1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (ESV) “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.”

1. A FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION: What happens to Christians who DIE? 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV) “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.”

2. A FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH: Our Faith is Backed up by FACT 1 Thessalonians 4:14–15 (ESV) “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.”

3. A FUTURE PROMISE: The Lord is COMING 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17a (ESV) “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.”

4. A FITTING CONCLUSION: Our Hope is SECURE 1 Thessalonians 4:17b–18 (ESV) “We will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

1. We should be ready Matthew 24:44 (ESV) “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

2. We are to be busy Luke 19:13 (ESV) “Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’”

3. We are to be holy 2 Peter 3:11 (ESV) “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness.”

4. We are to be evangelistic 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

5. We should be growing 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV) “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”