The Future is Light

Fred Ayers

Facing a Future Without Fear • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

Salvation

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The Future is Light

1 Thessalonians 5:1 KJV 1900

1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 KJV 1900

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

1 thess 5.

Paul was explaining to the believers that the believers have knowledge of what is going to take place!

They needed to acts like the light they had been given

Paul Goes on to say

“the day of the Lord” was extensively known and taught in the OT

The “day of the Lord,” to which Paul refers here, is the subject of extensive Old Testament revelation.

There are seventeen references to it in the Old Testament (; , ; ; ; ; , , ; ; , ; ; , ; ; ).

The “day of the Lord” is sometimes found combined with such words as wrath and vengeance. It is referred to four times in the New Testament (here and in ; ; ).

Ladies and gentlemen what Paul was saying you have truth start living and acting like it .

We have seen the future and it is good!

Paul contrasts night and day, dark and light, to explain that believers should be different from the world not just in lifestyle but also in view of Jesus’s eminent return.

The most important preparation for Jesus’s return is to be in right relationship with him through salvation—rather than to be caught up in predicting his return.

Application Point: The most important preparation for Jesus’s return is to be in right relationship with him through salvation—rather than to be caught up in predicting his return.

Facing a Future with out Fear means we are to have right relationship with the Lord now!

I Remember the Truth

1 Thessalonians 5:1–3 KJV 1900

1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

1 Thessalonians 5:1–3 KJV 1900

It starts out peaceful then ......

Exploring 1 & 2 Thessalonians: An Expository Commentary (1) Saints Are Directed by Scripture (5:1–2)

Paul felt no need to go over such ground again. He refers his converts back to a prior revelation. He refers them, also, to a perfect revelation: “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (5:2). The Lord’s coming for His church is likened to the coming of a thief. A thief comes unexpectedly, when people are asleep, or when they are busy and occupied with other things.

The “day of the Lord,” to which Paul refers here, is the subject of extensive Old Testament revelation. There are seventeen references to it in the Old Testament (Isa. 2:12; 13:6, 9; Ezek. 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14; Amos 5:18, 20; Obad. 15; Zeph. 1:7, 14; Zech. 14:1; Mal. 4:5). The “day of the Lord” is sometimes found combined with such words as wrath and vengeance. It is referred to four times in the New Testament (here and in 2 Thess. 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10; Rev. 1:10).

You know all this

Paul felt no need to go over such ground again.

He refers his converts back to a prior revelation.

He refers them, also, to a perfect revelation: “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (5:2).

The Lord’s coming for His church is likened to the coming of a thief. A thief comes unexpectedly, when people are asleep, or when they are busy and occupied with other things.

The “day of the Lord,” to which Paul refers here, is the subject of extensive Old Testament revelation. There are seventeen references to it in the Old Testament (; , ; ; ; ; , , ; ; , ; ; , ; ; ).

The “day of the Lord” is sometimes found combined with such words as wrath and vengeance. It is referred to four times in the New Testament (here and in ; ; ).[1]

Look we know what the Truth is lets remember who we are ......

Right now, man exalts himself and tries to rule God out of His own world. In “the day of the Lord,” the Lord reasserts His claim over this planet.

It is primarily a day of wrath and judgment. It does, however, extend on into the millennial age and to the dramatic climax and end of that magnificent era.

The focal point of “the day of the Lord” is the Apocalypse (the book of Revelation) and the judgments that follow the Rapture, especially the terrible vial judgments when God will pour out His undiluted wrath upon this world that murdered His Son.[1]

The Thessalonians knew “perfectly” about these things. The word that Paul used means literally “accurately.”

Key - Matthew used the word to describe the instructions that Herod gave to the wise men. He inquired of them “diligently” as to exactly when the guiding star first appeared and urged them to search “diligently” for the young child and then bring him the coveted information ().

Paul had taught his Thessalonian converts with painstaking care. As a result, they had accurate knowledge of the salient features of the Day of the Lord.

Stop it ..... we have gone over this extensively ..... now how is your relationship with the Lord....

II Remain Awake

1 Thessalonians 5:4–9 KJV 1900

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Exploring 1 & 2 Thessalonians: An Expository Commentary (3) Saints Are Different in Spirit (5:4–6)

Paul now contrasts the essential differences between saints and sinners, between children “of the day” and those “of the night.”

Their condition is different: “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief” (5:4). Twice in the original text the personal pronoun is emphatic. The Holy Spirit thus draws emphatic attention to the marked difference between the nature and destiny of Christians and the nature and doom of unbelievers. Paul is now talking to “brethren,” to the Lord’s people.

