever happens it's a win-win situation VII. VII. if we’re alive here we live for the Lord and if we die we live with the Lord Jesus Christ a). a). either way our life has purpose and meaning ii. ii. And so again he urges us I. I. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 5:11 iii. iii. Because that’s what really matters. That’s what life is actually all about. I. I. To help each other put on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 3. 3. A Sure and Certain Hope a. a. Not like the rest of mankind i. i. The gospel gives us sure and certain hope that means we should be different to the rest of mankind I. I. Able to love and serve and be generous because we know that whatever the outcome in this life we have a confidence beyond this life. ii. ii. It means that in both the hard and easier times, we can point to our heavenly father and say - he gives us meaning . . . and can give you meaning, I. I. Because Jesus’ death is a historical fact and his resurrection a historical fact not just my religious opinion that has no impact on anyone else. a). a). No, what we can do, in hope and love and irrespective of the consequence is to: i). i). shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2:15–16 . b). b). So the challenge this week is to love and live in our world, that all three things show forth. Our faith, our love, and our hope. i). i). That we will speak the praises of Jesus and what he has done for us. א. א. So perhaps you could pray for just one person that you could tell how much Jesus means to you this week. c). c). Because we are not people who hide away, we are not people of the darkness, we do not hide our light under a bushel as Jesus says, rather b. b. We belong to the day i. i. as Christians we mustn’t live in darkness and hide away like that - we mustn’t live without hope. I. I. because there are certain key facts - Jesus lived Jesus died Jesus rose a). a). And because of those facts Jesus returns and life will be eternal i). i). and we live in hope and face our inevitable death with the light of heaven in our eyes. ii. ii. Living as children of the day means living in the freedom of daylight I. I. Means living knowing that our eternal home, our deepest home, is not here, but actually with God, in perfect relationship with him and his people a). a). This is where we are going, i). i). this is what we know will come. א. א. This is our sure and certain hope. ii). ii). And we step day by day, make decisions moment by moment knowing that is true. II. II. But perhaps you aren’t at that point yet. And that’s fine, we love having people who are interested or inquirers at church with us. Please keep coming, ask questions, find out more about the facts about Jesus and his death and resurrection, that has radically transformed every Christians life. a). a). Ask them about the hope they have, and why they believe. III. III. Or perhaps you are ready. You want to know this radical hope, and transformative love and forgiveness. Then speak to someone today. iii. iii. Because everything can change. Everything will change. Because you too can belong to the day. 4. 4. Pray i. i. Cc’s and Sing - we belong to the day.