. Christ is ComingThroughout the church's history there have been groups of people who have attempted to prepare themselves for the return of Christ. Unfortunately, many have prepared themselves in ways contrary to the Scriptures. Instead of focusing on preparing the inner man for Christ's return, they focused on watching for outward signs.
We know that Christ is coming. Jesus is coming again to receive His bride the church. How do we as a church and as a Christian prepare for his coming? Paul gives us some things we can do as we prepare for Christ's return
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NIV)
KEEP YOUR MIND ALERT
Now there are some things that we need to know from this text that will keep our minds' alert as we look forward to Christ's return.
Christ will come at a time unknown to us
There were people in Paul's day who were trying to set dates & times for Christ's return. We still have those people with us today. Every couple of years we hear of someone who has worked out some kind of formula that tells them when Christ will return.
The Bible gives us no formula to figure it out. The only thing the Bible says is that we don't know when it will be. We need to know that we don't know when Christ will return. But it does tell us how He will return.
Christ will come like a thief in the night
Jesus made a similar analogy in Matt. 24:43.
The problem with burglars is they never call ahead to tell us know they're coming. No letter, no e-mail, no message on the answering machine. They just show up when you're not expecting them. Paul says that Jesus will return in the same way. He's not coming to rob us
But he will appear unexpectedly, unannounced, at a time when we don't expect it. Paul uses another analogy here that we need to understand if we are to be alert. Christ will come like labor pains on a pregnant woman
A woman with child knows that the pains are coming & that they are unavoidable. She cannot pinpoint the exact time that they will come.
Paul says, "{3} While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape."
These two analogies are similar yet different. They are similar in that they both teach that Christ will come suddenly. Suddenly, in the middle of the night, the thief breaks into your house. Suddenly, during pregnancy labor pains begin.
It will be sudden & unexpected--like a thief; It will be sudden & unavoidable--like labor at the end of a pregnancy.
There will be no warning. There will be no escape. Christ will come in judgment. The Christian will be judged by their relationship to Christ. Those who are not in Christ will face destruction & the wrath of God. We like to focus on the grace of God at His coming. We must not overlook the fact that there will also be an outpouring of justice. To keep our minds alert as we prepare for His coming.
• Christ will come at a time unknown to us
• Christ will come like a thief in the night
• Christ will come like labor pains
• Christ will come in judgment.
KEEP YOUR HEART PURE
How do we keep our hearts pure?
• By living in the light
In vss.4-8 Paul describes those who are in Christ as belonging to the day & the light. Those who are not Christians as belonging to the night & darkness. My dad used to always tell me, "Nothing good happens after midnight." Now that might be a bit of an overstatement but it is generally true. It is at night when the thieves go out & steal. It is at night when people get drunk. Those who belong to the darkness (the non- Christians) are described as being "asleep"
Paul says that if we are Christians then we belong to the day, we belong to Christ. So we keep our hearts pure by keeping in the light -- by belonging to Christ;
By practicing self-control.
The Word of God says in v.8
"Since we belong to the day let us be self - controlled"
We must learn how to control ourselves. Now self-control is needed in many areas of life. In this context the reference is to controlling ourselves so we do not give in to sin. As we practice self-control -- we resist giving into the night
Our days keep getting brighter & brighter. Our lives become ones where faith & love are demonstrated. Because when we practice self-control we are actually placing ourselves under the control of God.
KEEP YOUR HOPE ALIVE
There is nothing sadder than seeing a Christian that is living with no hope. God doesn't want you to continue in that kind of existence. Whatever comes our way we have Jesus Christ on our side. And when we speak of hope we are speaking of a certainty that we have Jesus Christ
Take a minute to consider reasons to keep your hope alive. First, God has appointed us to receive salvation
vs.9. "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."
God doesn't want to pour out His wrath on anybody. He has appointed us for salvation. The only ones who receive God's wrath are those who reject Him
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
God's love is universal. He does not base His love on who we are or where you're from or what we've done. He loves us because we are His creation.
Because of His love for us He sent His Son to die in our place so that we might be with Him forever.
My hope is alive today. I worship a God who wants me to be with Him forever. He has no second thoughts. He has given me salvation. He has given you salvation. Keep y our hope alive.
He says that he made this salvation for us through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ died for us that we might live.
vs.10. "He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. "
1) Jesus died for us
Jesus died on our behalf and for our benefit. "Jesus died for us" is referring to His death for our sins. As sinners we had no way to remove our sin. We had no way to come in contact with God who was without sin. Jesus, being without sin took our sins upon Himself. He took the punishment we deserve on the cross of Calvary. Jesus literally "died for us".
2) Jesus died that we might live
His death and our life are inseparable. If Jesus had not died for us we would never know life. We would have no hope
3) Jesus died that we might live together with Him
John Stott
"He died our death that we might live His life."
Through Jesus death we have been reconciled to Him. Our hope is alive because our salvation rests in God's purpose. Our future depends on Christ's death. In these two things we have a sure foundation.
Keep Your Hope Alive.
Be prepared for the future. We do not need to be overly concerned with when Jesus will return. Just know that it will take place. We will be prepared if we will follow the instructions the Bible has given us today
For additional messages from LMC