People's Church

1. Great White Throne Judgment

2. Judgment Seat of Christ

Romans 14:10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother?

For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive

what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 3:8-9 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be

rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s

field, God’s building. (NIV)

3 Truths About Your Building

1. Everyone is building

1 Corinthians 3:10  By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone

else is building on it. But each one should build with care. (NIV)

2. Everyone’s building will be tested

1 Corinthians 3:12-13 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay

or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be

revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. (NIV)

Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. (NIV)

Job 34:21 “For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do. (NLT)

Proverbs 5:21 For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. (NLT)

Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare

before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (NIV)

3. You will or will not be rewarded based on what you build

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay

or straw,  13  their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be

revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built

survives, the builder will receive a reward.  15  If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will

be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. (NIV)

1. Great White Throne Judgment

2. Judgment Seat of Christ

Romans 14:10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother?

For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive

what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 3:8-9 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be

rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s

field, God’s building. (NIV)

3 Truths About Your Building

1. Everyone is building

1 Corinthians 3:10  By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone

else is building on it. But each one should build with care. (NIV)

2. Everyone’s building will be tested

1 Corinthians 3:12-13 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay

or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be

revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. (NIV)

Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. (NIV)

Job 34:21 “For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do. (NLT)

Proverbs 5:21 For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. (NLT)

Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare

before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (NIV)

3. You will or will not be rewarded based on what you build

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay

or straw,  13  their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be

revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built

survives, the builder will receive a reward.  15  If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will

be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. (NIV)

2 Major Differences Between The Rapture And The Second Coming Of Christ

1. The Rapture happens before the tribulation. The Second Coming of Christ

happens after the tribulation.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

Revelation 7:14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (NIV)

Revelation 22:12  “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” (NIV)

2. During the Rapture we meet Jesus in the air. During the Second Coming we return to earth

with Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:16– 17 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (NIV)

Revelation 19:14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. (NIV)

Two Reasons Why Jesus Is Coming Back To Earth A Second Time

1. He’s Coming to Judge Sin

1 John 3:5 “you know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin” (ESV)

Psalm 110:6 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth. (NIV)

1. He’s coming from the sky and every eye will see him

Matthew 24:30 “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory” (NIV)

Revelation 1:7 “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him” (ESV)

2. He’s coming on a white horse

Revelation 19:11  I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. (NIV)

3. He’s coming with a sword

Revelation 19:15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty (NIV)

Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (NIV)

2. He’s Coming to Reign

Revelation 19:16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. (NIV)

Jude 1:14-15 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” (NIV)

Revelation 5:10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (NIV)

1. Let the sword cut you now instead of cutting you later

Hebrews 4:12–13 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (NIV)

2 Major Differences Between The Rapture And The Second Coming Of Christ

1. The Rapture happens before the tribulation. The Second Coming of Christ

happens after the tribulation.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

Revelation 7:14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (NIV)

Revelation 22:12  “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” (NIV)

2. During the Rapture we meet Jesus in the air. During the Second Coming we return to earth

with Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:16– 17 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (NIV)

Revelation 19:14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. (NIV)

Two Reasons Why Jesus Is Coming Back To Earth A Second Time

1. He’s Coming to Judge Sin

1 John 3:5 “you know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin” (ESV)

Psalm 110:6 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth. (NIV)

1. He’s coming from the sky and every eye will see him

Matthew 24:30 “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory” (NIV)

Revelation 1:7 “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him” (ESV)

2. He’s coming on a white horse

Revelation 19:11  I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. (NIV)

3. He’s coming with a sword

Revelation 19:15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty (NIV)

Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (NIV)

2. He’s Coming to Reign

Revelation 19:16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. (NIV)

Jude 1:14-15 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” (NIV)

Revelation 5:10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (NIV)

1. Let the sword cut you now instead of cutting you later

Hebrews 4:12–13 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (NIV)

Matthew 6:27 “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (NIV)

Negative effects of worry:

1. Worry affects us physically.

2. Worry affects us emotionally.

3. Worry affects us mentally.

4. Worry affects us spiritually.

Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (NLT)

3 Practices to Overcome Worry:

1. Come to Jesus.

Matthew 11:28a Jesus says “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens” (NLT)

