WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 What happens after I die? 00:00:04.099 --> 00:00:08.099 This week, some of the staff, we went on a staff retreat. 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:12.320 We spent some time out in a place called Bathurst, 00:00:12.780 --> 00:00:16.539 planning the future of the rest of the year and the next couple of years. 00:00:17.240 --> 00:00:21.920 And on the way out to Bathurst, there's a little tiny town called Yetome. 00:00:22.500 --> 00:00:25.940 This is where my family, the Barnett family, comes from. 00:00:26.900 --> 00:00:28.460 There's even a Barnett's Road. 00:00:28.460 --> 00:00:31.800 I didn't get a selfie, although I should. 00:00:31.900 --> 00:00:33.160 Definitely should do that next time. 00:00:33.700 --> 00:00:36.320 And so because I hardly ever get the chance to go out there, 00:00:36.560 --> 00:00:37.799 but, you know, Bathurst is not close, 00:00:39.500 --> 00:00:41.899 the staff team thankfully indulged me. 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:43.500 We dropped in there for about five minutes. 00:00:44.020 --> 00:00:45.179 And we stopped into Yetome. 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:48.659 And the only thing worth visiting in Yetome is the cemetery. 00:00:49.760 --> 00:00:51.299 And that's where all my family are. 00:00:51.799 --> 00:00:54.659 And so we went to the Anglican church at Yetome, 00:00:54.760 --> 00:00:56.480 where there are a lot of my family. 00:00:56.479 --> 00:01:02.319 And so you'll see a photo come up of my pop, my grandfather, Aubrey Austin. 00:01:03.059 --> 00:01:07.439 My great-grandfather is there, my grandfather's brother. 00:01:07.620 --> 00:01:09.239 There's a lot of family connections. 00:01:09.979 --> 00:01:12.179 And I love visiting my pop when I can. 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:18.719 It's quite a special thing to kind of journey out to Yetome and see my family. 00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:23.620 And I've always thought that was where I was going to go when I died. 00:01:24.900 --> 00:01:29.680 But recently, my dad, who I thought would be heading back to Yetome, 00:01:30.019 --> 00:01:31.739 recently my mum and dad said, 00:01:31.959 --> 00:01:36.019 oh, we've bought some land somewhere else. 00:01:37.079 --> 00:01:39.900 And I was shocked, flabbergasted. 00:01:40.439 --> 00:01:41.140 What do you mean? 00:01:41.140 --> 00:01:45.840 I've always thought that the Barnett family, we were all going to be at Yetome. 00:01:45.980 --> 00:01:47.819 This is where our family is buried. 00:01:48.340 --> 00:01:55.379 But they've bought some, you know, a small amount of land in the Sutherland Shire, of all places. 00:01:57.460 --> 00:01:59.359 And I've got this uncertainty. 00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:03.359 What happens after I die? 00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:05.420 Where am I going to be buried? 00:02:06.280 --> 00:02:07.939 What's going to happen to my corpse? 00:02:08.879 --> 00:02:10.780 Look, I don't really care. 00:02:10.860 --> 00:02:15.740 But there's this family connection and then this specialness to Yetome. 00:02:16.780 --> 00:02:20.420 Am I going to lose this family connection after I die? 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:25.699 And I'm thrown into this place of unknown where I'm going to end up. 00:02:26.479 --> 00:02:30.620 Maybe you know what's going to happen to you after your body dies. 00:02:30.939 --> 00:02:33.060 Maybe you're not even thinking about it at all. 00:02:33.060 --> 00:02:37.000 But there are many uncertainties when it comes to death. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:39.539 What's going to happen to me when I die? 00:02:40.460 --> 00:02:42.340 I'm worried what's going to happen to my body. 00:02:42.640 --> 00:02:45.479 I'm worried about what's going to happen leading up to death. 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:47.240 The sickness and the pain. 00:02:48.460 --> 00:02:50.620 Death causes me so much fear. 00:02:51.060 --> 00:02:54.319 And so it's easier to just not think about it, to avoid it. 00:02:55.599 --> 00:02:58.060 We've been looking through the book of Thessalonians. 00:02:58.780 --> 00:03:01.379 And we've had a look at how this little church started. 00:03:01.379 --> 00:03:04.099 And the encouragement Paul has written to them. 00:03:04.799 --> 00:03:07.859 And this church were worried about the same thing. 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:11.560 They were worried about what happens after death. 00:03:11.859 --> 00:03:19.719 And so Paul spends a fair chunk of time writing so that they are informed about what's going to happen after death. 00:03:19.719 --> 00:03:28.939 And so as we look at this last sermon in our Stand Firm series, we're going to be challenged to stand firm in the face of death. 00:03:29.419 --> 00:03:32.620 So let me pray as we have a look at 1 Thessalonians. 00:03:33.620 --> 00:03:39.379 Heavenly Father, death causes us so much pain and grief. 00:03:39.379 --> 00:03:43.699 Help us to understand how you have defeated it. 00:03:44.599 --> 00:03:47.460 And how to have hope in what you have given us, Lord. 00:03:47.819 --> 00:03:48.219 Amen. 00:03:49.199 --> 00:03:52.460 Please have your Bibles open, your phones unlocked, or look at the screen. 00:03:52.819 --> 00:03:54.379 We're going to start in chapter 4, verse 13. 00:03:54.379 --> 00:04:03.740 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, 00:04:04.199 --> 00:04:09.259 so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind who have no hope. 00:04:10.180 --> 00:04:14.300 Paul wants to make sure that the church of Thessalonica is not confused, 00:04:14.699 --> 00:04:21.800 that they're not uninformed, that there is no speculation and wild guessing and fear-mongering. 00:04:21.800 --> 00:04:24.860 But he wants people to be able to say with confidence, 00:04:25.280 --> 00:04:26.480 I know where I'm going. 00:04:27.020 --> 00:04:28.439 I know what's going to happen to me. 00:04:29.259 --> 00:04:30.800 Paul wants there to be no fear. 00:04:31.480 --> 00:04:34.980 And so he talks about those who have already died. 00:04:35.939 --> 00:04:39.240 Paul's going to use a particular metaphor about sleeping in death. 00:04:39.280 --> 00:04:41.960 He's going to use it twice in totally different ways. 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:44.560 Paul likes to mix his metaphors sometimes. 00:04:45.180 --> 00:04:50.780 And so the first way he's going to talk about sleeping is those who are dead following Jesus. 00:04:50.779 --> 00:04:56.899 If I was to die right now, I would be asleep following the Lord in that metaphor. 00:04:57.500 --> 00:05:02.059 Paul is a little bit later in chapter 5 going to talk about those who are asleep, 00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:05.399 as in those who are ignoring God. 00:05:05.599 --> 00:05:07.779 So you've got these two different illustrations that he uses. 00:05:08.059 --> 00:05:11.239 He talks about those who follow the Lord and then die, 00:05:11.539 --> 00:05:15.099 and they're waiting on Jesus, and those who are ignoring Jesus. 00:05:15.100 --> 00:05:18.879 And so Paul, he doesn't want this church, 00:05:19.520 --> 00:05:23.840 who are facing persecution from the people around them, 00:05:24.180 --> 00:05:28.820 who are being attacked and may even have been martyred and killed, 00:05:29.140 --> 00:05:33.240 he doesn't want them to grieve like the rest of the world. 00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:38.400 The rest of the world who grieves without Jesus and without hope. 00:05:38.399 --> 00:05:42.459 He doesn't want them to grieve like there is no future, 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:44.839 or that their future is in doubt. 