WEBVTT 00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:17.920 Well, good evening. It's lovely to be here again. My name's Tim. I am one of the trainees here, or the interns here at Brunsfield, and it's great to be with you in this fantastic bit of the Bible that we're about to get stuck into. 00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:30.140 Sleeping Beauty is one of the many fairy tales which were written down by Charles Peralt in the late 1600s. I hadn't realised it was such a modern notion. 00:00:30.140 --> 00:00:48.420 Thanks to Disney and the Brothers Grimm, I'm sure we all know a rough sketch of the plot of how a princess is cursed to sleep for a hundred years, only to be woken by a prince who discovers her in the long since overgrown castle. 00:00:48.420 --> 00:00:59.420 In many versions of the tale, the princess was meant to die, but her sleeping is the best attempt to save her. 00:01:00.140 --> 00:01:17.340 In other versions, on top of this intervention to make her sleep rather than die, there's also a sleep cast upon all the residents of the castle, so that she will not awaken alone and be distraught at the loneliness of her existence. 00:01:18.620 --> 00:01:28.780 While this work of fiction is nothing but a children's story, yet it's a fascinating little illustration of what happens to Christians when they die. 00:01:28.780 --> 00:01:42.079 Rather than truly dying in the sense that we think of, they will merely be temporarily resting, awaiting the coming of the one who will bring them back to life. 00:01:42.900 --> 00:01:56.040 And not only will they come back from their rest, but with their awakening will come the awakening of their communities, of their church families, and those whom they love who have all similarly slept. 00:01:56.040 --> 00:02:00.120 But in the fairy tale, notice the one discrepancy. 00:02:00.520 --> 00:02:02.040 It's the wrong way round. 00:02:02.540 --> 00:02:14.000 Rather than the body remaining alive and the person going to sleep, in true Christian theology we have the body dying and the soul going to be alive with Jesus. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:27.159 Notice the time when we are in the spirit of Jesus, conscious, conscious, awaiting the time when it will be brought back through the coming of the hero and it will be reunited with its body back into a state of wholeness. 00:02:27.939 --> 00:02:34.800 We're going to be thinking particularly about that time when the hero comes this evening, when Jesus returns. 00:02:34.800 --> 00:03:04.780 And we're going to be looking at that time when the hero comes this evening, when the hero comes this evening, when the hero comes this evening, when the hero comes this evening. 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:09.780 When the hero comes this evening, when the hero comes this evening, when the hero comes this evening, when the hero comes this evening, when the hero comes this evening. 00:03:09.780 --> 00:03:18.539 If you cast your eye to chapter 4 verse 1 and verse 9 and verse 13 and then into 5 verse 1 and verse 12. 00:03:18.920 --> 00:03:23.960 Each of these verses introduces a new topic or a new section. 00:03:24.719 --> 00:03:32.340 And when I was reading it last week in preparation, I noticed that the phrasing was very, very similar to in Corinthians, 00:03:32.340 --> 00:03:37.920 where Paul takes issues that have arisen in the letter that the Corinthians have written. 00:03:38.700 --> 00:03:47.480 And it seems that the report that Timothy gave in chapter 3 was very good, but it wasn't just a whitewash. 00:03:48.259 --> 00:03:50.300 It wasn't just they're doing great. 00:03:51.520 --> 00:03:59.900 It seems that Timothy brought back questions and issues which were arising among the Thessalonian church. 00:03:59.900 --> 00:04:06.219 And the question which Paul is addressing for them and for us this evening is, 00:04:06.620 --> 00:04:10.420 what about our brothers and sisters in Christ who have died? 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:16.360 The scenario seems to be that some of the Christians in Thessalonica have died. 00:04:16.500 --> 00:04:23.600 They've only been Christians for a few weeks, maybe a couple of months, and they're already gone. 00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:28.200 With the incredible persecution which Paul faced while he was there, 00:04:28.520 --> 00:04:30.980 the possibility races to our minds, doesn't it? 00:04:31.300 --> 00:04:34.460 Maybe they were martyred for the sake of their newfound faith. 00:04:35.320 --> 00:04:41.240 Perhaps some of these now deceased folks, they were the folks who were prominent in their community. 00:04:42.020 --> 00:04:45.300 They were the people who you would look to for leadership. 00:04:45.740 --> 00:04:49.660 Perhaps they were the ones who were bolder in their evangelistic fervor. 00:04:49.660 --> 00:04:52.880 And they paid the greatest price for it. 00:04:54.500 --> 00:05:03.540 But as we get into this topic, I want to lovingly and carefully say that many of us have lost loved ones. 00:05:04.420 --> 00:05:15.120 And as we look at these verses, the first objection sometimes is that we think it says that we shouldn't grieve. 00:05:16.120 --> 00:05:17.500 But that's not what it says. 00:05:17.500 --> 00:05:19.839 Grief is very normal. 00:05:20.579 --> 00:05:25.120 Not only is it normal, but it's both healthy and it's a necessary process. 00:05:25.740 --> 00:05:28.220 And it's a proper response to death. 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:33.959 Death is an aberration within this world that our Father created for us. 00:05:33.959 --> 00:05:46.159 And we long for the day when it is finally recreated, when death is finally crushed as the world is recreated by our Savior. 00:05:47.459 --> 00:05:53.500 Paul here is saying that our grief should be different to that of the world around, but not that we shouldn't grieve. 00:05:53.500 --> 00:06:04.959 And these deaths that the Thessalonians were thinking of, they've stirred the people there into a state of profound grief and perhaps even of panic. 00:06:04.959 --> 00:06:09.339 And Paul isn't just going to go, oh, too well. 00:06:10.039 --> 00:06:14.459 And buy a little card from the faith mission and scribble in a wee verse from Psalm 23. 00:06:15.419 --> 00:06:19.599 No, he's going to teach these young Christians what the truth is. 00:06:19.600 --> 00:06:25.460 So that they can be comforted in this time of pain and grief and loss. 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:29.460 And so the question is what will come of our loved ones. 00:06:29.540 --> 00:06:34.260 And his first response is to take them right back to what they've been already taught. 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:39.199 And he says that the creed is the basis for our comfort. 00:06:40.279 --> 00:06:44.920 If you notice verse 14, the phrasing's quite formulaic. 00:06:45.039 --> 00:06:48.899 It seems that this is a common Christian creed of the time. 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:50.980 A summary of Christian teaching. 00:06:51.139 --> 00:06:52.740 Perhaps it's one that Paul taught them. 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:56.639 And Paul takes them right back to the man, to Jesus. 00:06:56.819 --> 00:07:00.039 At the very centre, the very core of their faith. 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:03.319 The one who we've been singing and worshipping this evening. 00:07:03.319 --> 00:07:09.000 We believe that Jesus died and rose again. 00:07:09.719 --> 00:07:12.699 This is the beating heart of the Christian faith. 00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:16.899 If you take this out, everything else is useless. 00:07:18.319 --> 00:07:21.439 If Christ is still in the grave somewhere in the Middle East, 00:07:21.719 --> 00:07:26.219 then we better find a good developer and get this place sold off quickly. 00:07:26.980 --> 00:07:29.719 If Jesus died and stayed in the ground, 00:07:29.720 --> 00:07:31.920 we have no hope. 00:07:32.820 --> 00:07:38.180 No amount of grief would be sufficient to make up for the loss of our believing relatives. 00:07:38.840 --> 00:07:43.040 Because they would have wasted their lives believing in fairy tales. 00:07:43.540 --> 00:07:45.980 No more profitable than Sleeping Beauty. 00:07:47.140 --> 00:07:48.980 If Jesus is not now in heaven, 00:07:49.740 --> 00:07:51.740 we're wasting our lives. 00:07:51.740 --> 00:07:53.259 But, 00:07:53.259 --> 00:07:55.920 Jesus did live on this earth. 00:07:57.160 --> 00:07:59.900 Jesus did die and he rose again. 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:03.579 And if that sounds pretty wacky to you here this evening, 00:08:03.900 --> 00:08:06.280 perhaps you've never heard that message before. 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:08.000 I want to agree with you a little. 00:08:08.800 --> 00:08:11.980 People don't normally come alive after being dead. 00:08:11.980 --> 00:08:16.759 If it were normal or even an irregular occurrence, 00:08:16.900 --> 00:08:17.740 believe you me, 00:08:18.020 --> 00:08:21.460 I wouldn't be talking so much about Jesus doing it. 00:08:22.020 --> 00:08:24.640 And perhaps you aren't sure of that tonight. 00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:28.640 And it would be fantastic to talk to you afterwards. 