LLesson 6Good Grief

1 Thessalonians 4:13-181 Thessalonians 4:13-18

July 11, 2010

Paul’s Epistles to the ThessaloniansPaul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians

I.I. Introduction to Lesson 6Introduction to Lesson 6A.A. ““Good Grief” probably brings Charlie Brown to Good Grief” probably brings Charlie Brown to

mind.mind.1.1.Grief can be good, not only for us, but for others: Grief can be good, not only for us, but for others: a.a. John 11:35 (“Jesus wept.”)John 11:35 (“Jesus wept.”)

b.b. 2 Samuel 3:31-39 (Abner’s death)2 Samuel 3:31-39 (Abner’s death)

2.2.Sometimes grief is not goodSometimes grief is not gooda.a. Samuel’s grief over Saul (1 Sam. 15:35- 16:1)Samuel’s grief over Saul (1 Sam. 15:35- 16:1)

b.b. David’s grief over the death of Absalom (2 Samuel 18:31—David’s grief over the death of Absalom (2 Samuel 18:31—19:8)19:8)

3.3.Apparently some Thessalonian saints were grieving Apparently some Thessalonian saints were grieving improperly, and this may have had an adverse impact improperly, and this may have had an adverse impact on on others.others.

B.B. The unity of 1 Thessalonians 4:13—5:11The unity of 1 Thessalonians 4:13—5:111.1.The common theme: the coming of ChristThe common theme: the coming of Christa.a. As it relates to the salvation of believers (sleeping and alive) – As it relates to the salvation of believers (sleeping and alive) –

1 Thessalonians 4:13-181 Thessalonians 4:13-18

b.b. As it relates to the Day of the Lord (implications for both As it relates to the Day of the Lord (implications for both unbelievers and believers) – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 unbelievers and believers) – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

2.2.Points of continuityPoints of continuitya.a. Brothers and sisters – 4:13; 5:1Brothers and sisters – 4:13; 5:1

b.b. The coming of the LordThe coming of the Lord

c.c. Encourage one another – 4:18; 5:11Encourage one another – 4:18; 5:11

d.d. Sleep/awakeSleep/awake

3.3.Points of distinctionPoints of distinctiona.a. Paul’s previous teachingPaul’s previous teaching

1)1) Teaching needed – 4:13Teaching needed – 4:13

2)2) No need for teaching; they already know – 5:1No need for teaching; they already know – 5:1

b.b. Purpose of Christ’s comingPurpose of Christ’s coming

1)1) Gathering of saints – 4:13ff Gathering of saints – 4:13ff

2)2) Day of the Lord/judgement – 5:1-11Day of the Lord/judgement – 5:1-11

c.c. Use of the term “sleep”Use of the term “sleep”

1)1) Believers who have died – 4:13Believers who have died – 4:13

2)2) Unbelievers – 5:5-7 Unbelievers – 5:5-7

3)3) Believers – 5:10 Believers – 5:10

II.II. The problem Paul is addressing – 4:13 The problem Paul is addressing – 4:13 A.A. Instruction needed which was not previously Instruction needed which was not previously

givengiven

B.B. Improper grieving over saints who have diedImproper grieving over saints who have died

C.C. What was improper about the unbelieving What was improper about the unbelieving Thessalonians’ understanding regarding those Thessalonians’ understanding regarding those who died?who died?

1.1.Pagans of that day had no hope of bodily Pagans of that day had no hope of bodily resurrection resurrection – see 1 Corinthians 15:32.– see 1 Corinthians 15:32.

2.2.No certainty of life beyond deathNo certainty of life beyond death

3.3.No hope of future fellowship/relationship No hope of future fellowship/relationship

4.4.A predisposition to a life of indulgenceA predisposition to a life of indulgence

5.5.No relief from the fear of death – Hebrews 2:14-15No relief from the fear of death – Hebrews 2:14-15

D.D. What was wrong with the Thessalonian believers’ What was wrong with the Thessalonian believers’ belief and practice regarding Christians who had belief and practice regarding Christians who had died? died?

E.E. My understanding of the problem:My understanding of the problem:1.1.The (intermediate?) state of the sleeping believer is The (intermediate?) state of the sleeping believer is

inferior to that of the living believer, at the coming inferior to that of the living believer, at the coming of of Christ.Christ.

2.2.It is better to be alive than dead at the coming of It is better to be alive than dead at the coming of Christ.Christ.

3.3.Example: Peter in John 21:18-23Example: Peter in John 21:18-23

III.III. The solution – 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17The solution – 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17A.A. The resurrection of Christ (vs. 14)The resurrection of Christ (vs. 14)

1.1.““If” = “since”If” = “since”2.2.The literal, bodily, resurrection of Jesus is the basis The literal, bodily, resurrection of Jesus is the basis

for our literal, bodily resurrection.for our literal, bodily resurrection.B.B. This is a “word from the Lord” (vs. 15a)This is a “word from the Lord” (vs. 15a)C.C. Those saints living at the time Christ comes will Those saints living at the time Christ comes will

not have priority over those “sleeping” (15b). No not have priority over those “sleeping” (15b). No superior status for the livingsuperior status for the living

D.D. The Lord’s coming will be public (well The Lord’s coming will be public (well announced) and the dead in Christ will rise first announced) and the dead in Christ will rise first (vs. 16).(vs. 16).

E.E. Then those alive at His coming will be taken up Then those alive at His coming will be taken up with the others, and be with the Lord and each with the others, and be with the Lord and each other forever (vs. 17)other forever (vs. 17)

IV.IV. Conclusion and applicationConclusion and applicationA.A. Why did I feel short-changed?Why did I feel short-changed?

1.1.What Paul doesn’t say hereWhat Paul doesn’t say here2.2.Seeking to squeeze more out of the textSeeking to squeeze more out of the text3.3.This is the foundation for further teaching.This is the foundation for further teaching.4.4.Christ is the core; the essence of our hope.Christ is the core; the essence of our hope.

B.B. How, then, should we grieve? Look at present How, then, should we grieve? Look at present sorrow in the light of eternity (2 Cor. 4:16-18).sorrow in the light of eternity (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

C.C. ““Encourage Encourage one anotherone another,” not just “Be ,” not just “Be encouraged” (see 2 Corinthians 1:3-7).encouraged” (see 2 Corinthians 1:3-7).

D.D. Our hope is the gospel; we give hope by Our hope is the gospel; we give hope by proclaiming the gospel.proclaiming the gospel.

E.E. This is one side of the gospel message – don’t This is one side of the gospel message – don’t forget the other side of the coin (2 Thes. 1:8-9; forget the other side of the coin (2 Thes. 1:8-9; Dan. 12:2; Luke 16:19-31; Rev. 20:13-15).Dan. 12:2; Luke 16:19-31; Rev. 20:13-15).

Copyright © 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointpresentation of Lesson 6 in the series, Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians,prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for July 11, 2010. Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.