Hope more and more

Sunday, March 29, 2020 - 10:15 AM

Covid Worship Week Two—Sunday, March 29 

Preparatory content

View the bulletin View the slides

View the worship service video playlist on YouTube

Prepare to hear His word

Sing together I Will Wait for You (arranged by the Gettys)

Read His word

Read through 1 Thess 4: 13-18 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 New International Version (NIV)

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Sermon

Watch the video of PB’s message

Align time

Connect with your group for discussion of our text together. 

Questions to probe our text and live it: 

1. Anyone new to our group today? Once again for any that are new, let’s give our names and city/street we live on. While you go around, please also give us any changes in your job status since last week.
2. As you begin today please take time to invite God in. He is present, but by prayer together ask him to meddle with your thoughts, your fears, your expectations, and lead you to his hope and peace from his word.
3. Anyone battling with cabin fever, or who has a sure cure for it?
4. Re-read 1 Thess 4:13-18. Share a word you absolutely love in this text—take your time!
5. Since Paul doesn’t want us to be ignorant, brethren, what are the important truths this passage teaches?
6. How does the constant reality of God’s love for us (Ro 5:8) help us with the loss of loved ones?
   1. FYI: two of our GCC family have recently experienced the death of their fathers. Please pray take a moment and pray for John Corbean and Jerry Greschl.
   2. Some of you know Jeremy Ellis, PB’s son-in-law. His grandfather died this week.
   3. How have these verses helped you when death hit close to home?
7. Interesting to track the Great Commission through this chapter.
   1. Do not share the sexual code of our culture, because God has called us to be holy—filled with his presence and character (1 Th 4:3-8).
   2. Work hard and be self-sufficient, earning respect from unbelievers (4:9-12).
   3. Hold to a hope that those outside of Christ do not have (4:13-18).
   4. Talk about our complicated relationship with those outside of Christ
8. What does this say to you personally: And so shall we be with the Lord forever.
9. Any prayer requests for your group?
10. Pray together and include, “God guide me to responsive people.” Feel free to add specific names of any who are responding. “Amen!”
11. Any news to pass along? What do you need help with? How are you financially?
12. Just a reminder that our offerings are still needed to meet current obligations and to respond to needs that will arise in the church and in the community.
    1. On-line giving is ready at www.hhgcc.org. Use ACH transfer to maximize your gift.
    2. Mail in to/drop by the church office mailbox.
13. You know this! Let the words paint mental pictures of what is to come, what is already so real, as we sing out together with Shane & Shane, Holy, Holy, Holy

Close

Sing together Holy, Holy, Holy

Pray together PB's closing prayer