First Thessalonians (11)

First Thessalonians   •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  43:41
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A Day Like No Other

In our last study Paul dealt with the comfort and assurance of the rapture of the church that would include all of those who have been born again, living and dead alike. Now he turns his attention to the Day of the Lord.
(Here we find great support for the doctrine of pre-tribulation rapture.
The rapture of the church will precede the Tribulation and after the church is taken away, the events of the Day of the Lord, or the Great Tribulation, will begin in rapid succession, culminating with the return of Christ to judge the world and Satan, establishing His throne for the Millennial Reign.)Pulpit Pages: New Testament Sermons (1 Thessalonians 5:1–7))
There is way more to this event then we have time for this morning, I just want to take Pauls description here and expound on the Surety of that Day, the Security of the believer Prior to that day, and the summons to watchfulness for that day.
So lets look at what Paul has for us as we preach on “A Day Like No Other”

I. The Surety of that Approaching Day (vv. 1-3)

The Day of the Lord is not a matter of if, but when.
▪ The Day of the Lord is spoken of many times in Scripture. It is referenced 19 times in the Old Testament: Is. 2:12; 13:6, 9; Ezek. 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14; Amos 5:18 [two times], 20; Odad. 15; Zeph. 1:7, 14 [2 times]; Zech. 14:1; Mal. 4:5.
It is also referenced four times in the New Testament: Acts 2:20; here v.2; 2 Thes. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:10.
what we must understand is that Paul has already told them about the rapture something they did not know about
now dives into an event that they were very familar with.
"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, Ye have no need that I write unto you" (v. 1):
This was a very well known event
Is. 2:12; 13:6, 9; Ezek. 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14; Amos 5:18; 20; Odad. 15; Zeph. 1:7, 14 Zech. 14:1; Mal. 4:5.
So Paul did not need to waste ink telling them about that day,
What Paul is wanting them to understand, is that they have no need to concern themselves with that Day because as children of light and of day, they will not be around to endure the wrath of God.
When the Day of the Lord begins, the church will be out of here.
The Thessalonians were already taught about the return of Christ and the judgment to follow.
This was not a new subject for them, so he did not need to spend time discussing the times and seasons
We can see from Pauls use of two words in 5:1 (But, of)
there is a clear break between these two events meaning that these are two separate events.
Paul using the words “times and seasons” lets us know that this event is seperate from the rapture.
The word that is translated into “time” is from the Greek word chronos and deals with “chronological time, clock or calendar time.”
He also talks about seasons, from the Greek word “kairos”, and it deals with “events, eras, or seasons.”
Two different and distinct indicators that predict the Lord’s coming.
The rapture is the event that kicks off the Day of the Lord
So what do we see about the Surety of that Day
A. The Peril That Comes with that Day
1 Thessalonians 5:2 KJV 1900
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
Paul reminds them that The Lord will come as a thief in the night, at a time when no man knows or expects His coming.
The world will not be ready or prepared for that day when it comes.
The imagery of a thief signifies the unexpected nature of the Day of the Lord.
Just as a thief comes without warning, so too will God’s judgment arrive suddenly for those who are unprepared.
"When they shall say, Peace and safety" (v. 3):
The world will experience a false sense of security, deluded into thinking all is well.
This deceptive calm will be shattered by the arrival of divine judgment.
A. The Peril That Comes with that Day
B. The Problem Associated with that Day
"For when they say, Peace and safety; Then sudden destruction cometh upon them" (v. 3):
Notice the use of the pronoun they. He speaks of those who are left upon the earth after the rapture. They are indifferent to His coming and do not look for it.
What Paul is describing here is the tribulation
The first problem about that Day is
B. The Problem Associated with that Day
1. Man’s Delusion 3a
Just like today, man will be delusional about the return of the Lord.
Like they are today, they do not want to accept the fact that He is coming again.
They will give no thought or care to any accountability to the God of Heaven.
Sounds alot like the world we live in today
The world continues to live as it pleases, believing the lie that nothing could ever prevent or hinder their prosperity. They refuse to hear the Word of God and turn from their wicked ways.
The only difference will be Peace and safety!
They will believe that all is well
There will be no wars for a period of three and half years
The second problem will be
2. Man’s Destruction 3b
Like labor pains are extended so will be the destruction of man
3.5 years worth
but when it comes it will be sudden and sure
When the Lord begins to pour out His wrath and judgment upon the earth there will be no escape, no place to hide or avoid the destruction that will come. (Rev. 6:12–17)
This destruction is not merely physical but eternal, marking the separation of the unrighteous from God.
Illustration: Imagine there is a thief on the lose and when he breaks in he kills and destroys
Everyone in town is warned, most of the residents install security cams, new locks, alarm systems, start a community watch and begin to patrol their neigborhoods. But there are some in that town who do not heed the warning from police. They laugh and mock those that are busy preparing for a thief.
then one night the thief comes to town as he walks by the houses that are prepared, security lights come on and deter him from entering that house, but then he walks up to a house that is dark and appears to be unsecure, So he enters the house and finds those that are complacent and un prepared. He comes in without warning and kills and destroys. Just like that thief The Bible is clear: the Day of the Lord is coming.
Are you preparing to exit with the rest of us? If not you better get prepared, the thief is coming to town
Are we warning others about the coming thief? If not we better start!
Its going to be a day like no other!!
First we see The Surety of that Day

II. The Security of the Believer Against that Day (vv. 4-5)

In contrast to the unbelieving world, believers are marked by a unique identity and privilege that prepares them for the escape from the Day of the Lord.
Believers are uniquely positioned as children of light and have the privilege of walking in truth.
A. Our Position
1 Thessalonians 5:4 KJV 1900
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Paul is encouraging them that becasue of who they are, they will not have to endure that Day.
Like we said in our illustration, the ones that prepare for the thief will not be overtaken by the thief.
You never know when you will get robbed but you can do all you can to prevent a robbery
as Believers we are no longer under the dominion of sin and spiritual blindness.
Through salvation, we have been transferred into the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13
Colossians 1:13 KJV 1900
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
This means that the Day of the Lord will not catch us unaware, because we will be out of here
we live with the hope of Christ’s return and the assurance of His promises.
A. Our Position
B. Our Privilege
1 Thessalonians 5:5 KJV 1900
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Paul is saying as Believers you are spiritually awakened, living in the light of God’s truth.
Our Privilege as children of light and of day empowers us to resist the darkness of sin and live with confidence in God’s plan.
We are not of this world
We are looking for a place whos builder and maker is God.
We are just strangers and pilgrems in this world.
We have a privilege that others dont have but need
Our privilege can be yours that are here lost this morning
Acts 26:18 KJV 1900
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

III. The Summons to Watchfulness For the Arrival of that Day (vv. 6-7)

Living with a knowledge of the Day of the Lord requires us to be active, to be vigilant and to be obedient.
Paul issues a threefold exhortation to the Thessalonians. (Therefore)He says because you are children of the day and not of the night,
A. Be Awake
"Let us not sleep, as do others" (v. 6):
The sleep that Paul is referring to here is indifrence to the things of God, it can be used with or without the believer in mind
either way it is a sleep that signifies apathy, ignorance, and neglect of one’s relationship with God.
Believers must remain spiritually awake, fully engaged in prayer, study of the Word, and faithful service.
We should be awake to the salvation needs of the lost and the coldness of the believer
if we simply live life with A passive faith, it will lead to missed opportunities to glorify God and to warn others for His coming.
A. Be Awake
B. Be Alert
"Let us watch" (v. 6):
To watch means to stay alert, discerning the times, and recognizing the signs of Christ’s return.
Awareness involves living with eternal priorities, not being distracted by the fleeting pleasures and pursuits of the world
The church will be out of here before the Judgement day comes, but we are still told to watch. Watch and witness.
Think of it like this: Picture a fortified city with watch towers all around it, you have guards that are posted 24/7 in those towers watching over the people that are working and playing. They are watching for the coming king that wants to destroy the city. The people in the city have no clue what is happening outside the walls. What would happen if the gurads on the side of the city that the king attacks from were not at their post? The city and the people in it will be destroyed.
We are watchmen set on a wall
Isaiah 62:6 KJV 1900
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, Which shall never hold their peace day nor night: Ye that make mention of the Lord, Keep not silence,
Lets not abandon our post!
A. Be Awake
B. Be Alert
C. Be Sober
"Let us be sober" (v. 6):
Sobriety signifies self-control and a clear-minded focus on God’s will.
Unlike the recklessness of those who are “drunken in the night” (v. 7), believers are to live obedient lives.
This includes avoiding spiritual intoxication—things that dull our spiritual senses, such as sin, materialism, or neglect of fellowship with God.
doing this keeps us from failing to warn others
it keeps us on the wall
it keeps us standing in the gap
it keeps us holding the fort
We have to great a responsibility not to be drunk on the worlds desires
We must be sober
We must be alert
We must be awake.
V.7 Warns those that are not awake, alert and sober
He says they are of the night (children of the devil) unaware of the coming judgement
Are you awake, alert and sober or are you sleeping and drunken?

Conclusion:

The Day of the Lord is a sobering reality for the world and a blessed hope for believers.
For the unbeliever, it is a day of destruction and eternal separation from God.
For the believer, it is a day of deliverance and eternal joy in Christ’s presence.
So how can we as born again believers take what Paul is saying and apply it to our daily lives?
Reassess your goals and activities this week.
Ask yourself, What can I do differently to live with eternity in mind?
Perhaps it’s prioritizing time with God, forgiving someone, or stepping out in faith to serve.
For Non-Believers: If you’re not certain of your standing before God,If you have never been saved by grace through faith, take this as a call to repentance.
Confess your sins to God, believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, and surrender your life to Him today.
The Bible says: If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Have you confessed and believed?
Lets Pray.
Challenge: This week, take one practical step to live out your faith in light of the Day of the Lord.
Whether it’s sharing your testimony, serving someone in need, or realigning your priorities, let’s prepare ourselves and others for the Lord’s return.
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