1 Thessalonians 4:13-18                                 Saints Triumphant                               11-15-20

Dear friends in Christ, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that 2020 has been a difficult year.  Consider the evidence.  A record number of hurricanes have already made landfall in the gulf region.  Think of the shattered lives, the destroyed property and loss of hopes and dreams that have resulted.  Then, there are the record setting fires to our west.  How overwhelming that has been for people.  Add to that the civil unrest in a number of major cities.

Overshadowing all those tragedies of course is the Corona virus pandemic.  Because of that we have stopped greeting each other with a friendly handshake.  We have tried to maintain a safe distance in crowded situations.  We have put on our masks, put away our hymnals, and doused our hands with sanitizer.  But still the virus continues its relentless spread claiming thousands and thousands of victims as it does.

We could perhaps add in personal financial hardships, non-Covid related illnesses, and relationship struggles. Let’s not forget the earthquakes, wars, locust plagues, and famines that have struck other nations.

Yes, 2020 has been a difficult year. So, is there any good news?  Is there anything that can cheer us up and give us hope?  Yes, there is?  Today the apostle Paul shares a word of encouragement. On this Saints Triumphant Sunday let’s look at the section of the word before us.  It is sure to put a smile on our faces, and hope in our hearts.

Paul begins his message with a single word.  He says, brothers.  That tells us the message is for Christians. The Thessalonians were people who believed that Jesus had lived in their place.  Died in their place, and risen to set them free from the burden of sin. The encouraging words that follow apply to all who have such faith.  The encouraging words apply to you and me.

Paul’s wonderful message nicely falls into two parts.  There are words concerning those who have already died.  There are words concerning those who are still alive.  We begin with those who have died.

I

Apparently, some of the Christians in Thessalonica had passed away.  We do not know the circumstances of their deaths.  It could have been due to persecution.  It could have been a work-related accident.  It could have been a natural disaster or an illness.  We also do not know how many folks in the congregation had passed away.

Although we do not know much about the deaths that occurred, it is clear that those who were still alive were concerned.  They wondered, “Have those folks missed out on heaven?  After all Jesus has not yet returned.”  That seems to be the issue weighing heavily on their hearts.

Paul addressed that issue.  He says, “We do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep.”  Those who fall asleep, that is one of the ways the Bible talks about death.  Really, when you think about it, that is a comforting expression.  Death is but a sleep. In natural sleep a person lays down unafraid to close their eyes and put their thoughts on pause.  Then, in several hours, the person wakes up refreshed and ready to go.  In similar fashion death puts both mind and body on pause.  Then, immediately the spirit awakes to the glory that God has prepared.  That in itself is a comforting and encouraging message.

Paul said he did not want the believers to be ignorant about those who fall asleep.  The word ignorant is not an insult.  It simply suggests a lack of knowledge.  They did not know what they needed to know.  Paul filled in the missing information.

Verse fourteen says, “We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”  Then Paul adds, “The dead in Christ will rise first.”  Paul reminded the Thessalonians that Jesus himself had died.  On the cross his body had stopped working.  He had not fainted due to pain.  He had not gone into a coma only to latter regain consciousness.  No, he died.  Plenty of witnesses testified to that truth.

The story did not end there.  After three days in the tomb life returned to the lifeless body. Jesus rose victoriously.  To help his followers believe this amazing fact Jesus appeared to them for over a month.  He said, “Touch me.”  That is to say, “I am not a ghost or some sort of dream.  Touch me and see.”  To provide further proof he ate in their presence. Jesus was alive.

Although in this verse Paul does not bring it up, Jesus also ascended into heaven.  There he took his seat on the throne of the universe.  There he once again received the glory that is due him.  There, he rules all things for the good of his church.

Just as Jesus died, rose and ascended, so too the bodies of those who believed in him would rise from the dead and ascend into heaven.  In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul spoke about the bodies of those who are resurrected.  He said, “The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body” (15:42). The fragile, lifeless bodies that had been laid to rest in the tombs, would be transformed into bodies perfectly prepared for paradise.

The Thessalonians could be sure that their loved ones, who had already passed away, had not missed out on eternal life. No, in spirit they were already with Jesus.  On the last day Jesus would bring their resurrected bodies into glory.  Because of this the believers did not have to grieve like others who had no hope.  Oh, they certainly would grieve.  They would miss their loved ones.  But they knew it was only temporary.

Paul encouraged the readers of his letter with this message.  And he counseled them to encourage each other with this message.

Application

Friends, brothers and sisters, fellow believers in the Lord, Paul’s words apply to us as well.  God’s people continue to pass away. Perhaps you have a loved one who passed away this year. If so, you may be grieving.  You may be sad.  You will miss that person.  But unlike the grief of other people, our grief does not flow from hopelessness.  We know that Jesus will return.  He will grant perfect bodies to all his people.  He will take them home to glory.

Paul said, “Encourage each other with these words.”  I pray that we do so.  Let’s be sure to remind each other of the sure hope that our loved ones who have died in the faith are saints triumphant.

II

But what about us?  Will we enjoy the same blessing?  Paul has more words of encouragement for us. Paul writes, “We who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Wow!  What an encouraging message for the Thessalonians.  They were not destined to spend eternity in this world.  They would not merely die, and then cease to exist.  No matter when Jesus returned, whether they were physically alive or sleeping in death, they would join Jesus in paradise.  They would be saints triumphant.

This would happen not because they were such great people.  No, it would happen only because of God’s grace.  Remember Paul addressed these words to brothers.  The recipients of this letter were believers in Jesus.  Because of Jesus they looked forward to heaven.

This was God’s promise to them. Paul reminded the people that this was according to the Lord’s own word.  Paul did not make this up. It was not just a fanciful children’s story of living happily ever after. This was a message Paul had received from the Lord Jesus himself.  It was trustworthy.

Oh how important that was for the believers!  I am sure that as time passed by they had their moments of doubt.  What would cause such doubts? The constant reality of persecution, or the relentless attack of illnesses, the heartbreaking discouragement of famines, earthquakes and so much more could move God’s people to wonder if they really were saints triumphant. They might wonder if it was all a false hope.  Doubt certainly could discourage the Thessalonians. Paul understood. To address that doubt Paul underscored the fact that this was God’s word.  They had his promise, and he does not lie.

Paul encouraged the believers.  Paul also taught them to encourage each other.  Husband and wife, parent and child, employer and employee, neighbor to neighbor – in every single relationship among believers, words of encouragement were to be spoken.

Application

Oh how we need that sort of encouragement today!  Life is still difficult, isn’t it!  Think of all those things I mentioned at the start of the message.  It has been a difficult 2020. We can become discouraged.  Satan can bring doubts into our minds.  But the truth is we are saints triumphant.  Whether we are alive or in our grave when the Lord returns, he will take us to glory.  What will that be like?

In answer to that question, I want to share two messages from the book of Revelation. The first is from chapter twenty-one.  John writes, “I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them … He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (3-4).  No more tears. No more pain. No more death!  Don’t you look forward to that!  With all the discouragement of 2020 this is some wonderful news.

The second vision I want to share with you is from chapter seven of Revelation.  There John writes, “Before me was a great multitude that on one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.  They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.  And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (7:9).

John saw a great multitude, in clean white robes, waving victory palm branches.  They were praising Jesus.  John saw your face in the crowd.  You will be dressed in a clean white robe.  You will be holding a palm branch.  You will praise the name of Jesus.  You have the promise of Jesus on that.  Oh how we need such an uplifting message!

John invited us to encourage each other with such words.  How have we been doing at that?  As we interact with our spouse, child, parent, sibling, neighbor or coworker has the hope of heaven seasoned our conversation?  When we have noticed that someone is a bit discouraged, have we reminded them that Jesus is coming soon to take us to glory?  If we discover that we have failed, let’s bring that sin to Jesus.  He will forgive it.  Then rejoicing in the good news, let’s encourage each other with the fact that we are saints triumphant.

Friends there can be no doubt that 2020 has been a difficult year. You may feel a bit weary of it all.  You may be discouraged by everything that is taking place. Jesus warned us that such things would happen.  But he did not stop there.  He did not merely say, “Yes, things are tough.  Get used to it.”  No, Jesus laid before us the sure promise of heaven.  We are saints triumphant.  Whenever he comes, whether we are physically alive or asleep in death, he will take us to glory. May you find encouragement in those words, and may we encourage each other with those words.  Amen.