100:00:00,800 –> 00:00:04,640The death of a loved one raises many many questions. You wonder what is happening200:00:04,640 –> 00:00:11,060for them now. You wonder what will happen to them in the future. Will you see300:00:11,060 –> 00:00:14,020them. Will you know them. What will that be like.400:00:14,020 –> 00:00:18,660Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick. Glad you500:00:18,660 –> 00:00:22,299could join us today. And Colin there may be someone listening today who has600:00:22,299 –> 00:00:26,260lost a loved one and they may be asking exactly those questions.700:00:26,559 –> 00:00:30,500We then have scores of people I think in exactly that position. I’m so glad that800:00:30,500 –> 00:00:34,220you’re listening today and that we have the opportunity of coming to one of the900:00:34,220 –> 00:00:38,779great passages in the New Testament that gives us hope. When we think about our1000:00:38,779 –> 00:00:44,740loved ones who died in Christ they’re no longer with us but they’re with Him.1100:00:44,740 –> 00:00:47,139As you think about them now you’ll wonder,1200:00:47,139 –> 00:00:53,139what lies ahead? And the New Testament points to the day when you’ll see not1300:00:53,299 –> 00:00:55,779And the New Testament points to the day when you’ll see not1400:00:55,880 –> 00:01:00,259only the Lord but you’re also going to see your loved one who even now is with1500:01:00,259 –> 00:01:05,620Christ. And we’re in 1 Thessalonians and chapter 4 it’s a marvelous passage of1600:01:05,620 –> 00:01:10,059scripture that tells us that while we do grieve, and we really do when we lose a1700:01:10,059 –> 00:01:15,480loved one, we don’t grieve as if we had no hope. We do have hope and here’s the1800:01:15,480 –> 00:01:20,559hope, it’s in Christ and in the great day of His coming. And so my prayer for you1900:01:20,940 –> 00:01:24,339is that this is going to be a comfort a strength and an encouragement to your2000:01:24,339 –> 00:01:28,580heart as we dig into the word of God together. Well we’re digging into 12100:01:28,580 –> 00:01:33,599Thessalonians chapters 4 & 5 today as we begin the message, the urgency of2200:01:33,599 –> 00:01:38,680heavenly hope. Here is Pastor Colin. I hope you have your Bible open in front2300:01:38,680 –> 00:01:42,440of you, 1st Thessalonians chapter 4 and I want2400:01:42,440 –> 00:01:45,900you to notice that the passage that’s been read really comes in two parts and2500:01:46,760 –> 00:01:52,279And the both end with the note of encouragement. Chapter 4 in verse 18, the end of the first2600:01:52,279 –> 00:01:58,419part, Therefore encourage each other with these words. Chapter 5 and verse 11 the2700:01:58,419 –> 00:02:03,019end of the second part, Encourage each other and build each other up just as in2800:02:03,019 –> 00:02:09,300fact you are doing. So the purpose of the passage of Scripture that is open before2900:02:09,300 –> 00:02:15,500us today is to encourage Christian believers and that has been very much my3000:02:15,500 –> 00:02:20,699prayer as we come to this time together today. In fact because we’re looking at3100:02:20,699 –> 00:02:24,399the Word of God I think that it is reasonable for us to say that it is3200:02:24,399 –> 00:02:31,860God’s purpose that you as a Christian believer should be encouraged today. Now3300:02:31,860 –> 00:02:37,460let’s look at that encouragement together. Verse 13 of chapter 4. Brothers3400:02:37,460 –> 00:02:45,419we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep or to grieve like3500:02:45,419 –> 00:02:52,240the rest of men who have no hope. Now when Paul talks here about those who3600:02:52,240 –> 00:02:59,679have fallen asleep he is talking about Christians who have died and so he’s3700:02:59,679 –> 00:03:09,399opening up a very painful sensitive practical issue that every one of us3800:03:09,399 –> 00:03:14,839will deal with in the course of our lives. Many of us are living right now3900:03:15,759 –> 00:03:27,880sense and a lasting sense of loss. A child, a young person who has died, a wife, a4000:03:27,880 –> 00:03:38,160husband, parent, a dear friend, and so much of your life was bound up with that4100:03:38,279 –> 00:03:46,919person, so much of your joy was found in them. And suddenly they’re gone and your4200:03:46,919 –> 00:03:54,720life goes on but there’s a void that remains. There’s a grief that continues,4300:03:54,720 –> 00:04:01,720there’s a loss that somehow can’t ever be replaced. And the death of a4400:04:01,720 –> 00:04:06,139loved one raises many, many questions. You wonder what is happening for them now,4500:04:06,139 –> 00:04:11,539you wonder what will happen to them in the future? Will you see them,4600:04:11,539 –> 00:04:18,200will you know them? What will that be like? I have to tell you that the Bible4700:04:18,200 –> 00:04:26,679tells us almost nothing about the position of those who are outside of Christ4800:04:26,679 –> 00:04:31,640immediately after this life. Almost nothing. Until what it tells us about the4900:04:31,640 –> 00:04:38,640last judgment that is to come. But when it comes to Christian believers we are5000:04:38,640 –> 00:04:45,279told some specific and wonderful things about them now, about them in the future,5100:04:45,279 –> 00:04:51,519and about us in relationship to them in the time when Jesus Christ will come5200:04:51,519 –> 00:04:56,179again. And we’re going to be looking at that together from the Scriptures so5300:04:56,179 –> 00:04:59,399again I hope that you have your Bible open so that we can see it together.5400:05:00,040 –> 00:05:06,239It’s a wonderful gift of encouragement for us. I want to look first then at the5500:05:06,239 –> 00:05:12,380hope that there is and that we have for those who have died in Christ. Christian5600:05:12,380 –> 00:05:16,959believers who have died he Paul says brothers we do not want you to be5700:05:16,959 –> 00:05:21,579ignorant about those who have fallen asleep. Now notice this. We are not5800:05:21,579 –> 00:05:27,619ignorant about Christians who have fallen asleep. Now that in itself is a5900:05:27,660 –> 00:05:31,779very important statement because there are some folks who just assume that we6000:05:31,779 –> 00:05:38,880cannot know anything about what lies beyond the grave. They perhaps want to6100:05:38,880 –> 00:05:43,220believe that we can’t know anything because having pushed it from their6200:05:43,220 –> 00:05:48,559minds they do not want to know. And so they will very vigorously affirm that6300:05:48,559 –> 00:05:52,640anything that may be said about life beyond the grave at a Christian funeral6400:05:53,640 –> 00:05:59,440Or it’s a metaphor to try and help us in our pain. But Paul says quite clearly6500:05:59,440 –> 00:06:06,640here, we are not ignorant we’re not ignorant. Now why are we not ignorant?6600:06:06,640 –> 00:06:12,440Well because we have a specific word of Jesus Christ about this. If we were left6700:06:12,440 –> 00:06:16,359to ourselves we couldn’t possibly know what is beyond the grave, because none of6800:06:16,359 –> 00:06:20,720us have been there. But he says according to the Lord’s own word verse nineteen6900:06:21,000 –> 00:06:25,720the Lord Jesus Christ has come from heaven so that we will not be in ignorance7000:06:25,720 –> 00:06:33,040about that which lies beyond the grave. According to the Lord’s own word he has7100:06:33,040 –> 00:06:41,119come so that we can know something and we can know it so that our grief though7200:06:41,119 –> 00:06:47,700intense will not be the same as those who have no hope there will be a knowledge7300:06:47,820 –> 00:06:52,260what lies the other side of the grave will make a difference in the pain and7400:06:52,260 –> 00:06:56,100in the loss that we are experiencing that’s what Paul says we’re not ignorant7500:06:56,100 –> 00:07:00,940so that we’re left in the position of grieving like the rest of men who have7600:07:00,940 –> 00:07:10,820no hope James Denny has a beautifully stated comment here he says is it not a7700:07:10,899 –> 00:07:18,859striking proof of the grace of our Lord that we have on his express authority a7800:07:18,859 –> 00:07:26,859special revelation just for our comfort it’s beautiful isn’t it the Jesus in his7900:07:26,859 –> 00:07:33,119grace so wants you to be comforted when you face loss that he has given a8000:07:33,119 –> 00:07:39,299special word just for this purpose and Denny says Jesus knew the terrible8100:07:39,820 –> 00:07:44,500of bereavement he had stood by the bedside of Jerus daughter by the8200:07:44,500 –> 00:07:49,619young man’s coffin at name and by the Tomb of Lazarus he knew how8300:07:49,619 –> 00:07:55,100inconsolable it was how subtle how passionate8400:07:55,100 –> 00:08:02,799he Jesus knew the dead weight at the heart which never passes away the sudden8500:08:02,799 –> 00:08:10,119rush of feeling that overpowers even the strongest he knows that and that all8600:08:10,119 –> 00:08:18,920the sorrow might not rest on his church unrelieved he lifts the curtain so that8700:08:18,920 –> 00:08:25,760we might see with our eyes the strong consolation beyond that’s beautiful so8800:08:25,880 –> 00:08:34,960you will not have this pain unrelieved he lifts the curtain and Paul says we are8900:08:34,960 –> 00:08:44,760not ignorant and that is why though our grief is intense it’s not as if we had9000:08:44,760 –> 00:08:53,200no hope because we have the Lord’s own word with regards to our Christian9100:08:53,239 –> 00:09:01,159loved ones who have died in the Lord. Now with that sense of encouragement9200:09:01,159 –> 00:09:06,599drawing us into the Scriptures let’s ask the question then what do we know.9300:09:06,599 –> 00:09:10,719I want you to look particularly at verse 14 here where we have this most9400:09:10,719 –> 00:09:17,479marvelous statement of the very core of Christian faith 1 Thessalonians chapter9500:09:17,599 –> 00:09:19,760four in verse 149600:09:19,760 –> 00:09:23,700we believe that Jesus died and rose again9700:09:23,700 –> 00:09:26,880it’s like a creedal statement so let’s just say it together shall we a couple9800:09:26,880 –> 00:09:33,440of times we believe that Jesus died and rose again say it again with me please9900:09:33,440 –> 00:09:41,059we believe that Jesus died and Rose again I think about that what are we10000:09:41,159 –> 00:09:56,359saying number one we believe that Jesus died Jesus died now relate these things10100:09:56,359 –> 00:10:05,080together here many of us have watched a loved one take that last breath you10200:10:05,080 –> 00:10:10,700stayed perhaps for some time some period of time close to the bedside you10300:10:10,700 –> 00:10:19,119watched them lose strength and then you heard them take their last breath and it10400:10:19,119 –> 00:10:26,900was all quiet now that happened to Jesus10500:10:27,059 –> 00:10:42,340Jesus died Jesus entered death death is a place where Jesus has been we believe10600:10:42,340 –> 00:10:46,260you’re listening to opened the Bible with pastor Colin Smith and a message10700:10:46,260 –> 00:10:51,640called the urgency of Heavenly Hope it’s part of the series living like there’s10800:10:51,640 –> 00:10:56,419no tomorrow taken from the book of one Thessalonians if you’ve missed any of10900:10:56,460 –> 00:10:59,979the messages or if you have to leave early today you can catch up or go back11000:10:59,979 –> 00:11:04,260and listen again by coming to our website that’s at open thebible.org.uk11100:11:04,260 –> 00:11:10,020also available as a podcast on all the main podcast sites search for11200:11:10,020 –> 00:11:15,700open the bible UK. Back to the message now here again is Pastor Colin.11300:11:16,419 –> 00:11:24,900Jesus entered death. Death is a place where Jesus has been.11400:11:27,140 –> 00:11:37,059Now, thinking of that the President visited Thomas School just over the road here11500:11:38,260 –> 00:11:42,340and watching from this building it was quite fascinating because you wouldn’t believe what11600:11:42,340 –> 00:11:50,419had to happen before the President could come to Thomas School. We had the FBI, of course,11700:11:52,260 –> 00:11:55,219sweeping the building every corner, why?11800:11:56,979 –> 00:12:03,619They swept the building to make sure that this was a safe place for the President of11900:12:03,619 –> 00:12:10,500the United States of America to pass through. Now you know, that is what Jesus Christ has done for12000:12:10,500 –> 00:12:21,299us. He has swept death. He has gone through it. And what he says to us is, look, I have swept12100:12:21,299 –> 00:12:28,179it clean. There is nothing for you to fear, as it were, in that dark room or that dark passage12200:12:28,179 –> 00:12:34,580because I am sovereign there to I have been there. I have established my authority in death,12300:12:34,580 –> 00:12:40,659over death, as much as I have established my authority over life and in eternity.12400:12:41,219 –> 00:12:44,659The valley of death for a Christian believer is still a dark place.12500:12:46,419 –> 00:12:53,059It may still be a painful place, but we can say with confidence that it is a safe12600:12:53,059 –> 00:12:57,380place for the Christian believer. Why? Because Jesus has cleared12700:12:57,380 –> 00:13:04,419out the enemies who lurk there. He’s swept it. He has defanged death. He has drawn its sting.12800:13:04,419 –> 00:13:09,940He has gone through it. He has swept it. He has entered death for us! And it is very12900:13:09,940 –> 00:13:13,940important that we affirm that Jesus has died. You remember, by the way, that that’s a thing13000:13:13,940 –> 00:13:19,140that distinguishes Christian faith from what is taught in Islam who say that Jesus did not die.13100:13:20,900 –> 00:13:26,020We believe that Jesus died. I know that we want to rush on to the fact that he rose,13200:13:26,020 –> 00:13:31,859but we must get a hold of the significance of his death because it is by his death that he defangs13300:13:31,859 –> 00:13:38,500death, it is by his entering into death that he sweeps death, it is by his death that he changes13400:13:38,500 –> 00:13:44,179the nature of death for you and for me and for those who have entered it ahead of us already.13500:13:45,619 –> 00:13:50,979That is why the Bible says there is nothing in life or in death that can separate you from the13600:13:50,979 –> 00:14:00,260love of God which is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Now we believe, Paul says, Jesus died. We believe that13700:14:01,940 –> 00:14:09,619and that changes the nature of death for every Christian believer, for everyone who is in him.13800:14:09,619 –> 00:14:17,859Notice that Christians who have died are described here as falling asleep in Christ.13900:14:17,859 –> 00:14:23,299It comes three times, look at it please, this is a characteristic New Testament way of describing14000:14:23,299 –> 00:14:28,419the death of a Christian. Verse 13 we don’t want you to be ignorant about those who have fallen14100:14:28,419 –> 00:14:34,900asleep. Verse 14 God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. Isn’t14200:14:34,900 –> 00:14:42,020that beautiful by the way, fallen asleep in Him. Verse 15 we will certainly not proceed14300:14:42,900 –> 00:14:53,940fallen asleep. By the way fallen asleep does not mean that Christians who have died are in a state14400:14:53,940 –> 00:14:59,140of unconsciousness. Some folks have suggested that but we can be confident that that is not true14500:15:00,580 –> 00:15:04,419because Paul says, for to live is Christ and to die is gain,14600:15:04,419 –> 00:15:07,940that is what is immediately after death for a Christian is more not less.14700:15:07,940 –> 00:15:17,619He says to be with Christ is far better now, unconsciousness is not far better than the14800:15:17,619 –> 00:15:25,059joys of this life far better is the conscious enjoyment of the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.14900:15:26,659 –> 00:15:32,179So I think Calvin is right when he says that the reference in fallen asleep,15000:15:32,179 –> 00:15:39,219is not to the soul, but to the body. The soul is not asleep, the soul is consciously enjoying the15100:15:39,219 –> 00:15:44,179presence of the Lord, but the references to the body says Calvin for the dead body15200:15:44,179 –> 00:15:50,739rests in the tomb as on a bed until God raises the person up.15300:15:52,659 –> 00:15:57,380So our loved ones and it is important to know this, who have fallen asleep in Christ,15400:15:58,340 –> 00:16:05,059have a richer and fuller and closer experience of the Lord than any of us can enjoy here on the15500:16:05,059 –> 00:16:12,659Earth, they are as secure in Christ in death as you and I are in Christ in life and we all will15600:16:12,659 –> 00:16:22,659be for all eternity but there is something more still to come for them as there is something more15700:16:22,659 –> 00:16:31,940still to come for us and so let’s continue we believe that Jesus died and rose again verse 1415800:16:31,940 –> 00:16:38,820it’s not just that we believe that Jesus died we believe that Jesus died and rose again15900:16:39,619 –> 00:16:42,820death couldn’t hold him on the third day he triumphed16000:16:42,820 –> 00:16:48,820over the power of death rising from the grave now here’s the great enigma16100:16:49,059 –> 00:16:58,099Jesus died and rose again your loved one has died but they have not risen16200:17:00,580 –> 00:17:10,739so they are in an enigma of a position it’s like an unresolved musical chord16300:17:10,979 –> 00:17:17,219like an unresolved musical chord it leaves you straining for the next note16400:17:18,099 –> 00:17:27,140that has to come in because though the chord appeals it has to lead to another note16500:17:28,579 –> 00:17:36,739and no wonder therefore that this whole thing feels to you incomplete it is incomplete16600:17:37,060 –> 00:17:46,579it is not yet finished there is something still to happen for your loved one as well as us to16700:17:46,579 –> 00:17:50,739enter into the fullness of all that Jesus Christ has accomplished through his death16800:17:50,739 –> 00:17:59,459and resurrection and Paul tells us what that is. Christians who have died in Christ16900:17:59,939 –> 00:18:11,300will come with Christ verse 14 god will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him17000:18:11,300 –> 00:18:15,619by the way that does make it pretty clear they’re with him god will bring with Jesus17100:18:15,619 –> 00:18:24,260those who have fallen asleep in him and when our lord appears verse 16 the dead in Christ will17200:18:24,579 –> 00:18:33,300rise in other words they who consciously enjoy the presence of the lord now will on that day17300:18:33,300 –> 00:18:40,900enter into the full blessing of the resurrection they will experience the full blessing of17400:18:40,900 –> 00:18:49,380resurrection life in a glorified soul and body and we will share in the joy of that together17500:18:49,380 –> 00:18:57,219on that day now notice that in verse 17 will you we who are still alive and are left17600:18:58,180 –> 00:19:05,219will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the lord in the air17700:19:06,660 –> 00:19:12,500so the lord jesus christ comes again he will bring those who are consciously enjoying his17800:19:12,500 –> 00:19:18,979presence he will give to them on that day the gift of the resurrection body they will rise17900:19:18,979 –> 00:19:26,099is the way that the bible puts it and we will be caught up together with them with them to meet18000:19:26,099 –> 00:19:35,140the lord in the air verse 17 now paul is describing here the ascension of christian believers18100:19:36,420 –> 00:19:43,939see when we are united with jesus christ he shares everything with us we enter into his death18200:19:44,900 –> 00:19:53,699we enter into his resurrection and we will enter into and share his ascension also you see18300:19:53,699 –> 00:20:01,219everything that is true of christ will be true of you now thinking about this i18400:20:02,020 –> 00:20:06,979find my mind wandering onto film stars and pre-nuptial agreements18500:20:07,619 –> 00:20:11,859let me explain you know these some of these folks that have pots of money18600:20:12,660 –> 00:20:19,300and they’re gonna get married and they set up a pre-nuptial agreement18700:20:20,579 –> 00:20:27,219you read about this in the papers right now what is a pre-nuptial agreement18800:20:28,579 –> 00:20:34,339well a pre-nuptial agreement is someone who’s got everything you can imagine saying i want a18900:20:34,420 –> 00:20:42,099relationship with you but i’m holding a good deal back from you right that’s what it is a pre-nuptial19000:20:42,099 –> 00:20:52,099agreement you’ll gather i’m not commending this right now listen jesus christ has no pre-nupts19100:20:52,979 –> 00:21:00,500with his people there is nothing that jesus christ holds back from sharing with you fully finally and19200:21:00,500 –> 00:21:05,699eternally when he binds himself to you in a relationship of love and faith that will19300:21:05,699 –> 00:21:13,140transform your life now and eternity forever and forever when you come to belong to jesus19400:21:13,140 –> 00:21:19,540christ all that is his becomes yours death resurrection ascension everlasting life in19500:21:19,540 –> 00:21:27,540the presence of the father all that is his becomes yours think of what that means christ’s19600:21:27,540 –> 00:21:36,739sin-bearing death becomes yours so that when you die you will not carry your guilt or sin19700:21:36,739 –> 00:21:40,900into your death because he carried your guilt and sin into his death19800:21:42,739 –> 00:21:47,380and we will share in his everlasting life in glory forever19900:21:49,619 –> 00:21:55,780really important message from pastor Colin today from one thessalonians chapters four and five20000:21:56,579 –> 00:22:00,819if you tuned in late or if you want to listen to the message again you can do that by coming20100:22:00,819 –> 00:22:07,459to our website openthebible.org.uk or if you prefer go to your favorite podcast site20200:22:07,459 –> 00:22:12,819search there for open the bible uk or follow the link from our website while you’re on our20300:22:12,819 –> 00:22:18,660website don’t forget about open the bible daily that’s our series of short two to three minute20400:22:18,660 –> 00:22:24,339daily reflections based on pastor Colin’s teaching and read this month by Sally Workman20500:22:24,339 –> 00:22:30,900Open the Bible Daily. At open the Bible we welcome contact with our listeners if you’ve been blessed20600:22:30,900 –> 00:22:37,140by pastor Colin Smith’s teaching and you’d like to reach out to us you can write to us at20700:22:44,739 –> 00:22:50,739that address along with an email address and a telephone number that you can use to contact us20800:22:50,739 –> 00:22:58,660are all on our website openthebible.org.uk Our regular listeners will know that Open the Bible20900:22:58,660 –> 00:23:04,180is supported by our many listeners and we’re extremely grateful for the support that you give21000:23:04,180 –> 00:23:11,060us so if you already give to support the work of Open the Bible thank you so much. This month of21100:23:11,060 –> 00:23:17,540October we have a special offer. If you are able to set up a new direct debit in the amount of £521200:23:17,540 –> 00:23:24,579per month or more, or a one-off gift of £60 or more, we’d love to say thank you by sending you21300:23:24,579 –> 00:23:31,619a copy of a devotional book by Dave and Sally Gobbett. It’s called Hallelujah. Here is dave21400:23:31,619 –> 00:23:36,900Gobbett to tell us about it hi I’m Dave Gobbett and together with my wife we’ve written this21500:23:36,900 –> 00:23:43,300advent devotional Hallelujah Journeying Through Advent with Handel’s Messiah and the book is a21600:23:43,300 –> 00:23:47,459daily devotional. The idea is you read a short section of the bible and a meditation21700:23:47,459 –> 00:23:52,739based on a movement from Handel’s famous oratorio. In the busyness of the run-up21800:23:52,739 –> 00:24:00,020to Christmas this book will enable you to just pause and slow down and reflect on the significance21900:24:00,020 –> 00:24:05,380of the coming of Jesus Christ as our personal Messiah and all that that means for us and for22000:24:05,380 –> 00:24:11,380his world. I’m actually delighted that Open the Bible UK have chosen this book to be their22100:24:11,380 –> 00:24:16,579October Book of the Month and if you make a donation to Open the Bible UK in October you’ll22200:24:16,579 –> 00:24:21,619get a free copy of this book sent to you where you’ll be able to journey with us through Handel’s22300:24:21,619 –> 00:24:26,020Messiah in the run-up to Christmas and I hope that’s a great encouragement to you as much as22400:24:26,020 –> 00:24:31,619it was encouragement to my wife and I as we wrote the book, so God bless and enjoy getting ready for22500:24:31,619 –> 00:24:37,540the coming of the Messiah and maybe use Handel to help you. So Dave and Sally Gobbett’s book22600:24:37,540 –> 00:24:43,459Hallelujah is our gift to you this month if you’re able to set up a new direct debit to22700:24:43,459 –> 00:24:49,459the work of Open the Bible for five pounds per month or more or a one-off gift of sixty pounds22800:24:49,459 –> 00:24:56,579or more. You’ll find full details terms and conditions and you can give online at our website22900:24:56,579 –> 00:25:04,180openthebible.org.uk. For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick.23000:25:04,180 –> 00:25:07,939Thanks for being with us today and I look forward to you joining us again23100:25:08,500 –> 00:25:10,339next time on Open the Bible.23200:25:21,780 –> 00:25:24,579The Bible talks about the hope that we have.23300:25:25,140 –> 00:25:29,300What does that mean? Find out next time on Open the Bible.