To read this text CLICK HERE

I Thessalonians 4:13-14, Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.  For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

Apparently, the Thessalonians had presented this question to Paul, "What happens to those who die in Christ?"  There must have been some deaths in the church since its founding, which would naturally lead to such a question.  Paul reinforces his teaching about the resurrection and Jesus' second coming.  He refers to the dead as "those who sleep in death," which is fairly common in both Jewish and Greek writing.  But we should note that this doesn't mean the soul is asleep after death.  New Testament texts clearly demonstrate that for believers the soul is alive while the body waits for the resurrection of all believers. 

Jesus' physical resurrection is the central defining feature of Christianity.  It proved his divinity, it clearly demonstrated Jesus' victory over death, it proves that we serve a living God, and it foreshadows our own bodily resurrection when Jesus returns.  Because of the resurrection, we can be assured that this earthly life is not all there is; we get to spend eternity with Jesus.  I am reminded of Jesus dying on the cross next to the two thieves.  One accepts Jesus in his dying hour and Jesus proclaims, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise." Yes, we get to be with Jesus when we die AND yes, we still will get to be part of the future resurrection of believers.  Both are sources of great hope and joy.  The Thessalonian church needed to hear it and we do too! 

Let's pray...Lord Jesus, We believe in you.  We trust you.  We give you our lives.  Thank you for the hope you offer each of us.  In Your Name, Amen.