1. Loving and Working, Comforted by The Blessed Hope 1Thessalonians 4:9-18 Presented by Bob DeWaay April 2, 2006

2. Love is a Key Christian Virtue 1Thessalonians 4:9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

3. There is Always Progress to be Made 1Thessalonians 4:10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, 2Thessalonians 3:13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.

4. A Literary Paradox: “Work Hard to Be Quiet” 1Thessalonians 4:11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you;

5. Christians Should be Exemplary in Integrity and Hard Work 1Thessalonians 4:12 so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.

6. The Christian Has Eternal Hope 1Thessalonians 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope.

7. Jesus’ Resurrection Validates The Gospel and Assures Believers 1Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

8. Christian Confidence Grounded in Historical Fact 1Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

9. Christian Hope is Equally Valid for the Dead and the Living 1Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep.

10. Jesus Will Command the Dead In Him to Rise 1Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

11. The Rapture 1Thessalonians 4:17, 18 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

12. Applications Love God’s People in Practical Ways. Work Hard at What God has Given you to do. Find Comfort in the Blessed Hope.

13. Love God’s People in Practical Ways 1John 3:11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; 1John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.

14. Love God’s People in Practical Ways 1John 3:16, 17 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

15. Work Hard at What God has Given You to Do Colossians 3:23, 24 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

16. Find Comfort in the Blessed Hope Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

17. Find Comfort in the Blessed Hope Titus 3:6, 7 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

18. Find Comfort in the Blessed Hope Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;

19. Next Week’s Sermon Luke 19:29-44 The Royal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem