ADifferent

1 Thess 4:13-18

Death

The last couple weeks have been difficult for us.

A Different Death

There is a deep whole in this congregation.

A Different Death

There is a deep whole in this congregation. Yes, life goes on & we will continue the Lord’s work in

this congregation.

A Different Death

There is a deep whole in this congregation. Yes, life goes on & we will continue the Lord’s work in

this congregation. But, grief takes time to heal.

A Different Death

There is a deep whole in this congregation. Yes, life goes on & we will continue the Lord’s work in

this congregation. But, grief takes time to heal. Unless one appropriately deals with his grief, he cannot

heal.

A Different Death

There is a deep whole in this congregation. Yes, life goes on & we will continue the Lord’s work in

this congregation. But, grief takes time to heal. Unless one appropriately deals with his grief, he cannot

heal. This morning, we wish to look at Scripture to help us

deal with grief.

1 Thess 4:13-18

A Different Death

This text was written to help the Thessalonians deal with grief.

A Different Death

This text was written to help the Thessalonians deal with grief. "Encourage one another with these words" (v 18,

ESV).

A Different Death

This text was written to help the Thessalonians deal with grief. "Encourage one another with these words" (v 18,

ESV). It’s quite apparent that the Thessalonians had a real

problem with understanding the Second Coming & the resurrection.

A Different Death

This text was written to help the Thessalonians deal with grief. "Encourage one another with these words" (v 18,

ESV). It’s quite apparent that the Thessalonians had a real

problem with understanding the Second Coming & the resurrection. Paul deals with the Second Coming in both Thessalonian

epistles.

A Different Death

This text was written to help the Thessalonians deal with grief. "Encourage one another with these words" (v 18,

ESV). It’s quite apparent that the Thessalonians had a real

problem with understanding the Second Coming & the resurrection. Paul deals with the Second Coming in both Thessalonian

epistles. Apparently, the Thessalonians thought the Second Coming

would occur shortly after their conversion.

A Different Death

This text was written to help the Thessalonians deal with grief. "Encourage one another with these words" (v 18,

ESV). It’s quite apparent that the Thessalonians had a real

problem with understanding the Second Coming & the resurrection. Paul deals with the Second Coming in both Thessalonian

epistles. Apparently, the Thessalonians thought the Second Coming

would occur shortly after their conversion. Therefore, they believed all Christians would be alive when Jesus

returned.

A Different Death

This text was written to help the Thessalonians deal with grief. "Encourage one another with these words" (v 18,

ESV). It’s quite apparent that the Thessalonians had a real

problem with understanding the Second Coming & the resurrection. Paul deals with the Second Coming in both Thessalonian

epistles. Apparently, the Thessalonians thought the Second Coming

would occur shortly after their conversion. Therefore, they believed all Christians would be alive when Jesus

returned. Then, their loved one began dying & they didn’t know where to

turn.

A Different Death

Paul informs the Corinthians that they are forgetting about the resurrection of the dead.

A Different Death

Paul informs the Corinthians that they are forgetting about the resurrection of the dead. Paul sets up a series of contrasts.

A Different Death

Paul informs the Corinthians that they are forgetting about the resurrection of the dead. Paul sets up a series of contrasts.

The grief between Christians & non-Christians (v 13); The experience of dead & living Christians when the Lord

returns (vv 15-17); Living with the Lord forever & living in this world (v 17).

A Different Death

Paul informs the Corinthians that they are forgetting about the resurrection of the dead. Paul sets up a series of contrasts.

The grief between Christians & non-Christians (v 13); The experience of dead & living Christians when the Lord

returns (vv 15-17); Living with the Lord forever & living in this world (v 17).

We’ll explore these contrasts to understand more fully the biblical teaching of death.

A Different Death

A DIFFERENT DESPAIR. A DIFFERENT DEPARTURE. A DIFFERENT DESIGN. A DIFFERENT DEN.

v 13

A Different Despair

A Different Death

The despair Christians have over death differs drastically from the grief of non-Christians.

A Different Death

The despair Christians have over death differs drastically from the grief of non-Christians.

"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" (v 13, ESV).

A Different Death

Paul doesn’t deny the real experience of grief.

A Different Death

Paul doesn’t deny the real experience of grief. "Devout men buried Stephen and made great

lamentation over him" (Acts 8:2, ESV).

A Different Death

Paul doesn’t deny the real experience of grief. "Devout men buried Stephen and made great

lamentation over him" (Acts 8:2, ESV). Paul himself knew about the grief death brings.

A Different Death

Paul doesn’t deny the real experience of grief. "Devout men buried Stephen and made great

lamentation over him" (Acts 8:2, ESV). Paul himself knew about the grief death brings:

Epaphroditus "was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow" (Phil 2:27, ESV).

A Different Death

Paul doesn’t deny the real experience of grief. But, the Christian has hope in the midst of pain.

A Different Death

Paul doesn’t deny the real experience of grief. But, the Christian has hope in the midst of pain.

