1 Thes 4:13-18. Death Change Life: Grieving with Hope.

Death Changes Life: Grieving with Hope 1 Thes 4:13-18 Feb 2021 DEATH 1) Why are we here? 2) What happens after we die? What you believe about death determines how you live life “Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.” - Steve Jobs 1 Thes 4 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 14 hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus 15 those who have fallen asleep in him. 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. 13 1 Thes 4 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 17 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 18 be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 16 Background • Teaching truth: “Do not be uninformed” (v13) • Applying truth: “Encourage one another” (v18) 1 Thes 4:13-18: Death Changes Life 1. What will happen? FUTURE Glory (v16-17) 2. Why can this happen? PAST Sacrifice (v14) 3. How do we live now? PRESENT Reality (v13) What will happen? FUTURE Glory 1 Thes 4: Eschatology 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 17 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. 16 1 Thes 4 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… 16 • “Command”: keleusma - only used once in Bible; a shout, an order; military noun, used to keep time Rev 19 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and 14 wages war... The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine 16 linen, white and clean… On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 11 Mark 13 Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the 16 house to take anything out. Let no one in the field go 17 back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!... 15 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 26 1 Thes 4 …with the trumpet call of God, and the 17 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… 1 Cor 15:52 In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. Acts 1 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 6 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” 7 1 Thes 4 … to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Jeremiah 1 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart… Rev 21 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be 4 their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 3 Philippians 1 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor 23 for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far… 21 22 Why can this happen? PAST Sacrifice 1 Thes 4 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. 14 1 Thes 4 14 For we believe that Jesus died … Luke 22 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from 43 me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and 44 strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 42 1 Thes 4 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again… 14 Rev 1 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not 18 be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades…” 17 1 Cor 15 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the 21 firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the 22 dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 20 “The Christian Gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. I can not feel superior to anyone and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone.” - Tim Keller John 3 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 16 John 11 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even 26 though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. 25 Do you believe this?” How do we live now? PRESENT Reality 1 Thes 4 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. 13 1 Thes 4 13 … those who sleep in death… Rev 2 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. 11 As believers in Christ, when facing death we can grieve with hope • “Hope”: elpis - expectation of what is certain 1 Thes 4 … grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. Rev 20 Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as 15 recorded in the books… Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. What if someone dies as a “non-Christian”? 2 Peter 3 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 9 Luke 23 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same 41 sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done 42 nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 43 Acts 1: Taking Action Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to 7 Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 6 Acts 1: Taking Action Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to 7 Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 6 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 8 What you believe about death determines how you live life Galatians 2 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 20