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Listen & Read Along

See the full transcript and listen to this sermon here:

1323 Jul 1, 1973.

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In this lesson, the following questions will be addressed:

Study Guide

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Summary

The sermon titled “The Catching Away of the Church” delves into the Christian concept of hope, particularly focusing on the anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes that the hope of believers is not merely about salvation or eternal life but is fundamentally rooted in the person of Jesus Christ and His glorious appearing. The sermon references various scriptures, including 1 Timothy, 1 John, and 1 Thessalonians, to illustrate the nature of this hope and the expectation of transformation into Christ’s likeness at His return. The sermon also addresses the early church’s eagerness for the rapture and the comfort it provides amidst concerns about death and the second coming.

Summary 2

The sermon titled “The Catching Away of the Church” discusses the concept of hope within the Christian faith, particularly focusing on the anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ, often referred to as the “rapture.” The preacher emphasizes that hope is not found in salvation, eternal life, death, or even heaven itself, but rather in Jesus Christ. The sermon explores various biblical passages to illustrate that true hope is alive, reserved in heaven, and guaranteed by God’s promise and oath. The preacher highlights that this hope brings joy and serves as an anchor for believers amidst life’s challenges. Ultimately, the sermon concludes that the blessed hope for Christians is the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ, which will transform believers to be like Him.

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Outline

Outline 2

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1. Introduction

– Theme of “the catching away of the church”

– Importance of understanding hope in Christianity

2. Understanding Hope

– Common misconceptions about hope (salvation, eternal life, death, heaven)

– Clarification that salvation is a present possession

3. Biblical Foundations of Hope

– Key scriptures discussing hope (1 Corinthians 13:13, John 5:24)

– The nature of hope as a living entity (1 Peter 1:3)

4. Characteristics of Hope

– Hope brings joy (Romans 5:1)

– Singular nature of hope (Ephesians 4:4)

– Gift of grace (2 Thessalonians 2:16)

5. Jesus as Our Hope

– Jesus as the embodiment of hope (Titus 2:11)

– Transformation into Christ’s likeness upon His return (1 John 3:2)

6. The Rapture Explained

– Definition and biblical basis for the rapture (John 14)

– The emotional context surrounding Jesus’ departure

7. Conclusion

– Summary of hope in Christ’s return

– Encouragement for believers to hold on to this hope

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Study Questions

The sermon differentiates between the common understanding of hope and the biblical definition of hope for believers by emphasizing that many people view hope as a vague desire for a positive outcome, such as salvation or eternal life. In contrast, the biblical definition of hope is more specific and centered on the person of Jesus Christ. It presents hope as a confident expectation rooted in the promise of Christ’s return and the transformation that believers will experience when they see Him. This hope is described as a living hope that anchors the soul, focusing not just on the afterlife but on the relationship with Christ and the anticipation of His glorious appearing, which is the ultimate fulfillment of that hope.

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The early church exemplified a rapture-conscious mindset in several ways, particularly through their eager anticipation of Christ’s return. This mindset was characterized by a daily expectation that Jesus could return at any moment, leading them to live with a sense of urgency and purpose. For instance, the Thessalonian church is noted for being “waiting for His Son from heaven,” indicating that they lived each day with the hope that Christ’s return could happen imminently.

This rapture-consciousness had a profound impact on their daily lives. It fostered a strong sense of community and love among believers, as they were encouraged to support and care for one another in light of their shared hope. The sermon mentions that they were a “love-bound group,” indicating that their anticipation of Christ’s return motivated them to live out their faith actively and lovingly . Additionally, this mindset provided comfort in the face of death, as they were reassured that those who died in Christ would not miss out on His return, thus alleviating fears and concerns about mortality. Overall, their rapture-consciousness shaped their values, relationships, and approach to life, making them a vibrant and hopeful community.

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The sermon uses several scriptural references to support the idea that Jesus Christ is the ultimate hope for believers:

1. 1 Timothy 1:1 – This verse states, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope.” This explicitly identifies Jesus Christ as the hope of believers, emphasizing His central role in their faith.

2. 1 John 3:2 – This passage reads, “Beloved, now are we the children of God, but it doth not yet appear what we shall be. But we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” This verse highlights the hope of transformation into Christ’s likeness at His return, reinforcing the idea that the hope of believers is tied to their relationship with Jesus.

3. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 – This scripture mentions that the church was “waiting for His Son from heaven,” indicating their anticipation of Christ’s return and the hope that it brings. It underscores the expectation that Jesus will deliver them from the coming wrath, further solidifying Him as their hope.

These references collectively illustrate that the hope of believers is not just about future promises but is fundamentally rooted in the person of Jesus Christ and His imminent return.

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The sermon addresses the concerns of early Christians regarding the death of fellow believers by highlighting the anxiety they felt about whether those who had died would miss out on the return of Christ or have an inferior status in the afterlife. The early Christians were worried about the fate of their deceased loved ones, questioning if they would be left behind or if there would be a distinction between those who were alive at Christ’s return and those who had already died.

To alleviate these concerns, the Apostle Paul, as referenced in the sermon, reassured them by stating that he did not want them to be ignorant about those who had “fallen asleep” (a euphemism for death). He emphasized that when Jesus returns, He will bring with Him the spirits of those who have died in Christ, ensuring that they would not be at a disadvantage. Paul affirmed that just as Jesus died and rose again, so too would God bring those who sleep in Jesus with Him.

This teaching provided comfort and hope, assuring the early Christians that death was not the end and that all believers, whether alive or deceased, would be united with Christ at His return. This message helped to strengthen their faith and alleviate fears surrounding death, reinforcing the belief in the resurrection and the promise of eternal life with Christ.

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The sermon suggests several practical steps for believers to maintain their hope and readiness for Christ’s return:

The sermon suggests that the primary source of Christian hope is Jesus Christ Himself. It emphasizes that hope is not found in salvation, eternal life, death, or heaven, but rather in the person of Jesus. The preacher explains that while many believers may mistakenly identify their hope with these concepts, true hope is a living entity reserved in heaven and guaranteed by God’s promise. This hope is characterized as being alive, singular, and a gift of grace, ultimately culminating in the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ, which transforms believers to be like Him.

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The preacher differentiates between salvation and hope by emphasizing that salvation is a present possession, while hope is a future expectation centered on Jesus Christ. The sermon states that many Christians mistakenly view salvation, eternal life, death, or heaven as their hope. However, the preacher clarifies that salvation is already attained through faith in Jesus, as indicated in John 5:24, where believers are said to have eternal life now. In contrast, hope is described as something that is alive, reserved in heaven, and awaiting fulfillment. The preacher argues that our true hope is not in the concepts of salvation or heaven itself but in the person of Jesus Christ and His glorious appearing, which will transform believers to be like Him. This distinction highlights that while salvation is assured and experienced in the present, hope looks forward to the future realization of being with Christ.

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Understanding Jesus as our hope fundamentally transforms a believer’s perspective on life’s challenges by providing a source of strength, assurance, and purpose. The sermon emphasizes that when believers recognize Jesus as their hope, they are anchored in a promise that transcends their current circumstances. This understanding shifts their focus from immediate difficulties to the future fulfillment of God’s promises, particularly the anticipation of Christ’s return and the transformation into His likeness.

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1. Source of Strength: Knowing that Jesus is their hope allows believers to face challenges with confidence, as they trust in His promises and the ultimate victory He has secured through His death and resurrection. This assurance fosters resilience in the face of adversity.

2. Perspective on Suffering: When believers view Jesus as their hope, they can endure suffering with a sense of purpose. The sermon suggests that hope brings joy even amidst trials, as seen in Romans 5:1-2, where believers rejoice in hope despite hardships.

3. Motivation for Righteous Living: The anticipation of being like Christ upon His return encourages believers to live righteously. This hope inspires them to purify themselves and strive for holiness, knowing that their ultimate transformation is guaranteed (1 John 3:2-3).

4. Community and Unity: Recognizing a shared hope in Christ fosters unity among believers. This collective anticipation strengthens relationships within the church, providing mutual support during challenging times.

5. Future Orientation: By focusing on the future hope reserved in heaven, believers can navigate present uncertainties with peace. This future orientation helps them prioritize spiritual matters over temporal concerns, leading to a more fulfilling life grounded in faith.

In summary, understanding Jesus as the primary source of hope empowers believers to confront life’s challenges with joy, purpose, and a commitment to living according to God’s will, all while looking forward to the glorious promise of eternal life with Him.

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To see all the lessons in this series click on the 1973 Prophecy tag below.