Sermon Theme
Upheaval in churches is not uncommon. In the early church, there were great upsets over: Can Gentiles become members of the Church community → the sheet from Heaven & Peter’s lesson
- Should Gentile converts need to be circumcised (Acts 15 and 1st Synod)
- Favourtism re church leaders: “You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?” (1 Cor3:3–4)
Have you ever heard of a church being unsettled about questions about the future position of fellow believers who died before Jesus returned? “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13, NIV)
Consider the recent passing away of loved ones close to you and others from your community of faith that have gone to be with the Lord. What do we believe about them and others of your church who have died before Christ’s return?
Does the Bible say anything?
What help does it give us in our grief for those who have died but also as to our own death to come?
The Thessalonian Christians were in danger of grieving like the rest of the unbelieving world i.e. without hope → words of encouragement in the face of death “Therefore encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18, NIV)
Sermon outline
- THE RELATIONSHIP OF KNOWLEDGE AND PEACE
- THE PRESENT WELL-BEING OF THOSE DEAD IN CHRIST
- COMFORT AS TO MY OWN RESURRECTION
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Sermon Outline
Readings
Heidelberg Catechism LD 22
57 Q. How does "the resurrection of the body" comfort you?
A Not only my soul will be taken immediately after this life to Christ its head, but even my very flesh, raised by the power of Christ, will be reunited with my soul and made like Christ's glorious body.
58 Q. How does the article concerning "life everlasting" comfort you?
A Even as I already now experience in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, so after this life I will have perfect blessedness such as no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no human heart has ever imagined: a blessedness in which to praise God eternally.
2 Corinthians 5:1–10 (NIV84)
1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,
3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.
4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.
7We live by faith, not by sight.
8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Text
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (NIV84)
13Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.
14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
15According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16For 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.
17After 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.
18Therefore encourage each other with these words.