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:30.720 And I would highly recommend, 00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:32.060 if you wanted a resource, 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:36.240 to go and find The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. 00:08:36.860 --> 00:08:38.700 He's an excellent writer. 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:42.019 And he was an atheist who pursued the truth 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:44.200 to try and find out if these things were true. 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:47.139 In fact, he tried to prove that they were wrong. 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:48.899 And in his investigation, 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:52.019 he changed his mind and came to know Jesus for himself. 00:08:53.080 --> 00:08:56.480 It would be a fantastic place to start reading. 00:08:57.399 --> 00:08:59.740 And it would be brilliant to start discussing 00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:02.279 some of the evidence around this matter. 00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:05.440 But we believe that Jesus died 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:07.280 and that he rose again. 00:09:08.480 --> 00:09:11.180 But it isn't just an interesting historical fact. 00:09:12.680 --> 00:09:16.020 It's a personally applied to all those 00:09:16.020 --> 00:09:18.080 who are united with Christ. 00:09:18.780 --> 00:09:21.420 We said that death was an aberration in this world 00:09:21.420 --> 00:09:22.320 and so it is. 00:09:22.700 --> 00:09:25.920 But notice that in the first couple of verses here, 00:09:26.200 --> 00:09:29.180 only Christ is described as having died. 00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:32.120 For those of us who are in him, 00:09:32.680 --> 00:09:34.420 who are united to him, 00:09:34.419 --> 00:09:35.759 who own him as Lord, 00:09:36.079 --> 00:09:40.259 Paul deliberately avoids using the word die or death. 00:09:40.479 --> 00:09:42.319 Some translations have it in there, 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:45.120 but it's an insertion to make the meaning clear. 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:48.919 And he's hinting this idea to the Christians. 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:52.620 Death is now a temporary state, 00:09:53.279 --> 00:09:56.459 almost as if we merely fall asleep. 00:09:57.059 --> 00:09:58.419 Paul's giving us a metaphor 00:09:58.419 --> 00:10:02.559 for the reality changing effects of the cross. 00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:05.659 For those of us who die as Christians, 00:10:05.899 --> 00:10:08.779 death has been robbed of its power. 00:10:09.819 --> 00:10:11.839 It's no longer the last enemy. 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:15.500 Instead, it's become merely the end of a day. 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:19.539 And though for us who are left behind, 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:22.820 it can be so hard to see it that way. 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:25.460 But this is the reality 00:10:25.460 --> 00:10:27.840 because of the death, 00:10:27.919 --> 00:10:29.639 defeat and crucifixion of Christ. 00:10:30.940 --> 00:10:32.539 And we need to be careful here. 00:10:33.019 --> 00:10:35.320 We ought to realize when Paul talks of sleep, 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:37.440 it's only an illustration that Paul is using. 00:10:37.440 --> 00:10:39.980 From what we read elsewhere in the Bible, 00:10:40.560 --> 00:10:43.420 those who die aren't unconscious or asleep, 00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:45.540 but their soul, their consciousness, 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:48.940 it goes immediately to be present with Jesus 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:50.880 while they await his return to the earth. 00:10:52.160 --> 00:10:55.260 And those who are with Christ in death, 00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:57.480 they'll return with him 00:10:57.480 --> 00:10:59.080 when he comes back to this earth. 00:11:00.180 --> 00:11:02.660 They don't do the crazy things 00:11:02.660 --> 00:11:05.700 that we read about in secular materials. 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:06.940 They don't turn into angels. 00:11:06.940 --> 00:11:08.480 They don't turn into stars. 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:10.500 They don't strum harps on clouds. 00:11:11.260 --> 00:11:12.700 But they are with God, 00:11:13.800 --> 00:11:15.440 eagerly waiting, 00:11:16.040 --> 00:11:18.360 as also should we for the time 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:22.640 when they will be given their resurrection bodies 00:11:22.640 --> 00:11:24.680 and they will be whole again. 00:11:25.560 --> 00:11:29.240 This is the creed that Paul takes them back to. 00:11:29.320 --> 00:11:30.680 This is the basic teaching 00:11:30.680 --> 00:11:34.120 that Paul now goes on to expand 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:35.460 in the next few verses. 00:11:36.940 --> 00:11:41.420 And Paul then changes his tack 00:11:41.420 --> 00:11:42.600 and goes from the creed 00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:44.260 to the word of the Lord 00:11:44.260 --> 00:11:45.700 as our comfort. 00:11:46.820 --> 00:11:48.040 Paul's raising the stakes here. 00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:50.260 Did you notice when we read it together? 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:53.560 From verse 15 to 17, 00:11:53.560 --> 00:11:56.040 he claims that this is a word of the Lord. 00:11:57.200 --> 00:12:00.720 It reminisces us of the Old Testament prophets, 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:01.500 doesn't it? 00:12:02.040 --> 00:12:03.660 Thus saith the Lord. 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:07.120 But let's not misunderstand what's meant here. 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:09.180 It's not that the rest of this letter 00:12:09.180 --> 00:12:10.259 isn't God's word. 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:12.639 The whole Bible is true and trustworthy. 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:15.100 Paul is calling his readers here 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:16.500 to pay careful attention. 00:12:17.180 --> 00:12:18.480 And Paul seems to be indicating 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:20.220 that what he's about to teach 00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:23.580 is something that Jesus actually said. 00:12:23.580 --> 00:12:27.139 It has similarities to what Jesus teaches himself 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:30.820 in Matthew 24, verses 30 and 31, 00:12:30.900 --> 00:12:32.139 if you want to look those up later. 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:34.120 And they talk about the Son of Man 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:37.259 arriving on the clouds with glory 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:39.120 and of the angels being sent 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:40.360 to gather God's elect 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:41.980 and the trumpet being sounded. 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:46.639 And this seems to be where Paul 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:47.940 is basing his teaching. 00:12:48.980 --> 00:12:50.779 But as we have it here, 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:53.680 he gives us three main elements of comfort 00:12:53.680 --> 00:12:55.220 from this word, 00:12:55.300 --> 00:12:56.580 which we're going to look at 00:12:56.580 --> 00:12:58.340 in the remainder of our time. 00:12:59.700 --> 00:13:03.759 Firstly, those who have died won't miss out. 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:06.659 Those who have died won't miss out. 00:13:06.680 --> 00:13:09.320 And we see this in verses 15 and 16. 00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:12.320 The first point is that we won't go on ahead 00:13:12.320 --> 00:13:15.580 without our fallen brothers and sisters. 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:18.580 It seems that the Thessalonian Christians 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:21.020 had understood that Jesus was coming back soon. 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:24.320 It was only a reminder that they needed of that. 00:13:24.400 --> 00:13:25.840 They'd already understood it, 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:29.000 but they didn't expect Christians 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:30.720 to die in the intervening time. 00:13:31.420 --> 00:13:32.760 And they were worried 00:13:32.760 --> 00:13:34.560 that their fallen friends 00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:35.820 were going to miss out 00:13:35.820 --> 00:13:37.860 on the joy of Jesus' return. 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:40.680 But Paul's emphatic 00:13:40.680 --> 00:13:43.580 that these dead Christians 00:13:43.580 --> 00:13:46.080 will definitely not, 00:13:46.700 --> 00:13:48.520 it's as strong as he can make it, 00:13:48.680 --> 00:13:50.460 definitely not miss out 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:53.220 or be second-class citizens on that day. 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:55.560 In fact, he begins to use 00:13:55.560 --> 00:13:57.220 a common cultural image here 00:13:57.220 --> 00:14:00.120 to explain how the Lord's return will work. 00:14:00.560 --> 00:14:02.240 And this image underpins 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:03.380 the rest of our passage. 00:14:04.160 --> 00:14:04.920 Back then, 00:14:05.300 --> 00:14:07.040 if the governor was coming, 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:08.399 the victorious general 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:09.939 or even the emperor himself 00:14:09.939 --> 00:14:11.419 was coming to your city, 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:14.819 he would come in splendor. 00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:17.360 And all his servants 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.500 and all his entourage 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.599 would come with him. 00:14:19.939 --> 00:14:21.579 And the citizens of the city 00:14:21.579 --> 00:14:22.980 would go out 00:14:22.980 --> 00:14:25.299 to meet him. 00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:26.779 And it would be 00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:29.139 an absolutely triumphal celebration. 00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:32.120 all of the worthy people 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:33.399 of the city would be there. 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:34.939 And the procession 00:14:34.939 --> 00:14:36.139 would then come back 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:37.319 into the city 00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:38.879 with great joy 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:39.720 and celebration. 00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:42.000 This is something similar 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:42.699 to what we see 00:14:42.699 --> 00:14:44.679 in Jesus' triumphal entry 00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:45.960 in Matthew. 00:14:46.679 --> 00:14:47.899 And when he comes 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:48.799 into Jerusalem, 00:14:50.199 --> 00:14:52.299 you see the crowds come out 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:53.299 and they come 00:14:53.299 --> 00:14:54.720 and they strew his way 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:56.279 and they cry praises 00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:57.019 to him. 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:58.740 And we have similar accounts 00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:00.019 of things happening 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:01.120 with Roman emperors 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:01.639 and governors 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:02.360 and generals. 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.580 And this happened 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:04.120 all the way through 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:05.180 the Middle Ages as well. 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:08.360 And the dead in Christ 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:10.259 make up his entourage 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:12.080 as Jesus comes back 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:13.779 as the King of Kings 00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:14.960 and Lord of Lords, 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.720 as reigning emperor 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:18.300 of all things. 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:20.620 And even the very trumpet 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:22.080 of God calls. 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:24.060 And the archangel's voice 00:15:24.060 --> 00:15:24.840 is heard. 00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:27.180 I don't know about you, 00:15:27.300 --> 00:15:28.300 but that sounds like 00:15:28.300 --> 00:15:28.960 it's going to be 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.000 a noisy day. 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.620 It's going to be 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.800 unmistakable, 00:15:33.540 --> 00:15:34.480 unmissable, 00:15:34.800 --> 00:15:36.300 and it's going to mark 00:15:36.300 --> 00:15:37.420 the moment 00:15:37.420 --> 00:15:39.440 in all of its glory. 00:15:40.180 --> 00:15:41.060 And it seems 00:15:41.060 --> 00:15:42.560 this command 00:15:42.560 --> 00:15:43.500 that's talked about, 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:44.900 this is going to be 00:15:44.900 --> 00:15:45.500 the command 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:46.640 for the Christian dead 00:15:46.640 --> 00:15:48.300 to be resurrected again. 00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:50.160 Much like the command 00:15:50.160 --> 00:15:51.140 that Jesus uses 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:52.720 to call Lazarus 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:53.620 out of the grave. 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:55.960 Remember that? 00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:58.720 A temporary resurrection, 00:15:59.039 --> 00:16:00.319 one who was brought 00:16:00.319 --> 00:16:01.080 back from the dead 00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:02.139 only to die again 00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:03.159 years later 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:05.500 and only for one person. 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.679 But this summons, 00:16:08.199 --> 00:16:09.659 this summons will gather 00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:10.799 from every grave, 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.779 from every seabed, 00:16:12.899 --> 00:16:15.519 from every scattered molecule, 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:18.019 the remains of those 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:19.259 who have died in Christ. 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:20.980 and their bodies 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:22.100 will be reunited 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:23.460 with their souls 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:24.700 which have come 00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:25.299 with Jesus 00:16:25.299 --> 00:16:26.759 and they shall be 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:27.379 fully, 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:28.919 gloriously alive 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:29.840 as they have never 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.600 been alive 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:31.860 until that point 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:34.019 and never again 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:34.700 to die. 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:38.379 With so much 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.439 of the speculation 00:16:39.439 --> 00:16:41.240 and so much 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:41.819 of the talk 00:16:41.819 --> 00:16:42.519 around the return 00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:43.000 of Jesus, 00:16:43.779 --> 00:16:44.939 we have what 00:16:44.939 --> 00:16:45.720 the teenagers 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.439 of today 00:16:46.439 --> 00:16:47.059 would call 00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:47.799 FOMO, 00:16:48.299 --> 00:16:49.599 fear of missing out. 00:16:49.819 --> 00:16:50.599 It's an acronym 00:16:50.599 --> 00:16:51.379 I use often. 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:54.359 This is the fuel 00:16:54.359 --> 00:16:55.399 which keeps alive 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:56.139 so much 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:56.799 of the false 00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:57.639 teaching about 00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:58.839 Christ's return 00:16:58.839 --> 00:17:00.819 that there's a fear 00:17:00.819 --> 00:17:01.839 of missing out 00:17:01.839 --> 00:17:04.559 but Paul is clear 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.480 that neither we 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.099 nor they 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:06.960 will miss out 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:09.319 and we'll see 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:10.220 this in the second 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:10.940 note of comfort 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.539 as well. 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:13.120 We are going 00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:14.340 to be reunited 00:17:14.340 --> 00:17:15.980 with them. 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.799 Notice verse 17, 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.660 the start of it. 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:20.279 We will be caught 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:21.819 up together 00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:23.539 with them. 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.319 They and their 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:26.120 recreated 00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:27.279 resurrection bodies. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:29.380 We presumably 00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:30.420 transformed into 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:31.500 ours at the same 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.460 time we find 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.120 that elsewhere 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:34.799 and together 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:35.539 we will go 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.779 out to meet 00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:37.459 our King 00:17:37.459 --> 00:17:38.579 and Saviour. 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:40.339 No longer 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.619 will we suffer 00:17:41.619 --> 00:17:42.179 the pain of 00:17:42.179 --> 00:17:43.099 separation from 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:43.339 them. 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:45.659 And we can 00:17:45.659 --> 00:17:46.339 look forward 00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:47.899 to an eternity 00:17:47.899 --> 00:17:49.519 of being in 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:51.299 perfect community 00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:53.099 not just with 00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:53.739 the ones who 00:17:53.739 --> 00:17:54.219 we knew 00:17:54.219 --> 00:17:54.779 and who we 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:55.239 loved 00:17:55.239 --> 00:17:56.239 but of all 00:17:56.239 --> 00:17:57.039 those who are 00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:57.799 likewise in 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.299 Christ 00:17:58.299 --> 00:18:00.000 forevermore. 00:18:00.939 --> 00:18:01.419 No more 00:18:01.419 --> 00:18:02.099 separation. 00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:03.240 no more 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:03.919 departure. 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:05.059 No more 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:05.759 death. 00:18:06.939 --> 00:18:07.519 No more 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:08.299 see you later. 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:10.219 We cannot 00:18:10.219 --> 00:18:11.500 fathom life 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.339 like this. 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.079 And don't we 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:15.019 long for that 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.359 day. 00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:19.199 Then when we 00:18:19.199 --> 00:18:19.939 get to that 00:18:19.939 --> 00:18:20.339 day 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:22.299 we will 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.299 finally be 00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:24.240 able to see 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:25.639 the whole 00:18:25.639 --> 00:18:26.279 body of 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:26.719 Christ. 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.279 Every member 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:29.179 of his church 00:18:29.179 --> 00:18:29.759 together. 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:31.759 Many of us 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.519 were probably 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.160 at origin 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:34.259 at Easter 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:34.740 and it's 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.579 incredible to 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.680 see a 00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:39.299 big place 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:40.640 filled with 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:41.240 Christians 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:42.339 singing together. 00:18:43.379 --> 00:18:43.799 And that's 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:44.400 not going to 00:18:44.400 --> 00:18:44.940 be even the 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:46.039 slightest drop 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:47.180 in the ocean 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:47.879 compared to 00:18:47.879 --> 00:18:48.599 this day. 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.720 From every 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.559 tribe, 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:52.220 tongue, 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.099 people and 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:53.400 nation, 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:53.960 from every 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:55.000 time and 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.859 every era, 00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:58.399 whether we're 00:18:58.399 --> 00:18:59.079 from Europe 00:18:59.079 --> 00:18:59.679 or Asia 00:18:59.679 --> 00:19:00.619 or America 00:19:00.619 --> 00:19:01.740 or anywhere 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.519 else. 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:06.699 And we 00:19:06.699 --> 00:19:07.059 will be 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:07.579 together 00:19:07.579 --> 00:19:08.579 forever more. 00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:11.099 Isn't that 00:19:11.099 --> 00:19:11.500 such an 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:11.939 incredible 00:19:11.939 --> 00:19:12.559 thought? 00:19:14.439 --> 00:19:15.339 And what a 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:16.119 sweet moment 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:16.759 it will be 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.519 when we see 00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:18.519 them again. 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:20.379 The old 00:19:20.379 --> 00:19:21.099 ladies who 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:22.199 encouraged us, 00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:23.579 who maybe 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:24.199 sat in front 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:24.660 of us and 00:19:24.660 --> 00:19:25.279 slipped us 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:25.980 the sweets 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:27.400 as we were 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:28.200 sitting maybe 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:29.039 bored in the 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:29.740 meeting some 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.140 night. 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:32.080 The men and 00:19:32.080 --> 00:19:32.840 the women who 00:19:32.840 --> 00:19:33.880 spent evenings 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:35.299 and weekends 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.880 teaching us 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:38.480 and urging us 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:38.840 on. 00:19:39.780 --> 00:19:40.640 Those of our 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:41.460 peers and 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.220 friends and 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.200 family who 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:44.380 walked faithfully 00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:45.700 by our sides 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:46.260 until they 00:19:46.260 --> 00:19:46.740 too went 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.120 home. 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:49.920 We'll see 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:50.420 them all. 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:52.840 We will be 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:53.960 together again. 