00:05:45.959 --> 00:05:47.659 In the Greek religious culture, 00:05:48.060 --> 00:05:52.399 people had to stand before hostile spiritual forces, 00:05:52.779 --> 00:05:55.799 hostile gods, without hope. 00:05:57.379 --> 00:06:01.379 One author from that time reflected that hope is for the living. 00:06:02.060 --> 00:06:03.739 The dead are without hope. 00:06:03.740 --> 00:06:09.879 In the face of death and desperation, grief reigns. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:12.699 How do people deal with grief? 00:06:13.240 --> 00:06:17.519 Well, we say that there's the five stages of grief that people go through. 00:06:17.879 --> 00:06:22.439 So how would someone at this time deal with their own pending mortality 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:23.939 or the death of a loved one? 00:06:24.900 --> 00:06:26.720 First of all, there would be denial. 00:06:27.540 --> 00:06:32.079 It's easy for many of us here who feel like death is a long way away 00:06:32.079 --> 00:06:34.459 just to deny that it's ever going to happen to us. 00:06:34.659 --> 00:06:36.180 We just push it out of our minds. 00:06:37.740 --> 00:06:41.039 Maybe at this time, when somebody did pass away, 00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:42.180 maybe there would be anger. 00:06:42.639 --> 00:06:46.060 There would be anger at the gods who had taken their loved one. 00:06:46.959 --> 00:06:48.659 Maybe then they move to bargaining. 00:06:49.240 --> 00:06:51.659 Bargaining with the gods, offering sacrifices, 00:06:52.139 --> 00:06:55.620 trying to buy this person's health 00:06:55.620 --> 00:06:59.560 or buy their way out of hell into some kind of heaven. 00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:02.759 Maybe they move into depression then, 00:07:03.339 --> 00:07:04.540 where there is just no hope. 00:07:05.379 --> 00:07:09.060 And finally, to acceptance that their loved one is lost. 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:12.540 There is no hope in any of this. 00:07:15.100 --> 00:07:19.259 And how do people comfort those who are in grief when there is no hope? 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:23.160 Often there is just empty platitudes. 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:26.060 Even if someone doesn't believe in God, 00:07:26.379 --> 00:07:28.540 they'll often speak like they do. 00:07:28.540 --> 00:07:32.260 I've found people who will say things like, 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:35.040 it's okay, they're with God now. 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:38.200 They're one of God's angels. 00:07:38.340 --> 00:07:41.400 They're looking down from heaven on you right now. 00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:45.520 And people say it because they want to comfort people grieving, 00:07:46.320 --> 00:07:49.980 but they don't have any real hope in the future. 00:07:51.140 --> 00:07:55.980 In reality, they'll just end up grieving because all is lost. 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:58.240 So what should we do then? 00:07:58.300 --> 00:07:59.360 How should we grieve? 00:07:59.600 --> 00:07:59.939 Paul says, 00:07:59.939 --> 00:08:01.060 Don't grieve like them, 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:02.860 like all hope is lost. 00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:09.719 What do we do when we face sickness and pain and our own mortality? 00:08:10.719 --> 00:08:11.560 Verse 14. 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:16.920 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again. 00:08:17.699 --> 00:08:22.159 And so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 00:08:22.160 --> 00:08:26.060 Paul doesn't give a fickle comfort. 00:08:26.200 --> 00:08:26.860 He doesn't say, 00:08:27.380 --> 00:08:28.240 Don't worry about death. 00:08:28.280 --> 00:08:29.000 It's fine. 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:30.780 It's going to be lovely. 00:08:30.920 --> 00:08:31.820 You'll go to be with God. 00:08:31.960 --> 00:08:33.200 You'll be an angel. 00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:35.220 Paul doesn't tell them, 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:36.139 Don't grieve. 00:08:37.139 --> 00:08:38.440 Death is awful. 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:40.180 It is horrible. 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:41.360 It's painful. 00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:46.840 When Jesus himself was confronted at the tomb of his friend Lazarus, 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:52.620 even knowing that in a moment he was going to raise his friend to life, 00:08:52.940 --> 00:08:54.800 Jesus still weeps. 00:08:56.120 --> 00:09:00.680 We see pain and death and it is right to grieve. 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:03.340 It's right to get angry and say, 00:09:03.779 --> 00:09:04.940 This is not right. 00:09:05.019 --> 00:09:07.180 This is not how God made the world to be. 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:10.120 Death is an enemy. 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:14.199 And we cannot deny it by suppressing our grief. 00:09:16.439 --> 00:09:20.779 But it is not a grief that has no hope. 00:09:22.019 --> 00:09:25.319 Hope is not a subjective feeling that can change day by day, 00:09:25.419 --> 00:09:27.679 depending on how our mood feels. 00:09:28.059 --> 00:09:33.199 The hope that we have is an objective reality that is true every day. 00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:39.400 Our grief is tempered and informed by the hope that we have. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:42.720 Jesus was raised from the dead. 00:09:43.420 --> 00:09:45.480 This is the reality of the world we live in. 00:09:45.720 --> 00:09:50.040 We live in a world where dead people come back to life and live forever. 00:09:50.740 --> 00:09:51.720 It's only happened once. 00:09:52.320 --> 00:09:56.000 There's only been one person who's died and come back to life and is still alive, 00:09:56.040 --> 00:09:56.580 and that's Jesus. 00:09:56.879 --> 00:09:59.140 But we live in a world where that is the reality. 00:09:59.139 --> 00:10:04.179 The reality is that Jesus is coming back soon, 00:10:04.319 --> 00:10:07.480 and all of those who have followed him, 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:09.679 even if they have died, they will be raised. 00:10:09.799 --> 00:10:12.080 And that is not false hope. 00:10:13.860 --> 00:10:16.639 Jesus' resurrection is a guarantee for us. 00:10:17.899 --> 00:10:19.539 He was dead and he was raised. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.139 So too will the Thessalonians, 00:10:22.279 --> 00:10:23.980 and so too will us. 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:27.460 If Jesus wasn't raised from the dead, 00:10:27.539 --> 00:10:29.759 as we saw in 1 Corinthians 15, 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:32.159 we are fools for believing it. 00:10:32.259 --> 00:10:35.340 We are fools for even being here tonight. 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:37.620 It's the most important. 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:40.019 It's the central part of Christianity. 00:10:40.960 --> 00:10:45.420 It's the one piece that all of Christianity rises or falls on. 00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:50.639 The testimony of Jesus' resurrection from the dead has gone out. 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:52.920 There were authoritative witnesses. 00:10:52.919 --> 00:10:54.399 There were people who saw it. 00:10:55.319 --> 00:10:57.259 They could have been appealed to. 00:10:57.339 --> 00:10:58.199 People could go and check. 00:10:58.279 --> 00:10:59.939 Did you see Jesus after he was dead? 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:00.620 Yeah, I saw him. 00:11:01.699 --> 00:11:02.539 People saw it. 00:11:02.599 --> 00:11:03.439 It was recorded. 00:11:04.979 --> 00:11:06.199 Jesus was dead, 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:08.399 and now he is alive. 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:10.879 The Thessalonians, 00:11:11.079 --> 00:11:13.299 they were worried about their death. 00:11:14.099 --> 00:11:16.079 They were worried about what their future held. 00:11:16.980 --> 00:11:17.539 In particular, 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:20.139 they were worried that their friends who had died 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:22.199 were going to miss out on seeing Jesus. 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:27.059 But Paul doesn't want them to be fearful or anxious 00:11:27.059 --> 00:11:29.259 about what happens when we die. 00:11:30.339 --> 00:11:34.039 He wants to inform them so that they can have certainty, 00:11:34.519 --> 00:11:36.139 that they can have hope in the future. 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:41.360 I think fear of death is pretty similar to the fear of the unknown. 00:11:41.699 --> 00:11:44.120 It's a fear of what happens after we die. 00:11:44.120 --> 00:11:46.120 I see it in kids. 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:47.039 I see it in my kids. 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:51.100 They fear the dark under their bed. 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:53.200 And what do they do? 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:58.320 They often fill the dark under their bed with imaginary things. 00:11:58.399 --> 00:12:00.120 They fill it with monsters and boogeymen. 00:12:01.100 --> 00:12:03.899 Is there some kind of great phrase in Chinese? 00:12:03.899 --> 00:12:07.480 I didn't hear you. 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:08.139 I'm sure there is. 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:12.519 We fill the unknown with things that we fear. 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:14.500 But Paul, 00:12:14.740 --> 00:12:16.199 he gets a flashlight, 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:18.240 and he shines a light in the dark, 00:12:18.319 --> 00:12:18.679 and he says, 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:19.240 relax. 00:12:20.419 --> 00:12:21.459 Child, there's nothing there. 00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:22.319 Go back to sleep. 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:23.299 He says, relax. 00:12:24.199 --> 00:12:25.740 God has got this. 00:12:26.579 --> 00:12:26.959 Actually, 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:28.899 he doesn't just take a light and shine it under the bed. 00:12:29.039 --> 00:12:30.459 He takes a hacksaw to the legs, 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:31.039 chops the bed, 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:32.279 and the bed drops down. 00:12:32.719 --> 00:12:33.959 So there's nothing under the bed. 00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:34.879 There is no fear. 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:36.899 Jesus, 00:12:37.139 --> 00:12:37.979 who was dead, 00:12:38.339 --> 00:12:39.539 is alive. 00:12:40.659 --> 00:12:42.039 And those who follow him, 00:12:42.319 --> 00:12:43.079 they will be too. 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.959 If you're struggling in your faith, 00:12:47.839 --> 00:12:48.819 and yet can say, 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:52.419 I believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:54.839 and God will raise me like him. 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:57.839 That is an amazing and wonderful thing to hold on to. 00:12:58.659 --> 00:13:01.459 Even if you're struggling with all other parts of Christianity, 00:13:02.819 --> 00:13:05.159 with how God wants you to live your life, 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:06.579 with sexual purity, 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:07.799 as we saw last week, 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:12.539 stand firm in the fact that God raised Jesus, 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:14.699 and he will raise us. 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:17.139 Verse 14, 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:20.599 for we believe that Jesus died and rose again. 00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:23.940 And so we believe that God will bring with Jesus, 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:27.100 those who have fallen asleep in him. 00:13:28.540 --> 00:13:30.000 Paul doesn't want them to fear. 00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:32.240 He wants them to have certainty about the future. 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:37.820 But we don't know too much about what the resurrection will look like. 00:13:38.680 --> 00:13:40.860 We don't know what this future hope looks like. 00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:43.639 But Paul gives us some certainties. 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:46.960 He paints a bit of a picture of what it will look like. 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:48.700 Have a look at verse 15 with me. 00:13:48.700 --> 00:13:51.740 According to the Lord's words, 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:54.340 we tell you that we who are still alive, 00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:56.639 we who are left until the coming of the Lord, 00:13:57.000 --> 00:14:00.000 will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:04.299 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:06.440 with the voice of the archangel, 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:08.320 and with the trumpet call of God, 00:14:08.440 --> 00:14:11.220 and the dead in Christ will rise first. 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:12.980 After that, 00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:15.799 we who are still alive and are left 00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:18.500 will be caught up together with them in the clouds 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:20.120 to meet the Lord in the air. 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:22.919 And so we will be with the Lord forever. 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:26.919 Paul reassures the Thessalonian church 00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:29.419 about those who have already fallen asleep. 00:14:29.940 --> 00:14:32.580 And he paints a picture of those who are already dead. 00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:34.419 Will they have a place of privilege? 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:39.580 The dead will rise first to meet the Lord in the air. 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:42.060 And then those who are still alive, 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:44.740 they'll be caught up in the clouds to meet with the Lord. 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:50.139 Now, I don't necessarily think this is a step-by-step guide to the resurrection. 00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:51.440 However, 00:14:52.560 --> 00:14:54.759 what it does affirm for us 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:57.419 is that Jesus hasn't forgotten the dead. 00:14:58.799 --> 00:15:01.539 Even those who have been dead for thousands of years, 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:02.580 like the Thessalonians, 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:06.419 we will all meet with Jesus together. 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:08.480 And he speaks of the clouds 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:11.919 because that's the meeting place between humans and the divine. 