Grieve and Live in Hope - Study 11/18/10
Grieve and Live with Hope
What is the fate of all who have died believing in Christ? Just like then and now, Apostle Paul addresses the Thessalonians regarding the second coming of Christ and what will happen to those who have “slept” (died) in Christ. The Thessalonians may have experienced some deaths among them since they last saw Paul and were concerned about the fate of those that have died. We can guess that the Thessalonians asked, if Christ comes for us that are living what about those who have already died believing in Christ? This is a very legitimate question.
As we study this section of chapters 4 and 5, the key premise is in verse 4:14. “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again”. Another translation says, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again”. This is the crux of the matter for life. Do you believe this basic and fundamental doctrine of the Christian Faith – that, Jesus died and rose again? We may have intellectual assent in this but there comes a time when it is tested and validated. Like the Thessalonians, when a family member who had professed faith in Christ dies, do you really believe that he/she will rise up again when Christ comes and that you will see your loved one again? If you do believe, Apostle Paul encourages us not to grieve like those who do not believe. He did not say do not grieve at all.
My two parents have passed and likewise one of my senior brothers, some extended family members and some dear friends. I have had the first hand experience of pain and grief from death like some of you may have had. Do I believe that Jesus died and rose again? Yes, I do. This is the only reason that helps me deal with these losses whenever I remember them. Do you believe that Jesus died and rose again? If not, do not bother going through the rest of this study because it is not for you. Why expect the second coming and return of Jesus when you have not believed in the first actual death and resurrection of Jesus.
“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” 1 Corinthians 15:17-19.
Don’t live a pitiful life. Let’s live with great HOPE.
1 Thessalonians 4:13- 5:11
13 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. 15 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. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 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. 8 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.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. For the new believers in Thessalonica, resurrection of the dead was a new concept and different from their cultural Greek up-bringing. The Greek philosophers taught and believed that death was terminal and thus life need to be enjoyed here and now with unrestrained pleasure. However, Jesus has come and dealt a blow to death and removed its sting and finality (please read 1 Corinthians 15). If you notice, Jesus was described as having “died” vs.14 but the believers who died were described as being “asleep” vs. 13. Paul was intentional because Jesus really died the true death on the Cross on our behalf and paid teh penalty for sin. We are only sleeping till Jesus comes for us when we pass on here on earth. We will never pay the ultimate penalty for sin.
2. Paul said I did not want you to be “ignorant” or ‘uninformed” vs. 13 on the matter of death of believers. Ignorance causes us to live in fear regarding death and dying and it extends to other areas of our lives. We must study and understand what all of Scripture teaches about death and dying. If we do not get informed, we do not and will not live by faith. Listen to Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5: 4-9, “For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore, we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it”.
3. Paul is saying it really does not matter whether we die or are alive even though on one hand we seem to like to remain in our present body but at the same time we want to be with the Lord. Since we are not dead or asleep yet, we must live by faith since we are not yet present with the Lord. We do not need faith after we die so let’s exercise our faith and trust God now we are alive. For without faith it is impossible to please God. You know that the Scriptures do not teach praying for the dead (though some Christian denominations do). Let’s pray for our loved ones, friends and neighbors now that they are living so that they will come to faith in Jesus. Let’s intentionally tell them to believe in Christ now. That way, we will grieve with hope if they come to faith and pass on before us. The saddest funeral is that of one who lived in defiance of God before he dies. There are no words to comfort the family of such a person. People say all kinds of lies about a man or woman that never lived a life of faith in God in an effort to comfort. If we find ourselves in those situations, it is best to say nothing and just pray for the living relatives.
4. Grieve but do not grieve like those who do not have hope. Today, I attended the funeral of a friend’s mother. It was a ‘home-going celebration” because this woman believed and loved Jesus. Yes, her five grown children and extended family are grieving but with hope and that was why the service was very encouraging. A friend who had lost a son told me that some “well meaning” people had told her not to grieve because her son was now with the Lord. This is not scriptural and we must not tell that to people. Even Jesus grieved for his friend Lazarus whom He later awakened from death. I cried like a baby when my mother passed and please do cry if you have to but not forever.
5. Did you see the promise that “God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him”vs.14? There are two sure things that will happen. One is that Jesus is coming back and the next is that God will bring with Jesus those who have slept (died) before His coming. In our next study we will get into Jesus’ second coming.
Are you ignorant and uninformed about the fate of believers who have died in Christ? We should no longer be if we truly believe that Jesus died and rose again. If we do not believe Jesus’ death and resurrection, then there is nothing else worth believing. I like my friend’s email signature that quotes C.S. Lewis as follows: “If there is a heaven, then nothing else matters. If there is no heaven, then nothing matters”.
We must then live by faith trusting God without fear of death and dying. Are you so afraid of death and dying that you have literally ceased to live? May the power of God deliver us from such fear which reveals our lack of faith in God. Have you lost loved ones lately or whenever? Please grieve with hope of eternal and a better life with the Lord. May God Himself comfort us and especially those that presently mourn. Amen.