Many ancients denied hope in the face of death.

A Different Death

Paul doesn’t deny the real experience of grief. But, the Christian has hope in the midst of pain.

Many ancients denied hope in the face of death. Aeschylus wrote, "Once a man dies there is no resurrection."

A Different Death

Paul doesn’t deny the real experience of grief. But, the Christian has hope in the midst of pain.

Many ancients denied hope in the face of death. Aeschylus wrote, "Once a man dies there is no resurrection." Theocritus wrote, "There is hope for those who are alive,

but those who have died are without hope."

A Different Death

Paul doesn’t deny the real experience of grief. But, the Christian has hope in the midst of pain.

Many ancients denied hope in the face of death. Aeschylus wrote, "Once a man dies there is no resurrection." Theocritus wrote, "There is hope for those who are alive,

but those who have died are without hope." Catullus wrote, "When our brief light sets, there is one

perpetual night through which we must sleep."

A Different Death

Paul doesn’t deny the real experience of grief. But, the Christian has hope in the midst of pain.

Many ancients denied hope in the face of death. Aeschylus wrote, "Once a man dies there is no resurrection." Theocritus wrote, "There is hope for those who are alive,

but those who have died are without hope." Catullus wrote, "When our brief light sets, there is one

perpetual night through which we must sleep." Paul affirms they had it all wrong, for there is hope

after death.

A Different Death

There is hope, for Jesus died & rose again (v 14).

A Different Death

There is hope, for Jesus died & rose again (v 14). "As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made

alive" (1 Cor 15:22, ESV).

A Different Death

There is hope, for Jesus died & rose again (v 14). "As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made

alive" (1 Cor 15:22, ESV). "I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died,

and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades" (Rev 1:17-18, ESV).

A Different Death

"Someday you will read in the papers that D. L. Moody of Northfield is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. I shall have gone higher, that is all-out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal, a body that sin cannot touch, that sin cannot taint, a body fashioned into His glorious body. I was born in the flesh in 1837; I was born of the Spirit in 1856. That which is born of the flesh may die; that which is born of the Spirit will live forever."

A Different Death

Moody preached much error, but he properly understood the biblical teaching about death.

A Different Death

Moody preached much error, but he properly understood the biblical teaching about death.

Do we understand the truth about death?

v 14

A Different Departure

A Different Death

Those who die in Christ depart this world quite differently than those alive at the Second Coming.

A Different Death

Those who die in Christ depart this world quite differently than those alive at the Second Coming.

"Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep" (v 14, ESV).

A Different Death

Because Jesus died & rose again, God will bring with him those sleeping in Jesus.

A Different Death

Because Jesus died & rose again, God will bring with him those sleeping in Jesus. The Greek: "Through Jesus, God will bring with

him . . . ."

A Different Death

Because Jesus died & rose again, God will bring with him those sleeping in Jesus. The Greek: "Through Jesus, God will bring with

him . . . ." "Through" indicates the means by which something takes

place.

A Different Death

Because Jesus died & rose again, God will bring with him those sleeping in Jesus. The Greek: "Through Jesus, God will bring with

him . . . ." "Through" indicates the means by which something takes

place. Jesus is the way that God’s people will be raised from the

dead.

A Different Death

Paul refers to the dead as those who are asleep.

A Different Death

Paul refers to the dead as those who are asleep. "Sleep" was a common idiom for death in antiquity.

A Different Death

Paul refers to the dead as those who are asleep. "Sleep" was a common idiom for death in antiquity.

A dead body looks like it’s sleeping.

A Different Death

Paul refers to the dead as those who are asleep. "Sleep" was a common idiom for death in antiquity.

A dead body looks like it’s sleeping. But, biblically, I believe this idiom refers to the face that the

dead shall awaken at the Resurrection just like the sleeping awaken in the morning.

A Different Death

Paul refers to the dead as those who are asleep. "Sleep" was a common idiom for death in antiquity.

A dead body looks like it’s sleeping. But, biblically, I believe this idiom refers to the face that the

dead shall awaken at the Resurrection just like the sleeping awaken in the morning. "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him" (Jn

11:11, ESV).

A Different Death

Paul refers to the dead as those who are asleep. "Sleep" was a common idiom for death in antiquity.

A dead body looks like it’s sleeping. But, biblically, I believe this idiom refers to the face that the

dead shall awaken at the Resurrection just like the sleeping awaken in the morning. "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him" (Jn

11:11, ESV). "Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not

dead but sleeping" (Mk 5:39, ESV).

This separates the death of a Christian from the death

of a non-Christian.

The death of a Christian is an entrance into a fuller life, but for the non-

Christian it’s the beginning of true death.

This separates the death of a Christian from the death

of a non-Christian.

vv 15-17

A Different Design

A Different Death

God’s design of entering eternity is different for the Christian who is sleeping versus one who is awake at the Second Coming.

A Different Death

God’s design of entering eternity is different for the Christian who is sleeping versus one who is awake at the Second Coming.

