"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept."
"But now is Christ risen from the dead.." has great meaning for us and for the world. As we celebrate the resurrection during this season, let's meditate on what the resurrection means to Christ and to us. I. It means that Christ was/is all that He claimed to be. A. He is the Son of God. Although Jesus more often than now referred to HImself as "son of man," He never refuted that He was the Son of God. B. He is the Messiah (Christ). John the Baptist referred to Him in Messianic terms. Jesus announced His Messiahship to the "woman at the well" in John 4, which was unusual. But He and is the Messiah. C. He is the Savior. In Matthew 1:21, the angel told Joseph, "Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. When He arose from the grave, this claim was vindicated. II. It means that Christ is still alive today. A. Jesus is alive in heaven, "at the right hand of the throne of God....." Where "He ever liveth to make intercession for us...." (Hebrews 7:25) B. Jesus is alive in us through the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples that He would send the "Comforter," God the Holy Spirit, who would be in them (and us), who would teach them (and us), who would empower them (and us). C. Jesus is alive in our service and witness. In all four gospels he told them and us to go into all the world. III. It means that there is hope for the world. A. There is hope of salvation. When Jesus defeated death, He proved to be the living Savior to all who would put their faith in Him. B. There is hope of abundant life. In John 10:10, Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly. C. There is the hope for heaven. In John 14, Jesus promised to prepare a place for those who believe in Him. The resurrection of Jesus means more than we can relate in one sermon. The important question is what does the resurrection mean to you? Hopefully, it means that you are saved, and that you are serving and living for Jesus.
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Paul usually closed out his epistles with words of advice. Our text is advice given to the Thessalonans at the close of the first letter to them. It is advice that we would all do well to heed.
I. Verses 12-13 - Advice Concerning Leadership A. Verse 12a - Get to know the leaders. B. Verses 12b-13 - Follow their leadership. C. Verse 13b - Then there will be peace. II. Verse 14 - Advice concerning fellow Christians A. "Warn those who are unruly...." B. "Comfort the feebleminded (timid)." C. "Support the weak." D. "Be patient toward all men (and women)." III. Verse 15 - Advice concerning all people A. "Do not render evil for evil unto any man (or woman)." B. "Follow that which is good..." C. "Both among yourselves and to all men (and women)." IV. Verses 16-22 - Advice concerning ourselves A. Verse 16 - "Rejoice evermore...." B. Verse 17 - "Pray without ceasing...." C. Verse 18 - "In everything give thanks...." D. Verse 19 - "Quench not the Spirit...." E. Verse 20 - "Despise not prophesyings (preaching)...." F. Verse 21 - "Prove (test) all things; hold fast to that which is good." G. Verse 22 - "Abstain from all appearance of evil...." Think how much better our fellowship would be and how much better our witness to the world would be if we followed this advice. We would be better people if we followed it. |
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