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:56.920 But as 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.640 wonderful as 00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:58.240 the reunion 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:58.940 will be, 00:19:59.620 --> 00:20:00.240 the third 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:01.220 comfort will 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:02.400 outstrip it 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:03.260 far beyond 00:20:03.260 --> 00:20:04.800 and with 00:20:04.800 --> 00:20:05.340 room to 00:20:05.340 --> 00:20:05.820 spare. 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:07.360 We are 00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:07.720 going to 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.540 be reunited 00:20:08.540 --> 00:20:09.980 fully and 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.880 finally with 00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:11.320 Jesus. 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:14.820 We see it 00:20:14.820 --> 00:20:15.240 at the start 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.040 of 16 and 00:20:16.040 --> 00:20:16.500 we see it 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:16.900 at the end 00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:17.620 of 17. 00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:19.780 The Lord 00:20:19.780 --> 00:20:20.560 is coming. 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.400 Not a 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:22.820 general, 00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:23.920 not a 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:24.180 governor, 00:20:24.340 --> 00:20:24.660 not the 00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:25.540 first minister. 00:20:26.260 --> 00:20:26.900 It's not 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:27.560 going to be a 00:20:27.560 --> 00:20:28.280 representative. 00:20:29.280 --> 00:20:30.160 It won't be 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.140 an angel or 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:32.160 an apparition. 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.080 Jesus 00:20:33.080 --> 00:20:34.560 himself is 00:20:34.560 --> 00:20:35.260 coming for 00:20:35.260 --> 00:20:35.740 us. 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:37.400 And when 00:20:37.400 --> 00:20:38.420 he comes, 00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:39.140 he will 00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:40.680 finally establish 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.440 his perfect 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.500 rule and 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.519 perfect reign. 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:45.279 We are going 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:46.019 to finally 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.480 see with 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.259 our very 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:49.599 own glorified 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.660 eyes the 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:51.640 very person 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:52.120 of Jesus 00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:52.740 Christ, 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:53.759 our 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.180 Savior. 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:56.120 All of the 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:56.579 theories, 00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:58.160 all of the 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:58.500 thoughts, 00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.039 all of the 00:20:59.039 --> 00:20:59.480 emotions, 00:20:59.640 --> 00:20:59.980 all of the 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:01.180 abstract ideas 00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:01.880 we've had 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:02.180 in our 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:02.799 head as 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.039 we've 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:03.560 walked here 00:21:03.560 --> 00:21:04.259 down below, 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:05.720 all of 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:06.980 them will 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:08.519 find their 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.680 completion, 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.080 their 00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:10.759 perfection, 00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:11.080 their 00:21:11.080 --> 00:21:11.759 fulfillment 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.759 right in 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.299 front of us 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:14.960 physically in 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.240 him. 00:21:16.600 --> 00:21:17.480 All of the 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.420 yearning of 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:18.920 all of our 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.820 Christian lives 00:21:19.820 --> 00:21:21.039 to hear his 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:21.720 very own 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.519 voice speak 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.340 to us 00:21:23.340 --> 00:21:23.960 directly, 00:21:24.340 --> 00:21:25.140 it will all 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:25.860 be fulfilled. 00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:27.799 all of the 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:29.419 desire to 00:21:29.419 --> 00:21:30.519 be able to 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.539 stand before 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:32.639 him and 00:21:32.639 --> 00:21:33.319 to worship 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.519 him and 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.059 to bow 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.919 before him 00:21:35.919 --> 00:21:36.859 and to tell 00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.379 him how much 00:21:37.379 --> 00:21:38.119 we love him, 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.879 it will all 00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:39.639 be possible 00:21:39.639 --> 00:21:40.199 on that 00:21:40.199 --> 00:21:40.579 day. 00:21:42.419 --> 00:21:42.979 We're 00:21:42.979 --> 00:21:43.899 finally going 00:21:43.899 --> 00:21:44.459 to be with 00:21:44.459 --> 00:21:45.899 Jesus in 00:21:45.899 --> 00:21:46.559 the presence 00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:47.119 of the 00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:47.839 God-man who 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.899 died and 00:21:48.899 --> 00:21:49.579 rose again 00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:50.159 so that we 00:21:50.159 --> 00:21:50.799 could be in 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.740 relationship with 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.719 him and 00:21:52.719 --> 00:21:53.379 could be with 00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:54.179 him forever. 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.439 How can we 00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:56.979 not look 00:21:56.979 --> 00:21:57.599 forward to 00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:58.259 that day? 00:22:00.659 --> 00:22:01.740 But perhaps 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.479 for some of 00:22:02.479 --> 00:22:02.899 us this 00:22:02.899 --> 00:22:03.240 evening, 00:22:04.139 --> 00:22:05.139 perhaps for 00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:05.899 some of us 00:22:05.899 --> 00:22:07.559 actually we 00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:08.179 look forward 00:22:08.179 --> 00:22:08.799 to that day 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.539 with dread 00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:12.119 and rightly 00:22:12.119 --> 00:22:12.939 so because 00:22:12.939 --> 00:22:13.959 we see the 00:22:13.959 --> 00:22:14.419 depths of 00:22:14.419 --> 00:22:15.019 our sin 00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:15.740 and our 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:16.519 brokenness 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:18.019 and we know 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:18.659 that we can't 00:22:18.659 --> 00:22:19.279 deal with it 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:22.459 and we 00:22:22.459 --> 00:22:23.139 realize that 00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:23.479 we don't 00:22:23.479 --> 00:22:24.299 deserve to be 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:24.599 in that 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.439 delegation which 00:22:25.439 --> 00:22:25.779 will go 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.119 and meet 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:27.480 Jesus in 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:27.740 the air 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.379 but we 00:22:28.379 --> 00:22:28.960 deserve to 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:29.359 be in the 00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:30.019 prison cell 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:31.039 waiting fearfully 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:32.019 for his 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.440 judgment. 