From Mark Copeland... The Comfort Of Christ's Coming (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

               "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

                The Comfort Of Christ's Coming (4:13-18)

INTRODUCTION

1. In previous studies we've noted that Paul makes frequent mention of
   the second coming of Christ in this epistle to the Thessalonians...
   a. In every chapter there is some reference to this great event
   b. So far we have seen the following references:  1Th 1:10; 2:19; 
      3:13

2. In our text for this lesson, Paul discusses "The Comfort Of Christ's
   Coming"...
   a. How we ought to be comforted by the "fact" of His coming
   b. How we should be comforted by the "events" of His coming

[Our text is 1Th 4:13-18, a well-known passage often read at funerals. 
And rightly so, for it deals with...]

I. THE PROBLEM OF SORROW (13)

   A. THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES IS GREAT...
      1. The sorrow is great, the grief is so hard to bear
      2. It is the most stressful event that one can endure

   B. THE CHRISTIAN IS NOT IMMUNE TO SORROW...
      1. We experience the sorrow of separation - e.g., Ac 20:37-38
      2. But we need not experience the sorrow of desperation
         a. The despair of having no hope
         b. The despair of not ever seeing a loved one again

[What can alleviate the problem of sorrow?  It is knowledge concerning
the events of Christ's coming; and so Paul does not want them to be
ignorant concerning...]

II. THE PROMISE FOR THOSE ASLEEP (14-15)

   A. GOD WILL BRING THEM WITH JESUS...
      1. Just as He raised Jesus from the dead, so He will bring those 
         who "sleep in Jesus"!
         a. In this text, he limits his discussion to the righteous dead
         b. Elsewhere, we read of the of resurrection of the wicked 
            - e.g., Jn 5:28-29
      2. What do the terms "fallen asleep" and "sleep in Jesus" mean?
         a. The scriptures often speak of death as a "sleep"
            1) Mt 27:52 - ...bodies of the saints who had "fallen 
               asleep"
            2) Jn 11:11-14 - Jesus says of dead Lazarus, "our friend 
               sleeps"
            3) Ac 7:60 - As Stephen is stoned to death, it is said "he 
               fell asleep"
         b. Some believe these passages support the doctrine of "soul
            sleeping"
            1) That souls are unconscious between death and the 
               resurrection
            2) Not to be confused with the doctrine held by JW's, who 
               teach there is no consciousness until the resurrection 
               because the dead cease to exist
         c. Yet the following points should be carefully noted:
            1) Nowhere do the Scriptures say that the soul of the 
               departed one fell asleep
               a) It was the person who "fell asleep"
               b) Thus it can have reference to the body, not the soul
            2) The term "sleep" is a figurative reference, and a very
               appropriate one:
               a) For sleep implies REST...
                  1) When one sleeps literally,  there is rest from 
                     one's labor
                  2) So it is that the dead also "rest from their 
                     labors" - cf. Re 14:13
               b) For sleep implies a CEASING OF PARTICIPATION...
                  1) In literal sleep, one ceases in the activities 
                     pertaining to the sphere in which one has been busy 
                     during the hours of wakefulness
                  2) So it is with the dead, they are no longer active 
                     in the world which they left
               c) For sleep is generally a PRELUDE TO AN AWAKENING...
                  1) In literal sleep, it is followed by an "awakening"
                  2) So it is with death:
                     a/ Though the souls may be conscious during the 
                        intermediate state...
                     b/ ...at the resurrection there will be the 
                        "awakening" of the glorified and transformed 
                        bodies in which to house our souls
            3) The term "sleep" became a euphemism for death because of 
               the sleep-like appearance of the body
      3. That God will bring "them with Jesus" implies they are with 
         Jesus now!
         a. As stated later in this epistle - 1Th 5:10
         b. As stated elsewhere in the Scriptures - 2Co 5:8; Lk 23:43; 
            Php 1:21-23

   B. THEY WILL PRECEDE THOSE WHO ARE ALIVE...
      1. It seems some in Thessalonica feared those who had died would 
         miss out on the blessings of Christ's coming
      2. Paul reassures them (and us) that such is not the case...
         a. God will bring them with Jesus! - 1Th 4:14; cf. also 3:13
         b. Therefore, "by no means" will those alive precede those who 
            are dead! - 1Th 4:15
         c. This assurance we have "by the word of the Lord" - 1Th 4:15
            1) The same "word" which foretold and brought about the 
               flood - 2Pe 3:3-6
            2) The same "word" now tells of Christ's coming - 2Pe 3:
               7-13
            3) This "word" lives and abides forever! - 1Pe 1:23-25

[To reinforce the promise for those asleep in Christ, Paul next
describes...]