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:14.659 The clouds were the place where we meet. 00:15:14.939 --> 00:15:17.379 You know, you think of the kind of the classic picture of heaven 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:18.779 from, you know, the Simpsons or something. 00:15:18.959 --> 00:15:20.219 It's always fluffy clouds. 00:15:21.299 --> 00:15:22.120 It's a metaphor. 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:25.219 It's a picture of being together with Jesus. 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:28.519 And when that moment does come, 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:31.360 the moment when Jesus returns, 00:15:31.439 --> 00:15:33.899 the moment we've been waiting for for thousands of years, 00:15:34.099 --> 00:15:36.579 it will come with a loud command. 00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:38.900 The voice of the archangel 00:15:38.900 --> 00:15:40.740 and the trumpet call of God. 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:44.860 Does anybody play the trumpet these days? 00:15:45.920 --> 00:15:46.860 I know Darcy does, 00:15:46.980 --> 00:15:49.440 but I think he's actually playing it right now. 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:52.440 But the trumpet, if you didn't know, 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:55.620 it's primarily a military instrument. 00:15:56.560 --> 00:16:00.379 And so you would use it to get the army ready for battle. 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:03.340 You know, it's a nice loud instrument 00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:04.779 that just kind of cuts through everything 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:07.100 a bit better than, you know, gentle keys 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:09.080 or the strumming of an acoustic guitar. 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:10.620 It cuts through. 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:13.580 And it says, people, get up, stand up, be ready. 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:17.200 And Paul says, when the Lord returns, 00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:18.840 there's going to be a trumpet call. 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:26.000 It paints this picture that we're going to be ready, 00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:29.120 that we'll hear a trumpet call and we will rise. 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:31.680 Even those who are dead will stand up, 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:34.820 ready to attention, ready for our commander, 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:36.840 ready for our Lord to return. 00:16:38.560 --> 00:16:41.379 And so this picture of the Lord's return, 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:44.660 it paints that the dead are raised, 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:47.319 that those who are still living 00:16:47.319 --> 00:16:48.879 are lifted up to be with Jesus. 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:53.379 Everyone will hear the trumpet will ring out. 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:57.279 Now, I have no idea what this looks like in practice. 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:59.919 We have a globe, not a flat earth. 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:03.360 And so I don't know what it's going to look like 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:05.139 when there's a trumpet call 00:17:05.139 --> 00:17:06.899 and Jesus returns at one point. 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:08.099 It fascinates me. 00:17:08.399 --> 00:17:09.799 I love to dwell on this. 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:12.940 But what I have confidence in 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:15.160 is that no one will miss out. 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:18.160 All of those who follow the Lord, 00:17:18.620 --> 00:17:19.920 living or dead, 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:21.279 will hear his call, 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:22.759 will hear that trumpet call. 00:17:23.080 --> 00:17:24.240 The dead will be raised. 00:17:25.860 --> 00:17:27.840 Paul gives all of this information, 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:30.380 not so that people are really aware 00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:32.680 of trumpet calls and watch the clouds. 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:34.660 Paul gives this information 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:38.000 so that people don't grieve without hope. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.320 Verse 18. 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:43.859 Therefore, encourage one another with these words. 00:17:45.679 --> 00:17:48.720 Remind each other that the hope is in the Lord 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:50.799 and in his return. 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.599 Our hope, our future, 00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:55.000 is not the stuff of speculation. 00:17:55.419 --> 00:17:57.200 It's not the stuff of fiction. 00:17:57.480 --> 00:18:00.720 It's not the stuff of the latest sci-fi TV show. 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:05.059 So, it's a passage for us at a funeral, 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:07.360 at a graveside, 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:11.279 in our hands comforting a brother or sister 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:12.860 in their greatest sorrow. 00:18:14.140 --> 00:18:16.600 I know of a man who became a Christian 00:18:16.600 --> 00:18:17.779 about 15 years ago, 00:18:18.360 --> 00:18:20.600 but he was so fearful of death 00:18:20.600 --> 00:18:22.860 that he just didn't talk about it at all. 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.620 He would avoid the topic. 00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:26.140 If the topic came up, 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:27.980 he would just change the conversation. 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.759 He was so fearful, 00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:32.019 he just couldn't engage at all. 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:35.180 And it's only been in the last three years 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:37.700 that he's actually been able to engage, 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:41.099 that he's been able to talk about his own funeral, 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:42.900 about his own death, 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.579 and what the future holds. 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:47.720 It took 12 years of following the Lord 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:49.700 to see that change in him. 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:53.539 I can understand fearing the pain 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:55.400 and fearing the uncertainty 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:57.000 of how we're going to die, 00:18:57.000 --> 00:19:00.400 but we don't need to fear death itself 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:02.279 or what happens after. 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:04.500 We know what will happen after. 00:19:05.619 --> 00:19:07.039 Those who are following the Lord, 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:09.680 they will be raised to everlasting life. 00:19:10.660 --> 00:19:11.539 So, when we grieve, 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:14.480 we don't grieve like it's the end. 