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:35.740 If you 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.480 aren't sure 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.160 if this 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:37.720 day will be 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.379 a good day 00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:38.960 for you, 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.700 can I urge 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.240 you to look 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:41.839 again to the 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.259 cross of 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:42.599 Jesus, 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:44.940 to see 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.859 Jesus dying 00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:46.639 for you, 00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:48.000 taking the 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.700 wrath that 00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:49.740 you deserve 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.920 for your 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:51.660 sin and 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.819 mine so 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:53.559 that we 00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.539 together can 00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:55.279 know forgiveness 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:55.799 of our 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:56.259 sins, 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:57.559 if only we 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:58.660 welcome him 00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:59.420 and accept 00:22:59.420 --> 00:22:59.759 him, 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.740 become citizens 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.319 of his 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:02.859 kingdom and 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:03.259 turn our 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.799 backs on 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:04.319 our sin. 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.039 Some of us 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:08.700 are Christians 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:10.519 but even with 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.139 that we still 00:23:11.139 --> 00:23:11.819 worry about 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:12.379 this day. 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:14.079 We still 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:16.059 struggle with 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.740 our sin and 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:18.079 we wonder if 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:18.779 this day will 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.680 be a day of 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.440 joy or of 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:20.759 shame. 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:23.539 I wonder if 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:23.879 you find 00:23:23.879 --> 00:23:24.319 yourself in 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:24.960 that position. 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.480 Perhaps it's 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.200 time to talk 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:28.740 to somebody 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.279 about it. 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:30.900 I realise 00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:31.920 that we 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.519 all find it 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:32.960 uncomfortable 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:33.759 to talk about 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.220 our weaknesses, 00:23:34.460 --> 00:23:34.819 don't we? 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:38.059 But that 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:38.920 day is the 00:23:38.920 --> 00:23:39.839 most certain 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:41.079 thing of 00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:41.720 all the 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:43.920 future and 00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:44.700 it must be 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.240 top of our 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.400 priority lists 00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:47.440 to ensure 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.080 that that 00:23:48.080 --> 00:23:48.740 day is a 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.420 day of joy 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.340 and celebration, 00:23:50.780 --> 00:23:52.100 not of fear 00:23:52.100 --> 00:23:53.140 and uncertainty. 00:23:54.300 --> 00:23:55.440 It's possible 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.400 to be sure 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:58.160 and if you're 00:23:58.160 --> 00:23:58.800 not, there 00:23:58.800 --> 00:23:59.560 are many of 00:23:59.560 --> 00:23:59.900 us here 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.460 tonight that 00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:01.060 would love to 00:24:01.060 --> 00:24:01.580 talk with 00:24:01.580 --> 00:24:02.380 you, to 00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:02.980 pray with 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:04.600 you, whether 00:24:04.600 --> 00:24:05.180 after the 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:05.780 service or 00:24:05.780 --> 00:24:06.280 during the 00:24:06.280 --> 00:24:06.600 week. 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.580 And as we 00:24:09.580 --> 00:24:10.380 think of the 00:24:10.380 --> 00:24:11.960 certainty of 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:12.700 our being with 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:14.220 Jesus and 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:15.340 returning with 00:24:15.340 --> 00:24:15.720 him, 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.700 we have an 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:19.259 incredible fresh 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:20.259 spurring on. 00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:22.759 We need 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.860 not fear 00:24:23.860 --> 00:24:26.400 death, nor 00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:27.280 need we fear 00:24:27.280 --> 00:24:28.500 the day of 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.460 Jesus' return. 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.380 And so as we 00:24:31.380 --> 00:24:32.060 go about our 00:24:32.060 --> 00:24:32.519 day-to-day 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:34.100 lives, as we 00:24:34.100 --> 00:24:34.940 seek to follow 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.960 Jesus here and 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:37.460 now, we no 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.280 longer need to 00:24:38.280 --> 00:24:39.040 play it safe. 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.940 We know that 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:42.580 we will not 00:24:42.580 --> 00:24:43.200 miss out on 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:43.759 our eternal 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.560 reward. 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:46.039 so we can 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.779 live with 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.500 boldness in 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.019 the face of 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.819 every temptation 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:50.639 to waver and 00:24:50.639 --> 00:24:51.240 to wave the 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:52.119 white flag. 