Sermon Tone Analysis

Psalm 40:1–3 (ESV)

1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

Introduction

Last time I spoke about the Rapture of the Church and The Great Tribulation and said that I would loom at these in more detail.

Today it will be about the Rapture.

By rapture I mean the teaching of the Pre-Millenniumists that there will be a secret rapture of believers being taken up to heaven prior to the Great Tribulation which will last for seven years ending with the bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is important that we do this as we must always as Paul says:-

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

God has given his word for ordinary people.

It is not a matter of intellect but the indwelling of the Spirit who reveals the word to us.

We may have to work at it but we will be rewarded.

The Scriptures are our final authority.

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Comfort

Be Ready

1. Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

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a. Do Not Grieve v13

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1 Thessalonians 4:13 (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.

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b.

Our Certain Hope v14-15

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1 Thessalonians 4:14–15 (ESV)

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.

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c.

The Coming of the Lord v16-17

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i.

The Lord Will Descend v16

ii.

Resurrection and Rapture v17

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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.

Matthew 25:5–6 (ESV)

5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.

6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom!

Come out to meet him.’

Acts 28:14–15 (ESV)

14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days.

And so we came to Rome. 15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us.

On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.

iii.

Be With the Lord v17

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When the Roman armies had been victorious they would return to Rome in triumph.

Initially they would camp outside the city and send a messenger to the Senate to say they were ready to enter the city.

A triumphal arch would be erected and arrangements made for the army to be welcomed.

When the day arrived they would march into the city, led by their commander.

who would be presented to Caesar.

Everyone would be ready to greet them, at the sounding of a trumpet others would go out to meet them and accompany them into the city.

Paul has this in mind.

d.

Be Encouraged v18

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1 Thessalonians 4:18 (ESV)

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

2. Be Ready

a. Stay Awake - Matthew 24:42

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Matthew 24:36–42 (ESV)

36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.

41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.

42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming

b.

Be Faithful

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1 Corinthians 3:13 (ESV)

13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

Conclusion