'Room to grow up in'

Acts 20:22-24

1. Why did Paul not fear life's hardship?

Paul considered his life worth nothing to him, if only he may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given —the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

1 Thess. 4:13-18

2. Why can we be encouraged in the face of death?

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 own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till 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 each other with these words.