"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. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 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" (vv 15-17, ESV).

A Different Death

Paul doesn’t write his opinion or his best guess here.

A Different Death

Paul doesn’t write his opinion or his best guess here. Rather, he declares the order of the end "by a word

from the Lord."

A Different Death

Paul doesn’t write his opinion or his best guess here. Rather, he declares the order of the end "by a word

from the Lord." This design is sure, for it is from the Lord himself.

A Different Death

Four things will occur at the end: Christ will descend from heaven, he will give a cry of command, he shall be accompanied by the voice of an archangel & he shall also be accompanied by God’s trumpet.

A Different Death

Four things will occur at the end: Christ will descend from heaven, he will give a cry of command, he shall be accompanied by the voice of an archangel & he shall also be accompanied by God’s trumpet.

Some people want signs that the world is about to end—well, there they are!

A Different Death

The Lord shall descend with a cry of command.

A Different Death

The Lord shall descend with a cry of command. I strongly believe this is a command for the dead to

rise.

A Different Death

The Lord shall descend with a cry of command. I strongly believe this is a command for the dead to

rise. "An hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will

hear his voice and come out" (Jn 5:28-29, ESV).

A Different Death

The Lord shall descend with a cry of command. The archangel shall speak, but we don’t know

what.

A Different Death

The Lord shall descend with a cry of command. The archangel shall speak, but we don’t know

what. The trumpet of God shall sound.

A Different Death

The Lord shall descend with a cry of command. The archangel shall speak, but we don’t know

what. The trumpet of God shall sound.

Under the Law of Moses, silver trumpets gathered God’s people together.

A Different Death

The Lord shall descend with a cry of command. The archangel shall speak, but we don’t know

what. The trumpet of God shall sound.

Under the Law of Moses, silver trumpets gathered God’s people together. "Make two silver trumpets. Of hammered work you shall

make them, and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp. And when both are blown, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the entrance of the tent of meeting" (Num 10:2-3, ESV).

A Different Death

The Lord shall descend with a cry of command. The archangel shall speak, but we don’t know

what. The trumpet of God shall sound.

Under the Law of Moses, silver trumpets gathered God’s people together. "Make two silver trumpets. Of hammered work you shall

make them, and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp. And when both are blown, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the entrance of the tent of meeting" (Num 10:2-3, ESV).

I suspect that the trumpet here is to gather all God’s people—living & dead—together.

A Different Death

The dead in Christ shall rise first.

A Different Death

The dead in Christ shall rise first. This seems to have been the truth the Thessalonians

desperately needed to hear.

A Different Death

The dead in Christ shall rise first. This seems to have been the truth the Thessalonians

desperately needed to hear. The dead in Christ would not miss out on the glories of

the Second Coming.

v 17

A Different Den

A Different Death

Both the living & the dead will have a new den after the Resurrection—they shall dwell with the Lord.

A Different Death

Both the living & the dead will have a new den after the Resurrection—they shall dwell with the Lord.

"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" (v 17, ESV).

A Different Death

Being with the Lord will be a glorious experience.

A Different Death

Being with the Lord will be a glorious experience. We will no longer have the frustrations & hurts of this

life.

A Different Death

Being with the Lord will be a glorious experience. We will no longer have the frustrations & hurts of this

life. "They are before the throne of God, and serve him day and

night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Rev 7:15-17, ESV).

A Different Death

Being with the Lord will be a glorious experience. We will no longer have the frustrations & hurts of this

life. Rev 7:15-17. "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell

with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Rev 21:3-4, ESV).

A Different Death

Being with the Lord will be a glorious experience. We will no longer have the frustrations & hurts of this

life. We will then be as he is.

A Different Death

Being with the Lord will be a glorious experience. We will no longer have the frustrations & hurts of this

life. We will then be as he is: "Beloved, we are God's

children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is" (1 Jn 3:2, ESV).

A Different Death

Of course, those we have lost have not yet entered heaven.

A Different Death

Of course, those we have lost have not yet entered heaven. No human being is in heaven at the moment.

A Different Death

Of course, those we have lost have not yet entered heaven. No human being is in heaven at the moment: "No one

has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man" (Jn 3:13, ESV).

A Different Death

Of course, those we have lost have not yet entered heaven. No human being is in heaven at the moment: "No one

has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man" (Jn 3:13, ESV).

They are, however, in the Paradise of God awaiting the consummation of the ages.

A Different Death

Of course, those we have lost have not yet entered heaven. No human being is in heaven at the moment: "No one

has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man" (Jn 3:13, ESV).

They are, however, in the Paradise of God awaiting the consummation of the ages. The life they now have is far better than what they had in

this world.

A Different Death

Of course, those we have lost have not yet entered heaven. No human being is in heaven at the moment: "No one

has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man" (Jn 3:13, ESV).

They are, however, in the Paradise of God awaiting the consummation of the ages. The life they now have is far better than what they had in

this world. "My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is

far better" (Phil 1:23, ESV).

Are you prepared for the journey to heaven this day?