Are You of The Day?

Text: 1 Thess. 5:8.

Intro:

Whats does it mean to be a Christian in today’s age?

to be loving

not to judge

to be nice

but what is a Christian according to this text?

Christians Belong to The Day

What does it mean to belong to the day?

its obvious that this language is symbolic

it means to belong to what is light and truth and pure

there is no doubt that a war on truth is being waged

we are aligned with the light of the world and people wont like that

like cockroaches and other things, those that dwell in the darkness scurry away from the light

John 3:20.

what did they do to the light in Jesus’ day? they killed Him

we diminish the light because its harmful to our condition (solar eclipse)

video of a boy suspended and arrested at catholic school for saying God made two genders

Anglican denomination just had a debate with 8 speakers on if they should allow same sex marriage

Ted has been doing a class on 1 Tim. 2:12.

our commitment to Jesus is the commitment to dwell in the light of God, who is Himself the source of all truth, light, and holiness. We see a God in the scriptures who is undeniably and infinitely and insultingly pure in every way. Where as the world sees that light and shrinks back like spiritual vampires, we are the ones who walk into and embrace the safety and sanctity of the light, rejoicing in the fact that our path is now made clear, no longer stumbling in the darkness. We celebrate the light as being the only way to deduce truth from error and eliminating the confusion. We proclaim the light to all around us, telling of His wonderful power to reach into this dark dimension and save souls out of it. We display and reflect the light to show Gods power in a changed life and to destroy the claims of the so called meaninglessness of life.

1 John 1:7

We Must Be Sober

Contrasted with Drunkenness in 1 Thess. 5:7.

What does it mean to be Sober?

νήφω - to be self-controlled, to be restrained, to be well balanced or watchful

when i wanted to be a sniper (extreme focus on changing situations)

we must have extreme focus on

the times (Notice the difference and be outspoken)

the church (spot the invasion of error and disunity)

ourselves (watchful eye on ourselves. Don’t be apathetic or hypocritical)

Put on The Breastplate of Faith and Love

this is mirrored in Ephesians 6:13-17 and comes from Isaiah 59:17.

what does wearing faith as a breastplate mean?

what does a breastplate do?

made of leather and metal overlay, it protects the most vital organs of a person

wearing your faith on your sleeve

your faith will protect you from the devil and what he throws at you

1 Peter 1:5 ESV

who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

what of Love?

John 13:35 ESV

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Love is in integral part of your spiritual battle. If love goes, so does your protection

love for neighbor / brother

love for God

Put on The Helmet of The Hope of Salvation

Having a laser focus on your salvation gives you sobriety in spirituality

you have a unique focus on your sin

you have a focus on what it took to pay for your sins

Martin Luther ““So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: "I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!”

The armour that protects you from the world and the devils influence must not be missing a piece, since no soldier goes into battle with a missing piece. we must not think that one piece is not as important as the other of that having even most of the pieces is aqueduct enough to fight. if the enemy in battle sees that your armour is lacking in one area, he will not waste time hacking away at the places where you do. He will go right to the place where you are weakest. you must have all the pieces and they all must be maintained.