Chapter summary
Paul now instructs the Thessalonians further on living to please God (4:1-2). Paul reminds his converts that God calls believers to live holy lives, separate from sexual immorality and lusts (vv. 3-8). He urges them to love each other and all the brothers even more than they do now (vv. 9-10) and reminds them of the importance of honest work (vv. 11-12). Finally, he clears up a misunderstanding about Christ's return. When Jesus comes for His church the dead in Christ won't "miss out," as some thought they might. When Jesus comes in the cloud to gather His church, the dead will rise and then they, with the living, will rise up together to meet the Lord in the air (vv. 13-17). What a source of comfort and encouragement for those who have lost loved ones. A reunion awaits us, in the presence of Jesus Christ (v. 18).
Paul now instructs the Thessalonians further on living to please God (4:1-2). Paul reminds his converts that God calls believers to live holy lives, separate from sexual immorality and lusts (vv. 3-8). He urges them to love each other and all the brothers even more than they do now (vv. 9-10) and reminds them of the importance of honest work (vv. 11-12). Finally, he clears up a misunderstanding about Christ's return. When Jesus comes for His church the dead in Christ won't "miss out," as some thought they might. When Jesus comes in the cloud to gather His church, the dead will rise and then they, with the living, will rise up together to meet the Lord in the air (vv. 13-17). What a source of comfort and encouragement for those who have lost loved ones. A reunion awaits us, in the presence of Jesus Christ (v. 18).
1) We are encouraged to excel in living a God-pleasing life, the way taught in God’s word.
2) It is God’s will that we avoid sexual sin. Our devotion to God is witnessed in this way.
3) Finding a husband or wife should be done in a holy and honorable way, not in the passionate, lustful way like people who do not know God.
4) No one should take advantage or exploit another believer in any way. The Lord will punish people that do. We must be mindful of this.
5) We are called of God to be holy, not mentally and sexually immoral. When we act in immoral ways we reject the order of God, who gives us His Holy Spirit.
6) God teaches us through His example and Word, to love each other. We must show God’s love everywhere we go.
7) The Word of God encourages us to excel in love even more.
8) We are to live quietly, do our work, mind our own affairs and earn a living for ourselves. Then our way of life will be respected by those outside the Church; not having to depend on anyone else for what we need.
9) We must not be ignorant about those who have died in Christ. We should not grieve like people who have no hope (confident expectation).
10) We believe that Jesus died and came back to life. We also believe that, through Jesus, God will bring back to life those that have died in Christ. When Jesus returns to gather His Church, with Him will be the spirits of those who have already died in Him, prior to the rapture (the catching away of the saints).
11) Those that are alive will not go into His kingdom ahead of those that have died. This is what Jesus taught.
12) The Lord will come from heaven with a command, with the voice of an archangel, with the call of God. First, the dead who believed in Christ will come back to life.
13) Then, together (those that were dead and those that have not died), will be taken into the air to meet the Lord. From this point we will always (visibly) be with the Lord.
14) Comfort the grieving with the preceding words.
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