Meaningful to God

Meaningful to God

Psalm 116:15, Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

 

My intent is never to be insensitive or indelicate, but to carefully offer a truth that is helpful and life-shaping to believers in Christ.

Psalm 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”

God regards our lives and deaths, His faithful “saints,” as highly valuable, deeply priceless, and closely administrated by Him. Originally the Hebrew word “precious” means “valuable,” “costly,” “prized,” “heavy,” “splendid,” or “weighty”. This indicates that our lives and our homecoming hold enormous significance to the Lord. 

It is true of all saints—their death is precious to our God because it means they are with Him in glory. But it was never more true than in the case of the Lord Jesus. His death was precious to His Father because it provided a righteous basis upon which He could justify ungodly sinners.^[1]

The psalmist, knowing that the Lord cares intensely about the death of His saints, acknowledged that he was a servant (vv. 15–16) of the Lord and would praise Him publicly (vv. 17–19). The death of a saint is not something the Lord considers as cheap; He does not let His people die for no reason.^[2]

All of this brings profound comfort, though it is often misunderstood.

What Do We Need to Know?

• Again, God sees “saints” death as “precious” categorizing them as “high worth,” or a “highly valued treasure.” God does not regard the passing of His servants lightly.
• “His saints” point to those who are in a faithful, covenant relationship with Him (His devoted followers).  “The death of God’s children is precious in His sight.”^[3]
• This is NOT a matter of God delighting in our suffering and pain. God does not rejoice or takes pleasure in the ache of death. Instead, it means that because of our deep value to Him, God oversees our journey and ensures that our crossing over into His presence is highly significant and carefully guarded.
• This truth is designed to be a source of comfort in times of grief. This promise, frequently used during Christian memorial services and funerals, offer support assuring loved ones that the deceased are intensely cared for by their Creator God. 
• God’s presence in pain, hurt, suffering, and death is wisely stressed. God emphasizes how He remains intimately involved in the lives and deaths of His faithful ‘servants,’ promising ultimate peace and an end to our suffering and toil.

Though no man lays it to heart when the righteous perish, God will make it to appear that he lays it to heart. This should make us willing to die, to die for Christ, if we are called to it, that our death shall be registered in heaven; and let that be precious to us which is so to God.^[4]

Again, the passing of God's faithful followers (saints) is not a light or insignificant matter to Him. Instead, it is deeply valued, carefully watched over, and “precious” because it marks the moment we enter His direct presence. 

David Rehearsed this Truth for Our Enrichment!

Considering the entire psalm of thanksgiving, David very recently escaped a life-threatening predicament (recorded verses 3–8). His contemporaries often thought that if a person nearly died, God simply didn't care…he was indifferent and uninvolved.

So, by stating the death of His saints is “precious,” David was affirming that God is entirely sovereign over our years. The Lord is profoundly involved in our life, and He will not allow us to face death prematurely or without His watchful care. David saw fit to punctuate this truth for our benefit!

We are Helped by Embracing the Magnitude of this Encouragement.

From a God-fearing perspective, David offers great assurance to believers. This truth reminds us that:

1.     Death is not a random occurrence. God controls the exact timing and circumstances of a believer’s passing.

2.    Transition into God’s presence is significant. Because believers are precious to Him, our departure from this earthly life marks a wonderful passage directly into the presence of our Creator God. Beloved, this is huge…. It’s a big deal!

Through his experience the psalmist learned that the death of one of his “saints” (godly ones) is precious in the sight of Yahweh, i.e., their death is not a matter of indifference to him.^[5]

Beloved, choosing God’s perspective here is a bit challenging, but not insensitive to our grief, suffering, or pain. It forces us to appreciate another way of looking at death and especially the death of faithful believers. It clearly expands our view, strengthens our evangelistic efforts, and comforts us when a committed child of God graduates to glory to be with the Lord. We can truly mean it when we whisper to our deceased loved one, “I’ll see you again.”

So, Why Are We Reluctant to Accept this Truth?

Perhaps the following ideas have clouded our appreciation of this concept:

1.     Selfishness is likely one reason…we want people to live and stay here with us. We simply don’t want to let them go because we cherish them…. We can’t seem to live without them.

2.    An incomplete view of eternity or a misunderstanding of our finality. We simply are frightened by our partial ignorance of our future. We don’t trust what we don’t know.

3.    Healing is regarded as evidence of God’s blessings and goodness. We fail to appreciate all God reveals about Himself favoring the more comfortable ideas.

4.    Another perspective threatens, undermines, or even reveals our own insecurities regarding the future and our associated assumptions. Life really does not fit into the nice, neat box we try to force it into for our own delusion. Once again, we must trust the Lord with our lives and even the apparent chaos.

5.    Their departure forces our acceptance and leaves us feeling less in control than we are contented with. The truth is we were never really in control anyway…God is!

6.    Our loved ones’ leaving reinforces the need to change, grow, and get out of our comfort zone. God is super motivated to sanctify us always. 

7.    Death reminds us to reach our loved one before it is too late for them or us. We must become evangelistically motivated and charged sharing the hope of Christ with others!

