August 1, 2021
Being God’s People: In Light of the End
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
I. God’s people grieve in light of the hope of our coming resurrection. (1 Thess. 4:13-18)
Paul wants to address a misunderstanding the Thessalonians have that Timothy’s report has revealed. Christians are to grieve differently than the rest of the world grieves. When we focus on the temporary things of this world, there is nowhere else to look for significance and purpose and there is no hope. The world grieves with no hope for something greater.
When someone doesn’t know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, an eternity of suffering and separation from God is what lies ahead. We must be diligent to share the gospel so others can experience the same hope we, as believers, have. We grieve differently because we have hope of our coming resurrection. Just like Jesus rose from the dead, we will be raised by Him!
Paul didn’t experience the Lord’s return in his lifetime. No one knows the time and day of the Lord’s return. Paul has set an example of what the church should be doing until Jesus Christ does return. Proper Christian living involves us living with the expectancy that Jesus can return at any time. Just like Paul, we live hoping to see Christ’s return in our lifetime. This hope sustains us through hardship and loss.
II. God’s people know His judgment is coming. (1 Thess. 5:1-3)
Christ’s return could happen at any moment, and no one will escape. God’s wrath is still coming for those who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Scripture tells us that no one will be without excuse and ,as such, are subject to God’s judgment.
Christians need to know and proclaim that Christ’s coming is imminent.
That day will be a day of joy for those who are in Christ, but it will be a day of horror for those without a relationship with Jesus Christ. You can only survive God’s judgment by avoiding it altogether. The only way to do that is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
III. God’s people must be ready as we prepare others for His return. (1 Thess. 5:4-11)
For the ones who ignore God, on the Day of the Lord, there will be surprise, destruction, darkness, pain, and absolutely no hope for escape. Those who are in Christ, will experience light, salvation, and be alive with Christ! We don’t need to live in fear of the coming judgment if we have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Because of what’s in store, God’s people walk in light and purpose. God never intended for Christians to live with uncertainty about the future. God gave us His Word to shed light on what He wants us to focus on. God does not intend for us to stumble around in darkness trying to define uncertainties. Regardless of what our current circumstances are, or what the uncertainties are of tomorrow, we can face them with the promise of a secure future in Christ.
When it comes to following God’s instruction in His Word, Paul says we don’t sleep like the rest of the world. The world is sleeping, and we are being watchful. Being watchful, though, involves more than just waiting for what is coming. The Christian faith is a battle. Faith, hope, and love are three defenses’ Christians have against the world.
Believers are to live in the hope of our salvation. We are delivered from the wrath of God through salvation in Christ. Whether we are alive or dead, we live together with Christ. Everyone who has a relationship with Jesus Christ will one day be with Him. We are to encourage one another and build each other up with this truth. Then we can be ready for Christ’s return and help others prepare for Christ’s return.
