There is a great deal of mystery in life. We wonder what our purpose is, what success looks like, what it means to be loved, and what happens after death. The Bible gives us God’s perspective on creation, His relationship with mankind, and the hope that comes in Jesus Christ. It is important for us to know and believe that we are sinners, lost and separated from God, who can be forgiven and brought near to God by believing in Jesus. But it is also critical that we understand that a restored relationship with God is the beginning of our journey, not the end. The Lord has designed us for eternal fellowship with Him and promised that to us in Christ. The pathway to eternal life and communion with God is resurrection. We follow Jesus, who was raised from the dead; just as certainly as He was raised, we too will be raised from death to life. Our future and our hope come from “What We Believe: Resurrection of the Body” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

I. Knowledge from the Lord
A. Do Not Grieve
B. Trust the Risen Christ
C. Trust the Word of God

II. Comfort from the Lord
A. Jesus is Certainly Coming Back
B. Jesus Will Raise His People
C. Jesus Will Bring Eternal Life

Questions for consideration: (1) What events in life have caused you the most doubt? What have caused you the greatest grief? Where do you go when that happens? (2) What does this tell us is the single greatest barrier to the world moving beyond grief? (3) Do you think about life after death? What is your expectation about it? What does this passage tell us eternal life must be like?