Sermon Cloud

“Death is the ultimate statistic – one out of one of us will die” - George Bernard Shaw

6 questions about death – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

1. Is grief permissible? (v.13)

 Yes, but we grief differently

2. How can we be sure of our hope? (v.14)

 Historical death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – compelling historical evidence, and presence of resurrected Jesus felt now. 

 - Trampolines and worldviews

3. What is our hope?

- The return of Christ (v.16)

- Resurrection of all (v.16-17): transformation of our ‘tents’ into ‘houses’.

- New heavens, new earth – Rev 21,22 – renewal of all things

4. What will eternity be like? (v.17b)

- Physical existence: we have this bizarre idea of our spirits going to heaven.

- No suffering: he will wipe away every tear

- Be with Jesus: Rev 21:3

5. What about judgement/hell?

- Judgement is difficult

- Judgement is necessary: expulsion before there is embrace.

- NT view of hell: red lights pointing to a road that leads to a fenchless cliff. All stem from idolatry and involve dehumanizing acts so that we cease to be human by our own choice.

6. How then shall we live? (v.18)

- Encourage to hope: death as the final test – despair, doubt, regret

- Encourage to prepare: get ready practically and spiritually.

Closing thought

There was a survey done among Fifty 95 year olds who were asked: “If you were to live your life again what would you do differently. There were a number of answers but three in particularly stood out above the rest:

1. They would reflect more

2. They would risk more

3. They would do more things that would last beyond their lifetime.