III. THE PROCEDURE FOR CHRIST'S COMING (16-17)

   A. THE LORD WILL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN...
      1. Note what is said about His coming - 1Th 4:16
         a. It will be with a "shout"
         b. It will be with the "voice of an archangel"
         c. It will be with the "trumpet of God"
      2. This is not describing some silent rapture!
         a. This very passage is used to teach the premillenial concept 
            of the rapture
         b. Yet Paul ties the coming of the Lord and our gathering 
            together into one event - cf. 2Th 2:1-2
            1) In which Jesus comes for His saints - 1Th 4:13-18
            2) In which Jesus brings judgment upon the wicked - 1Th 5:
               1-3; cf. 2Th 1:7-8

   B. THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST...
      1. Their souls will be coming with Jesus - 1Th 4:14
      2. But their bodies will be raised from the grave - 1Th 4:16; cf.
         Jn 5:28-29
      -- This will happen first, so we who are alive will not precede 
         those who are dead

   C. THOSE LIVING WILL BE CAUGHT UP WITH THEM...
      1. Those alive will be transformed - cf. 1Co 15:51-53
         a. Their mortal bodies will put on immortality
         b. Their corruptible bodies will put on incorruption
      2. The righteous living will then join the righteous dead - cf. 
         1Th 4:17
      3. Together in the clouds we will meet the Lord in the air - cf. 
         Ac 1:9-11

[In this wonderful way we shall come to be with the Lord forever (1 Th !  As Jesus said, "that where I am, there you may be also" (Jn
14:3).  What a blessed hope!  As we consider our final point, it should be obvious what is...]

IV. THE PURPOSE FOR THESE WORDS (18)

   A. TO BE COMFORTED...
      1. The wonderful promise in our text certainly provides comfort
      2. Comfort that can sustain us in times of great loss
      -- While we may sorrow when a fellow-Christian dies, it is not the
         sorrow of those who have no hope!

   B. TO COMFORT ONE ANOTHER...
      1. Comforting others in their loss of a loved one is a common 
         human trait - cf. Jn 11:19
      2. Certainly Christians are to "weep with those who weep" - Ro 12:15
      3. But for those who are fellow Christians, we can do more - we 
         can provide comfort!
         a. Comfort them with the comfort we have in Christ - 2Co 1:3-4
         b. Especially the comfort provided by the hope we have in 
            Christ - 1Th 4:18; 5:10-11

CONCLUSION

1. Paul will have more to say about the coming of Christ in the next
   chapter...
   a. In which he writes about the timing of Christ's coming
   b. In which he writes about the preparation for Christ's coming

2. But in a passage that addresses...
   a. The problem of sorrow
   b. The promise for those asleep
   c. The procedure for Christ's coming
   d. The purpose for these words
   -- We are reminded that death need not be "good bye", but only "good
      night" (relate the story of the father who on his death bed told 
      all his children "good night" except the one unfaithful son to 
      whom he said "good bye")

When the time comes for our loved ones pass on, will we be able to find
comfort in this passage?  Will those who survive us be comforted by its
promise when they grieve over our death?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Jim McGuiggan... Righteusness and Electronic Banking

Righteusness & Electronic Banking

I heard an experienced preacher say, “I am not a righteous man but God regards me as though I were righteous.” He went on to explain that Christ’s personal righteousness was laid to his account—that it was “credited” to him. This meant, I think, that when God looked at him he really didn’t see the preacher’s moral character or state but the moral character or state of Jesus.

It would appear that crediting Jesus Christ’s personal righteousness to this preacher made no moral difference to him because he assured us he wasn’t righteous. That suggests that he was still in the same moral state now that he belonged to Jesus Christ as he had been when he didn’t belong to him.

And it would appear that it makes no difference to God whether the man was righteous or not for God credited Jesus personal moral record to the man.

It was also appear that God’s central concern is with quantitative righteousness; that is, with a certain amount of good performed and evil avoided. I say that because it wasn’t the moral character that was credited to the man—it was Christ’s moral achievement. For if God had transferred the moral character of Jesus Christ to the preacher, the preacher couldn’t have insisted that he was not a righteous man.

It all comes back, I fear, to this judicial and legal view of our relationship with God. God’s law needed to be sinlessly met, we didn’t meet it, Christ did and satisfied its demands and then God transferred Christ’s perfect record to preachers who are morally unchanged. It’s a bit like electronic banking with sin and righteousness in the place of money.