What is the fate of all who have died believing in Christ? Just like then and now, Apostle Paul addresses the Thessalonians regarding the second coming of Christ and what will happen to those who have “slept” (died) in Christ. The Thessalonians may have experienced some deaths among them since they last saw Paul and were concerned about the fate of those that have died. We can guess that the Thessalonians asked, if Christ comes for us that are living what about those who have already died believing in Christ? This is a very legitimate question.
As we study this section of chapters 4 and 5, the key premise is in verse 4:14. “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again”. Another translation says, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again”. This is the crux of the matter for life. Do you believe this basic and fundamental doctrine of the Christian Faith – that, Jesus died and rose again? We may have intellectual assent in this but there comes a time when it is tested and validated. Like the Thessalonians, when a family member who had professed faith in Christ dies, do you really believe that he/she will rise up again when Christ comes and that you will see your loved one again? If you do believe, Apostle Paul encourages us not to grieve like those who do not believe. He did not say do not grieve at all.
My two parents have passed and likewise one of my senior brothers, some extended family members and some dear friends. I have had the first hand experience of pain and grief from death like some of you may have had. Do I believe that Jesus died and rose again? Yes, I do. This is the only reason that helps me deal with these losses whenever I remember them. Do you believe that Jesus died and rose again? If not, do not bother going through the rest of this study because it is not for you. Why expect the second coming and return of Jesus when you have not believed in the first actual death and resurrection of Jesus.
“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” 1 Corinthians 15:17-19.
Don’t live a pitiful life. Let’s live with great HOPE.
1 Thessalonians 4:13- 5:11
13 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. 15 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. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 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. 8 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.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. For the new believers in Thessalonica, resurrection of the dead was a new concept and different from their cultural Greek up-bringing. The Greek philosophers taught and believed that death was terminal and thus life need to be enjoyed here and now with unrestrained pleasure. However, Jesus has come and dealt a blow to death and removed its sting and finality (please read 1 Corinthians 15). If you notice, Jesus was described as having “died” vs.14 but the believers who died were described as being “asleep” vs. 13. Paul was intentional because Jesus really died the true death on the Cross on our behalf and paid teh penalty for sin. We are only sleeping till Jesus comes for us when we pass on here on earth. We will never pay the ultimate penalty for sin.
2. Paul said I did not want you to be “ignorant” or ‘uninformed” vs. 13 on the matter of death of believers. Ignorance causes us to live in fear regarding death and dying and it extends to other areas of our lives. We must study and understand what all of Scripture teaches about death and dying. If we do not get informed, we do not and will not live by faith. Listen to Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5: 4-9, “For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore, we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it”.
3. Paul is saying it really does not matter whether we die or are alive even though on one hand we seem to like to remain in our present body but at the same time we want to be with the Lord. Since we are not dead or asleep yet, we must live by faith since we are not yet present with the Lord. We do not need faith after we die so let’s exercise our faith and trust God now we are alive. For without faith it is impossible to please God. You know that the Scriptures do not teach praying for the dead (though some Christian denominations do). Let’s pray for our loved ones, friends and neighbors now that they are living so that they will come to faith in Jesus. Let’s intentionally tell them to believe in Christ now. That way, we will grieve with hope if they come to faith and pass on before us. The saddest funeral is that of one who lived in defiance of God before he dies. There are no words to comfort the family of such a person. People say all kinds of lies about a man or woman that never lived a life of faith in God in an effort to comfort. If we find ourselves in those situations, it is best to say nothing and just pray for the living relatives.
4. Grieve but do not grieve like those who do not have hope. Today, I attended the funeral of a friend’s mother. It was a ‘home-going celebration” because this woman believed and loved Jesus. Yes, her five grown children and extended family are grieving but with hope and that was why the service was very encouraging. A friend who had lost a son told me that some “well meaning” people had told her not to grieve because her son was now with the Lord. This is not scriptural and we must not tell that to people. Even Jesus grieved for his friend Lazarus whom He later awakened from death. I cried like a baby when my mother passed and please do cry if you have to but not forever.
5. Did you see the promise that “God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him”vs.14? There are two sure things that will happen. One is that Jesus is coming back and the next is that God will bring with Jesus those who have slept (died) before His coming. In our next study we will get into Jesus’ second coming.
Are you ignorant and uninformed about the fate of believers who have died in Christ? We should no longer be if we truly believe that Jesus died and rose again. If we do not believe Jesus’ death and resurrection, then there is nothing else worth believing. I like my friend’s email signature that quotes C.S. Lewis as follows: “If there is a heaven, then nothing else matters. If there is no heaven, then nothing matters”.
We must then live by faith trusting God without fear of death and dying. Are you so afraid of death and dying that you have literally ceased to live? May the power of God deliver us from such fear which reveals our lack of faith in God. Have you lost loved ones lately or whenever? Please grieve with hope of eternal and a better life with the Lord. May God Himself comfort us and especially those that presently mourn. Amen.
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