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:16.579 We don't grieve as if we have no hope. 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:19.740 We grieve in the hope, 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:21.640 knowing that the Lord will return 00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:23.759 and that we'll be raised with him. 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:27.000 Paul has painted this picture 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:28.539 of what happens after death 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:30.400 and when the Lord returns. 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:32.819 And now he answers the question 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:34.200 that's on everyone's mind. 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.319 Imagine the Thessalonians, 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:37.440 they're being persecuted. 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:39.660 Some of them are being murdered 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.740 for following Jesus. 00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:44.680 They've heard that the Lord is going to come back 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:47.360 and I can imagine they would be thinking, 00:19:47.820 --> 00:19:48.080 when? 00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:50.019 When is he coming back? 00:19:51.120 --> 00:19:52.700 We're facing a lot of persecution. 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:55.720 When is the Lord coming back? 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.160 And so Paul, 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:59.500 likely knowing that this was their next question, 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:01.460 he answers it at the start of chapter 5. 00:20:01.860 --> 00:20:03.140 Have a look at verse 2 with me. 00:20:03.140 --> 00:20:06.500 The day of the Lord will come 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:08.220 like a thief in the night. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:11.960 Compared with those who were saying 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:13.100 that there was peace and security, 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.740 the Lord will return 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:17.040 in an instant when no one is ready. 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:20.340 There was a common phrase 00:20:20.340 --> 00:20:21.600 in the city at the time, 00:20:22.080 --> 00:20:23.540 peace and security. 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.500 It came from, 00:20:25.540 --> 00:20:26.140 I think it's Latin, 00:20:26.340 --> 00:20:28.580 Pax Romana under Augustus, 00:20:28.600 --> 00:20:30.600 who was in charge at the time. 00:20:30.600 --> 00:20:32.560 This was a repeated phrase. 00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:35.700 The Romans had taken control 00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:37.420 of the empire 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:40.580 and they had brought peace and safety, 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.300 peace and security. 00:20:43.060 --> 00:20:45.960 And so it described a reality for people 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:47.900 that there was an absence of war 00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:49.740 and there was social harmony 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:52.940 that brought joy and prosperity to people. 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:54.880 But in reality, 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:59.900 there was joy and prosperity 00:20:59.900 --> 00:21:01.060 between countries, 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:02.519 but there was no peace 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:04.179 between people and God. 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:06.240 It gave them false hope. 00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:07.639 Just like the false hope 00:21:07.639 --> 00:21:08.399 of living in Sydney, 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:10.119 we can very easily walk around 00:21:10.119 --> 00:21:10.799 and say, 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:12.159 peace and prosperity, 00:21:12.379 --> 00:21:13.079 peace and security, 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:13.859 life is good, 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:14.619 everything's great. 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.200 You know, 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:16.519 yesterday was a wonderful day 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.220 to be at the beach 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:17.940 out in the sun. 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:19.559 Pretty sure I got sunburned 00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:20.480 mowing the lawns. 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:21.480 Peace and safety, 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.879 no one was attacking me. 00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:23.659 It was lovely. 00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:42.519 It's the flip side of the picture 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:44.100 of joy and hope in Jesus. 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:47.480 For those who aren't following Jesus, 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:50.180 who think there is peace 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:51.880 and safety and security, 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:53.660 destruction comes. 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:56.140 And it comes without warning. 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.880 This is not like a typhoon 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.620 where there's a warning, 00:21:58.759 --> 00:22:00.500 there is no earthquake alarm. 00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:02.059 It is labor pains. 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:05.460 It comes upon a woman suddenly. 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:08.559 I remember when Alyssa was in labor 00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:10.200 with Isaac. 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:12.600 She had a really long labor. 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.519 But at one point, 00:22:14.600 --> 00:22:16.019 she tried to get up and say, 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:18.299 I don't want to do this anymore. 00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:19.500 This hurts. 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:22.140 I want to escape this. 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:22.900 I want to go home. 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:24.400 I'm going to get off the bed. 00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:24.819 You know, 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:25.500 she couldn't. 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:27.019 I don't know why I'm laughing at her. 00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:27.500 She's not here. 00:22:28.840 --> 00:22:30.019 But there was no salvation. 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:31.200 That baby had to come. 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:33.700 There is no escaping labor. 