Hmmm.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Ben Fronczek... Love One Another Deeply

Love One Another Deeply

Love One Another Deeply  1 Peter 4:8 By Ben Fronczek

Introduction: 

Can you remember times in your life when you really felt loved?

- Maybe when your mom and/or dad went to your school concerts, ball games, or other activities you were involved in, and they cheered you on. You could see how proud of you they were and it didn’t matter if you dropped the fly ball hit right to you, or if you messed up as you sang or played an instrument in the school concert, or messed up a little at whatever you were doing. They were just there for you and cheered you on and loved you despite you failings.

- Maybe you felt loved when that certain guy or gal tried to express their love by giving you a gift, and whispered sweet words in your ear. Maybe the first time you kissed and really meant it. Maybe even when they declared that they wanted to go out steady with you or asked you to marry them. You couldn’t help but feel the love. It was like you could do no wrong in the other’s eyes.

- Maybe you felt loved when you children cried when you left them behind, they didn’t want you to leave. Maybe you feel loved when your children or grandchildren kiss, hug and want to snuggle close to you. Likewise in their eyes you are just so very special and can do no wrong.

- Maybe you feel loved when your whole family gathers together just to be with you and celebrate your birthday, anniversary or some special event.

- Maybe you felt loved from a friend because one day when you were sad they came over to your house with a hand full of wild flower to cheer you up.

There are so many times in our life we feel loved by others, even when we don’t feel like we deserve that love.

I don’t know about you but each time I think about what Jesus did for me by going to the cross, and suffering and dying for me, it reminds me how much I am love by Him and by God despite all that I have done and will do wrong in the future. I feel loved by God each time I think about Jesus suffering for me.

What precious times they are – when we feel loved and special even when we don’t feel like we deserve that love.

Last week I presented a lesson from 1 Peter 4:7.  We began to look at what Peter had to say and discussed the advice he gave to those early Christians just prior to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman army.

Their way of life was about to be turned upside-down; their city would be destroyed, the Temple and the Jewish Levitical  system would be destroyed, and many would lose their life due to persecution in days to follow.

Peter wanted them to be prepared, but not with spears and swords, rather with weapons that would bless them and would prove far more powerful in the long run.

First of all he told that that they needed to be clear minded and be self controlled. Why; so that they could pray.  As Christians, we have to be careful not to get caught up in things that distract us from what is really important.

We talked a little about the importance of prayer; how even in the most difficult situations a clear mind, having self control and prayer can strengthen us and our faith, and give us a peace of mind that goes beyond normal understanding.

In the lesson today we will look at more advice Peter gives in this text as he prepares them for the coming events.  Read 1 Peter 4:7-8: 

“⁷ The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Did you notice the first thing he said there in verse 8? He said, “Above all.” Not just one more things, not just above certain things, but rather, “ABOVE ALL love each other deeply.”  In Peter’s mind, as he speaks for the Lord, this is no little matter.

The original Greek word translated, ‘deeply’ here is the word. ‘ek-te-nes.’ It means ‘to stretch out.’ It can also be translated, ‘to love fervently, earnestly with intent.’ It denotes the idea of making an effort, to make an effort to love others deeply, To stretch yourself to do so.

As they enter this period of change, persecution, and hardship if anything is going to define who they are and what they are all about, it should be their love for one another, it should stand out like a beacon.

And it should be the kind of love that 

“covers over a multitude of sins.”

That is you love so much that you have no problem ignoring wrongs done against you and you don’t count sins and error against  the person.

Proverbs 10:12 says, 

“Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.”

As Christians we have a choice; we can hate those who persecute us and be filled with bitterness, or choose to love these individuals despite their actions. Do you remember, what did Jesus do? We all know the answer to that.

Jesus put it this way in the Sermon on the mount: Matthew 6:38-48              

“³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.  ‘ ³⁹ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

This kind of Love is powerful on two fronts.  

#1.This kind of love strengthens and protects the Christian’s heart; because bitterness and hatred are like poison or a cancer, they destroy a man from the inside out.

#2 Sometimes, true Love can also change our external circumstances. For the Romans it would be easy to kill or harm someone who hated them, but what about someone who genuinely loved them?  Isn’t love and mercy honored and respected by others more than bitterness, cruelty, vengeance and hate? It will have a positive effect somewhere down the road.

Before I even get to the end of this lesson I am sure you already know what I am going to challenge you to do; to develop this kind of love for others.

But contrary to popular opinion, loving like this is not an easy to do. There may be a reason why Peter uses a word that stresses the fact we need to make an effort, or stretch ourselves to love others deeply like this.

Even the best of us are difficult to love sometimes, not to mention those who want to hurt us.

