Grief is normal to the human experience as an expression of deep loss and even deeper love. In Thessalonica, the church was experiencing grief over the death of some saints, likely from Christian persecution. However, their ignorance of God's plan for the Return of Christ left them confused in their faith. When is Jesus coming back? What about those who have already died? Paul addresses this in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and highlights the Christian hope and the promises of God for ALL who have believed in Christ. This truth should encourage the church to live distinctly different in light of all circumstances, even by the very threat of death itself. Death is not the final chapter, but the doorway to the next and eternal one. In many ways, this life is the preface to REAL LIFE for believers. Message preached on Sunday, October 1, 2023 by Pastor Joey at ParkerDC as part six in the "Standing Firm" series.
