Well, once again, may the Lord
bless us as we turn to the first epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians,
the fourth chapter, and we'll read tonight verses 13 and 14. The first epistle of Paul to
the Thessalonians, chapter four, reading verses 13 and 14. I think it's very significant
as we read these verses and think about them, how appropriate they
are for our present situation as a church. And we're thankful
that the Lord ordains such things. There was nothing planned to
come to these two verses tonight, but we see in the Lord's goodness
that it has come and how appropriate they are. So let's read these
two verses, verse 13 and 14 in the fourth chapter. I would not
have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep,
that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we
believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which
sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. Well, the Apostle Paul was encouraging
the Thessalonians to recognize and realize the blessing it was
to have those who died in the Lord. And therefore, though there
would of course be that natural sorrow, they weren't to be over
sorry because of the wonderful comfort there was to believe
that such are forever with the Lord. And that certainly does
bring a great consolation and comfort to those who believe
in these difficult and trying times. How terrible it would
be to lose loved ones and realize there was no hope eternally for
them. And to think of the terrible
conditions that they would exist in for eternity. And yet you
see by comparison what a wonderful blessing it is to have that good
hope through the grace of God that it is well with their souls
and that eternally. May such a thought and consolation
truly be a great help and a blessing to us. And so, you see, the apostle
tells us, but I would not have you to be ignorant. He didn't
want us to be ignorant of this comforting truth, ignorant of
the grace of God, ignorant of the favor of God. And so he writes
very positively, I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren.
And then he tells us, concerning them which are asleep, that ye
sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. We know, of course,
the soul, of course, lives forever and is never asleep. Never asleep
either in heaven or in hell. And we know that the earthly
body of those who do die, well as it were, sleep until that
great day of the resurrection when they will be raised incorruptible
and undefiled to once again be united to their soul and to live
forever with the Lord and the whole family of God. It's a wonderful prospect for
the true Church of God. to be able to look forward with
a gracious and a humble anticipation to realize that the time will
come when the Lord will return and those who are His will be
caught up to be with Him in the clouds forevermore. What a great,
wonderful blessing that will be. He says, for if we believe
that Jesus died, what a blessing it is for all of us tonight. If we have received God-given
faith to believe the truth of God's Word, to believe that there
is a rest that remains to the people of God, that there is
a glorious habitation to be inhabited by the Church of God. And therefore,
what a mercy if God gives us that new life, that ability through
his grace, through his love and mercy to truly come and believe
that Jesus died and not only died, but as the Apostle said,
and rose again. Yes, the Savior, we believe,
rose from the dead, a conqueror over sin, death, hell and the
grave. And now he is seated on the Father's
right hand in glory to intercede for those who still remain on
the earth, who still have to battle against all the opposition
that Satan brings before them. What a mercy it is then if we
are blessed with that living faith to believe that Jesus died
and rose again. It's a wonderful subject to meditate
upon, because we see in it the wonderful fulfilment of the great
and wondrous plan of salvation, completed in the death of Jesus
upon Calvary's cross. When he uttered those wonderful
words, it is finished. And then, of course, after those
three days when he rose from the dead. Well, we should be
encouraged by that. And when we see death and face
death, to realize the reality of it. For if we believe that
Jesus died and rose again, even so, then also which sleep in
Jesus will God bring with him. Well, those who we've lost recently,
we can believe this applies to. It may apply in due time to all
of us. We know not whether the Lord
will return in all his glory before the Lord takes us from
this earth. But whatever our condition, whatever
those who've gone before condition, The one thing is gloriously and
wonderfully true that the whole Church of God will be forever
with the Lord. And so may we encourage each
other in these things. Be thankful that the Apostle
was ordained by Almighty God from eternity past to write such
things which have an application to the church of God and to us
today. May we take it at heart and be
encouraged by it and bless God for it. And so let us read these
two verses again. But I would not have you to be
ignorant brethren concerning them which are asleep, that ye
sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. No, we do have
a good hope. For if we believe And may we
all believe that Jesus died and rose again. Even so, them also
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. Well, can we
not say, blessed be God.