I Thessalonians 4:13-18 (a look into what happens after death)

With the recent tragedy of the loss of Regan Wheeler, I felt it necessary to dig into scripture to find out exactly what is next for a person who leaves this earth.  As Protestant Christian, I have always believed that upon death there is some immediacy to the trip to heaven after death.  However, some other branches of Christianity such as Catholicism believe that there might be a waiting stage known as Purgatory.  I decided to look hard into I Thessalonians 4:13-18 where Paul is addressing the Thessalonians about this topic in the form of a letter.  

I do want to add a side-note about the death of Regan. There is no steadfast answer as to why Regan Wheeler was killed in that horrific accident.  I am not a believer in the idea that God wanted her on that day and he chose that day.  God gave us as humans what is known as “Free Will”.  Our life is based upon decisions we make and consequences are based upon those decisions we make. 

God might of known that Regan was going to make the choice ahead of time to take the wrong path on the golf cart, but that does not mean she was not free to make that choice.  So, do I believe God knew Regan was going to come on that day?  Yes, but ultimately, he let her make that choice herself through free-will.  

  

The Hope of going to heaven and being with Christ (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)

4:13 – And now dear brothers and sisters, I want you to know what will happen to the Christians who have died so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. 

• Here, Paul is revealing God’s message that death is not the end, but instead the beginning. 
• People who believe in Christ will be re-united (dead or alive) and all suffering will stop.

4:14 – For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died. 

• Hear the words “God will bring back with Jesus”.  Here Paul is telling us that all Christians who have died, are with Jesus and will be coming back upon his return to the earth! 
• Hope:  If you are a believer, you have hope! While we will miss Regan dearly and any others who have passed away, those people are exactly where we want to be… With God.

4:15 – I can tell you this directly from the Lord:  We who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in the grave.

•  I want to revert back to 4:14 “God will bring back with Jesus all Christians who have died”. 
•  Now, when Paul says, “Those who are in the grave” he is not meaning that the person is actually in the grave.  He has already stated that believers are with God and Jesus.  He is merely stating that those who were believers, that have already died, are the first to be with God followed by those believers who are still on earth.  Therefore, believers who have died are better off than those who have not died yet. 

4:16 – For the Lord himself will come down with a commanding shout , with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.  First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.

•  Here, Paul is reinforcing the return of Christ and how it is laid out.
•  He is then emphasizing how Christians who have already died are already with God.  Here, I believe you can’t take the scripture in a literal term but instead what is intended.
• It is not important when the resurrection takes place as the actually challenge Paul is putting out to people to use God words to comfort and encourage those who have lost loved ones.

 4:17 – Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on earth will remain on earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. 

• Here, Paul is also enforcing the fact that believers will all join God in a place that he has prepared for them. 
• He is using this line to comfort anybody who has lost somebody.  Giving them hope that if they are believers, that one day all believers will be reunited together again. 

4:18 – So comfort and encourage each other with these words.

·         If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, that  he was the son of God, died for our sins on that cross and was resurrected, then you should be comforted to know that as believers you have reserved yourself the right to be with all other believers for eternity in heaven.  

5 Key Elements for Christians: Look at 1 Peter 3:8-9

(8)Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving each other with tender hearts and humble minds. (9) Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing.  That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it.  (1 Peter 3:8-9) 


Here, Peter list 5 key elements for Christians

1. One Mind:  Pursue the same goal (to live a life according to God's instructions)
2. Sympathy:  When others need you, be responsive to those needs they same way God is. 
3. Love:  Treat all people like they are loved brothers and sisters and love them as God loves you. 
4. Tenderness:  Be understanding and sensitive/caring to others as God is caring and sensitive to you. 
5. Humility:  Be willing to encourage each other and be happy for others success.  

Peter was a very impulsive and strong willed person (examples of his impulsiveness can be found in Mark 8:31-33 and John 13:6-9) 

When Jesus predicted his death (Mark 8:31-33) Peter pulled him aside and said he should not be saying such things.  Jesus then scolded Peter comparing him to Satan and explained to Peter this was God's word and in asking Jesus not to say anything was denying God's word.  

