HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT #14

First Baptist Church, Spartanburg

April 27, 2008 - #956
Dr. Don Wilton

THE LIVING DEAD (Part II)

I Thessalonians 4:13-18

RECAP:
The Issues at Hand:
1. Death and Eternal life
2. Persecution
3. Dead People (what happens to them?)
4. Grief
5. Encouragement

WHAT PAUL SAID:

1. Don’t be ignorant
2. The end will come
3. The Rapture will occur
4. Dead Christians are already in heaven
5. Grieve – but not without hope
6. Encourage one another

I. WHAT DO WE STAND ON?

1. The Satisfaction provided us by His death

a. Because His death satisfied the demands of God’s righteousness
• I Peter 2:24 “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the
tree, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness,
by His wounds we have been healed.”

b. Because His death satisfied the demands of God’s holiness

c. Because His death satisfied the demands of God’s justice

• Romans 3:26 “He did it to demonstrate His justice at the
present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those
who have faith in Christ Jesus.”

2. The Identification provided us by His resurrection

3. The Assurance provided us by His Word

© 2008 Don Wilton Page 1 of 2

II. WHO WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE RAPTURE?

a. All Living Christians

b. All Dead Christians

III. WHAT WILL HIGHLIGHT THE RAPTURE?

1. The person of Jesus

2. The descent from heaven

3. The shout of command

4. The voice of the Archangel

5. The trumpet of God

6. The dead in Christ

7. The living in Christ

IV. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO US?

1. It deepens our gratitude

2. It calms our fears

3. It drives our determination

© 2008 Don Wilton Page 2 of 2