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In I Thessalonians Chapter 4 at verse 13, Paul begins this section with the word ‘Brothers’. He is writing to brothers. He is not lording it over them with his apostolic authority, but he is seeking to teach these believers in Jesus with the authority of Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul has been dealing with the kind of life that is pleasing to God. He has been speaking about moral purity and living holy and upright lives and he has been pleading with these disciples to walk worthy.

Avoid impurity. Adopt brotherly love. Ambitiously work hard. Aim for excellence. What if these were to become the guidelines and hallmarks for government and business and education

Give 16 ounces to your pound and 12 inches to your foot – do not try to short change Almighty God. Seek to walk and live as Jesus walked and lived. When it comes to service do not give short measure and do not display half heartedness and let there be no compromise.

Paul was not the type of man who would give a little bit here and a little bit there.

Now there was some confusion in this fellowship. Some who were in Christ had died.

He is very clear on this aspect – there are those who are in Christ, and there are those who are not. There are those who have no hope, or no assurance.

What is he saying? Do not mourn in the same manner as those who have no hope in Christ! Yes, we are to grieve. Yes, there will be tears, but there will be no resentment or bitterness or hopelessness.

Pessimism and gloom and doom do not come from Jesus.

Where do these things come from then? You should know.

The confusion arose because they thought that Jesus Christ was returning in their lifetime. Were those who had died going to miss the Coming Again of Jesus? It is a natural reaction, but Paul corrects their confusion by pointing out that those who have died are going to get front seat that day. Do not worry. They will not miss anything. It is this that takes the sting out of death.

Notice how he speaks about those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. In a sense that is your address after you die. What will it be like? It will be like what we do every night as we fall asleep. The moments before may be painful, but not the death, and when we wake up we will see Jesus.

Our Christian Faith not only teaches us how to live, but how to die.

There was this concern in Thessalonica about saints who were dying – believers were dying before Jesus Christ returned – and Paul had taught them that Jesus Christ was coming again. One can see how there was concern and confusion – especially in the first Century only 20 years after the crucifixion and resurrection and ascension and Pentecost.

The word for sleeping is KOIMOMENO – from KOIMAO – which means to fall asleep – or lull into sleep – from which we get the word, KOIMETERIEM – from which we get the word cemetery – a sleeping place – a place for sleep.

One day we are going to awake from sleep – the damned as well as the saved – John 5 verses 25 to 29.

When you consider Paul’s use here of the word ‘sleeping’ – it is a kindness in the burden of grieving.

“Almighty Father – loving Father – we thank You that when questions and concern and confusion arise – the Scriptures have answers. Where there is grief and sorrow and sadness – comfort and strengthen – fortress and fortify. Help us now in times of peace to prepare for times of war – and challenge – and bereavement – and death - in the light and love of Jesus.” Amen

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

The Saints Who Slept