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:37.500 In that day when Jesus returns, 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:39.840 there will be fulfillment of hope. 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:40.939 There will be joy. 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:44.720 But it will also be destruction 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:46.720 for those who are not ready for the Lord. 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:48.839 There will be no escape. 00:22:50.419 --> 00:22:51.939 But he hasn't come back yet. 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:55.799 And I think this is a great motivator 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:57.439 for us to be on mission. 00:22:58.599 --> 00:23:00.039 Jesus could return at any moment. 00:23:01.419 --> 00:23:03.319 And there's many people in my family 00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:04.859 who don't know the Lord. 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:08.099 This should be an alarm for us. 00:23:08.099 --> 00:23:10.439 This should be the earthquake warning. 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:13.199 We should be getting ready. 00:23:14.159 --> 00:23:14.799 Growing up, 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:17.819 my parents had a garage door 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:19.359 that had a clicker. 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:22.339 So I remember sitting in my room at home, 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:23.339 teenager, 00:23:24.139 --> 00:23:25.539 should have done all kinds of stuff, 00:23:25.619 --> 00:23:25.879 homework, 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.599 clean the room. 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:28.279 And then I'd hear the garage door 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:28.919 start opening 00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:30.839 and it was a sign that my parents were home. 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:31.659 And I'd jump up 00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:32.839 and I'd start cleaning things 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:34.599 and start looking like I was really busy. 00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:39.819 The Lord will return at any moment. 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:43.619 This should be the thing 00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:45.059 that alerts us to get ready, 00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:47.639 to get our lives in order, 00:23:48.179 --> 00:23:52.079 to get our friends 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:53.240 and our family ready 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.319 for the Lord's return. 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:58.079 But what do we do while we wait? 00:23:58.740 --> 00:24:00.000 It's been 2,000 years. 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:03.000 The Lord's return is a lot closer 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:04.299 than it was 2,000 years ago, 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:05.779 but we don't know when it's going to be. 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:09.859 So Paul says we need to wait ready. 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:12.299 Have a look at verse 6. 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:15.559 So then let us not be like others 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.440 who are asleep, 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:18.720 but let us be awake and sober. 00:24:19.379 --> 00:24:20.619 For those who sleep, 00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:21.619 sleep at night. 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:23.480 And those who get drunk, 00:24:23.919 --> 00:24:25.039 get drunk at night. 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:27.460 Paul says to wait for the Lord. 00:24:28.119 --> 00:24:29.180 Wait and be ready. 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:29.980 Don't be drunk. 00:24:30.639 --> 00:24:32.220 Don't go to sleep. 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:35.559 But stay awake 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:37.259 and be ready for the Lord's return. 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:39.599 Don't walk through life thinking, 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:41.399 ah, look, I'll follow Jesus later. 00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:44.900 I'm going to live my life like I want, 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:46.860 but when I get to about 80 or so, 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.780 or maybe when I get sick, 00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:49.320 just on my deathbed, 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:51.100 I'll repent, 00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:52.160 I'll turn to Jesus, 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.560 and I'll just slip into heaven, 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.840 and I'll have it all. 00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:57.720 Be ready. 00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:00.540 The Lord will come back 00:25:00.540 --> 00:25:02.080 at any moment. 00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:04.500 He will come back 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.940 like a thief in the night. 00:25:07.100 --> 00:25:09.420 So don't binge on immoral activity, 00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:11.200 but wait patiently. 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:14.300 Wait expecting the Lord to return. 00:25:15.600 --> 00:25:16.000 Verse 8, 00:25:16.060 --> 00:25:18.180 But since we belong to the day, 00:25:19.040 --> 00:25:19.980 let us be sober, 00:25:20.800 --> 00:25:22.420 putting on faith and love 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.380 as a breastplate, 00:25:23.580 --> 00:25:25.320 and the hope of salvation 00:25:25.320 --> 00:25:26.480 as a helmet. 00:25:27.320 --> 00:25:28.120 These are the themes 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:29.300 that have been all throughout 00:25:29.300 --> 00:25:30.180 1 Thessalonians. 00:25:30.360 --> 00:25:32.440 Faith, hope, and love. 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.900 And it comes back to them 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.340 at the end. 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.980 So while we wait, 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:37.880 we stand firm 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:39.240 in faith, 00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:39.940 in hope, 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.680 and in love. 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:43.079 We stand firm in the faith 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:44.960 that Jesus was raised 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:46.120 from the dead, 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.559 and so will we. 00:25:48.339 --> 00:25:49.380 We stand firm 00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:50.039 in the hope 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:51.559 that even though we will die, 00:25:52.579 --> 00:25:53.720 Jesus is coming back 00:25:53.720 --> 00:25:54.799 to take us to be home. 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:57.319 We stand firm 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:58.740 in love of God 00:25:58.740 --> 00:25:59.859 and one another. 