Dedicated to Harry "Flip" Kissinger & Family
A Time Of Sorrow ?
1Thessalonians 4:13-14
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
This is a profound message presented by Paul to the Thessalonian who believed in God. Paul was assuring them that those who had passed from this life before them would also be brought back with God one day if they believed. Paul was inspired by God to write about this in this passage of the Holy Bible and I believe it was written not only because Paul wished for the believers in his day to be encouraged, but also because God wishes for the believers in our day to be encouraged as well!
As I spent the evening at the visitation of my dear friend Flip, who had passed away, I saw about two thousand or more people show up to show their sympathy and support for my friends parents, his wife, daughters and entire family. He won many hearts through his sincere friendship, supporting his family and service as a fireman for the last twelve years of his life. My friend who passed away was only 35 years old and it seemed so sad that he had not had the chance to live out his later years. I could see the sadness on many faces there and the confused expressions as we talked about his life; his family and the memories. As I found myself feeling more and more sorrowful, I remembered times when I had encouraged others with the hope that one day they would be able to meet again. Nobody said anything like this to me at the church that night, but I believe that it was God that whispered those words in my ear to remind me also, just as Paul was doing with the Thessalonians in this passage.
Our God wishes to wipe away our sorrow, as we place to rest one of our brothers in Jesus Christ! God says that we are to have hope of meeting this brother again at the return of our Lord. Notice in verse fourteen that it says, those which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him! That tells me that my friend is already with his God! It is this assurance that gives me peace of mind and to know that one day we will meet again at the coming of the Lord. Let's look at the next couple of verses,
1Thessalonians 4:15-16
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
There's going to come a day when you will hear a loud noise coming from Heaven; a shout; and then the archangel is going to speak. At that moment, those that have died; your fathers, your mothers; your relatives; your friends and spouses that are dead in Christ; are going to rise from the dead. So what about those who still alive? How will we be able to reunite with those that have died before us? That is answered in the next verse,
1Thessalonians 4:17-18
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
These truly are words that comfort me today. I am going to be caught up together with my friends who have gone before me because I believe that Jesus died and rose again. Verse fourteen tells me that if I believe, I have a hope for this day!
Jesus said, "Be ready." In the book of Amos, the fourth chapter, it says, "Prepare to meet your God." Are you prepared? Have you opened your heart to Jesus? Have you repented of your sins?
You say, "What is repentance?" Repentance means you say to God,"I am a sinner. I am sorry for my sins, I'm willing to turn from my sins, but Lord, You have to help me to turn. I've tried so many times to give up the things I know are wrong, but I just can't do it. I need your help. Then by faith, you receive Jesus who died on the cross for you. You open your heart and say,"Yes, Lord Jesus, come in. I'm ready to follow You."
I once heard an evangelist tell about a woman who had written him a letter. She told him about her daughter who had become suddenly very ill with an incurable disease and how devastated they were. She also told him how her life had gotten so busy as she had worked so hard at her ambitions in a very fast paced business. She was successful, but she was so busy that she had completely left God out of her life. She said she had forgotten all about God and had forgotten how to pray.
Does that sound like you? there are many people in our nation that could identify with that woman. You have come to read this message today expecting to live many more years, but you don't know.
This might be the last day of your life. We never know. The Bible says that "Today is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation!" The Scripture says as I quote God, "I will not always strive with man." There comes a time when it is too late. the only way you can come to Christ is with the Holy Spirit helping you to come; and He will help you, but not always.
There comes a time when it will be too late for you. I'm going to ask you to come to Christ today. This may be the last opportunity you will ever have.
I am going to ask you to bow your head where ever you are and say today, "I want Jesus in my heart. And I'm going to do my best to repent of my sins and follow Him."
Whether you are at work, at home or on the road, if make this decision, I ask that you contact me and let me talk with you and pray with you and get you some literature to help you in your Christian life. I am going to ask you to make that choice now to receive Christ into your heart.
God bless you.
Contact Rob Bailes by email at: robbailesministries@yahoo.com or call (919)745-1210
A Time Of Sorrow ?
