1. Dying with dignity …!
1 Thessalonians 4:13-15

2. When the saints go marching in!
a chapter of contrasts – living well and dying well
walk in holiness (1-8)
walk in harmony (9-10)
walk in honesty (11-12)
walk in hope (13-18)

3. When the saints go marching in!
Job 17: ‘where then is my hope?’
Hebrews 7: ‘a better hope’
Proverbs 4: ‘shining ever brighter’
Jeremiah 29: ‘a hope and a future’

4. When the saints go marching in!
The world hopes for the best …
the Christian has the best hope!

5. When the saints go marching in!
Paul talks about their fear (13)
they were concerned lest those who had died would miss out at the Lord’s return
ignorance is not bliss
an illustration of death – just like ‘sleep’
our sorrow is only for a short time

6. When the saints go marching in!
Paul talks about a foundation (14)
he knows what he believes
Jesus died and rose again
‘and so we believe …’
Christ is the firstfruits (1 Corinthians 15)

7. When the saints go marching in!
Paul talks about a fact (15)
what he says is the ‘Lord’s own word’
two types – those alive and those asleep
experience of Enoch and Elijah
the place of honour when the roll is called