“The Death of a Saint”
Text: I Thes 4:13-18
Thesis: To enlighten and comfort Christians concerning the death of a fellow saint.
Intro:
1. Death is something that everyone who has or will live must face. (Heb 9:27).
2. It is natural for us to express our emotions and weep over loved one who have fallen asleep (Jn 11:35).
3. However, the day a Christian dies is the best day of his or her life (Eccl 7:1). We should not weep because we would rather these persons be back on earth with us. Their death is better than the day they were born.
4. When a Christian dies it is the final step that launches them into eternal bliss if they have been faithful. (Ps 116:15, Rev 14:13, I Cor 15:56-57).
5. In I Thessalonians 4 God wants us to know for sure 4 principles concerning the death of a Saint.
I. THE DEAD HAVE HOPE IN CHRIST (1 Thes. 4:13).
A. What is hope? Hope is Assured Anticipation! Rom 5:5, Heb 6:19
B. Where is hope located? In Christ (I Cor 15:19, I Tim 1:1, Col 1:27).
C. What do Christians hope for?
1. Hope of being made righteous for eternity. Gal 5:5
2. Hope of the Resurrection from the dead. I Cor 15:19-20, 51-53
3. Hope of Heaven (Phil 3:20-21, II Cor 5:2, Titus 3:7, Jn 14:1ff
4. Hope of escaping eternal destruction. II Thes 1:7-8, II Pet 3:10, Matt 25:46, Rev 21:8
D. Where is this Hope found? By hearing/reading the word of God Col 1:5
II. Death is Only a Sleep (1 Thes. 4:15).
A. After death people continue to exist. Lk 16:19-31
1. The spirit of man is incorruptible. I Pet 3:1-4
2. The inward man lives on after death. Ps 22:26, 2 Cor 4:16-18, Abram-Isaac-Jacob MK 12
B. After death, the soul of a Christian goes to be with Christ in Paradise Phil 1:21-23.
III. Death is a Heavenly
A. All have been to a family reunion where we love to be reacquainted with loved ones we have not seen in years.
B. There is a greater family reunion than that waiting for the faithful Christian.
1. It is a reunion with our spiritual family (Mk 3:35).
2. We will be reunited with loved ones who die in Christ (spouse, child, etc.,)
3. We will meet our Elder brother Jesus Christ face to face.
4. We will be in the presence of the Creator who made us for eternity.
IV. The Deceased is Eternally Secure in Heaven (1
Thes. 4:18).
A. If we continue to love God all our life than truly nothing will be able to separate us from God’s Love in Eternity. Rom 8:35ff
B. What a glorious and comforting thought to know that we will live with our Spiritual family in Heaven forever.
Conclusion:
Like Solomon, we can do nothing to bring our loved ones back to us, we must go to them (I Sam 12:23). Are you prepared to meet the Lord (Amos 4:12). If Christ were to come back today, would u be ready? Have you obeyed the gospel?