1Thessalonians 4:13-14
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
This is a profound message presented by Paul to the Thessalonian who believed in God. Paul was assuring them that those who had passed from this life before them would also be brought back with God one day if they believed. Paul was inspired by God to write about this in this passage of the Holy Bible and I believe it was written not only because Paul wished for the believers in his day to be encouraged, but also because God wishes for the believers in our day to be encouraged as well!
As I spent the evening at the visitation of my dear friend Flip, who had passed away, I saw about two thousand or more people show up to show their sympathy and support for my friends parents, his wife, daughters and entire family. He won many hearts through his sincere friendship, supporting his family and service as a fireman for the last twelve years of his life. My friend who passed away was only 35 years old and it seemed so sad that he had not had the chance to live out his later years. I could see the sadness on many faces there and the confused expressions as we talked about his life; his family and the memories. As I found myself feeling more and more sorrowful, I remembered times when I had encouraged others with the hope that one day they would be able to meet again. Nobody said anything like this to me at the church that night, but I believe that it was God that whispered those words in my ear to remind me also, just as Paul was doing with the Thessalonians in this passage.
Our God wishes to wipe away our sorrow, as we place to rest one of our brothers in Jesus Christ! God says that we are to have hope of meeting this brother again at the return of our Lord. Notice in verse fourteen that it says, those which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him! That tells me that my friend is already with his God! It is this assurance that gives me peace of mind and to know that one day we will meet again at the coming of the Lord. Let's look at the next couple of verses,
1Thessalonians 4:15-16
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
There's going to come a day when you will hear a loud noise coming from Heaven; a shout; and then the archangel is going to speak. At that moment, those that have died; your fathers, your mothers; your relatives; your friends and spouses that are dead in Christ; are going to rise from the dead. So what about those who still alive? How will we be able to reunite with those that have died before us? That is answered in the next verse,
1Thessalonians 4:17-18
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
These truly are words that comfort me today. I am going to be caught up together with my friends who have gone before me because I believe that Jesus died and rose again. Verse fourteen tells me that if I believe, I have a hope for this day!
Jesus said, "Be ready." In the book of Amos, the fourth chapter, it says, "Prepare to meet your God." Are you prepared? Have you opened your heart to Jesus? Have you repented of your sins?
You say, "What is repentance?" Repentance means you say to God,"I am a sinner. I am sorry for my sins, I'm willing to turn from my sins, but Lord, You have to help me to turn. I've tried so many times to give up the things I know are wrong, but I just can't do it. I need your help. Then by faith, you receive Jesus who died on the cross for you. You open your heart and say,"Yes, Lord Jesus, come in. I'm ready to follow You."
I once heard an evangelist tell about a woman who had written him a letter. She told him about her daughter who had become suddenly very ill with an incurable disease and how devastated they were. She also told him how her life had gotten so busy as she had worked so hard at her ambitions in a very fast paced business. She was successful, but she was so busy that she had completely left God out of her life. She said she had forgotten all about God and had forgotten how to pray.
Does that sound like you? there are many people in our nation that could identify with that woman. You have come to read this message today expecting to live many more years, but you don't know.
This might be the last day of your life. We never know. The Bible says that "Today is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation!" The Scripture says as I quote God, "I will not always strive with man." There comes a time when it is too late. the only way you can come to Christ is with the Holy Spirit helping you to come; and He will help you, but not always.
There comes a time when it will be too late for you. I'm going to ask you to come to Christ today. This may be the last opportunity you will ever have.
I am going to ask you to bow your head where ever you are and say today, "I want Jesus in my heart. And I'm going to do my best to repent of my sins and follow Him."
Whether you are at work, at home or on the road, if make this decision, I ask that you contact me and let me talk with you and pray with you and get you some literature to help you in your Christian life. I am going to ask you to make that choice now to receive Christ into your heart.
God bless you.
Contact Rob Bailes by email at: robbailesministries@yahoo.com or call (919)745-1210
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