Hope and Reunion: The Promise of Gathering in Christ
Summary
The subject before us today is one filled with profound joy and hope for every Christian believer. It is a message of comfort for those who have lost loved ones in Christ, especially for those who have experienced the loss of a child, whether through miscarriage or other circumstances. The pain of such loss is deep, but there is a word of hope and comfort for you today. We also reflect on the tragedy of abortion, which has claimed millions of lives, and consider what becomes of these souls. The title of today's message is "The Gathering," inspired by 2 Thessalonians 2:1, where Paul speaks of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him. This gathering is a promise of reunion and restoration, where Christ will gather His people and take us home.
The Bible assures us that when a Christian dies, they are gathered to their people, a beautiful image of being united with those who belong to God. This gathering is ongoing, and every time a Christian dies, they join this heavenly assembly. One day, this gathering will be complete, and we will be united with our loved ones in Christ. Our grieving is not without hope because we have a living hope in Jesus Christ. Christian grieving involves looking back with thankfulness, around with sadness, and forward with hope. This hope is rooted in the belief that Jesus died and rose again, and through Him, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.
The comfort for those who have lost believing loved ones is the assurance that we will see them again. On that great day, when Jesus returns in glory, we will be reunited with our loved ones who are already with Him. This reunion will be a marvelous day of joy and celebration. Christians who knew each other on Earth will certainly know and enjoy each other in heaven. This is a profound truth that brings comfort and hope, dispelling any confusion or vagueness about the afterlife.
Key Takeaways:
- Christian grieving is unique because it is filled with hope. We look back with thankfulness, around with sadness, and forward with hope, knowing that our loved ones in Christ are with the Lord and we will see them again. This hope is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which assures us of our own resurrection and reunion with our loved ones. [06:10]
- The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith. It assures us that life in heaven will be more than just the survival of the soul; it will be the resurrection of the body. We will know and enjoy each other in heaven, just as we do on Earth, but in a more perfect and complete way. [11:05]
- The diversity of God's creation will be reflected in heaven. Every tribe, language, and nation will be represented, and all that divides us will be overcome. This unity in diversity is a foretaste of heaven, where we will be gathered as one people in the presence of God. [15:12]
- The question of children who die in infancy is addressed with hope and comfort. David's assurance that he would go to his deceased child suggests that children are safe in the presence of God. The Westminster Confession provides a framework for understanding how God, in His sovereignty, can save those incapable of responding to the gospel. [25:08]
- The story of Joseph and his brothers offers a powerful analogy for reconciliation in heaven. Just as Joseph forgave his brothers and they were reconciled, so too will we be reconciled with those we have wronged or been wronged by in this life. In heaven, all tears will be wiped away, and we will experience perfect joy and peace. [40:35]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - A Word of Comfort and Hope
[01:17] - The Tragedy of Abortion
[02:34] - The Gathering: A Promise of Reunion
[04:08] - The Ongoing Gathering of Believers
[05:09] - Christian Grieving with Hope
[06:40] - The Great Hope of Resurrection
[07:31] - Comfort in the Promise of Reunion
[08:49] - Knowing Each Other in Heaven
[10:22] - Misunderstandings About the Afterlife
[13:28] - No Marriage in Heaven: Understanding Relationships
[15:30] - Unity in Diversity: A Foretaste of Heaven
[19:08] - Resolving Earthly Conflicts in Heaven
[24:00] - The Fate of Children Who Die in Infancy
[33:13] - God's Sovereignty in Salvation
[39:17] - Reconciliation and Forgiveness in Heaven
[41:32] - An Invitation to Be Gathered by Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "The Gathering"
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Thessalonians 2:1 - "Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him..."
2. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 - "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death..."
3. Matthew 24:31 - "And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds..."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does 2 Thessalonians 2:1 say about the gathering of believers? How does this relate to the theme of the sermon? [02:34]
2. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, what is the hope that Christians have concerning those who have died in Christ? [05:09]
3. How does the sermon describe the ongoing gathering of believers, and what biblical examples are given to illustrate this? [04:08]
4. What does Matthew 24:31 reveal about the role of angels in the gathering of believers? How is this event described in the sermon? [03:22]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "The Gathering" provide comfort to those who have lost loved ones, according to the sermon? [07:31]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christian grieving is different from that of non-believers? How is this supported by scripture? [05:55]
3. How does the sermon address the fate of children who die in infancy, and what biblical references are used to support this view? [25:08]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of relationships in heaven, particularly concerning those we knew on Earth? [09:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced the loss of a loved one. How does the hope of "The Gathering" change your perspective on that loss? [07:31]
2. How can you incorporate the three aspects of Christian grieving—thankfulness, sadness, and hope—into your current life situation? [06:10]
3. The sermon discusses the diversity of God's creation being reflected in heaven. How can you celebrate and embrace diversity in your community today? [15:12]
4. Consider the story of Joseph and his brothers as an analogy for reconciliation. Is there someone in your life with whom you need to seek reconciliation? How might you begin that process? [40:35]
5. How does the assurance of seeing loved ones again in heaven affect your relationships with them now? What changes might you make in how you interact with them? [09:22]
6. The sermon mentions the comfort found in knowing we will recognize and enjoy each other in heaven. How does this influence your view of community and fellowship within the church? [09:07]
7. If you have experienced or know someone who has experienced the loss of a child, how can the message of hope and comfort shared in the sermon be a source of healing? [25:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Hopeful Grieving in Christ
Christian grieving is distinct because it is imbued with hope. This hope is not a vague wish but a confident expectation rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. When Christians grieve, they do so with the assurance that their loved ones who have died in Christ are with the Lord. This hope allows believers to look back with thankfulness for the time shared, around with sadness for the loss experienced, and forward with hope for the promised reunion. The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of this hope, assuring believers of their own resurrection and the eventual reunion with their loved ones. [06:10]
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (ESV): "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep."