• Peter was reacting to Jesus how a human would when saying such things.  Jesus was upset as he wanted his followers to follow Gods word as God would and not as a human.  This should be any follower of Christ's ultimate goal to achieve.  
• Here I believe is an everyday battle for Christians.  Should I or should I not say something when I witness something going against God's word.  Of course you say something as this is the same as denying God.  

Peter also showed his human tendency to be stubborn when Jesus was wanting to wash his feet (John 13:6-9)   Peter reacted strongly against this as he did not understand somebody he called teacher and master wanting to act as a servant to him.  

• Jesus himself acting as a servant was laying the foundation of Gods word by example.  By washing the feet of his disciples, he was showing that nobody is above Gods wish for everyone to serve one another and those that do humble themselves to be servants will be blessed.  
• Here, Peter was again thinking like a human and not as God would.  

The Revenge Factor in Life

Revenge was also a major topic of 1 Peter 3:8-9.  Jesus taught that revenge is unacceptable.  When we feel we are done wrong by somebody, we should instead pray for that person and wish blessings upon them.  Revenge is equally against God's plan for us just as the initial act that caused you to be insulted is (EVIL for EVIL).  

• Instead of acting out in anger against another person, God wants us to instead pray for that person.  In doing so we are acting in accordance to Gods word and we ourselves will be blessed.  

Sacrifice, Desires and the "Dog Soldier"

Taking a daily time to spend with the Lord has been awesome.  Reading, writing, thinking and praying with the Lord has been amazing and a time I am looking forward too on a daily basis!

While reading my Coaches Bible recently I have come across a number of interesting topics.  The "Dog Soldier" has weighed on my shoulders all week though.  This is a story about the Cheyenne Indians during times of war.  One of their warriors during war would ride their horse ahead of everyone and lead the way.  When the war hit it's climax and a winner was still in question, this warrior would jump off his horse and put a stake in the ground to which he was attached by a rope.  In doing so, he let his fellow warriors know he was "in it" until the end no matter the outcome.

Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me.  (Luke 9:23)

Here, Jesus wants us to put aside what we believe is good for us personally, and begin to behave and live more and more like him each day.  Jesus was willing to sacrifice his extreme pain and anguish for the good of his all people, "God's People". This being in the same manner as the Dog Soldier was willing to stay and fight for the good of his people until the very end no matter what the outcome would be!

We all must be willing to deny our selfish wants and in turn, focus that energy on being servants to all men, women and children and especially God.  There might be some cost to doing this and you may lose some parts of your life that you feel valuable.  However, an eternal life with God is far more valuable than any short term want or desire here on earth.

1. Are you willing to stand in the middle of this world with a cross stuck in the ground and be tied to it in order to defend Christ and God's word?

Being Disciplined as Athletes and People

To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction (Proverbs 12:1)
*As athletes and people, we must always understand that there is somebody out there who has more wisdom than us and we can learn from.  God created this so we can all be life long learners.  If we are unwilling to learn and take criticism, than we are unable to grow as athletes and Christians.  Those who can't be willing to open up and be disciplined have a problem with pride as discipline is the key to a successful walk with Christ.
TEACHING and LEARNING
Wise Learners / Foolish Failures: (From Proverbs)
1. Wise learners humbly accept instruction (10:8, 23:12, 25:12) / Foolish Failures ignore instruction
2. Wise learners love discipline (12:1) / Foolish Failures hate correction
3. Wise Learners listen to advice (12:15, 21:11, 24:6) / Foolish Failures believe they need to advice
4. Wise Learners accept parents' discipline (13:1) / Foolish Failures mock their parents
5. Wise Learners lead other to life (10:17 / Foolish Failures lead others astray
6. Wise Learners receive honor (13:8)  / Foolish Failures end in poverty and shame
7. Wise Learners profit from constructive rebuke (15:31-32, 29:1) / Self destruct by refusing to rebuke.

As a coach and teacher I know I must do the following and others who plan on leading must do the same
1. Help People Avoid Traps (13:14)  2. Use pleasant words (16:21)  3. Speak at the right time (15:23,  18:20).