Thessalonians – Hope
We sang our hearts out in worship to God together last night! It was an amazing night of bringing many together from all over town to praise God in unity. Hearts were full. Smiles of joy were on faces as the Holy Spirit filled the room, touching all of us. The songs still ring in my head and bless my soul.
The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
Sorrow may come in the darkest night
But the cross has the final word
There’s nothing stronger, nothing higher
There’s nothing greater than the name of Jesus
All the honor, all the power
All the glory to the name of Jesus
The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
Evil may put up its strongest fight
But the cross has the final word
As we read our next passage in Thessalonians we recall the hope and assurance we have of our destiny. Jesus IS coming back. “So reassure one another with these words!”
1 Thessalonians 4, The Message
The Master’s Coming
13-14 And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don’t want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.
15-18 And then this: We can tell you with complete confidence—we have the Master’s word on it—that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they’ll be ahead of us. The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they’ll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words.DO IT AGAIN!
Walking around these walls
I thought by now they’d fall
But You have never failed me yet
Waiting for change to come
Knowing the battle’s won
For You have never failed me yet
Promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed me yet
I know the night won’t last
Your word will come to pass
My heart will sing Your praise again
Jesus You’re still enough
Keep me within Your love
My heart will sing Your praise again
Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed
Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed me yet
I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains
And I believe I’ll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe I’ll see You do it again
What do we learn?–Jesus is coming back to claim His own.
–We are joint heirs with Christ in the eyes of God, the Father.
–God will keep His promises.
–God doesn’t change. Ever. God will love us forever.
–Are you one of His own? You can be?
YES, AND AMEN!
Father of kindness
You have poured out of grace
You brought me out of darkness
You have filled me with peace
Giver of mercy
You’re my help in time of need
Lord I can’t help but sing
Faithful you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful you are
All your promises are yes and Amen
All your promises are yes and Amen
Beautiful Saviour
You have brought me near
You pulled me from the ashes
You have broken every curse
Blessed redeemer
You have set this captive free
Lord I can’t help but sing
Faithful you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful you are
All your promises are yes and Amen
All your promises are yes and Amen
Faithful you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful yes you are
All your promises are yes and Amen
I will rest in your promises
My confidence…
Dear Heavenly Father,
No matter what we are going through, You are always there ready to help, ready to save us, ready with Your best plan. Thank you. Thank you for the assurance and confidence you give us each day as we look up and reach for your hand to guide our every thought and action. Continue to transform me. Transform your church. Transform the world.
In Jesus Name, Yes! And Amen!
One final thought…As a five year old, I had a great fear of mom or dad forgetting to pick me up after Kindergarten. (They always remembered, by the way.) Most times they were early. But if they were a bit later than my five year mind thought they should be I would cry at the fence. Fear overtook me. I would be a pile of tears when they would come. Why? I was five. My trust was not built or matured. Is this how others feel who have no hope, faith and trust in the return of Jesus? Ooh, what a horrible, anxious for no reason, life to live. Find Jesus. Follow Jesus! He’s coming to get you…HE PROMISED!
