SEPT. 11, 2022
THE CHALLENGE OF CHRIST’S COMING
I Thess. 4:16 & 17
For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first than we which 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.

Four Responses of Preparation

1. We need a right perspective on death.
Verse 13 – We do not want you to be ignorant about those who have fallen asleep or grieve like the rest of men, we have a hope.
Verse 14 – We believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.
Verse 17 – WE will be with the Lord forever.

2. Let hope be your motive for living.
Verse 17 – We who are still alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord.
Verse 16 – For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven.
Verse 17 – We will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord and so she will be with the Lord forever.

3. Remember the soundness of your foundation.
Verse 14 – We believe that Jesus died and rose again, so we believe God will bring Christ back again.

4. Exercise the element of faith.
Verse 14 – We believe that Jesus died and rose again, so we believe God will bring Christ back again.

Steps of faith, confess our sins.
I John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.

Repent and return to God
Acts 3:19 Repent and return to God.

Believe in Jesus.
John 3:16 – Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish.

Receive Christ.
John 1: 12 – As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the Sons of God.
I Thess. 4:18 Encourage each other with these words.