00:26:01.379 --> 00:26:02.440 When we do this, 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:03.419 when we stand firm 00:26:03.419 --> 00:26:05.399 in the face of death, 00:26:06.399 --> 00:26:08.019 we show, 00:26:08.139 --> 00:26:09.220 we model to people. 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:12.660 we actually get the chance 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:13.240 to encourage 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:14.700 and build others up, 00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:16.660 persevering towards 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:17.539 that last day. 00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:20.819 It was towards 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:22.299 the end of last year. 00:26:23.180 --> 00:26:24.640 One of my aunties 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:26.120 got sick with cancer 00:26:26.120 --> 00:26:26.980 and passed away 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.600 very suddenly. 00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:29.579 She was a wonderful 00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:30.279 Christian lady. 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:31.960 And even though 00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:34.339 it was a time of grief, 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:36.240 it was also a time 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:37.259 of celebration. 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:39.559 There was joy 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.539 and hope 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:42.019 in what we long for. 00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:44.119 She now has the reward. 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:45.819 She is now with the Lord 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:47.319 that she has what I want. 00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:49.180 She gets to be with Jesus. 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:51.059 And I don't have that yet. 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:55.640 It is such a different grief 00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:57.339 to those who have no hope. 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.740 When we stand firm 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.740 in the face of death 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:02.119 saying Jesus is Lord, 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:04.579 even when it terrifies me, 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.519 it speaks loudly 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:08.339 to those people around us. 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:09.519 When we hope 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.359 in the resurrection 00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:11.200 that is more 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:12.259 than this life. 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.639 Paul answers 00:27:14.639 --> 00:27:15.900 the what happens 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:17.019 when you die question. 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:19.259 We will be raised 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:19.839 with the Lord. 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:22.019 He answers the question, 00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:22.839 what's going to happen? 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:23.339 Sorry, 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.680 when is the Lord 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.480 going to return? 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.700 And Paul says soon. 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:28.660 It is very soon. 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.740 I mentioned earlier 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:32.160 that we got to visit 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:33.400 Yet Home, 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:34.660 where a lot of my family 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.580 are buried. 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.100 And there is one 00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:38.240 headstone 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.460 that I thought 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:39.880 I would show you. 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:40.540 It should be on the screen. 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:43.740 It is normal Barnett. 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.820 It is proof 00:27:45.820 --> 00:27:46.480 that there is at least 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:48.000 one normal Barnett. 00:27:51.920 --> 00:27:53.080 We actually think 00:27:53.080 --> 00:27:54.420 they got his headstone wrong 00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:54.940 and it should have been 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:55.840 Norman Barnett, 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:56.540 but there you go. 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.200 It is normal. 00:27:58.600 --> 00:27:59.279 But what will 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.680 our headstone say? 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:02.860 Will it just be 00:28:02.860 --> 00:28:04.759 he was a normal person? 00:28:04.840 --> 00:28:06.180 He was a good father, 00:28:06.360 --> 00:28:07.120 a good mother. 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.660 These are good 00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:09.820 and important things. 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.960 Is our headstone 00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:13.600 going to say, 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:13.860 you know, 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.380 he is someone 00:28:14.380 --> 00:28:15.660 who tried to have 00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:16.660 everything in life. 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:20.180 Do we just want to have 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:21.320 a normal headstone? 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.019 He was a person 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.600 who was normal 00:28:23.600 --> 00:28:24.420 but is now dead. 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.600 What would it like 00:28:26.600 --> 00:28:27.700 to live a life 00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:29.480 so that our headstone 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:29.860 read, 00:28:29.859 --> 00:28:31.179 this person 00:28:31.179 --> 00:28:32.219 stood firm 00:28:32.219 --> 00:28:33.759 in faith 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.859 in the face 00:28:34.859 --> 00:28:35.459 of death. 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:36.919 They hoped 00:28:36.919 --> 00:28:37.759 for the resurrection 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.599 of the dead 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:40.079 and they loved 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:41.039 people radically 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:43.899 while they waited. 00:28:45.679 --> 00:28:46.299 How will people 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:46.939 describe us 00:28:46.939 --> 00:28:47.740 as a church? 