The Rewards of Sanctification
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
1. The Sanctified Don’t Die – They Sleep! (Vs. 13-14, Phil 2:27, John 11:11)
Philippians 2:27, “Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.”
Romans 6:8-11, “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him, because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will not die again. Death no longer rules over him. For the death he died, he died to sin once for all time; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
John 11:11, “He said this, and then he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on my way to wake him up.””
2. The Sanctified Shall Be with Jesus!
a. The “Sleeping” Shall Wake First. (Vs. 15, 2 Cor 5:8)
2 Corinthians 5:8, “In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
b. The “Living” Shall Rise Next. (Vs. 16-17, Matt 24:42-44)
Matthew 24:42-44, “Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
3. The Sanctified Will be Encouraged…Are You? (Vs. 18, Psa 57:7)
Psalm 57:7, “My heart is confident, God, my heart is confident. I will sing; I will sing praises.”