Hope in Death
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words.
REMINDER- Communion Elements!!
INTRO: Today is Palm Sunday- it marks the beginning of what we know as Holy Week- the last week leading up to Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. And what better day to examine a passage that is often used in funerals/ memorial services. I think the reason we don’t often hear it otherwise is because it means we have to talk about death… most people don’t like talking about death.
I remember when my grandparents would make statements about “When I die...” and I never wanted to hear that. My dad and I have had similar conversations- and they can feel really uncomfortable. But, that is a reality. Most of you have already faced the death of a loved one. And so, today, we are going to talk about death.
You might be thinking that this doesn’t fit in too well with the other lessons from this book. Well, on the surface, it does seem to stick out. But, as we understand Paul’s intent here, he is indeed addressing some of the most important questions related to disciple-making and at a basic level, Christian living.
You see, perhaps the most prevalent question of all time is “What happens when we die?”
There are all kinds of theories even today:
Some think that nothing happens… death is the final word
Some think that we are reincarnated as an animal or something else
Some think we all get to go to heaven no matter what- these likely picture heaven as a place where we all get wings and play the harp...
How we answer this has all kinds of implications as to how we live this life and how we react when those we love have breathed their last on this earth.
It is possible and perhaps even likely that Paul did not have sufficient time to address this specifically while he was in Thessalonica. And, this would be a problem because the Thessalonians only had their Pagan beliefs about death to go on. If the only beliefs you have about death are “Nothingness” that is, once this life is over, that’s it, then it really confuses people who are facing persecution and looking for Christ’s return.
Would those who died before Christ returns be left out?
Would they be disadvantaged- last in line or otherwise disenfranchised from the church?
How could they be bold in their faith if death nullified their hope of Christ’s Kingdom?
These are all important questions for disciples to be able to answer. Paul knew that if he left these questions hanging, the believers in Thessalonica would likely lose hope, get distracted, or even fall away.
So today, we are going to examine the hope we as disciples have in death. We are going to look at the value of hope, the foundation of hope and the comfort of hope. If you picked up a bulletin, you can follow along with me as we learn together. And don’t forget to use the discussion questions to strengthen your walk with Christ.
Now, beginning in v. 13, we see
The Value of Hope is Understanding (13)
The Value of Hope is Understanding (13)
Paul says, “we do not want you to be uninformed” - we don’t want you to not know about death.
You see, the Thessalonians’ beliefs about death, as we discussed earlier, were that there was no hope in death. Death was final. And if death was final, there was no existence beyond the point of dying. And if death is final, as Paul writes
If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.
It’s this line of thinking- this uncertainty about death that makes people so afraid of death. There’s even a country song- not that we should be surprised- that begins with the statement- “I ain’t afraid of dying, it’s the thought of being dead...”
Well, I can certainly understand this fear of death when you have no hope that there is something more.
This is why I say that the value of hope is in understanding. The church in Thessalonica could approach death in a manner that was radically different from their neighbors and countrymen.
You see, they had hope, and you and I do too.
We can approach death with the understanding that there is more than a grave and a funeral. There is more than a decomposing body and tears of loved ones. We approach death knowing that it has been rendered powerless through the victory of Jesus Christ! As Paul again reminded the Corinthian Church,
But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
We look at Jesus, and we see that not even death can separate us from the love of God- Hey, don’t you know that we serve a God who is Lord of the living and the dead! (Rom. 14:9)
Again, Jesus taught in
“Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.
When we understand that our hope is not in the world, but in Jesus, we can approach death with confidence.
But, listen just as Paul did not want the Thessalonians to have “no hope”, it’s important that we realize that neither did he want them to have “false hope”.
Too many people approach death like some mountain that has multiple trails leading to the top. No, friends, Jesus was very clear when He stated in
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Look, if we are going to have hope, we must understand that that hope is in none other than Jesus Christ, who alone speaks the words of everlasting life.
Aren’t you glad that even as we begin “holy week” here, we can have understanding in the power and salvation of Jesus Christ?!?