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.139 And it 00:24:54.139 --> 00:24:55.200 doesn't matter 00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:56.519 whether we 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.720 live or die 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.379 because we 00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:59.299 are so sure 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.500 that he is 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.379 coming back 00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:02.299 for us. 00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:06.200 And notice 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:07.240 one final thing 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:08.559 before we get 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:08.919 to our 00:25:08.919 --> 00:25:09.440 conclusion. 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:11.720 he meets 00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:13.059 us in 00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:14.180 the air. 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.059 Through the 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.860 Bible, sometimes 00:25:16.860 --> 00:25:18.200 we see the 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:18.920 air as 00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:20.000 Satan's 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.640 dominion. 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:21.559 He's called 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:23.000 in another 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.580 place the 00:25:23.580 --> 00:25:24.200 prince of the 00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:25.000 power of the 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.259 air. 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.340 And yet that 00:25:27.340 --> 00:25:28.200 is the very 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:30.180 place where 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:30.940 the ultimate 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.940 victory will be 00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:32.620 proved. 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:34.200 Where all of 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:35.240 our longing and 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:36.660 hoping, where 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.640 all of our 00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:39.019 struggles will 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:40.160 finally come to 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.779 an end. 00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:42.880 It's as if 00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:44.120 Paul is 00:25:44.120 --> 00:25:45.060 screaming from 00:25:45.060 --> 00:25:46.140 the rooftops. 00:25:47.100 --> 00:25:48.060 This is it. 00:25:49.060 --> 00:25:50.140 This is the 00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:51.540 signs, seal, and 00:25:51.540 --> 00:25:53.259 utter conclusion 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.120 of the matter. 00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:57.119 Satan will be 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:57.959 vanquished. 00:25:58.699 --> 00:25:59.939 His control of 00:25:59.939 --> 00:26:01.439 our lives will 00:26:01.439 --> 00:26:02.299 be over. 00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:03.939 And everything 00:26:03.939 --> 00:26:04.559 that we have 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.619 struggled with, 00:26:06.479 --> 00:26:07.179 and everything 00:26:07.179 --> 00:26:08.000 which we have 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.659 doubted, and 00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:09.379 everything which 00:26:09.379 --> 00:26:09.819 we have been 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:11.519 tempted by, it 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.039 will all be 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.719 over in that 00:26:12.719 --> 00:26:13.159 day. 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.439 Because Jesus 00:26:15.439 --> 00:26:15.959 is going to 00:26:15.959 --> 00:26:16.559 come to that 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:18.279 very place and 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:19.299 turn that place 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:20.179 into the center 00:26:20.179 --> 00:26:21.059 of jubilation. 00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:21.159 salvation. 00:26:23.659 --> 00:26:24.720 He's coming 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.319 back. 00:26:28.659 --> 00:26:29.759 But as we 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:32.220 finish, notice 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:35.019 that Paul knows 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:35.720 that sound 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.579 theology from 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:38.679 afar is not 00:26:38.679 --> 00:26:39.339 enough for 00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:39.919 these grieving 00:26:39.919 --> 00:26:40.899 Thessalonians. 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:44.079 Comfort without 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:45.339 these truths would 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:45.919 be utterly 00:26:45.919 --> 00:26:46.619 impossible. 00:26:47.679 --> 00:26:48.859 But even with 00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:49.759 this knowledge, 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:51.599 we are all 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:52.299 going to face 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:52.799 grief. 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:55.019 If we haven't 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.579 done it yet, 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.400 we soon will. 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.700 And we're all 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.799 going to be in 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.779 the dark place, 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.879 whether that's 00:27:01.879 --> 00:27:02.819 sooner or 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.480 whether that's 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:03.859 later. 00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:06.140 And in those 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:06.960 moments, we are 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.779 going to need 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.980 our brothers and 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.879 sisters around 00:27:09.879 --> 00:27:10.980 us to encourage 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.559 us. 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:14.019 We're going to 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:15.000 need our good 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:16.619 understanding of 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:18.559 the future to 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:19.419 come with a 00:27:19.419 --> 00:27:20.599 face and 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:21.200 with a box 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.019 of Kleenex 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.879 and with a 00:27:22.879 --> 00:27:23.259 cup of 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:23.679 coffee. 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.659 Paul doesn't 00:27:26.659 --> 00:27:27.299 say to the 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:28.099 Thessalonians, 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:30.419 here we are, 00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:31.039 here's the 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:32.579 facts, now go 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:33.039 and debate 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.899 endlessly about 00:27:33.899 --> 00:27:34.639 what I haven't 00:27:34.639 --> 00:27:35.099 said. 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:36.879 No. 00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.639 He says to 00:27:38.639 --> 00:27:39.519 them and to 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:42.039 us, there are 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:43.220 hurting people who 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:44.139 need to hear 00:27:44.139 --> 00:27:45.419 these truths 00:27:45.420 --> 00:27:47.820 from us and 00:27:47.820 --> 00:27:48.240 it's our 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:49.500 responsibility to 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:51.200 go and to 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:52.700 sit and to 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:54.060 listen and to 00:27:54.060 --> 00:27:55.200 grieve and to 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:56.539 care for and 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.200 to remind. 