Living in Readiness for the Lord’s Return

1 Thessalonians 5:1–28 (NLT)

1 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you.

2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.

8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.

10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.

11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.

13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

16 Always be joyful.

17 Never stop praying.

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

20 Do not scoff at prophecies,

21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.

27 I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.

28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

INTRODUCTION:

I- WHAT WILL BE THE MANNER OF CHRIST’S RETURN? (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:3)

A- His return will be literal. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-16)

1- There are multiple promises in scripture about Christ’s bodily return.

(Acts 1:11)

Acts 1:11 (NLT)

11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

(John 14:3)

John 14:3 (NLT)

3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

a- His return will be visible and physical, not invisible and spiritual.

B- His return will be purposeful. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (NLT)

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.

17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.

1- To resurrect the bodies of the dead in Christ. (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

1 Thessalonians 4:16 (NLT)

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.

a- To change them into new, glorified bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:50-58)

1 Corinthians 15:50–58 (NLT)

50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.

51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!

52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.

53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.

57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

2- To snatch away those who are still alive. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

1 Thessalonians 4:17 (NLT)

17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.

a- We, too, shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-53)

1 Corinthians 15:51–53 (NLT)

51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!

52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.

53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

3- To take all believers to be with Christ forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

1 Thessalonians 4:17 (NLT)

17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.

a- To the place Jesus has prepared for us. (John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:1-5)

John 14:1–3 (NLT)

1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.

2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?

3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

Revelation 21:1–5 (NLT)

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.

2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.

4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”

C- His return will be sudden and unexpected. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3)

1 Thessalonians 5:1–3 (NLT)

1 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you.

2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

1- There will be a great division of saved and lost. (Matthew 24:36-44)

Matthew 24:36–44 (NLT)

36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.

38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat.

39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left.

41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.

42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.

43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into.

44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

a- The saved will be taken up and the lost will be left behind.

II- WHAT IS THE MOTIVATION FOR FOCUSING ON CHRIST’S RETURN? (1 Thessalonians 5:4-11)

A- To urge the lost to trust in Christ. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (NLT)

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.

17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.

1- We need to urge the lost to prepare for Christ’s return!

B- To comfort us about those who have died in Christ. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-15)

1 Thessalonians 4:13–15 (NLT)

13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.

14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.

1- Grief can give way to gladness.

a- Loved-ones who have died in Christ are with Him. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

2 Corinthians 5:8 (NLT)

8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.

b- The dead in Christ

C- To make sure our lives are as the Lord would have them to be. (1 Thessalonians 5:4-8)

1 Thessalonians 5:4–8 (NLT)

4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.

8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

1- Living in expectancy of the Lord’s return (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5)

1 Thessalonians 5:4–5 (NLT)

4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

2- Striving to be clearheaded in daily life. (1 Thessalonians 5:6-7)

1 Thessalonians 5:6–7 (NLT)

6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.

3- Constantly wearing the armor of God. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NLT)

8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

D- To provide assurance for believers. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11)

1 Thessalonians 5:9–11 (NLT)

9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.

10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.

11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1- Assurance of His salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)

1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 (NLT)

9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.

10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.

2- Encouraging and building each other up in the faith. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)

11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

III- WHAT ARE TO BE THE MARKS OF CHRIST-FOLLOWERS IN LIGHT OF CHRIST’S RETURN? (1 Thessalonians 5:12-28)

A- Respectful toward godly Christian leaders. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 (NLT)

12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.

13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

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B- Responsive to brothers and sisters in Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:13-15)

1 Thessalonians 5:13–15 (NLT)

13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

1-

C- Reflective of mature Christian attitudes. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22)

1 Thessalonians 5:16–22 (NLT)

16 Always be joyful.

17 Never stop praying.

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

20 Do not scoff at prophecies,

21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

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D- Striving for holiness. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (NLT)

23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

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E- Prayerful (1 Thessalonians 5:25)

1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NLT)

25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.

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F- Loving (1 Thessalonians 5:26)

1 Thessalonians 5:26 (NLT)

26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.

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CONCLUSION: