First to Rise (1 Thess. 4:13-18)

Thessalonians  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
0 ratings
· 10 views
Notes
Transcript

Introduction

· In our remaining time this morning, I want to invite you to turn with me to 1 Thessalonians. Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian church.
· Many of you have lost loved ones over the past year, and I’ve longed for this day to be able to honor them and to grieve with you. There are many passages we could go to this morning to gain comfort, but the Lord brought to mind 1 Thessalonians 4.
· Paul actually instructs the readers to “encourage one another with these words,” and that is my prayer for us this morning.
· Paul planted this church during his second missionary journey into Asia and Macedonia. Its founding is described over in Acts 17. As was his custom, Paul first went to the Jewish synagogue, and shared the gospel with them, preaching Christ several weeks. Some were persuaded, but others grew jealous and started a riot. It says the Jews “took some wicked men of the rabble and formed a mob, setting the city in an uproar” (v. 5). They not only kicked Paul out of the synagogue, but kicked him out of the city. Paul moved on, knowing he was endangering the rest of the church. But he couldn’t get those dear Thessalonians out of his mind. So he sent Timothy back to check on them. When he heard the report that they were doing well and growing in love, he wrote this letter. One of the questions the church had was what happens when we die. Some of the believers in Thessalonica had recently passed away, perhaps even since Paul had left the city. Now the church was wondering, where did they go? What happened to them? Would they miss out on the day of Christ’s coming? Paul answers those questions in chapter four, giving us one of the most in depth teachings of Christ’s second coming, and a special event we call the rapture.
· Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
· Paul says in v. 18 to “encourage one another with these words.” And I see three particular truths that encourage us about the saints we have recently lost…

1. The Dead in Christ Have a Savior Who Went Before Them (v. 14)

· Believers who have passed away are described here as “the dead in Christ” (v. 16). That is, they were united in Christ in their life through faith, and that even though they have now died, they maintain their union with Christ.
· We believe that Jesus died (14). The four gospels give great detail about that event. They tell of his betrayal, arrest, the crown of thorns, and being nailed to a cross.
· The Bible records not only the fact he died, but the reason why he died. 1 Cor. 15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins. That is, he did not die for his sins. He died for ours. He was not crucified for some crime he had committed, but he was laying down his life as the perfect lamb, the once and for all atoning sacrifice for our sin.
· Isaiah 53:5–6 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
· Genii summarized this so well. In 2009, Genii Munday wrote in her membership class: “We are all born into sin and can not do anything to rid ourselves of it. But Christ came to lift us out of our natural self and provide a loving and caring Father for us. When we take Jesus into our life, he gives us new life. I feel even if heaven were not the rewards, the life of care and love my Lord has given me these last 60+ years is so great. There have been “bumps” in the road but I’m always reminded that this is only a taste of what it will be when we dwell with him for ever and ever. Even at this age, I know he has a plan for me and I’ll look to him every day.”
· Of course, Jesus not only died, but he “…rose again” (14)
· This is what makes Christianity unique from every other religion
· When a believer dies, they are not abandoned by God. They do not sink into some kind of lonely abyss. Death is only a doorway. Christ has already passed through that door. And he is right there on the other side waiting to meet your loved one when they pass from this life into the life to come. For the dead in Christ have a savior who went before them both in his life, death, and resurrection.
· >>But there is a second encouraging truth…

2. The Dead in Christ Are Enjoying Everlasting Rest (v. 14)

· “Asleep” – “those who are asleep” (13), “those who have fallen asleep” (14), “those who have fallen asleep” (15), And in ch. 5, Paul expresses the desire that “whether we are awake or asleep, we might live with him” (13, 14, 15; 5:10).
· The Bible uses the tenderest of terms to describe the death of the believer. Death is not the grim reaper, an ugly enemy that lurks in the shadows waiting to snatch you away. Death is like a little child that lays her head down on her pillow, closes her eyes, and drifts into rest.
· Our word “cemetery” even captures this idea. It is an ancient Greek word koimeterion, from the Gk word koiman to lull to sleep. A cemetery is literally a “sleeping place” while the body awaits the resurrection.
· Mark 5 tells the story of a man named Jesus, who had a 12-year old daughter who was deathly ill. Mark 5:23 and [he] implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” But before they even get to the house, a group came to them and said it’s too late. “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” Jesus responded, “Do not fear, only believe.” As he entered the house, he said, “Why are you making a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.” He dismissed every one from the chamber except Peter, James, and John. Then he took her by the hand and said, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately she got up, began walking, and “they were immediately overcome with amazement.”
· Ac 7:60 – Stephen – “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit…and he fell asleep” (soul/body). NOT soul sleep. 1 Thess. 5:10; 2 Cor 5:8; Phil. 1:23
· In the weeks leading up to her death, Barbara said to me, “If God says it’s time to ‘change your address,’ I'm ready to go. But there are people who need people right now, so I'm just trying to be used by the Lord.” That was good theology.
· >>The soul is very much alive, while the body is asleep.

3. The Dead in Christ Will Rise First (v. 15-17)

· Three sounds…
· Shout – battle cry – shout of command, like a huntsman to his dogs. John 5:25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
· Voice – general word for a sound, probably the voice of the archangel Michael. Daniel also mentions Michael’s involvement in end times. Daniel 12:1–2 “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
· Trumpet – Several mentions of trumpets in the end times events. Trumpets were often blown for special occasions, holidays, festivals, and also in war time or when it was time for the people of Israel to relocate in the wilderness. This is not one of the trumpets of judgment mentioned in Revelation, but a trumpet of summoning.
· To snatch or seize. To be yanked away. Like Enoch who walked with God, then was not. Like Elijah who was whished away in a chariot of fire.
· No wonder we do not grieve like those without hope! No wonder we can encourage one another with these words! The world grieves a departure. The Christian celebrates a homecoming. The world waves a final farewell. The Christian says “see you soon.” The world sees only darkness and emptiness. The Christian sees a mere curtain shielding our eyes from the glory of heaven. The world can only speculate about the hereafter. The Christian can have certainty from the very one who went there and came back, and is now preparing a place for us above.
· 1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more