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.660 These truths 00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:01.560 were not given 00:28:01.560 --> 00:28:02.000 to the 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:03.440 Thessalonians so 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.039 that they could 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:04.940 know the future. 00:28:06.300 --> 00:28:07.800 These truths 00:28:07.800 --> 00:28:08.940 were given to 00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.980 the Thessalonians 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.860 to comfort 00:28:10.860 --> 00:28:13.259 them and the 00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:14.640 explicit, the 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:15.759 only explicit 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.520 command in 00:28:16.520 --> 00:28:17.940 this is that 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:18.600 we comfort 00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:19.440 one another 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.340 with these 00:28:20.340 --> 00:28:20.759 words. 00:28:22.880 --> 00:28:23.660 And that's 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.100 going to be 00:28:24.100 --> 00:28:24.500 hard. 00:28:25.580 --> 00:28:26.420 To meet 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.900 folks, to 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:28.280 have them 00:28:28.280 --> 00:28:28.759 round for 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.940 dinner over 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:30.700 the course of 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:31.300 weeks and 00:28:31.300 --> 00:28:31.780 months and 00:28:31.780 --> 00:28:32.300 maybe even 00:28:32.300 --> 00:28:32.800 years. 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:34.500 To be open 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.000 and free 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.740 enough with 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.400 each other 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.560 that they can 00:28:37.560 --> 00:28:38.360 call us when 00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:38.780 they need a 00:28:38.780 --> 00:28:39.280 shoulder to 00:28:39.280 --> 00:28:39.780 cry on. 00:28:41.020 --> 00:28:42.180 To encourage 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:43.300 them to get 00:28:43.300 --> 00:28:44.100 out the house 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:45.139 to take 00:28:45.139 --> 00:28:45.480 them to 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.059 some events 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:46.539 that maybe 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.000 aren't our 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.599 own cup of 00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:47.980 tea. 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:48.899 And in 00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:49.639 amongst all 00:28:49.639 --> 00:28:50.099 of this 00:28:50.099 --> 00:28:50.699 living, 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:52.439 normal life, 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:54.119 to find the 00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:55.339 right opportunities 00:28:55.339 --> 00:28:58.159 to keep on 00:28:58.159 --> 00:28:59.319 reminding them 00:28:59.319 --> 00:29:00.159 of the truth. 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:01.819 To point them 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.639 back to 00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:03.079 Jesus. 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.919 Certainly not 00:29:05.919 --> 00:29:07.159 trivialize their 00:29:07.159 --> 00:29:09.919 grief, but 00:29:09.919 --> 00:29:10.959 with wisdom to 00:29:10.959 --> 00:29:11.719 show them their 00:29:11.719 --> 00:29:12.159 hope. 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:12.259 people. 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:16.040 And so we 00:29:16.040 --> 00:29:16.900 are to keep 00:29:16.900 --> 00:29:17.840 on reminding 00:29:17.840 --> 00:29:18.680 one another of 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.360 these truths, 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:21.080 to keep on 00:29:21.080 --> 00:29:22.620 encouraging each 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:23.460 other to look 00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:25.380 forward to the 00:29:25.380 --> 00:29:27.019 sure return of 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:28.640 Christ and to 00:29:28.640 --> 00:29:29.980 live our lives in 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:31.240 the light of 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:32.960 these core truths 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.740 of the gospel. 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.680 These core truths 00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:37.660 of the gospel that 00:29:37.660 --> 00:29:38.680 sound like this. 00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:41.200 we believe that 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:43.320 Jesus died and 00:29:43.320 --> 00:29:44.019 rose again. 00:29:44.860 --> 00:29:45.519 Can we pray? 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.200 And then I'll 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:47.519 hand back over to 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:48.560 Gary and the 00:29:48.560 --> 00:29:48.840 band. 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.660 Father God, 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.460 thank you so 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:53.680 much that as we 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:54.220 look to the 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:55.060 future, we look 00:29:55.060 --> 00:29:55.799 not to 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:58.060 uncertainty, but 00:29:58.060 --> 00:29:59.279 to an event that 00:29:59.279 --> 00:30:00.700 is utterly 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:03.140 certain, to an 00:30:03.140 --> 00:30:04.980 event that is 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:06.599 completely out of 00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:09.180 question, to a 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:11.220 time that is 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:13.500 beyond any 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.360 suspicion. 00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:16.480 You are coming 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.680 back for us, 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.200 Jesus. 00:30:19.360 --> 00:30:21.140 And as we live 00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:23.720 here below, as 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.980 we long for that 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:28.299 day, as we live 00:30:28.299 --> 00:30:29.339 in this broken 00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:32.240 world, would you 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:33.539 continue to 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:36.400 spur us on, to 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:37.640 keep our eyes 00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:40.339 fixed on you, to 00:30:40.339 --> 00:30:41.599 remember these 00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:44.599 core truths and 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:45.680 to comfort one 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:46.180 another. 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:49.779 Lord, thank you 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.880 for this church. 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:53.599 And we pray that 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:54.880 as we make it up 00:30:54.880 --> 00:30:56.359 and as we live 00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:57.640 lives together, that 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:59.000 you would bless 00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.519 us. 00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:01.220 You would give us 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:02.420 compassion for 00:31:02.420 --> 00:31:04.039 one another, that 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:05.140 our love for one 00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:05.680 another would 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:07.839 abound and that 00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:08.680 we would live 00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:09.980 wholly before you. 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:12.579 Lord, we praise 00:31:12.579 --> 00:31:13.799 you and we thank 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:15.200 you and we pray 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:15.980 these things in 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:16.640 Jesus' name. 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:17.740 Amen.