Matthew 12:21 NIV “In his name the nations will put their hope.”
Scripture
Summary: Christian believers are encouraged to have hope for this life and the next. Many people in our community live without hope. How about us?
In 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 St. Paul is communicating some really important information to the Church and it is information which is important for us today. Indeed, it is information that will bring hope to thousands upon thousands of people in our country.
We need to be prepared to share this exciting information with them!
Paul starts in verse two about following God’s laws
In verse three and four, he talks about doing good works
In verse five, he talks about doing no wrong
In verse six, he talks about not lying
In verse eight, he talks about not having hatred for anyone
In verse nine, he talks about allowing God to love and teach them how to love
Verse 11 he tells us not to put our nose in the business of others.
In verse 14 is where we went to start today.
Just in case you are wondering, I do firmly and assuredly believe that this is true! Therefore, I believe it is Good News for all of us who believe and trust in Jesus,
and it is Good News for our country,
It is good news for our town,
It is also good news for our families,
and it is surely good news, for our friends and neighbours.
There is hope, permanent hope, in the promises of God. Let’s continue those thoughts in the remaining of chapter 4 in the beginning of chapter 5.
1 Thess 1: 14, “Jesus died and rose again.” This is fact! It is not hearsay or speculation. It is fact; and it is the reason for the hope that we have as Christians.
We can probably think of people right now, some of them loved dearly; people who died in the faith of Christ, people who have trusted in Jesus, and are now with us no longer.
Scripture informs us that we will be known as we are now in heaven. When we get to heaven, we will see those who have gone on before us. This is a major hope for people today.
We can find this hope in the following scriptures:
- King David: (2 Sam 12:23) David’s statement, “I will go to him,” after his son’s death, suggests a belief in recognizing and being with loved ones in the afterlife.
- Jesus’ words: Jesus mentions Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, implying a continued existence and recognition of individuals.
In Matthew 8:11, Jesus states that “many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,” - Paul’s writings:
1 Corinthians 13:12 Paul’s expectation to recognize the Thessalonian Christians in heaven, and his statement about knowing “just as I also am known,” suggests that we will recognize and be recognized by others in heaven.
- Resurrection and Glorified Bodies:
1 Corinthians 15:35-58 and Philippians 3:20-21, The Bible speaks of a resurrection of the body, implying that we will have glorified bodies like Christ’s, which will allow us to be recognizable to our loved ones.
(Read verses 14-17)
Brothers and sisters in Christ, “when God brings Jesus back again, he will bring with him all who had faith in Jesus before they died” (1 Thess 1:14b CEV).
It is our responsibility to share this gift of hope with other people!
Through our faith in Jesus, we will be with him when we die (4:16),
Through our faith in Jesus, we will be with him when he returns (4:17),
and we will be with him for ever (4:17). That is Good News. That is a reason to have hope!
Therefore, according to the Scriptures, particularly in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, speak of being “caught up together” with those who have died in Christ, implying a reunion and a continued fellowship.
(Read verses 4:18-5:2)
There are many people in our community who live without hope. We do not know when Jesus will return (5:2)
(Read verses 5:3) “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.”
The passage serves as a warning to remain vigilant and spiritually prepared, rather than relying on false promises of peace and security. We have true HOPE as Christians, but many have a false hope and rely on worldly situations for their hope.
(Read verses 5:4-6) “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 lightand 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.”
- Paul urges the Thessalonians to be vigilant and alert, not like those who are spiritually asleep and unaware of the Lord’s return.
- He calls them to be awake and sober, meaning to be spiritually minded and disciplined, ready to meet the Lord.
(Read 5:7-9) 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.
- This verse assures believers that God’s plan for them is not wrath, but salvation.
- It emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ.
- This verse is a source of encouragement and hope for believers, reminding them that they are loved and cared for by God.
(Read 5:10) 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.
“[Jesus] died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him” (5:10).
To be with Jesus now and to be with Jesus forever is a marvellous hope to have! True, when a brother or sister Christian dies we will miss them terribly, but it is only a temporary parting. We do not “grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope” (4:13).
One more thoughtful challenge:
I wonder, when was the last time someone asked you why you are a Christian? When was the last time you were asked to give a reason for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15)?
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
At school I overheard a student that was asked a simple but direct question. It is a question which leads to persecution in many countries around the world depending upon the answer given. A Boy asked, “Why are you a Christian?”
Other children were ease droppings and waiting for the answer! The boy said, “I’m a Christian because I believe in Jesus. Jesus will always forgive me and he’ll always be with me wherever I go. That’s why I’m a Christian.”
I don’t think the boy was trained to give that answer. -but he has a very real hope and a very real faith in Jesus and I praise God that when asked, he was not at a lost for words!
We to need to be able to give an answer on the spot!
St. Peter encouraged the church like this: “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect …” (1 Peter 3:15).
My prayer for every member of this church is that we will be a people of hope; a beacon of hope for this local community; that we will be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have.
