Sermon text

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

[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.

Call to Worship

Psalm 56:1–4

To the choirmaster: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

[1] Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;
all day long an attacker oppresses me;
[2] my enemies trample on me all day long,
for many attack me proudly.
[3] When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
[4] In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can flesh do to me? (ESV)

Psalm 56:12–13

[12] I must perform my vows to you, O God;
I will render thank offerings to you.
[13] For you have delivered my soul from death,
yes, my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life. (ESV)

Prayer of Repentance

O Lord, our holy God, help us and heal us. We are stubborn blind people who repeatedly and willfully stray from you. In our blindness, even our ability to confess our sin has been distorted. Yet Christ has acknowledged our helpless estate and has shed his own blood for our souls. Father, create in us clean hearts that are truly broken for our remaining struggles with sin, yet are utterly confident that your love is more than enough to reach the foulest sinner who trusts in you. We pray not in our own strength but in the perfect righteousness of Christ, Amen.

Benediction

Heavenly Father, What a great comfort it is to know that Jesus will return for His people. We praise You and long for the day to be with Him forever! May we live in such a way where we are preparing for His return:

• Pursuing holiness to be holy as He is holy,
• Declaring His glory with all of our life,
• And singing songs of praise, to prepare to worship Him with the multitude of saints.

Lord Jesus come in all your glory. Come to be with Your people! In Jesus name we pray Amen

Weekly Discipleship Resources

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