00:28:48.979 --> 00:28:49.119 See, 00:28:49.219 --> 00:28:49.919 standing firm 00:28:49.919 --> 00:28:50.559 doesn't mean 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.659 that we stand still. 00:28:52.439 --> 00:28:53.679 We hold firmly 00:28:53.679 --> 00:28:54.599 onto the gospel 00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:56.000 so we can go forward 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:57.139 in God's plans 00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:58.279 and in God's purposes 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.000 for us. 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:01.439 When our hope 00:29:01.439 --> 00:29:02.159 is in God, 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:03.339 when we trust in 00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:04.639 no matter what 00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:05.479 happens on earth, 00:29:05.699 --> 00:29:06.679 even death, 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:08.519 when our hope 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:08.939 in God 00:29:08.939 --> 00:29:09.679 is like this, 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.759 we can make 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.719 radical decisions. 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:13.139 We can take 00:29:13.139 --> 00:29:14.319 massive risks 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:16.019 because it doesn't 00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:16.719 matter what happens 00:29:16.719 --> 00:29:17.459 to us on earth 00:29:17.459 --> 00:29:18.639 because God 00:29:18.639 --> 00:29:19.759 has an eternity 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:20.519 for us. 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:22.659 Standing firm 00:29:22.659 --> 00:29:23.240 in faith 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:23.979 means we won't 00:29:23.979 --> 00:29:24.799 be rattled 00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:26.059 by every wind 00:29:26.059 --> 00:29:26.839 of temptation. 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:28.440 Standing firm 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:29.039 in hope 00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:30.159 helps us 00:29:30.159 --> 00:29:30.960 to make decisions 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:31.599 that aren't 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:32.359 just about 00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:33.319 our, 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:33.899 I don't know, 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:35.179 80 or so years, 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.039 whatever the current 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:37.039 life expectancy is. 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:38.039 Standing firm 00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:38.619 in hope 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:39.339 means we 00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:41.299 have an eternal view. 00:29:42.159 --> 00:29:43.119 It helps us 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:44.079 to make decisions 00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:45.460 that have 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:46.960 an eternal impact. 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:49.419 And standing firm 00:29:49.419 --> 00:29:50.059 in love 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:51.119 means we can 00:29:51.119 --> 00:29:52.019 hold out 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.619 the hope 00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:53.359 that we have 00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:54.159 in the Lord's 00:29:54.159 --> 00:29:54.579 return 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:56.439 to those 00:29:56.439 --> 00:29:57.139 who grieve 00:29:57.139 --> 00:29:58.259 and say 00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:59.500 this is the only 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.479 comfort 00:30:00.479 --> 00:30:02.139 that there is a 00:30:02.139 --> 00:30:03.019 Lord who loves 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.179 you, 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:04.000 who died 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:05.019 so that we 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:05.819 can have life. 00:30:07.479 --> 00:30:08.500 What will you 00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:09.219 stand firm in? 00:30:09.439 --> 00:30:10.039 Let me pray. 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:15.919 Lord and Heavenly 00:30:15.919 --> 00:30:16.359 Father, 00:30:17.419 --> 00:30:18.179 we thank you 00:30:18.179 --> 00:30:18.879 to your word 00:30:18.879 --> 00:30:19.619 to us, 00:30:20.439 --> 00:30:21.819 to the whole 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.959 letter to the 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.759 Thessalonians. 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.779 And Father, 00:30:25.860 --> 00:30:26.579 we thank you 00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:28.500 that we can 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.440 indeed stand 00:30:29.440 --> 00:30:30.740 firm in you 00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:31.740 because of what 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.380 you have done 00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:33.140 through your Son. 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:35.519 Heavenly Father, 00:30:35.640 --> 00:30:36.279 we ask 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:37.640 that in the face 00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:38.340 of death 00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:39.220 and pain 00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:40.900 that we would 00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:41.620 stand firm 00:30:41.620 --> 00:30:42.200 hoping 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:44.559 not in this 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:45.340 life but in 00:30:45.340 --> 00:30:46.019 what you have 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:47.000 prepared for us 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.640 in advance. 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:49.200 Father, 00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:50.380 help our lives 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:51.779 be ones 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.380 that show 00:30:52.380 --> 00:30:53.560 that this 00:30:53.560 --> 00:30:54.340 life is 00:30:54.340 --> 00:30:56.260 only temporary 00:30:56.260 --> 00:30:57.900 but we 00:30:57.900 --> 00:30:58.560 long for 00:30:58.560 --> 00:30:58.900 what is 00:30:58.900 --> 00:30:59.320 eternal, 00:30:59.600 --> 00:30:59.740 Lord. 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.460 And while we 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:01.740 wait, 00:31:01.840 --> 00:31:02.640 help our lives 00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:03.160 be marked 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:03.740 with love 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.260 for those 00:31:04.260 --> 00:31:04.960 around us. 00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:06.920 We ask 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.320 this in your 00:31:07.320 --> 00:31:07.880 Son's name 00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:08.620 and feel glory. 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:09.780 Amen.