Today we're talking about something every one of us will face. Death. Honestly, most of us would rather not talk about it. But you know what? God does talk about it. And He talks about it with hope.

Our text is 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18. It's only six verses. But those six verses have been read beside more graves than almost any other passage in the Bible. And for good reason. They're full of hope.

Here's what we'll see. First, we grieve, but we grieve with hope. Christians cry. Jesus cried. But our tears have a floor under them. Second, Jesus is coming back, and the dead in Christ will rise first. The believers we've buried aren't forgotten. They're first in line. Third, we will be together with the Lord forever. So we comfort one another with these words.

Let me give you a few things to do as you listen. Think of someone you love who has died in the Lord. Hold their name in your heart. Then think of someone who is grieving right now. Ask God how you might bring them comfort this week. And ask yourself one honest question. If Jesus came back today, would I be ready? Honestly, that's the question that matters most.

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Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

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"Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

The music "Revive Us Again" and "Be Thou My Vision" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission.