1 Thessalonians 4

I. Know how to walk and please God. Vs. 1

A. That you might abound (grow) more and more. Vs. 1 Colossians 2:6; Colossians 1:10

II. Know the commandments of God. Vs. 2 Matthew 28:20

A. Abstain from fornication. Vs. 3 Ephesians 5:3; Matthew 15:19

1. This is the will of God.

2. This is your sanctification. 1 Corinthians 6:11

B. Know how to possess your vessel. Vs. 4-5

1. The word vessel has two meanings.

a. The vessel is your body. 1 Corinthians 6:18-19; Romans 12:1

b. The vessel is your wife. 1 Peter 3:7; 1 Corinthians 7:2

2. In sanctification and honor. Vs. 4 2 Timothy 2:21

3. Not in lust of concupiscence. Vs. 5

a. Sinful sexual passion. 1 Peter 4:3

4. Not to tempt another man or his wife. Vs. 6 Exodus 20:17

a. God will judge and punish. Malachi 3:5

C. God has called us unto holiness, not uncleanness. Vs. 7 1 Peter 1:14-16

D. When you despise these teachings, you despise God. Vs. 8 Luke 10:16

III. Have brotherly love. Vs. 9-10 John 13:34-35

IV. Study to be quiet (peaceful). Vs. 11 Ecclesiastes 4:6

V. Do your own business. Vs. 11 Colossians 3:22-24

VI. Work with your own hands. Vs. 11 Ephesians 4:28

VII. Walk honestly. Vs. 12 Romans 13:13; 1 Peter 2:12

VIII. Comfort one another concerning the dead in Christ (“them which are asleep”). Vs. 13-18

A. You are not to be ignorant about the dead in Christ. Vs. 13

1. There are seven things we are not to be ignorant of.

a. Abomination of Desolation - Matthew 24:15

b. The nation of Israel - Romans 11:25-27

c. Baptism - 1 Corinthians 10:1-4

d. The spiritual gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:1-14

e. The will of God - Ephesians 5:17-21

f. The rapture - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

g. The thousand years reign of Christ – 2 Peter 3:1-14

B. Concerning those who are asleep. Vs. 13

1. Sleep is symbolic of death. John 11:11-14

2. The body is asleep, not their soul and spirit.

a. Their soul and spirit is alive with God. Vs. 14

b. Their soul and spirit goes immediately to heaven at death. Luke 16:19-23

c. Their soul and spirit is in a mansion in heaven. John 14:1-4

d. Their soul and spirit knows what is happening on earth. Hebrews 12:1-2

e. Abraham’s soul and spirit while in heaven saw the birth of Jesus. John 8:56-58

3. Do not grieve as others who have no hope. Vs. 13

C. The dead in Christ will come back with Jesus. Vs. 14

1. When Jesus returns, he will bring them with him. Vs. 14

D. The living will not see Jesus before the dead in Christ. Vs. 15

1. The dead in Christ are already in heaven with Jesus.

E. The Lord himself shall descend from heaven. Vs. 16

1. With a shout. Vs. 16

2. With the voice of the archangel. Vs. 16

a. Michael is the only archangel. Jude 9

3. With the trump of God. Vs. 16

a. A trumpet is used as an alarm for war. Numbers 10:9

b. The saved are called to the air to war against Satan and cast him out. Revelation 12:7-12

4. The dead in Christ shall rise first. Vs. 16

a. Their soul and spirit will receive their resurrected bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

F. The ones who are alive and remain. Vs. 17

1. Will be caught up together with them in the clouds. Vs. 17

a. The bodies of those who are alive and remain will be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

b. We will know everyone. 1 Corinthians 13:12

c. Peter knew Moses and Elijah. Matthew 17:1-4

2. To meet the Lord in the air. Vs. 17

a. Satan’s headquarters is in the air. Ephesians 2:2

b. The saved will meet the Lord in the air to war against Satan and cast him out. Revelation 12:7-12

G. We will always be with the Lord. Vs. 17

H. Comfort one another with these words. Vs. 18

You can e-mail me by clicking here.

[ Home Page ][ Outline of Books ]