The death of His saints is no trifling matter with God; He does not lightly suffer it to come about; He does not suffer His own to be torn away from Him by death.^[6]

Perhaps these are a few of the reasons hindering our own acceptance and celebration of a life lived for God’s glory. Beloved, you are meaningful to God! Yes, we are correctly humbled by this reality, but life takes on real purpose and meaning when we embrace this idea. Remember He offers this truth to aid your commitment to Him and to give structure…shape to your life in Christ.

---

^[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 732.

^[2] Allen P. Ross, “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 877.

^[3] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary, electronic ed., vol. 2 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997), 842.

^[4] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 911.

^[5] James E. Smith, The Wisdom Literature and Psalms, Old Testament Survey Series (Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co., 1996), 407.

^[6] Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, vol. 5 (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996), 716.

Share a Little Hope Today

1THESS. 4:18

Subject: The Rapture

Theme: Our Rapture Hope gives encouragement and strength when facing challenges, and the coming of our Lord Jesus fills each day with strengthening  anticipations.  

Introduction:

If you asked the average well-informed person, “What is hope?” They would basically say, “Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large.” (Wikipedia) Natural “hope” is typically used to indicate a wish: its potency rests in the strength of the person’s desire. Also, it is largely dependent upon positive external developments or conditions. This is the extent of natural hope. In contrast, it is in the Bible that spiritual Hope is presented as the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in the well-documented faithfulness of Almighty God.

“Hope” is commonly nothing more than wishful thinking or earnest desires. Again the Word of God; however, portrays the confident expectation of what God has promised. The Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary says,

Hope: Confident expectancy. In the Bible, the word hope stands for both the act of hoping (Rom 4:18; 1 Cor 9:10) and the thing hoped for (Col 1:5; 1 Peter 1:3). Hope does not arise from the individual's desires or wishes but from God, who is Himself the believer's hope: "My hope is in Thee" (Ps 39:7). Genuine hope is not wishful thinking, but a firm assurance about things that are unseen and still in the future (Rom 8:24-25; Heb 11:1,7).

“Hope” then is a fascinating concept found throughout the Scriptures and certainly in this passage (1Thess. 4:13-18). Biblical hope points to a sure expectation of good and positive developments; it is far more than merely desiring or wanting something favorable to happen. God primarily uses the term to give promises and discuss events that will occur...it’s just a matter of when and not if. God gives His people hope; He is the Source of all meaningful hope in this life and the next! With regards to our salvation, believers have a joyful and confident anticipation of full eternal salvation—forever with the Lord. Repeatedly, in our New Testament, hope is identified with the consummation of our redemption promises at the coming of the Lord Jesus in the Rapture. Beloved, we have glorious anticipations because of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Hope is a much-needed ingredient in our modern culture. Despair is the sense of no hope or of not having any hope left. Despair means to lose hope and often refers to the complete loss or absence of hope. Desperation, despondency, and hopelessness are painfully very real, and even people of great wealth, fame, and celebrity have fallen prey to its incredible power. Actor and comedian Robin Williams, actress and model Marilyn Monroe, famous novelist Ernest Hemingway, Olympic medalist skier Jaret “Speedy” Peterson, and scores of other celebrities took their own lives while in the grips of despair and depression. Suicide is the fruits of despair and persists as an alarming problem in the USA and the world,

There is 1 suicide for every 25 attempted suicides. Males make up 79% of all suicides, while women are more prone to having suicidal thoughts. 1 in 65,000 children ages 10 to 14 dies by suicide each year. There are 2 times as many deaths due to suicide than HIV/AIDS. Over 38,000 Americans die by suicide every year. In the U.S., suicide rates are highest during the spring. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds and 2nd for 24 to 35-year-olds. On average, 1 person dies by suicide every 16.2 minutes. (DoSomething.org)

Atheism and other systems of non-belief not only deprive its adherents of viable faith-answers but leave them with zero hope. This is difficult because hope is what helps people continue without giving up or quitting on life. Hope moves us to dream big and pursue our greatest aspirations. Hope enable us to complete the degree programs, launch meaningful careers, and envision a better future. Hope gives us reason to live...to continue to live--suicide ceases to be an option where hope thrives. Too many young people take their lives essentially because they have no sense of hope. With that being the case, how can we share a little hope today?

Lesson:

The Obligations to Share Our Hope (Vs 18)

1Thes 4:18, Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The word "wherefore" points us back to the Rapture hope Paul has just disclosed. This hope comforts us in death and affords us a wonderful anticipation every day of life. Knowing this incredible truth is great, but it is better to share it with others.

The word “comfort” means to console, encourage, and strengthen by consolation or instructions. It is similar to the Holy Spirit who comes along side His people as the Great Comforter. God is telling us to become ‘comforters,’ Purveyors of Hope, to each other with our Rapture Hope!! Our obligation is to spread, tell, and transmit this hope to others, especially the hopeless. Beloved, we are to seize occasions to spread the hope of Jesus Christ and His coming for His people in the Rapture. So, when should we be busy with this ministry of comfort and encouragement?

IN TIMES OF SORROW, RECALL YOUR COMFORTING HOPE (Jn. 14:1-6)

We are not to let our hearts be troubled; instead we are to believe God and Christ Jesus! Our Lord said He would come for us and He will in due time. The Rapture is the reason we do not sorrow in a hopeless and despairing fashion (1Thess. 4:13). While it is perfectly normal to grieve over deceased love ones, we have no reason to hopelessly despair. God and Christ are our HOPE! We have the wonderful hope of seeing our family members and fellow church family again. God gave us such hope in the promise of the Rapture. We must take responsibility to hope in the Lord and draw encouragement from truths like these biblical promises. 

                      1.  Learn to Encourage Yourself with This Hope

Remember David in Ziklag—1Sam. 30:1-10, (v. 6) “...but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” As much as possible, cause your mind to concentrate and meditate on Rapture passages along with other hope-filled promises of God. Use these to lift your own spirits...to think on the truth, which frees us from despair. Concentrate on passages of assurance and faith to ally your hope in the Lord.

                     2. Once again consider what the Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary says about the sources of hope,

Christian hope comes from God (Rom 15:13) and especially His calling (Eph 1:18; 4:4), His grace (2 Thess 2:16), His Word (Rom 15:4) and His gospel (Col 1:23). Hope is directed toward God (Acts 24:15; 1 Peter 1:21) and Christ (1 Thess 1:3; 1 Tim 1:1). Its appropriate objects are eternal life (Titus 1:2; 3:7), salvation (1 Thess 5:8), righteousness (Gal 5:5), the glory of God (Rom 5:2; Col 1:27), the appearing of Christ (Titus 2:13) and the resurrection from the dead (Acts 23:6; 26:6-7).

                     3. Passages like Romans 15:13-14 are a tremendous help stating,

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. (KJV)

Our God is the author and designer of hope, and through our faith He can cause hope to overflow in our experiences through the grand workings of the Spirit of God! Such hope will issue out in joy and peace. That is a joyous anticipation stirred by hope and a tranquil assurance also afford by this potent hope from God. Beloved, there is tremendous delight and grace ushered into our lives through confidence in the God of hope!

                      4. Also consider 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, where Paul says,

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. (KJV)

God graciously gives everlasting consolation and good hope to His trusting and abiding people. Look to Him!

                      5. This glorious hope revives our courage for the way,

When each in expectation lives and longs to see the day

When from sorrow, toil, pain and sin, we shall be free,

And perfect love and joy shall reign throughout all eternity.—John Fawcett

IN TIMES OF STRUGGLE, GIVE OTHERS THIS COMFORTING HOPE

In all the challenges of life become God’s instrument of encouragement in light of our Lord’s return for us.

                      1.  Determine to Encourage Others with This Hope in Times of Suffering, Great Trials, and Persecution. We have Hope beyond this life, which cannot be taken away; therefore, we can boldly stand for our Lord and His truth.  (Paul & Timothy in 2Tim. 4:1-8)

                      2.  Determine to Share This Hope with the Lost of Your Family & Community Before it is Eternally to Late for Them! People desperately need the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and a relationship with the Father. Point them to the Source of Hope! 

Sweet By-And-By

The gifted Christian musician Joseph T. Webster was often tormented by deep feelings of depression. On one occasion, when he was in a melancholy mood, he received a visit from his close acquaintance Fillmore Bennett.

Knowing that one way to keep Webster from brooding over his problems was to interest him in writing a hymn tune, Bennett decided he’d try to pen some lyrics that would direct his friend’s thoughts heavenward. The despondent man himself unwittingly supplied the theme, for when he was asked, “What’s the matter now?” he replied, “Oh, it will be all right by and by!” “That’s true,” exclaimed Bennett, “trials do generate great glory for us in the sweet by-and-by!”

Inspired by this thought, he immediately sat down and wrote several poetic verses on the subject. When his friend read them, a new look of hope came into his eyes, and his whole attitude changed. After jotting down some musical notes, Webster took up his violin and played the melody he had composed to fit the words. Within half an hour the enduring hymn “In the Sweet By-and-By” was born. –Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations

Conclusion:

Our Rapture Hope thrills, cheers, and comforts us through life and death. It brings encouragement and strength in the face of death and fills our lives with the enduring prospect of our coming Lord Jesus. Give God praise for the certainty about your eternal destiny that you as a child of God enjoy. Live this day in that confidence. Share this Rapture Hope with others, that no one you love will be left behind!

Unsinkable Ship

At the time of the sinking of the Titanic, one of our great American preachers was in Belfast, Ireland. The Titanic had been built in Belfast, and there was a great local pride over the mighty ship. She had been heralded far and wide as “the unsinkable ship.” Sixteen members of the church in Belfast, all skilled mechanics, went down with her. The mayor said that Belfast had never been in such grief as that which came over this terrible tragedy. When the news finally was verified that the gallant ship was certainly lost, so deep was the grief that it is said strong men met upon the streets, grasped each other’s hands, burst into tears, and parted without a word.

The visiting American preached the Sunday after the tragedy in the church to which the sixteen members who had been lost belonged. Not only was the building packed with peoples but on the platform were lords, bishops, and ministers of all denominations. In the audience, many newly-made widows were sitting and orphans were sobbing on every side. The great preacher took as his subject “The Unsinkable Ship.” But he did not apply that term to the Titanic which on her first voyage had gone out into the Atlantic and crashed into an iceberg, carrying her precious cargo of human lives down to watery death.

No, the preacher’s message was about that other “unsinkable ship”—the frail boat on the sea of Galilee, unsinkable because the Master of land and sea was asleep on a pillow in the afterpart of the vessel. Thank God He still lives and rides the billows and controls the storms, and when the children of men take their only true Pilot back on board, we will ride out the present storms and He will bring the vessel through to the fair harbor of our hopes. —American Fundamentalist

I challenge you likewise to be “unsinkable.” Refuse to drown in the sorrows and hard times life will hit you with. No matter how high the waves of despair may tower over you...and how hard and often they crash on the shore of your conscience, you are not defenseless. Use the hope of Christ’s coming to keep you afloat when your heart is breaking, and the pain seems too much to bare. Use God's hope like a life preserver to rescue those who are sinking in discouragement, depression, frustration, pain and sorrow. Refuse to sink under the waves of sorrows and billows of desperation; be unsinkable! Use this Hope in Christ to lift you until Christ comes and catches us away!

In every life there will be some “dark valleys.” Difficult days cannot be avoided. In fact, the lives of some believers seem to be filled with affliction and suffering. But for the child of God, there is glorious relief just ahead … the return of Christ and the promise of a land of endless delight. The prospect of Gods’ tomorrow also means a time of joyous reunion with loved ones who have preceded us. Truly “there’ll be songs of greeting when Jesus comes…”—Osbeck, Kenneth W.: Amazing Grace

Today...this day...share a little hope. First encourage yourself in the Lord, and then carry a little hope everywhere you go. You will find that you will always have a robust ministry as you whisper comfort to discouraged hearts with hope in Jesus. Be God's ambassador of HOPE today!

Victory Over Death and Discouragement

1THESS. 4:15-17

Subject: The Rapture

Theme: Our Rapture Hope gives believers assurance of victory over death and discouragement.

Introduction:

Our Christ-filled hope thrills, cheers, and comforts us for the entire course of our lives and not even death can extinguish it. As we trust God’s promise of the Rapture, we are encouraged and strengthened as we face death; and we are powerfully filled with the anticipation of our coming Lord Jesus—HOPE. Our lives are marked with real hope. 

Spiritual Hope is presented as the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in the well-documented faithfulness of Almighty God. In our culture, “hope” is commonly nothing more than wishful thinking or earnest desires. The Word of God; however, portrays the confident expectation based on the promise of God. The word hope refers to both the act of hoping (Rom 4:18; 1 Cor 9:10) and the thing hoped for (Col 1:5; 1 Peter 1:3). Hope does not arise from the individual’s desires or wishes but from God, who made the promise.

Four times “Hope” appears in this letter (1Thess. 1:3; 2:19; 4:13; 5:8). All of these references point to complete salvation with the coming of the Lord Jesus. Hope is our glorious anticipations because of salvation in Christ. This compelling assurance of the Rapture is one of the greatest blessings for every Christian. Victory over death and discouragement is realized when we place absolute confidence in our Rapture Hope. Comfort replaces despair about the death of saved love ones. Beloved, when the trumpet sounds whether we are still alive or asleep in Jesus, we will be made completely alive and fully united with our Lord and each other forever. This is the Hope that Thrills, Cheers, and Comforts!

Lesson:

Note how Specifically and Clearly God Declares our Rapture Hope (1Thess. 4:15-17)

This is the clearest explanation in Scriptures regarding the order of events related to the Rapture of believers. It is here that Paul gives the sequence of these interconnected epics of the Rapture.  Let’s study the details to realize the full comfort and encouragement of our Hope.

A REVELATION: The Living Believers Will Not Have Any Advantage Over the Sleeping Believers When Our Lord Returns. 1Thes 4:15, For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, [This is the Direct Revelation] that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [precede, come before] them which are asleep.

This is significant because….

                    1.   They Will Not Miss the Rapture! Those who have died in the Lord will not miss the great events of the return of Christ, the Rapture, and they will have a part in the Lord’s Millennial Kingdom. The living will not have any advantages! Those who sleep in the Lord will not miss the Lord’s coming!

                   2.  The Lord’s Return is Also Imminent!  He could come at any moment!

1Thes 4:15, For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (Read 1Cor. 15:51-54; Phil. 3:20-21)

Paul fully expected the Rapture in His day, and so much the more should we! The point is to be READY, RIGHT, RESTING, AND WORKING when He comes!

A RETURN: The Lord Jesus Will Come Down from Heaven. Vs 16

1Thes 4:16, For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout….

                   1. It’s A Return of the Lord Himself.

This is a Literal, Physical Return of the Lord Jesus Christ to our atmosphere. He is not a spirit or phantom.  The Day of Pentecost nor salvation is synonymous with Christ’s Return. This is a separate event on God’s prophetic calendar—Christ’s Return in the Rapture. What makes the rapture thrilling is the Lord Jesus!

Morgan To Be Interrupted

G. Campbell Morgan, said, “I never begin my work in the morning without thinking that perhaps He may interrupt my work and begin His own. I am not looking for death. I am looking for Him.” –Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations

                   2.  It’s A Return with The Lord’s Shout

By this Shout Christ will call the Sleeping Believers to Life Again. John 5:25-27, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26, For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27, And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

John 11:25-26, Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26, And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

During the Resurrection of Lazarus in Jn. 11:43-44 “....He [Jesus] cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.” The next time he will call His ‘Christians’ to Himself, the "Resurrection and the Life!"

                   3.  It’s A Return with The Voice of Michael the Archangel

This call will summon the angelic host as a Military Escort to accompany the Lord and His people through enemy territory back to Heaven (See Matt. 24:31; 25:31; 2Thess.1:7; Jude 9). Some believe this angel is Gabriel because he is more closely associated with the Christian Age than Michael.  I believe the Bible only refers to Michael as ‘the archangel.’

                   4.  It’s A Return with The Blowing of the Trumpet of God

This is the ‘Last Trump’ of the Christian Age, which has to do with the resurrection of believers at the time of the Rapture. 1Cor 15:52, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more, and the morning breaks eternal bright and fair— When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, and the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.—James M. Black; When the Role is Called Up Yonder

This is not the seventh and last trumpet of the Tribulation period in Revelation 11:15-19. The Seventh Trumpet of the Tribulation Period is a Trumpet of Judgment not Rapture.  Christians will not go through the tribulation period.  The Tribulation is for the Lost World and to prepare Israel for her Messiah, not the Christian (1Thess. 5:9-11)!  We must realize that God is not done with Israel! (Dan. 9:24)

A RESURRECTION: The Dead “In Christ” Shall Arise First (Vs 16)

1Thes 4:16 … and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

                   1. Not all of the Dead, but Only “the dead in Christ” will Arise.

This excludes O. T. Saints who will be raised after the Tribulation Period according to Dan. 12:2.   

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise and the glory of His resurrection share— When the chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies, and the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there. –James M. Black; When the Role is Called Up Yonder

       2. Obviously, the Christian Dead will Arise “First”—before the Living Christians are Raptured!

A RAPTURE: The Living Believers Will Be Caught Up Next (Vs 17)

1Thes 4:17, Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them ….

                  1.  The Phrase “Caught Up” is where we get our word ‘rapture,’ and it means to carry off. Thus, the Rapture means snatching away or catching up. The Greek word is ‘harpazo’ (har-pad'-zo); means to seize, catch (away, up), pluck, pull, and take (by force). The space travel of today with all its wonders will not even compare to the Space traveling we’ll experience in the twinkling of an eye!

                  2. Believers will be wonderfully Changed and Glorified in a Moment (1Cor. 15:50-53)!  Body and Soul will be perfected; this will be a first in the experience of the Christian. No more sin nature, sickness, disease, cancer, heart attacks, or strokes to contend with!

A REUNION: We All Will Be Reunited with The Lord In The Air (Vs 17)   1Thes 4:17, Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (A Revelation, Return, Resurrection, Rapture)

                1. Our Reunion with Deceased Believers (family, friends, church family) of the Christian Age. Those of our loved ones that died in the Lord are not lost we know where they are, and we will be with them again.  Now that is real comfort to the bereaving heart!

                2.  Our Complete Union with Our Lord Forever! Finally, we will see and be with our Lord Jesus! For some the concept of heaven is a place of peaceful resting. Others envision it as filled with golden streets and sounds of beautiful music. For most of us the thought of reuniting with loved ones is comforting. However, the most thrilling anticipation for every believer when he reflects on heaven is surely the moment of seeing our Savior “face to face.”

Face to face with Christ, my Savior, face to face—what will it be? When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ who died for me!Only faintly now I see Him, with the darkling veil between; but a blessed day is coming, when His glory shall be seen.What rejoicing in His presence, when are banished grief and pain, when the crooked ways are straightened and the dark things shall be plain.Face to face—O blissful moment! Face to face—to see and know; face to face with my Redeemer, Jesus Christ who loves me so.Chorus: Face to face I shall behold Him, far beyond the starry sky; face to face, in all His glory, I shall see Him by and by!

     

Anticipate the joy it will be to greet our Savior and to fully “see and know”—when the “crooked ways are straightened” and the “dark things shall be plain.” Share this hope with someone. –Osbeck, Kenneth W.: Amazing Grace

                3.  Who Can Describe the Combustible, Boundless, and Spontaneous Joy We ALL Will Experience at this Grand Reunion Occasion.  We will see our loved ones again, never to say goodbye again. We will finally see Jesus our Lord, Savior, King, and Salvation! 

Conclusion:

So, there you have it. Our Christ-filled hope thrills, cheers, and comforts us for the entire course of our lives and not even death can extinguish it. As we trust God’s promise of the Rapture, we are encouraged and strengthened as we face death; and we are powerfully filled with the anticipation of our coming Lord Jesus—HOPE. Our lives are marked with real hope. 

How can we respond correctly to such clearly defined hope? Perhaps we all could do a lot more to give God praise for the certainty surrounding our eternal home and destiny. Through this passage, God answered all of our questions and quieted all of our doubts. We know where we are going through death, and we know where our loved-ones (in the Lord) are presently. Yes, and some of us may never experience physical death! These are matters or certainty to us. Our great heavenly Father wanted all of His children to enjoy such assurance. Beloved, let us also live this day in that confidence. Share this Rapture Hope with others, that no one you love will be left behind!

Abel's Excellent Sacrifice 2

Hebrews 11:4

Though life is punctuated with serious challenges, confidence in Christ is never misplaced. Faithful responses enable us to continue obediently to ultimately triumph in our difficulties. Even when faced with mortal danger, forsaking Christ is not an option; we must insist on faithfully living by faith.

In Hebrews 11:4, we see a believer of real courage and commitment—Abel.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

Abel speaks to believers today as the first martyr for the faith. His essential message is be faithful to the “excellent sacrifice” even unto death. To enlarge further Abel is still saying trust the offering God provides, approach God only through blood sacrifice, and worship God His way—in truth.

Abel’s Excellent Sacrifice Pleases God (Heb. 11:4).

By faith we must hold on to the truth that God is pleased with the “excellent sacrifice” and this warrants a steadfast faith free of any acquiescence! So, what can we learn from Abel that we may be faithful also? Let’s examine further…    

His Performance

Once again it was God who had revealed to Adam and his descendants the true way of worship—how we can truthfully approach a holy God as fallen sinners. Abel accepted this; he fully embraced God’s way to God. Abel obeyed God by faith and “offered a more excellent sacrifice.” His trust and faith were evidenced through his careful adherence to the model God gave. Therefore, he offered the “more excellent sacrifice” without any alterations, embellishments, or modifications. He deemed God’s provision as fully adequate, relevant and satisfying. “More excellent” describes the sacrifice as being more appropriate and fitting, better and more acceptable—superior.

                                                             

The superiority of Abel’s sacrifice to Cain’s, is noted both in what was offered, and in how it was offered. Abel’s sacrifice was offered from a genuine heart as to the Lord, but Cain’s only in show to spotlight himself. The sacrifice of Abel was in faith, while Cain’s was anchored in his performance—human prideful efforts. Abel looked through his sacrifice to the supreme sacrifice of Christ upon Calvary; such was not the case with Cain—only his efforts mattered to him. Abel’s sacrifice was a lamb (a firstling of his flocks), a type of Christ, the Lamb of God; the Lord Jesus who is the firstborn of every creature. Jesus is the “Excellent Sacrifice”! Beloved, there is absolutely no way our efforts can compare to the awesome work of God on our behalf through Jesus Christ.

                                                     

The superiority of Abel’s sacrifice to that of Cain’s, is evident because God regarded it, and not Cain’s (Gen. 4:3). There are two thoughts we should emphasize, first is that the offering of sacrifices was a divine institution, and they were early types of Christ. Secondly, there are two kinds of worshippers, spiritual and carnal ones, whom God can easily distinguish because His perception penetrates to the heart of men. 

Faith in Christ must precede righteous works of service. Faith is evidenced by our service and devotion demonstrating that we are indeed saved individuals. We cannot serve to be saved or to remain saved; redemption-salvation is not an award to be earned. Salvation is purely by God’s unmerited favor towards undeserving people who acknowledge their sinfulness and cling to Christ’s “more excellent sacrifice” by faith. (Adapted from John Gill)

This is precisely what the Apostle Paul described repeatedly in his New Testament writings,

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2Cor. 5:16-21)

You see, it is faith and trust in the reconciling work of God for us and not confidence in our works to please God. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself; what can we possibly offer to compare with Calvary and the empty tomb?

Abel understood this, and he exhibited faith by approaching God with the blood of a sacrifice. Cain, I am afraid to say, never got this. His sacrifice was one of vegetables or fruits and was therefore bloodless. Abel illustrates faithfulness to the truth of salvation by grace through faith—this is his performance. Beloved, weather the subject is salvation, sanctification, service, or glorification, it is always by grace through faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Likewise, we too are called to be faithful to this gospel. Cain exemplifies man’s futile attempt to save himself by good works and mere religion. Cain’s way simply does not work no matter how long and hard one may try; man-made religion will always fail those who trust themselves. Why not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ? God accepts what Jesus did for us sinner…why don’t you (1 John 2:1-2)?

His Principle

In principle, Abel was a righteous man because of faith in the “excellent sacrifice” (Matt. 23:35).  The Lord Jesus described Abel as “righteous.” God testified to the fact that he was righteous when He received his gift/offering (Heb. 11:4). To his spiritual account righteousness was imputed purely on the bases of his faith (see Romans 4). We are not justified because of our character, religious zeal or good works (no matter how noble or exceptional), but solely because of the excellence of the sacrifice of Christ. All we did was believe, receive and accept Him and His work on our behalf (see Galatians 3).

In addition, Abel’s obedience cost him his life. Cain was not a child of God (1 John 3:12) because he did not have real faith. His works were evil and his brother’s righteous. Abel was killed by Cain because those who love works-righteousness tend to intensely hate the unadulterated grace of God. There is a deep-seated resentment—an aggressive form of jealousy that renders those in its grip murderous. In other words, self-righteous people literally despise the truth that we cannot save ourself and that we must cast ourselves on the love and mercy of God. They cherish deeply the distinction of great ‘spiritual’ vigor, zeal, commitment, and achievements. If they don’t really have anything to be proud of they will resort to pointing out the faults and failures of others to make themselves appear superior and to garner more respect. Such hypocrites are most concerned with their reputation, and first seek to condemn those who do not measure up to their expectations. Grace seems too soft, too easy, too permissive, and too lenient to accept; they find grace utterly offensive and repulsive. This is the best religion can produce…. Cain was religious but clearly not righteous.

Today true righteousness and salvation is only made available through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, the resurrected Lord.

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:24-28, KJV)

Beloved, salvation is never by religious works of righteousness that we have achieved, but exclusively according to God’s incredible mercy—He saved us (and not we ourselves) through the regenerating grace and the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit of God (see Titus 3:5, 6). All of this is extravagantly made available to us through our Great and Mighty Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Paul says to the Galatian churches, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16, KJV)

His Proclamation

Abel still speaks to us today as the first martyr of the faith and his testimony is perpetuated: through his faith he yet speaketh. Though Abel is dead, he still witnesses to us that the life of faith is the life that counts.

Good men die, and some of them die a violent death, as did Abel, yet he speaks in the Scriptures….—John Gill

If you don’t have a cause that is worth dying for, you very likely don’t have anything worth living for.—Unknown

No, the persecution of genuine followers of Jesus Christ is not new and every generation of godly Believers can expect to experience its share of injustices, prejudices, misunderstandings and disadvantages. Christians of every generation have needed the encouragements faithful Abel affords. Let us likewise be faithful to the gospel of the grace of God in Jesus Christ. It is Christ who died, was buried, and rose again the third day as the Scriptures predicted He would hundreds of years before it transpired (1Cor. 15:1-8). Yes, life presents many challenges, but confidence in Jesus Christ is never misplaced. Even when faced with mortal threats forsaking Christ Jesus is not an option. Be faithful to the very end. These persecuted Hebrew believers needed assurance the Christian way, worship, and witness is truly a matter of faith; its foundation is the very Word of God from the earliest accounts. We all can rest assured God fully approves of the life of faith. The cross of Christ is always central to our way, worship, and witness. Stay true, Beloved, stay true to the “more excellent sacrifice.” 

What Does Jesus Expect of His Followers Today?

In daily life, what does real righteousness look like? What does Jesus really expect of His followers today? The Beattitudes and the Sermon on the Mount answers the question of what authentic righteousness is—what Christians are to be and do. Along with many other highly regarded Christian authors, Dr. Wiersbe describes the Sermon on the Mount as what human life and human community look like when they come under the gracious rule of God. Here is a Christian value-system, ethical standard, spiritual devotion, attitude toward money, ambition, lifestyle, and network of relationships—all of which are totally different from those of the non-Christian world.

But how should we approach this passage in Matthew's Gospel on the Beattitudes? It would be to our advantage to keep these observations in mind:

• The Focus is on the Blessings of Righteous Character.  Being a master Teacher, our Lord did not begin this important sermon with a negative criticism of the scribes and Pharisees. He began with a positive emphasis on righteous character and the blessings that it brings to the life of the believer.

• The Focus is On Internal Actuality and Not Only External Activity. The Pharisees taught that righteousness was an external thing, a matter of obeying rules and regulations. Righteousness could be measured by praying, giving, fasting, etc. In the Beatitudes and the pictures of the believer, Jesus described Christian character that flowed from within.

• The Focus is On the Internal Condition of the Soul, and Not the Environment Surrounding Us. Imagine how the crowd’s attention was riveted on Jesus when He uttered His first word: “Blessed.”
• This was a powerful word, which meant “divine joy and perfect happiness.” It was not used for humans; it described the kind of joy experienced only by the ‘gods’ or the dead.

• “Blessed” implied an inner satisfaction and sufficiency that did not depend on outward circumstances for happiness. This is what the Lord offers those who trust Him!

• Blessed means “happy, fortunate, blissful.” Not a mere surface or shallow emotion. Jesus was describing the divinely-bestowed well-being that belongs only to the faithful child of God.

• The Beatitudes demonstrate that the way to heavenly blessedness is the opposite of the worldly path normally followed in pursuit of happiness.
• The worldly idea is that happiness is found in riches, merriment, abundance, leisure, and such things.
• The real truth is the very opposite. The Beatitudes give Jesus’ description of the character of true righteousness.
• The Beatitudes describe the attitudes that ought to be in our lives today. Four attitudes are described here.

What Is True Righteousness?  (Matt. 5:1–6)

A.   A Right Attitude Towards Self (V. 3). “Blessed are the poor in spirit”

1. Our Role is Explained (5:3 A): God Blesses Us When We Realize Our Need For Him.

To be poor in spirit means to be humble, to have a correct estimate of oneself (Rom. 12:3).

a.      Consider What Poor in Spirit is Not.

1.      It does not mean to be “poor spirited” and have no backbone at all!

2.      It is not a false humility that says, “I am not worth anything, I can’t do anything!”

3.      This does not refer to natural disposition even, but to one’s deliberate choice and discipline.

4.      “Poor in spirit” is the opposite of the world’s attitudes of self-praise, self-promotion, self-aggrandizement, and self-assertion. It is the opposite of self-sufficiency.

b.      Consider What Poor in Spirit is.

1.      The deep humility of recognizing one’s utter spiritual bankruptcy apart from God. It describes those who are acutely conscious of their own lost condition and hopelessness apart from God’s grace.

·        Matthew 9:12, But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.  

·        Luke 18:13, And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

2.      In this humble honesty with ourselves we look to God to help us: know ourselves, accept ourselves, and try to become what He recreated us to be for the glory of God.

