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Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The young congregation in Thessalonica found themselves shaken and confused. Have you ever been there? Perhaps you find yourself in that place today where you are struggling with many doubts and have very little hope. As we open God’s Word and look at the ‘spiritual comfort food’ that God had on the menu for Paul to serve to nourish the souls of his congregation, my prayer is that our hearts will also be comforted, encouraged, and filled with hope.

Key ingredients of our faith that we must remember:

1. We have HOPE (13)

- Not wishful thinking, but “sure and confident expectation of receiving what God has promised us in the future”

- A sense of hopelessness can set in when we fail to look at life from God’s perspective

- Staying biblically informed will strengthen us to live differently than those who have no hope

*Let’s remember what our H.O.P.E. is in*:

2. He died and rose again (vs. 14)

- Our living hope is based on this foundational truth (cf. 1 Cor. 15:1-8, 14, 17-19)

- To grieve like those who have no hope is to forget the purpose for which He came (cf. Jn. 1:29; Rom. 6:23)

- Jesus’ resurrection is our assurance that God keeps His Word (cf. 1 Cor 15:21-22; 2 Cor. 4:14)

3. Our hope is grounded in the authority of God’s Word (vs. 15)

- Looking into and relying on God’s Word provides comfort and assurance for our souls (e.g. Isa. 41:10; Ps. 23:4)

- Looking back anchors our hope in Christ’s work on the cross and the certainty of His resurrection

- Looking ahead to His promises reassures our hope in Christ and in His return

4. Promises for both the dead and the living in Christ at His return (vs. 16-17a)

- The dead in Christ will rise first

- Those who are still alive will be caught up together with the them in the clouds

- To meet the Lord in the air – WHAT A GLORIOUS REUNION THAT WILL BE! (cf. Jn. 14:1-3)

5. Eternal inheritance (vs. 17b)

- Includes being together and enjoying Christ’s glorious companionship FOREVER!

- Living in the hope of our promised inheritance helps us to not be shaken and confused (cf. 1 Pt. 1:3-9; 2 Cor. 4:17)

THEREFORE ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS (vs. 18)

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