To die, to sleep
1 Thessalonians 4.13-18
For we believe that Jesus died and rose again.
Prepare
Give thanks for those you have known and loved who have ‘fallen asleep in [Jesus]’ (v 14). Thank God for their example and their encouragement.
Read
Explore
We learn much about Paul’s pastoral heart in this passage. First, he wants to deal with ignorance (v 13), which causes many issues in the Christian walk. How do you deal with your own ignorance in matters of faith? Do you?
Second, he meets their concern with the central message of the gospel: ‘Jesus died and rose again’ (v 14). Notice we ‘sleep in death’, but Jesus ‘died’: he endured death and its consequences which means that for his followers it is more like sleep.
Third, Paul’s confidence in Jesus’ return comes from ‘the Lord’s word’ (v 15). This is not made up by Paul, but the truth from the only one we can truly trust. The picture he uses is of an important visitor being greeted and then welcomed into a city by its citizens (vs 16,17). It will be a wonderful reunion.
Fourth, we don’t know everything about the future (see 5.1), but we know enough to ‘encourage one another’ (v 18). Pastoral care and encouragement is for all of us to practise.
Respond
How can you encourage someone in your church family this week? Whether they are bereaved or not, how can you (gently) encourage them with the truth of the gospel? How can you go out of your way to show them they are loved?