Illustration - alert

By being alert we are ready and waiting

complacency

compromise

Auburn Sr. Year - made galosh and fell asleep and there was a fire and almost burned down house

Alert mean be ready ........

It is hard to see how we can comfort one another with the assurance that we are all going to go through the Great Tribulation, whether in whole or in part.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 KJV 1900

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

key - The word for “edify” isoikodomeō, which means “to build a house.” It is used to depict the development of spiritual growth and the building of Christian character. It implies that spiritual progress results from patient and diligent labor. All believers are to help develop Christian character in others in view of the Lord’s return. Paul now turns his full attention to that point.[1]

The word for “edify” isoikodomeō, which means “to build a house.” It is used to depict the development of spiritual growth and the building of Christian character. It implies that spiritual progress results from patient and diligent labor. All believers are to help develop Christian character in others in view of the Lord’s return. Paul now turns his full attention to that point.[1]

Ephesians 5:14 KJV 1900

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

1 Thessalonians 5:3–9 KJV 1900

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Differences between Day and Night

Paul now contrasts the essential differences between saints and sinners, between children “of the day” and those “of the night.”

1 thess 5.3

vs 4 - Their condition is different: “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief” (5:4).

Twice in the original text the personal pronoun is emphatic. The Holy Spirit thus draws emphatic attention to the marked difference between the nature and destiny of Christians and the nature and doom of unbelievers. Paul is now talking to “brethren,” to the Lord’s people.[1]

expand here - our condition is different we have the light and we are forgiven

We are not in the dark about these things. We will not be overtaken by them. We see clearly what is coming. That day will not overtake us as a thief in the night! On the contrary, the Rapture is going to overtake us first.[1]

vs 5 Their character is different: “Ye are all children of the light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” Night and day are opposites; light and darkness are opposites.

expand here

vs 6 Then, too, their conduct is different: “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let expand here

Let us not sleep,” says Paul. When a person is asleep, he looks like one dead. From a few feet away, a sleeping person cannot be distinguished from a dead person. We are not to be like those who are dead in trespasses and sins. We are to be very much alive. We are not to sleep as Jonah did when the storm was raging and the mariners were in peril of their lives. We must be sober, in contrast with Lot, who was both drunk and dishonored even when the very world about him was a smoking ruin

vs 7-8 Regarding Behavior (5:7–8)

First, Paul looks at the lost people: “For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night”[1]

Now is no time to be careless and lethargic about spiritual things. The truth of the Lord’s coming is intended to keep us alert and watchful.[1]

vs 8 Then Paul looks at the Lord’s people: “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation” (5:8).

In contrast with lost people, the Lord’s people are to be sober. They are to have all of their faculties about them and all of their spiritual nature alert.

Paul borrows a piece or two of a Roman soldier’s armor to illustrate the fact that a war is on—light against darkness, day against night. The three cardinal Christian virtues of faith, love, and hope are to be in evidence.

The breastplate protects the heart; the helmet protects the head. Our affections and our thoughts are to be kept protected from the enemy. We are not to love the things that this world has to offer. We are not to allow ourselves to be seduced by its philosophies, attitudes, and attractions. This world is not our home.[1]

Now is not the time to sleep.

How is your walk

III Reflect on Hope

[1] Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring 1 & 2 Thessalonians: An Expository Commentary (). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.

1 Thessalonians 5:9–11 KJV 1900

9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

1 thess 5.9-11

vs 8 - wow look at that truth

Paul tells us first what we shall escape: “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (5:9).

Note the use of the personal pronoun again. There are people appointed to experience that wrath (the they and the them of the passage); but those he describes by the pronouns ye, we, and us (going right back to the actual revelation of the Rapture itself in 4:13–18) are to escape the wrath.[1]

Consequent upon the Rapture, the breaking of the seals will witness all divine restraint removed from the world. Wickedness will be allowed to come to a head.

No longer will there be any conscience. Pornography and perversion will walk abroad, cheered on by a godless world. Wickedness and war will encircle the world. Earthquakes and epidemics, persecution and panic, famine and fear will be epidemic.

The lost themselves will see in these things tokens of the wrath of God. Jesus Himself foretold the need for such days to be shortened if anyone was to remain alive ().

Matthew 24:22 KJV 1900

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

vs 10 The hope is all about salvation ....

That's what its all about …

vs 11

The great escape

Paul has one more word to say: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

It is hard to see how we can comfort one another with the assurance that we are all going to go through the Great Tribulation, whether in whole or in part.

Are you ready and right with God?