1 Thessalonians 4:9-18
Sources of Encouragement
1. Grief and Hope can go together (v. 13)
2. Jesus’ Resurrection (v. 14)
3. Jesus’ Return/Coming (vv. 15-16a)
4. We will Experience Jesus’ Return Together (vv. 16b-17a)
5. We will Be with the Lord Forever (v. 17b)
Results of Encouragement
1. Set Free to Trust God (v. 18)
-No need to fear death
-No need to doubt God’s plan
-No need to live without hope
*Do I trust in God’s defeat of death through Jesus Christ?
2. Set Free to Live for God (vv. 9-12)
-Love More
-Get to Work
-Impact Others
*Do I live in Christ’s victory by loving and caring for others?
What our world desperately needs in a time of fear-based prophecy schemes and self-centered profit strategies are people set free to love and live freely for the good of others, without fear of death and with living hope for today and tomorrow.