# Gospel Hope 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 The sermon centered on the theological concept of the gospel and its implications for believers' afterlife. Pastor Todd Stiles emphasized the three strategic habits of celebrating, growing, and serving within the First Family. The focus was on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, which addresses the question of what happens to Christians after death. The text assures believers of resurrection and reunion with Christ, emphasizing surety, suddenness, and sequence. The speaker highlighted the importance of grieving with hope and sharing the gospel to provide comfort and reassurance to those who have lost loved ones. ## Action Items - [ ] Grieve with hope and share the gospel to provide comfort to those who are grieving the loss of a believer. - [ ] Ensure the church always roots its comfort in the gospel, especially in moments of human loss. ## Outline ### Celebrating the Gospel and Strategic Habits - Pastor Todd welcomes attendees and introduces the three strategic habits: celebrate, grow, and serve. - Emphasizes the importance of celebrating the gospel during weekly services across different campuses. - Introduces the topic of celebrating the gospel by addressing a question from Thessalonians. - Announces the focus on the gospel's answer to the question posed by Thessalonians. ### Exploring the Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - Pastor Todd reads from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, focusing on the believer's hope after death. - Explains the series title "This Changes Everything" and its focus on Christ's return. - Highlights the importance of understanding the gospel's impact on believers' lives. - Introduces the concept of the Thessalonian truth: the gospel gives hope about what follows death. ### Addressing the Question: What Happens to Christians After Death? - Pastor Todd explains the question posed by Thessalonians about the fate of Christians who have died. - Discusses the pastoral frankness of Paul in addressing this topic. - Mentions Timothy's concerns about false teaching and the Thessalonian church's understanding. - Emphasizes that the gospel provides hope and certainty about what happens to believers after death. ### Actions Before and After the Answer - Pastor Todd outlines the two actions framing the answer: not grieving like those without hope and encouraging each other with these words. - Explains the importance of sharing the gospel to provide hope to those grieving. - Identifies verses 14-18 as containing the answer to the question. - Introduces three themes emerging from these verses: surety, suddenness, and sequence. ### Surety and the Gospel - Pastor Todd emphasizes the surety of the gospel, based on Jesus' death and resurrection. - Explains that believers will be raised just as Christ was raised. - Highlights the confidence and assurance provided by the gospel. - Discusses the hope this brings to believers and their families. ### Suddenness and the Return of Christ - Pastor Todd describes the suddenness of Christ's return, using phrases like "shout," "archangels' voice," and "trumpet of God." - Clarifies that believers will not be surprised by Christ's return. - Emphasizes the importance of being ready and expecting Christ's return. - Discusses the sequence of events: Christ's return, the dead in Christ rising first, and believers being caught up together. ### Sequence and the Consummation of the Kingdom - Pastor Todd explains the sequence of events: Christ's return, the dead in Christ rising, and believers being caught up. - Discusses different views on the timing of these events. - Emphasizes the importance of being ready and expecting Christ's return. - Highlights the hope of being reunited with loved ones and living in God's forever kingdom. ### The Eternal State and the Consummated Kingdom - Pastor Todd discusses the eternal state and the consummated kingdom. - Explains that Christ inaugurated His kingdom and will fully establish it when He returns. - Highlights the hope of living in a perfect world without sickness, death, or division. - Emphasizes the importance of being ready and expecting Christ's return. ### Grieving with Hope and Sharing the Gospel - Pastor Todd encourages grieving with hope and sharing the gospel during times of bereavement. - Emphasizes the importance of not trivializing grief but processing it with hope. - Discusses the role of the gospel in providing comfort and hope to those grieving. - Highlights the importance of being gospel-tethered in moments of human loss. ### Personal Reflections and Prayer - Pastor Todd shares a personal reflection about his mother and sister, emphasizing the hope of being reunited with them. - Encourages the congregation to hold on to the gospel and pray for those longing to see their loved ones again. - Emphasizes the importance of being ready and expecting Christ's return. - Concludes with a prayer for the congregation, asking for God's comfort and hope.