The Resurrection of Dead Believers

Northwest Bible Church – July 16, 2023 – 1 Thess. – Alan Conner
1 Thess. 4:13-18 (2)
The Resurrection of Dead Believers

Intro

A. THE REASON FOR THE CONCERN (1 Thess. 4:13).

1. Ignorance –
2. “those who are asleep” – brethren who have died.
a. An appropriate description.

b. Only the body sleeps, not the soul. Lk. 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; Lk. 16:23-25; Rev. 6:9; Phil. 1:29.
3. The exact cause of their “grief” – concern for dead believers.

B. THE RESURRECTION OF SLEEPING BELIEVERS (1 Thess. 4:14-16).
1. Foundation of our hope in death: Jesus’ death and resurrection (1 Thess. 4:14).
a. Christ’s death guarantees our resurrection.
b. Jesus’ bodily resurrection is the guarantee that all believers will also be resurrected.
Jn. 11:25; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:20-23
c. RETURN: this resurrected Jesus will come again (1 Thess. 4:14, 15, 16, 17).

2. Christ will bring the souls of dead believers with him (1 Thess. 4:14).
3. The RESURRECTION of dead believers will be before the translation of believers who are alive (1 Thess. 4:15-16).
a. The authoritative certainty of the resurrection - “by the word of the Lord”

b. What will the resurrected body be like?

4. The vital importance of the resurrection –
a. Necessary for our entrance into the consummation of the kingdom. 1Cor. 15:50
b. Part of our redemption by Christ. Rom. 8:23.
c. The perfection of our temples. 1 Cor. 6:19-20
d. Completes our goal of Christlikeness. 1John 3:2
e. Motivation for godly living. 1Cor. 15:58
f. Encouragement in times of suffering. 2Cor. 4:16-18
5. How many resurrections are there? Jn. 5:28-29; Acts 24:15

Conclusion