We grieve with Ted in the loss of Betty
We grieve with Doris in the loss of Bill
But we don’t grieve like non-believers do
For Christians Death is sleep
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death
Relaxation
Peace
Rest
Renewal
For Christians Grief is not hopeless
so that you do not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 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.
Grief is natural
Grief is healing
Christian grief is focused on hope
We shall see our departed loved ones again: without the pain, ageing and weakness
For Christians Hope is certain
15 According to the Lord’s 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. 16 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 dead in Christ will rise first. 17 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. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
To be a dead believer will be an advantage
Jesus will descend
Glorious context
Christian dead rise first
Rapture
For ever with the Lord
8/11/08 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 13 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, who have no hope. 14 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. 15 According to the Lord’s 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. 16 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 dead in Christ will rise first. 17 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. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
© Tony Higton: see conditions for reproduction