The
Day of the Lord
Introduction:
Paul had just answered their question concerning what would
happen to the faithful who had died before Christ’s return. They
would be reunited with the living in the air and thus ever be with
the Lord. He now turns his attention to helping them prepare for
that great event.
Text:
I Thessalonians 5:1-11
Body:
I. Be Ready at All
Times
(Verses 1-3)
It seems that some of the Thessalonian Christians had gotten
the erroneous idea that Christ would be, without a doubt, returning
any day, very soon. There was “no need that I should write” all of
the information about the time of Jesus’ return. It had already
been given to them. There was nothing more to write because that
knowledge belongs exclusively to God. Matthew 24:36 Christ, while
on the earth at least, didn’t even know the time of the second
coming.
These Christians had full and accurate knowledge about the day
of the Lord. It would come as a thief in the night, suddenly,
unexpectedly, without warning. A thief does not announce the day
and hour when he is coming, neither does God reveal when His Son
will come again. Mark 13:33-37 It is foolish to predict. It
is going beyond what is written. Some things belong only to God and
it would do us good to remember that fact.
Christ’s return will not be a time of joy for many. They have
been following teachings of men and not God. They will be sad
because they believe they are saved. Matthew 7:21-23
II.
Be Sons of Light (Verses 4-7)
Christians were not in darkness as the unbelievers were. The
unbelievers would be taken by surprise when Christ returned. They
had not prepared. They would be “seized” as by a thief. Not so for
believers who are ever “looking for the blessed hope and glorious
appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13
“Sons of light” do not live in the realm of evil and
ignorance. Light illuminates and teaches. Psalm 119:105 The day of
the Lord will not catch us unprepared for the Word exhorts us
to live each day in anticipation of His return.
Christians are to be on the alert, awake. Matthew 24:42-44
Christians are to be vigilant, always watching. The flood of Noah’s
day took the majority of the world by surprise. Most were
spiritually asleep, unconcerned about what Noah was doing. Christ’s
second coming will catch sons of darkness unexpectedly. They are
spiritually lax and indifferent toward their salvation. On that
day, they will be unprepared as were the five foolish virgins who
failed to take oil with them. The result will be, the Lord will
say, “I do not know you.”
III. Wear the Armor
of God
(Verses 8-11)
Christians are to be sober, having a mind carefully guarded at
all times. Keep from becoming lax and off guard. The children of
the day are presented as soldiers who don the armor of God to
withstand assaults of the enemy. Romans 13:11-12 The armor is
essential for one to survive and be prepared for Christ’s second
coming. Ephesians 10:13
Paul reminds the Thessalonian Christians that God never
intended for humans to be recipients of His wrath, but rather to
have salvation and eternal life in heaven. That is another reason
why the Christian should be sober and put on the armor of God.
Christ’s death on the cross made this salvation possible. John 3:16
It makes no difference whether we are alive or not when Jesus comes;
only how we have lived here on the earth and prepared ourselves for
the next life. II Corinthians 5:9-10
Invitation:
If Jesus were to come right now, would you be prepared?
Bobby Stafford
July 10, 2011
What Must One Do to become a
Christian and be saved?
The
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