Grieving with Hope
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Faith, Hope & Love
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (ESV)
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. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Sermon Outline
The hope that Jesus will come for us sustains us in grief.
1. He has already come for us in suffering.
v13 “we do not want you to be uninformed”
v14 “since we believe that Jesus died and rose again”
2. He will not be coming alone.
v14 “through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep”
3. He will come with glory/honor.
v16 “for the Lord himself will descend…”
v17 we will “ meet the Lord… so we will always be with the Lord”
v18 “encourage one another with these words”
Questions for Reflection
What kinds of losses cause you to experience grief? What do you easily let go of? How often do you experience grief?
What are the most hopeful things about Christianity?
When you are grieving, what role does hope play? What hinders hope from helping you? What expectations do you have of what hope can do or how it should work in these situations?
Why do we still grieve even if we have hope? What are some reasons we can expect sadness and sorrow even if our faith is firm that our future is good?
The Gospels record Jesus coming to many outcasts, sufferers, and desperate people. How can this help us when we are suffering? Specifically, what are some ways the experience of suffering makes us feel isolated, and what are theological convictions that can help us understand how Jesus helps us in those moments?
How can the expectation of a future reunion help you keep perspective as you deal with the various relational shifts that are part of modern urban life?
What implications are there for Christians because of Jesus descending in glory as a great majestic king to gather his people? How is this good news for Jesus’ followers?
How can we encourage one another regularly with the hope that Jesus will come in glory for us? How can you encourage yourself with this truth when you are discouraged?
How can Emmanuel be better at helping grieving people? Are there tangible changes or improvements we can make as a church?
Prayer of Confession
Our gracious and mighty God, we easily become hopeless. When we experience loss, we quickly lose confidence in your care and goodness. There are times when our faith is so weak that we despair. Help us Lord. Forgive us. Bear patiently with us. Heal us. Teach us more about your grace and favor, and be present with us in all that we face. Grant us assurance of the great things in store for us, who patiently hope in you. Amen.