<p> “The Circle Will Be Broken!” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 INTRO. There is a popular country gospel song that asks the question, "Will the circle be unbroken, by and by Lord, by and by?" It is referring to the family circle; and I am afraid to say, but I believe that on that day the circle will be broken! Paul, here in our text, makes reference to a coming event. That event is the rapture of the redeemed. The rapture, a word not found in the New Testament, has come to be known by us that know Christ, as the time when Christ comes back to claim away the saved. The word literally means to "snatch away". Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:52, "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." It will happen so quickly that the world won't realize what is happening! But when all of the saved of all ages start disappearing, then chaos will ensue. Just imagine if you will what it will be like. Graves bursting open, planes, trains, buses and big 18-wheel trucks off their courses, because the pilot or driver is a child of God taken in the rapture. Millions missing and no reasonable ex- planations. And very shortly, after we, the redeemed are gone, the world will face 7 of the most terrible years it will ever face, known as the great tribulation period. But Praise God I won't be here, and I pray you won't either! But if you don't accept Christ as your Savior you will be, and the circle will be broken! The Circle Will Be Broken By: (1) Swelling Pride Proverbs 16:18 2 Timothy 3:2, 7</p><p>(2) Stubborn Disobedience</p><p>How? A) By Procrastination Proverbs 27:1</p><p>B) By Not heeding God's Witness Proverbs 29:1 C) By Not heeding God's Word Revelation 3:20 (3) Selfish Pleasure 1 John 2:15-17 2 Timothy 3:4, 5 Closing: In 2 Peter 3:9, the Scripture says, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." God desires all to be saved! He doesn't want any family circles to be broken. Do you know Him tonight?? Christian, is there one you need to share Christ with?</p>