May 15, 2019: SOAP #3450:  1Chronicles 25-27; 1Thessalonians 4

Scripture:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 4:13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 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. 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till 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. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Observation:  What hope!  Our hope does not end at the grave!  The grave may interrupt our relationships, but certainly does not end them!  As we once moved from our mother’s womb to a bright new world, so our bodies will move from the tomb to an even brighter new world where we will join the other believers to be “with the Lord forever!”

Application:  In times of grief, we often do not know what to say.  In these verses, God gives us something to say.  We can use these “words” to encourage each other.  Here are some specific things to say.  Here are some thoughts we can ponder together.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, speak your words of comfort through me to those who are grieving.  Minister your comfort through God’s word as I encourage others. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!