Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - The Coming of the Lord

Purpose of Passage: What happens to believers who die before Christ's return?
The ultimate destiny of all believers, regardless of when and if they die is to be with the Lord forever. (vv. 16, 17)

For believers in Christ

1. Our future is not so much about a place as it is a relationship.
   • Phil. 1:21,23
   • Who we'll be with will bring us joy and delight.
2. Our future relationship is guaranteed by what already happened during Christ's resurrection.
   • v. 14
   • 1 Cor. 15:20
   • Our confidence of the future is grounded by what has happened in the past.
3. Death is never about an ultimate end, but a temporary transition.
   • v. 13
   • "Death is not a period that ends the great sentence of life, but a comma that punctuates it to more lofty significance. Death is not a blind alley that leads the human race into a state of nothingness, but an open door which leads man into life eternal. Let this daring faith, this great invincible surmise, be your sustaining power during these trying days."
   • What Paul prohibits is not grief, but hopeless grief.
4. Our faith about the future needs to shape how we live in the present.
   • How have we coped with death? Gripped by fear? Denial?
   • Paul wrote about the dead for the sake of the living.
   • v. 18
   • Genuine hope in time of grief - the difference from other religions, views, etc.

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Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 - Living to Please God

Pleasing God involves:

1. A Heart of Holiness (vv. 3,7)
   • We may be confused about many things in our life, but one thing we should be crystal clear about is to live a holy life; it is His call.
2. A Code of Conduct
   • God's guidelines/principles are there to protect us in our life and relationships.
   • They set boundaries for us to follow so that we can live a holy life.
3. A Source of Strength (vv. 7,8)
   • Do we let God take control or do we let our personal temptations hold us over?
   • When we are faced with difficult decisions, we need to let God take control and look toward Him for strength so that we don't give into temptations (e.g. lust).

Our Challenge:

1. Monitor your media intake.
2. Minimize your opportunities to be tempted.
   • Learn to walk away.
   • Whatever your weakness is you need to avoid them at all cost.
3. Maximize your spiritual growth (strength).
   • Working knowledge of the Word so that we'll have power to fight off temptation/passion/desire.

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Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10 - Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith

1. Perspective: Having a clear picture of trials is essential for Christian maturity.
   • James 1:2-4
     • Testing our faith develops perserverance.
   • 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4
     • Our trials will strenghthen and encourage us in our faith so that we will not be unsettled.
     • We are destined to face trials and we will be persecuted for them.
   • 1 Peter 4:12,13
     • We should not be surprised at the painful trial we will suffer; We will have joy when his glory is revealed.
   • John 16:13
     • The Holy Spirit will lead us to the truth.
2. Perseverance: Faithfully living out those trials, knowing our efforts are not in vain.
   • 1 corinthians 15:58
   • At one point in everyone's life, we may begin to ask ourselves, "Why bother? Why keep on going?"
   • The answer: Your testimony matters. Someone is always watching you, even if you don't know it and scrutinizing you about your faith. 1 Thessalonians 3:6-8
   • Stand firm in our faith.
   • Our testimony (good or bad) will help others draw conlusions about their own faith.

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