3 Ways to Come to Jesus.

1. Come to His word.

2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (NIV)

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (NLT)

Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (NLT)

2. Come to Him through prayer.

Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (NLT)

3. Come to Him through worship.

Romans 13:14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. (NLT)

2. Swallow your pride.

Matthew 11:28a Jesus says “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens” (NLT)

Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)

Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (NIV)

3. Rest

Matthew 11:28-29 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (NIV)

Genesis 2:2-3 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested[a] from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. (NLT)

Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (NLT)

Matthew 6:27 “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (NIV)

Negative effects of worry:

1. Worry affects us physically.

2. Worry affects us emotionally.

3. Worry affects us mentally.

4. Worry affects us spiritually.

Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (NLT)

3 Practices to Overcome Worry:

1. Come to Jesus.

Matthew 11:28a Jesus says “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens” (NLT)

3 Ways to Come to Jesus.

1. Come to His word.

2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (NIV)

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (NLT)

Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (NLT)

2. Come to Him through prayer.

Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (NLT)

3. Come to Him through worship.

Romans 13:14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. (NLT)

2. Swallow your pride.

Matthew 11:28a Jesus says “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens” (NLT)

Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)

Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (NIV)

3. Rest

Matthew 11:28-29 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (NIV)

Genesis 2:2-3 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested[a] from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. (NLT)

Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (NLT)

Psalm 31:15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. (NIV)

Acts 17:26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. (NIV)

Psalm 102:13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. (NIV)

Habakkuk 2:3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie.If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. (ESV)

How do we trust God’s tempo?

Faith

Patience

Hebrews 6:12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (NIV)

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

Psalm 27:13-14 I remain confident of this! I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (NIV)

Psalm 23 Though I walk through the shadow of death- I will not be afraid… You’re gonna take care of me for your name’s sake! It’s for His glory! He’s goodness & mercy shall follow you all the days of your life! (NIV)

Job 19:25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth

(NIV)

Phil. 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Isaiah 14:24 The Lord of Armies has taken an oath:“It will happen exactly as I’ve in tended. It will turn out exactly as I’ve planned. (GW)

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. (NIV)

2 Cor. 5:7 For we live by faith, not by sight. (NIV)

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (NIV)

Psalms 31:15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. (NIV)

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (NIV)

Psalm 31:15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. (NIV)

Acts 17:26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. (NIV)

Psalm 102:13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. (NIV)

Habakkuk 2:3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie.If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. (ESV)

How do we trust God’s tempo?

Faith

Patience

Hebrews 6:12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (NIV)

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

Psalm 27:13-14 I remain confident of this! I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (NIV)

Psalm 23 Though I walk through the shadow of death- I will not be afraid… You’re gonna take care of me for your name’s sake! It’s for His glory! He’s goodness & mercy shall follow you all the days of your life! (NIV)

Job 19:25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth

(NIV)

Phil. 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Isaiah 14:24 The Lord of Armies has taken an oath:“It will happen exactly as I’ve in tended. It will turn out exactly as I’ve planned. (GW)

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. (NIV)

2 Cor. 5:7 For we live by faith, not by sight. (NIV)

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (NIV)

Psalms 31:15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. (NIV)

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (NIV)

1. What is the rapture

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

Revelation 3:10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. (NIV)

2. What will happen during the rapture

1 Thessalonians 4:15–18 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. (ESV)

1 Corinthians 15:6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. (NIV)

Acts 7:59-60 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first (NIV)

John 5:25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (NIV)

1. Encourage you to pray

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. (NIV)

2. Encourage you to love people

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (NIV)

Matthew 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, (NIV)

3. Encourage you to help people

1 Peter 4:9-10 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (NIV)

1. What is the rapture

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

Revelation 3:10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. (NIV)

2. What will happen during the rapture

1 Thessalonians 4:15–18 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. (ESV)

1 Corinthians 15:6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. (NIV)

Acts 7:59-60 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first (NIV)

John 5:25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (NIV)

1. Encourage you to pray

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. (NIV)

2. Encourage you to love people

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (NIV)

Matthew 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, (NIV)

3. Encourage you to help people

1 Peter 4:9-10 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (NIV)