Our Security as a Believer
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Recap of Series on Hope
Doubt - Thomas - Christ is patient.
Failure - Peter - Christ offers reconciliation.
Aloneness - Disciples - Christ assures us of His continual spiritual presence.
Introduction of today’s message
Doubt, failure, and aloneness can hinder our hope. Without hope, we become very insecure.
Such was the church in Thessalonica—nearly two thousand years ago.
This early church allowed false assumptions about death, the second coming of Christ, and the hardships of living rob them of the joy of God’s presence and power.
I wonder what we allow in our lives that robs us from experiencing hope?
One of the reasons for God’s Word is to give us assurance—security—that we can indeed experience joy and peace, even in difficult times.
So, I believe that the same words of Scripture given to the church in Thessalonica long ago are words that will help us today.
8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Be sober.
Be sober.
6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.
To sleep is to be morally and spiritually disengaged—to be disengaged from the authority and plan of God.
So, the follower of Christ is reminded to be sober—to be fully engaged and fully aware of God’s presence.
Dangers
Apathy.
Spiritual Syncretism—merging worship of God with the worship of other things. (big problem with ancient Israel)
Cultural Influence.
Be protected.
Be protected.
8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
Put on—we possess a responsibility to actively “put on” all three essential traits of being a true follower of Jesus Christ.
Faith—a complete, unwavering trust in Jesus Christ—His personhood, authority, and purpose.
Love—a deep value, respect, and commitment to God and to others.
Hope—a confidence and assurance that protects the mind and the emotions—a confidence of experiencing genuine salvation.
Be secured.
Be secured.
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
The Thessalonians lived in worry and fear—especially about death and the end times.
The Scripture is given to provide encouragement and assurance that, as believers in Christ, they had nothing to worry about.
They, as we, are not destined for wrath, but for a fully realized salvation at the Second Coming. (Yes and not yet)
Furthermore, God’s grace is so amazing that even when we are struggling to be fully engaged—the death and resurrection of Christ can sustain us.
We can live in confidence.
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Be helpful.
Be helpful.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
As Christians, we are people with a mission.
And, part of that mission is to encourage and build one another up.
Every believer is to be an encourager.
Be hopeful.
Be hopeful.
This is a message of hope.
Christ is coming back.
13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Our hope, established through the grace of Christ, sustained by the power of Christ, ultimately leads us to the glorious appearing of Christ.