316. 1TH 4:14. FUNERAL SKETCH

1Th_4:14. Funeral Sketch

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him."’971Th_4:14.

"Salvation, O the joyful sound,

What pleasure to our ears!

A sovereign balm for every wound,

A cordial for our fears."

Yes, this is the glory of the gospel, that it completely meets the condition and exigency of the sinner. Man is guilty, and it reveals forgiveness; man is an alien, and it brings him back to the divine family; man is unholy, and it regenerates and sanctifies him; man is wretched, and it imparts abiding peace; man is dying, and it reveals to him a better world; man is destined to be the resident of the dust, and it throws its celestial radiance across the tomb;’97And addresses us, "But I would not have you be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him; 1Th_4:13, 1Th_4:14.

I. The pleasing Metaphor by which Death is described.

"Sleep." The idea is very commonly presented us in revelation. Of David, it is said, that when he had served his generation according to the will of God, he fell asleep. Daniel, predicting the resurrection of the saints, says, "Many that sleep in the dust shall awake," Dan_12:2. Jesus said of the nobleman’s daughter, "She sleepeth." So also when going to visit the mournful sisters of Bethany, he said, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth." Paul also says, "We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed," 1Co_15:51. Now, the metaphor of sleep represents death,

1. As a state of rest.

And this is a perfect contrast to the state of the Christian in life. Now, he is a servant, and has to toil in the vineyard of Christ. But then the master says, It is enough; "well done, good and faithful servant." Now he is a racer, and has to agonize to obtain the crown. Then he touches the goal, and the garland is entwined around his brow. Now, he is a pilgrim, a sojourner, as were his fathers; he travels on the rugged road of life, leaning upon his staff. Then, he is within the walls of the city of his everlasting habitation. Now, he is a soldier, and he is in the field of carnage and death’97then he has grappled with the last enemy, and has shouted "Victory," &c. No more din of war assails his ear. Now, he is a mariner tossed by the waters of the sea of life; now, bestilled by the calm, then enveloped in the fog, and again driven hither and thither by the storm. But then, he has passed over the last heaving billow, he has gained the celestial port, and has entered the haven in everlasting safety. Thus, is the sleep of death a state of rest. Then the metaphor denotes,

2. A state of unconsciousness.

In sleep, the avenues of the senses are closed. "We see not’97we hear not," &c. Are insensible to all events which surround us. So in death, we are strangers to all that is done beneath the sun. Job_14:21 "His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them." Ecc_9:5, "For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten." Their virtues may be extolled, but they know it not; and now, even a good name affords no gratification. Their names may be cast out as evil, the tongue of slander may be whetted against them; but they know it not. Their projects and plans may prosper, but others have entered into their labors, and reap the reward. Their families may be subjected to distressing afflictions and calamities, but they know it not. In the grave, the ear is not disturbed by the moanings of sorrow; the eye weeps not; the heart heaves not. No aching head; no anxious breast. All is hushed into the quietness of unconscious insensibility. The metaphor further shows,

3. The limited duration of this state.

A few hours’ sleep, and it is over. So death has not the signet of perpetuity upon it. It will only detain us one short-lived night, and then be over forever. Of all times that spent in sleep is apparently the most fleeting and rapid. Have you never been amazed how soon the night has flown’97how soon the light of day has broken forth? So will it appear to Abel who first fell asleep: the thousands of years will be but as a night; and the difference will only be between Abel and the last who shall die, as one who retires a little earlier to rest. Of these, the apostle speaks, ver. 15, that the dead shall have the precedency over those who are alive. Notice,

II. The important Characteristic in the Death of the Righteous.

"They that sleep in Jesus." Now, this implies,

1. That they have been savingly united to Christ in life.

The term, "in Jesus," is very emphatically applied to the true believer. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature." "There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus." Now, these passages are clearly illustrated by he figures under which Jesus is set forth. Christ is our City of Refuge, and we must be in him to be secure from the avenger of blood. Christ is the vine, and we must be living branches in him. Now, it is thus that we become interested in the blessings of the everlasting covenant. Our death cannot be safe or happy without this.

2. It implies that they have died in Christ, as well as lived in him.

The Scriptures are very express on the subject of perseverance to the end. "Be thou faithful unto death," &c. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord," &c. How necessary, how important then, to have this evidence. To be able, as Simeon to realize Christ in the arms of our faith and exclaim "Now, lettest thou thy servant depart in peace," &c.

3. To sleep in Jesus implies that they sleep in the personal certain hope of an interest in all Christ hath obtained for them.

The salvation of the gospel is present; now, we enjoy it, &c. But it is progressive even till we die. Yes, it extends its blessings through all eternity. Among those blessings which are to succeed death, we must especially notice the resurrection of the body, its reunion with the soul, and the glorification of both to all eternity. Now, these are not the dreams of visionaries, not the delusions of fancy; but the infallible doctrines of the gospel of Christ Yes, those beautiful lines are indeed appropriate to the saint, "We commit this, our brother, to the earth, in sure and certain hope," &c. Observe, then,

III. The glorious Declaration concerning those who sleep in Jesus.

"Will God bring with him." The subject refers to Christ’s second advent. See ver. 16. Then will Jesus raise his saints, and they shall ascend with him, as his illustrious train; and so be forever with the Lord Observe, those who sleep in Jesus,

1. Shall have a part in the first resurrection.

"Christ, the first fruits," &c. "Blessed and holy are they who have," &c. "The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning."

2. They shall possess the glorious image of Jesus.

See Php_3:20-21, and 1Jn_3:2.

3. They shall be coheirs with Christ forever and ever.

Rom_8:17; Joh_17:21; Rev_3:21

Application

1. Learn, the great object of true religion, is to prepare for death, the grave and eternity.

2. Our consolation at the removal of saints.

3. The happiness of the completed family at the last day. No more sickness. or curse, or death.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS