TODAY’S MANNA SATURDAY, MAY 19, 20I8
TOPIC: A DIFFERENT KIND OF GRIEF
TEXT: 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18
I) THE KEY VERSE:
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
2) THE TEXT:
(I THESSALONIANS 4: I3 – I8 KJV)
“4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
3) THE MESSAGE:
i) Death causes so much grief to all humans. A lot of people grieve because of the pain the loss of such a loved one causes.
ii) The fact that such a person is taken away from them and that there will not be the opportunity to continue the close fellowship and interaction they used to enjoy can truly cause enormous sorrow.
iii) For some, it is because of the things they will miss from the departed one; the duties and responsibilities such a one should have performed for them – like a father in the family. While for others, it is because of the fear of the fate of the deceased.
iv) Christians grieve too when a loved one departs. This is normal because they are humans. But they do so in a different way.
v) They do not grieve for the same reasons as the people in the world who do not have hope. Death is not the end for Christians.
vi) It does not separate them from God nor hinder them from the privileges of Christians.
vii) Rather, death brings the believer into a better state of fellowship, communion and pleasure with God. The believers who die in Christ will rise again.
viii) Paul’s confidence about the destiny of believers is not based on speculation, wishful thinking or a philosophical school of thought.
ix) It is based on historical facts, a sure and solid foundation of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Just as He rose from the dead, so will believers.
x) This should cheer up Christians. We must not continue to live and act in ignorance. If you have lost a dear one in Christ, know it is a temporal separation. It is not over yet.
xi) Those of us still alive should be concerned with remaining steadfast in Christ and maintaining our salvation through prayer, watchfulness and daily victorious living. If we so do, then there is the hope of a happy reunion.
4) THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The fate of the Christian is different, even in death!
5) BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR:
2 SAMUEL 19-21
Happy Weekend😁😁😁
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