Fredrick the Great said, “The more I get to know people, the more I love my dog.”  Although it may be true, God has commanded us to love people, not dogs.

A story is told about two gifted attorneys who had a lot of professional animosity towards one another. Even though they were both distinguished members of the same firm they were constantly criticizing and made life miserable for one another, because they hated one another.

Eventually one of the men became a Christian and later had to talk to the minister for some counsel concerning the relationship he had with this other attorney. He told the minister, “I have hated and criticized my partner for years,” he said, “and he has been equally antagonistic toward me, But now that I am a Christian, I don’t feel right about continuing our warfare. What should I do?”

“Why not ask your partner to forgive you and tell him that you love him?” suggested the minister.

“I could never do that he exclaimed. “That would be hypocritical. I don’t love him. How could I tell him that I love him if I don’t?”

The wise minister explained that God commands His children to love even their enemies and that His agape, supernatural, unconditional love is an expression of our genuine Christianity, if we exercise by faith.

The attorney and the minister knelt down to pray and the attorney asked for God’s forgiveness for his critical attitude towards his partner and then accepted God’s love for him by faith.

Early the next morning, the attorney walked into his partner’s office and told him, “Something wonderful has happened to me. I have become a Christian. And I have come to ask you to forgive me for all that I have done to hurt you in the past, and I just what to tell you that I love you.”

His partner was so surprised and convicted of his own sin that he responded to this amazing confession by asking  his partner to forgive him as well. And not only that, to his surprise his partner also told him, “I would like to become a Christian too. Would you show me what I need to do?”

Over the years many of us have heard sermons and lessons telling us that we should love one another. We should treat others the way we want to be treated. We should love because Jesus commanded us to love one another the same way He love us (John 15:12).

But then we go home and bark at one another and do just the opposite when people rub us the wrong way. So what do we need to do to love others like this?

First of all I believe that we need to change some of our attitudes and get down on our knees and ask God to forgive us if we have a hard, unforgiving, unloving and unmerciful heart.

In this story isn’t that what the lawyer had to do; he had to choose to change his attitude, then he took it to the Lord and asked for forgiveness and help. You may need to pray about these and repent of these bad attitudes daily for a while until you allow God to change your heart.

Next, we need to submit to God’s will by faith. If it is His will that we should love one another deeply, 

then by faith we need to do our best to do just that because of our faith in God. 

It is that kind of love that will overlook and cover over a multitude of sins.

Can you do that? Will you do that?  

This day I challenge you to become like Jesus here and choose to love one another to this degree, in this manner, as He did.

In doing so you will be happier because you know that you have done the right thing and you will also bring glory to our Lord when others learn where the source of strength  and how you are able to love like this.

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Gary... "Can I really change"?

When I was a teen, I looked at the world differently.  I felt that I could do ANYTHING I wanted, all I had to do was want it badly enough.  No obstacle was too high, absolutely NOTHING could stand in the way of what I wanted. Boy, was I deluded!!! Then, during my last couple of years of High School, I spent a total of 18 months on crutches and things looked different to me.  For one thing, my girlfriend, who carried my books between classes, had become my steady and soon my life just wasn't about ME anymore!!!  I had to improve; to be a better person- for her!!!  Years later, we were married and along came three daughters and very quickly we understood that life was no longer about US, but rather THEM!!!  So, I (we) did the best we could and worked hard at being parents!!! But, I was still looking for something, but had no idea of what it might be.  Then, I started reading a Bible, given to me by a co-worker.  Then, I really started to change.  I began to realize that my standards of "GOOD" were not what God had in mind.  Eventually, I became a Christian and in the late seventies, and began looking for a way to serve the Almighty.  The rest is history- but, it began with a question: Can I really change?  And the above picture reminded me of that question and its relation to the following Scripture...

1 Timothy, Chapter 1

8 But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully,  9 as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for man slayers,  10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;  11 according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.  12 And I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service;  13 although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.  14 The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.  15 The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.  17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

We all have faults, but its what we strive to do about them that really matters!!!  If you think you are too bad to change your life- look at the list in the picture!!!  Even someone like Paul (who murdered and/or imprisoned Christians) could change.  Really takes away excuses, doesn't it???  I remember my neighbors in Valley Falls laughing at me when I announced that I wanted to serve the God of the Heavens, but that was long ago and far from here. No one is laughing about this now.  Why? Because I am not the same man I was in my twenties- I have changed for the better.  OK, I still have things to work on, but, God will help me with those.  Searching? Looking for a change?  The Bible has the answers all through it.  Next step is up to you... "Can I really change"?