1 Thessalonians 4 13 14 1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thessalonians 4: 13 -14

1 Thessalonians 4: 13 -14 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. Notice the contrast between those who believe, and those who do not!

The Hope of the Christian • Our Hope is in Christ 1 Corinthians 15: 19 -20; 1 Thess. 4: 13 -14

1 Corinthians 15: 19 -20 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4: 13 -14 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

The Hope of the Christian • Our Hope is in Christ 1 Corinthians 15: 19 -20; 1 Thess. 4: 13 -14 • Our Hope is Sure and Steadfast Hebrews 6: 17 -20

Hebrews 6: 17 -20 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Hope of the Christian • Our Hope is in Christ 1 Corinthians 15: 19 -20; 1 Thess. 4: 13 -14 • Our Hope is Sure and Steadfast Hebrews 6: 17 -20 • Our Hope is Living 1 Peter 1: 3 -5

1 Peter 1: 3 -5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

The Hope of the Christian • Our Hope is in Christ 1 Corinthians 15: 19 -20; 1 Thess. 4: 13 -14 • Our Hope is Sure and Steadfast Hebrews 6: 17 -20 • Our Hope is Living 1 Peter 1: 3 -5 • Our Hope is Unseen, yet Eagerly Waited For Romans 8: 23 -25

Romans 8: 23 -25 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

The World Has No Hope • No Hope for those without Christ Ephesians 2: 11 -12; 1 John 2: 15 -17

Ephesians 2: 11 -12 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands-- 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

1 John 2: 15 -17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

The World Has No Hope • No Hope for those without Christ Ephesians 2: 11 -12; 1 John 2: 15 -17 • Where there is no Hope, there is Emotional Fear, Spiritual Pain & Eternal Sorrow in Death Hebrews 2: 14 -15; 1 Corinthians 15: 54 -57

Hebrews 2: 14 -15 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

1 Corinthians 15: 54 -57 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory. " 55 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? " 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The World Has No Hope • No Hope for those without Christ Ephesians 2: 11 -12; 1 John 2: 15 -17 • Where there is no Hope, there is Emotional Fear, Spiritual Pain & Eternal Sorrow in Death Hebrews 2: 14 -15; 1 Corinthians 15: 54 -57 • If no Hope, only the prospect of Eternal Death Romans 6: 23

Romans 6: 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• The Christian Lives and Dies in Hope • The World Lives and Dies in Hopelessness Choose to Have Hope! (cf. 2 Timothy 4: 7 -8)

2 Timothy 4: 7 -8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.