Therefore, we can face death- our own and our loved ones in Christ with hope, understanding the victory that is in Christ Jesus.
Discuss: What do you think about death? How has this impacted the way you live?
The value of our hope is in understanding this. But, as Paul continues to teach, he shares
The Foundation for Hope is the Gospel (14-16)
The Foundation for Hope is the Gospel (14-16)
Verse 14, Paul says that because Christ died and rose again, He has demonstrated His authority over death and has laid forth the expectation for those who have trusted Him. Just as sure as Jesus rose from the dead, so will He raise from the dead those who have died in Him.
In fact, we have His very word on the matter. (15) - Paul taught the Thessalonians from God’s very Word.
We don’t have to speculate or assume what Jesus might do, He has told us exactly what He will do. Let me just remind you of what Jesus taught:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Jesus came to save sinners like you and me. He made a covenant by His own body and blood to redeem those who believe. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way:
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
This new covenant that Christ established was accomplished on an old Roman cross, followed by a borrowed tomb.
We’re going to take a moment here this morning and observe the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper which celebrates this new covenant. Before we do, I want to give you the opportunity to go before God’s throne in prayer- confessing your sins, and giving thanks for the salvation that He has provided you. Join me in prayer as we prepare our hearts for the Lord’s Supper.
[Prayer]
[Instructions on cups]
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;
and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Praise God for this new covenant- this promised inheritance that we are granted!
And get this, we will be ushered in to this new inheritance by Jesus Himself!
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
Verse 16 gives us this picture as well- let’s read it too!
Friends, it seems as though that day is gonna be noisy!
This is kind of cool here- you see, I believe that Paul emphasized this noise so that the church would not worry that they would accidentally miss Jesus’ return. It was not until studying this text that I realize what my mom used to tell me as a kid. She’d say, Marc, you’re gonna have to quiet down before you wake the dead! - I think she knew that this would be an unmistakable event… and yes, that is where my son gets it from.
Because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we can confidently approach death with the promise that our Lord will Himself gather His church- the dead will rise first!
Indeed, the value of our hope is in understanding, and the foundation of our hope is the Gospel. Finally,
Discuss: What does it mean to be “in Jesus”? How would you explain this to an unbeliever?
The Continuous Comfort of Hope is in Fellowship (17-18)
The Continuous Comfort of Hope is in Fellowship (17-18)
Paul shares that we have a hope that comforts through our fellowship. There are 3 parts here:
There is the fellowship with the saints.
Paul explains that when Christ returns we will be caught up together- both those who have died in Christ and those who live until His return.
What a reunion that will be!! Folks, I know most of you have loved ones that have passed on. Both Samantha and I have parents and grandparents that we long to see again. We have a baby that we miscarried that I believe we will see on that day. Friends, God has promised a reunion like no other!!
There is the fellowship with the Lord. (17b) We will meet the Lord in the air and we will always be with Him.
All I can think about is what it will be to see His face. To fall on my face and worship my Lord. I think about what Moses asked for on Mt. Sinai- to see God’s glory. But God would only let him see the train of his glory, because he could not handle it. I think of Isaiah and how he reacted after seeing God’s glory fill the temple in a vision. And then I think of the words of Jesus,
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Oh what a glorious and worshipful thought we will be face to face with our Lord!!
3. There is the fellowship of the covenant church. (18)
a. With our words, we remind and encourage one another in Christ. Death is hard, and so we need one another as we walk in God’s grace.
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
I’ve been honored to preach a number of funerals in my time here. You know something? There is always grief. But I praise God that through that grief, we have the hope of Jesus Christ. I thank God that we don’t grieve like the rest of the world! I am so grateful that the grave is not the end!
And friends, I want to ask you this morning if you have this hope. Do you face death with fear and uncertainty? You don’t have to. There is a Savior that desires to bring you into His kingdom.
‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
If that’s you today, I invite you to give your life to Jesus right now…
Discuss: When you think about the return of Christ, what is your response? Why?