1 Thessalonians 4:9-18

Sources of Encouragement

1. Grief and Hope can go together (v. 13)

2. Jesus’ Resurrection (v. 14)

3. Jesus’ Return/Coming (vv. 15-16a)

4. We will Experience Jesus’ Return Together (vv. 16b-17a)

5. We will Be with the Lord Forever (v. 17b)

Results of Encouragement

1. Set Free to Trust God (v. 18)

-No need to fear death

-No need to doubt God’s plan

-No need to live without hope

*Do I trust in God’s defeat of death through Jesus Christ?

2. Set Free to Live for God (vv. 9-12)

-Love More

-Get to Work

-Impact Others

*Do I live in Christ’s victory by loving and caring for others?

What our world desperately needs in a time of fear-based prophecy schemes and self-centered profit strategies are people set free to love and live freely for the good of others, without fear of death and with living hope for today and tomorrow.