Rest in Peace...with Hope
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
For Christians, death still brings grief - but we grieve with hope
Death no longer has a victory or a sting
—sleep doesn’t harm us, and neither can death
—sleep benefits us, and so does death
Philippians 1:21–23
[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [22] If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. [23] I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
—sleep is temporary, and so is death
“For Christians death is no longer that adversary whom no person can resist, that tyrant who brings all worthwhile existence to a horribly final end. Death has been overcome by the risen Lord, and he has transformed the whole situation for those who are in Him.
Death has been transformed into sleep through Jesus.”
—Leon Morris, 1 and 2 Thessalonians
The gospel gives us hope even in our grief
—Jesus died in our place and removed the fear of death
John 5:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
—Jesus rose again and conquered death for us all
1 Corinthians 15:17–19
[17] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. [18] Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
—Jesus will return and we will all be with him forever
“He states that “in the same way” that God raised up Christ from the grave, He will “bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus” (4:14b). Those dearly loved friends who have died will not miss out when Christ comes for His church. God did not allow Jesus’ body to remain in the grave, and He will not allow their loved ones’ bodies to remain in the grave either.”
—Mark Howell, Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Thessalonians
Discipleship Questions:
Hopefully you haven’t said RIP to your Community Group so you can discuss these questions
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
For Christians, death still brings grief - but we grieve with hope
Death no longer has a victory or a sting
—sleep doesn’t harm us, and neither can death
—sleep benefits us, and so does death
Philippians 1:21–23
[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [22] If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. [23] I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
—sleep is temporary, and so is death
“For Christians death is no longer that adversary whom no person can resist, that tyrant who brings all worthwhile existence to a horribly final end. Death has been overcome by the risen Lord, and he has transformed the whole situation for those who are in Him.
Death has been transformed into sleep through Jesus.”
—Leon Morris, 1 and 2 Thessalonians
The gospel gives us hope even in our grief
—Jesus died in our place and removed the fear of death
John 5:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
—Jesus rose again and conquered death for us all
1 Corinthians 15:17–19
[17] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. [18] Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
—Jesus will return and we will all be with him forever
“He states that “in the same way” that God raised up Christ from the grave, He will “bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus” (4:14b). Those dearly loved friends who have died will not miss out when Christ comes for His church. God did not allow Jesus’ body to remain in the grave, and He will not allow their loved ones’ bodies to remain in the grave either.”
—Mark Howell, Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Thessalonians
Discipleship Questions:
Hopefully you haven’t said RIP to your Community Group so you can discuss these questions
- What are some of the Biblical truths that help us to have hope even when we grieve?
- How does the teaching from God’s word help us prepare for and face death?
- How can the way the Bible refers to death as sleep help us?
- How can we comfort one another in times of grief?
- In what ways does this passage (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17) help us understand more about what happens to us when we die?
- How does the knowledge that Jesus will return help us live in the here and now?
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