3.      We are poor in spirit when we acknowledge our own helplessness and rely on God’s omnipotence.

4.      We must sense our own spiritual need and find our supply in the Lord.

2. Our Reward is Explained (5:3 B): The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Given To Us.

a. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

1.      Jesus was teaching that the kingdom is a gracious gift to those who sense their own poverty of spirit.

2.      Beloved the truth of salvation by grace is clearly presupposed in this opening verse of the Sermon on the Mount.

3.      The message is not for the lost, but for the saved.

c.       The kingdom of heaven, is where self-sufficiency is not a virtue and self-exaltation is a vice, this spiritual kingdom of Christ belongs to genuinely humble believers right now.

1.      James 4:10, Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

2.      1 Peter 5:6-7, Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: [7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

3.      Proverbs 29:23, A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

4.      Isaiah 2:11, The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

5.      Luke 18:9-14, And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: [10] Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. [12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. [13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

 B. A Right Attitude Towards Sin (Vv. 4–6). 

1. We Mourn Over Sin And Despise It. “Blessed are they that mourn”

We see sin the way God sees it and seek to treat it the way God does. Those who cover, excuse, explain away, rationalize, or defend their sin certainly have the wrong attitude.

a. Our Role is Defined: God Blesses Those Who Mourn (5:4 A).

1.      They that mourn.  Mourning over sin is the correct attitude, the godly sorrow that produces repentance leading to salvation without any regret (2 Cor. 7:10).

2.      This does not refer to mourning because of the unfavorable situations of life.

3.      This is the sorrow which one experiences because of fellowship with the Lord Jesus. It is an active sharing of the world’s hurt and sin with Jesus.

a.       Therefore, it includes, not only sorrow for one’s own sin,

b.      But also sorrow because of the world’s appalling condition,

c.       The World’s rejection of the Savior, and the doom of those who refuse His mercy.

b. Our Reward is Defined: We Will Be Comforted (5:4 B).

We who mourn are blessed because a day of comfort awaits us.

1.      The “comfort” is the blessing of forgiveness and pardon.

·        Isaiah 40:1-2, Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. [2] Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.  (1Jn. 1:9; Jer. 33:8)

2.      The “comfort” is the blessing of renewed fellowship and strength.

•      Isaiah 12:1-2, And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. [2] Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

3.      We who mourn now will be comforted in the coming day also when “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Rev. 21:4). Believers do all their mourning in this life; for unbelievers, today’s grief is only a foretaste of eternal sorrow.   

2.      We Meekly Submit to God’s Will.  “Blessed are the meek”

We not only mourn over our sins, but we should also meekly submit to God (Luke 18:9–14; Phil. 3:3–10).

a. The Role (5:5 A): God Blesses The Meek/Gentle And Lowly.

1.      Meekness Is The Opposite Of Being Out Of Control.

·        It is supreme self-control empowered by the Spirit (Gal. 5:23).

·        “Meekness-- an attitude of humility toward God and gentleness toward people, springing from a recognition that God is in control”  –Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary

2.      Meekness Is Not Weakness, For Both Moses And Jesus Were Meek Men (Num. 12:3; Matt. 11:29).

a.       Although weakness and meekness may look similar, they are not the same.

1.      Weakness is due to negative circumstances, such as lack of strength or lack of courage.

2.      But meekness is due to a person’s conscious choice. It is strength and courage under control, coupled with kindness.

b.      By nature we may be volatile, harsh, grouchy, temperamental, and gruff.

c.       But by purposefully taking Christ’s spirit on us, we become meek (adaptable, tolerant, subdued, pliable); there is a gentleness of strength about the believer submitted to the Spirit’s control (Matt. 11:29).

3.      This word “meek” describe a horse that has been broken. It refers to power under control for the purpose of satisfying God’s will.

a.       Meekness implies acceptance of one’s own lowly position.

b.      The meek person is gentle and mild in his own cause, though he may be a lion in God’s cause or in defending others.

b. The Reward (5:5 B): The Whole Earth Will Belong To Us.

1. A Third Blessing Is Pronounced On The Meek: they shall inherit the earth.

a.       The meek do not now inherit the earth;

b.      Rather we currently inherit abuse, mistreatment, disregard and dispossession.

c.       But we will literally inherit the earth when Christ, the King, reigns for a thousand years in peace and prosperity.

2. This Promise Gives Us The Strength To Be Patient and Tolerant In Unfair Conditions.

a.       We know God’s in control. Therefore, we don’t have a need to always fight, challenge, or demand our rights.

b.      Many times a failure to “Submit to God’s Will” leads us into sin!

c.       But, if we Graciously Bear Up Under the Mistreatment Now, The Entire Earth will be ours when it’s worth having (Ps. 37:11).

This is only the beginning of our examination of our Lord's legitimate expectations for us as His followers. We have seen that we are to have a right attitude about self and sin from His Sermon on the Mount. The next or sequel to this post will afford us additional insight into Christ's designs for the Christian experience. I sincerely hope you will continue with me through this exploration of our Lord's expectations and blessings. 

It has been well observed, that no comment could be more hurtful to the Christian than the words “But you are no different from anybody else.” One recurring motif throughout the entire Bible from beginning to end is that God purposes to call out a people for Himself. Such privileged individuals are to be reserved exclusively for His purposes, pleasure, and excellent glory. We do not belong to the world; we do belong to Him. As such we want to honor and obey Him. Our focus is to be true to our spiritual identity, that is, to be “righteous” in all our outlook and behavior.