- For Arnold, it was his catch-phrase, "I'll be back"
- For Aragorn, it was his rightful place to become king of his people
- For Luke, he returned to rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hut
- For Douglas MacArthur, "I shall return" was the promise he made to the people he left behind in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded during World War II.
What is similar and different about the promise of General MacArthur and the promise of Jesus?
In the letter to the people at Thessalonica, Paul helped the Christians there to understand two things:
1. what happens to a Christian who dies before Jesus returns
2. what will it be like when Jesus returns
After Paul encourages the people to remember why they have hope, he told them how they should live knowing that Jesus will return.
What is the difference between hoping or wishing for something and having HOPE in Christ?
For Christians, hope is our expression of faith that God will fulfill his promises. Sadly, for some people, hope is wishing for something they don't really believe will happen.
"I hope we win"
"I hope I get an A"
"I hope someone loves me"
For believers, Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Faith and hope go hand in hand.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 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 of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For 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.
Two weeks ago we talked about Jesus being the original superman. One of his powers was he conquered death and came back from the dead. Because Jesus died and rose again, all believers will also conquer death. When Jesus returns, the dead in Christ will receive resurrected bodies. Those alive will be transformed.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until 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.
What do you think that will be like?
Paul made it clear this teaching was from the Lord. What do you think we should do with this information? Paul's instructions were simple.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
We do have some responsibilities. Do you remember the story of the ten bridesmaids waiting for the groom. Five were ready because they brought extra oil for their lamps. Five missed out because their oil ran out and they had to leave to get more. In the meantime, the Groom came just as he promised. But the ones who were not ready were left outside, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-7 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
Was Paul trying to scare the people? Are you ever afraid that you won't be ready when Jesus returns?
For believers, the return of Christ should be like waiting for Christmas morning, or like seeing a friend that has been away a long time.
Paul shared the words to encourage them and strengthen their hope.
1 Thessalonians 5:8-11 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
To do list:
- Be sober
- Put on faith and love and the hope of salvation
- Believe that in Christ you are not destined for wrath
- Be ready to live together with Jesus as well as each other
- Encourage and build people up
Unfortunately, not everyone has accepted the free gift of Jesus. For those people, the return of Jesus will be like a home invasion where they are sleeping, get robbed, and beat up-- all because they are not ready for his return.
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