TEXT:  1 Thes. 4:13-5:11

INTRODUCTION:

A.      QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SECOND COMING.

          1.       What about loved ones?

          2.       How soon?( 2 Thes. 2, also ).

B.      PAUL ANSWERS THEIR QUESTIONS.

          1.       He deals with the fate of the saints.

          2.       And when that day should come.

I.      JESUS DID PROMISE TO RETURN( John 14:1-2 ).

A.      HE WILL COME AS HE LEFT(Acts 1:9-11).WITH A SHOUT(1 Thes.4:16).

          AND THE DEAD WILL BE RAISED( John 5:28-29 ).

B.      JUDGMENT FOR ALL( Heb. 9:27; Rev. 20:12 ).

C.      THE LAKE OF FIRE( Rev. 20:15 ).

D.      THE EARTH, MEANWHILE...( 2 Pet. 3:10 ).

II.     WHAT ABOUT US?

A.      THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST( 1 Thes. 4:16 ).

          1.       The hope of those who die in the Lord( Acts 24:15 ).

          2.       This hope derives from HIS resurrection( 1 Pet. 1:3 ).

B.      THOSE WHO HAVE NOT DIED WILL BE CHANGED( 1 Cor. 15:50-53 ).

C.      THEN MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR( 1 Thes. 4:17 ).

D.      SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD( vs. 17 )BUT WHERE?

          1.       John 14:1-2.  Jesus has prepared an eternal abiding place.

          2.       2 Cor. 5:1, 6-8.  We live focused on the eternal.

          3.       Rev. 21-22:5( 21:1-8 ).

E.      COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS.

III.    BUT WHEN WILL JESUS COME AGAIN?( 1 Thes. 5:1-11 ).

A.      LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT( 1 Thes.5:1-2 )BUT SURE( 2 Pet. 3:10 ).

B.      WHEN LEAST EXPECTED( vs. 3 ).

C.      THE WICKED WILL NOT BE READY & WILL MOCK( 2 Pet. 3:8-10 ).

D.      THE CHRISTIAN IS ALWAYS READY( vs. 4-6 ).

E.      THE DAY OF ENLIGHTENMENT vs. THE NIGHT OF IGNORANCE( vs. 7-8 ).

F.      WHY DID GOD SAVE US?( vs. 9-10 ).

G.      "EXHORT ONE ANOTHER"( vs. 11 ).

CONCLUSION:  WOULD YOU ENJOY THIS HOPE?