“Good Grief”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Sermon Series: “How To Survive The End Of The World”
Introduction: Each of us needs to be prepared for our own death and to grieve the death of others. Grief is an emotional response to loss. We can grieve in healthy or unhealthy ways. We can grieve with hope or without hope. The gospel transforms death so it also changes the way we grieve because it enables us to grieve with hope. We are talking about the rapture this morning, and Paul is certainly writing about it in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. However, he is approaching it from a practical, pastoral perspective instead of a theoretical one. He is writing to keep up from being ignorant about those who died in Christ so we can grieve with hope and comfort others in their grief. Therefore, we will approach the subject of the rapture from the same perspective.
What is death?
1. Appointed (Hebrews 9:27)
2. Separation (physical-James 2:26, spiritual-Isaiah 59:2, eternal- Romans 6:23)
3. Unnatural (Romans 5:12)
4. An enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26)
5. A bondage if we fear it (Hebrews 2:15)
6. Conquered by Jesus (1 Corinthians 15)
Main Idea: It is normal to grieve over death, but in Christ, we can grieve with hope.
Why can we grieve with hope? It is because of the God’s plan for the future, including the rapture. Here is the pattern of the rapture. It includes:
1. The Resurrection of Dead Believers (v. 14-16)
2. The Return of the Lord (v. 14-17)
3. The Removal of Living Believers (v. 15-17) This is actually what we are referring to when we talk about the Rapture. The rapture can be simply defined as the instantaneous removal of the Church (all true Christians) from the earth to meet Jesus in the air at His return and to forever abide with Him. The word “rapture” is not in the Bible, but it comes from a Latin word and is a theological term used to convey the meaning of “caught up,” which is found in verse 17 of our text and is translated from the Greek word, “harpazo.” I believe the Bible teaches that this event is imminent, which means it could happen at any moment. It will precede the seven-year Tribulation Period that will be culminated by the actual return of Christ to earth. Greek scholar, Dr. Kenneth Wuest, explains the various meanings of “caught up” as:
A. “to catch away speedily”
B. “to seize by force”
C. “to claim for one’s own self” D. “to move to a new place”
E. “to rescue from danger”
4. The Reunion of All Believers (v. 17)
A. United personally with the Lord
B. United corporately with one another C. United instantly
D. United permanently
Conclusion: What should we do with this truth?
1. Be prepared for our own deaths.
2. Deal with the deaths of others according to these truths. 3. Be an evangelist instead of a universalist.