Reflection: Think of a loved one you have lost. How can you allow the hope of resurrection to transform your grieving process today?
Day 2: Resurrection: More Than Survival
The resurrection is not merely about the survival of the soul; it is the promise of the resurrection of the body. This belief is central to the Christian faith and assures believers that life in heaven will be more complete and perfect than life on Earth. In heaven, Christians will know and enjoy each other in a way that surpasses earthly relationships. This understanding dispels any confusion about the afterlife and provides a profound sense of comfort and anticipation for what is to come. [11:05]
1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (ESV): "So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body."
Reflection: How does the promise of a resurrected body change your perspective on your current physical limitations or struggles?
Day 3: Unity in Diversity: A Heavenly Foretaste
Heaven will reflect the diversity of God's creation, with every tribe, language, and nation represented. This unity in diversity is a foretaste of heaven, where all that divides humanity will be overcome. In the presence of God, believers will be gathered as one people, celebrating the richness of their differences while united in worship. This vision of heaven challenges Christians to embrace diversity and work towards unity in their earthly communities, reflecting the heavenly reality. [15:12]
Revelation 7:9 (ESV): "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively promote unity and celebrate diversity in your community today?
Day 4: Assurance for Children in God's Presence
The question of what happens to children who die in infancy is addressed with hope and comfort. The biblical account of David's assurance that he would go to his deceased child suggests that children are safe in the presence of God. The Westminster Confession provides a framework for understanding how God, in His sovereignty, can save those incapable of responding to the gospel. This assurance offers comfort to grieving parents, knowing that their children are in the loving care of God. [25:08]
2 Samuel 12:22-23 (ESV): "He said, 'While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, "Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?" But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.'"
Reflection: How can you find peace in God's sovereignty and love when faced with the loss of a child or loved one who could not respond to the gospel?
Day 5: Reconciliation and Forgiveness in Heaven
The story of Joseph and his brothers offers a powerful analogy for reconciliation in heaven. Just as Joseph forgave his brothers and they were reconciled, so too will believers be reconciled with those they have wronged or been wronged by in this life. In heaven, all tears will be wiped away, and perfect joy and peace will be experienced. This promise encourages Christians to pursue reconciliation and forgiveness in their earthly relationships, reflecting the heavenly reality of restored relationships. [40:35]
Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from today? How can you take a step towards reconciliation, reflecting the forgiveness you have received in Christ?
Quotes
The Bible assures us that when a Christian dies, God gathers you together with the people who belong to him, and this Gathering has already begun. Every time a Christian dies, the Gathering is added to; it progresses. But what we're looking at today is that one day the Gathering will be complete. [00:04:37]
Christian grieving comes in three parts: we look back with thankfulness for all that God has given, we look around with sadness because of what God has taken, and we look forward with hope because of what God has promised. That's the three parts of Christian grieving. [00:06:02]
Paul is saying very clearly your believing loved ones who have died in Christ will come with Jesus on that day when he comes in power and Glory. Then Paul adds something for the comfort of us who are still living: we who are alive, the ones who are left on that great day when Jesus comes, we will be caught up together with them. [00:06:49]
Christians who knew each other on Earth will certainly know and enjoy each other in heaven. That's the whole point of the passage. What's your comfort in relation to a loved one you're grieving who's with Christ? You'll see them again, you'll know them, you'll enjoy them. That's the whole point. [00:09:00]
The Christian hope is much more than the survival of the Soul; it is the resurrection of the body. We will know one another in heaven. That's why Jesus said many will come from the East and from the west, and they're going to recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. [00:12:00]
The Bible tells us that God is going to gather a great multitude of redeemed people from every tribe and language and nation and people. He will gather a people for himself from every ethnicity on the face of the planet, and that great diversity that he gives in creation will be reflected forever in the glory of his Redemption. [00:14:47]
Christians who have known and loved and enjoyed each other here will know and love and enjoy each other in heaven. I want to get this settled in your mind because it's huge for your comfort, your hope, your anticipation. [00:18:34]
David said of the child who had died, "I will go to him," it is quite clear that he knew that his son was already safe in the presence of God and that one day father and son would be reunited. That's why David says he's not going to come back to me. [00:24:00]
The Westminster Confession says this: elect infants dying in infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through the spirit who works when and where and how he pleases. So also are all other elect persons who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the word. [00:31:51]
The story of Joseph and his brothers offers a powerful analogy for reconciliation in heaven. Just as Joseph forgave his brothers and they were reconciled, so too will we be reconciled with those we have wronged or been wronged by in this life. In heaven, all tears will be wiped away, and we will experience perfect joy and peace. [00:39:40]
The message today is a word of Hope and comfort, and I end here with this question: will you be among the people that Jesus Christ then will gather on the last day? He's Gathering his people even now. [00:41:32]
Can you see the Lord Jesus Christ full of grace, full of Truth, the one who went to the cross, the one who rose from the dead, and he's reaching out to you in love and he's reaching out to you in compassion? He wants to gather you, wants to bring you with all your pain and with all your sorrow. [00:42:36]
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