The Return of Christ - Wednesday 6-20-07
Wednesday Night Service June 20, 2007
Don’t forget Saturday is a “Church Work Day” 10-3pm
THE RETURN OF CHRIST
I Thessalonians 5
The final chapter of I Thessalonians 5 gives advice instructing believers how to live in the light of Christ’s coming.
Paul preached these words to the Thessalonians back in A.D. 51.
When we read these words it is like Paul is preaching to us today.
Believers are living carelessly;
some are not respecting their church leaders;
others are abusing the public services;
and there is a general need for love and harmony between believers.
Paul presents 6 things to do and prevent for the RETURN OF CHRIST.
1. Be Watchful read 5:1-11
Paul presents a series of 4 contrasts here between the believers and the lost:
A. Light and Darkness
Christ’s coming, as far as the world is concerned, will be sudden and unexpected, like
a thief in the night.
But not for us believers.
We are looking for Him to come.
Unbelievers are in the dark.
Their understanding is darkened and they love the darkness. (Eph. 4:18; 5:8-11; John 3:19-21)
They are controlled by the power of darkness,
and they are headed for eternal darkness. (Eph. 6:12; Matthew 8:12)
We believers are associated with the light.
God is light, and Christ is the Light of the world.
We are a child of light, though at one time we were living in darkness.
(John 8:12; Eph. 5:8-14)
B. Knowledge and Ignorance
Satan likes to keep people in the dark. (Acts 26:18)
Judas was in the dark (John 13:27-30)
And so were Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5)
The world is ignorant of God’s plans because the world has rejected
Christ and the Bible.
We who read our Bible and keep our eyes open know the way God
is working in this world and we are not ignorant.
C. Expectancy and Surprise
The unsaved world lives in false security.
Like the people before the flood (Genesis Chapter 6)
And the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis Chapters 18-19)
Paul gives 2 comparisons to Christ’s coming:
1. The thief, telling of the surprise and unpreparedness of those affected by it.
AND
2. The woman giving birth, telling of the suddenness and suffering involved.
When Christ has taken the church out of the world, the Day of the Lord will begin, a 7 year period of tribulation and suffering for the world.
The Day of the Lord will come to the world as a thief in the night, but not for us believers.
D. Soberness and Drunkenness
We who are looking for Christ to come will stay awake and be alert.
We should not become drunk like the people of the world.
We should be living clean, dedicated lives when Jesus comes.
2. Be Respectful to Your Leaders read 5:12-13
The church family must have spiritual leadership.
The leadership is put in the pastor and deacons.
The pastor must lead the flock as God directs.
Certainly she needs, and wants, the prayers and counsel of the people, especially the elected
leaders.
All of the church must respect the leadership that God provides.
We should:
1. Accept our leaders as it says in Eph. 4:7-11 and I Peter 5:1-5.
2. Honor our leaders, recognizing the work they do.
3. Love our leaders.
4. And follow our leaders as it says in Hebrews 13:7-9, 13:17 and 13:24.
Whenever a church is not united,
it is often because the pastor will not take the responsibility of leadership.
OR
because the members will not permit them to lead.
The leaders set the example; they pay the price and seek to help others in Christian love.
3. Be Mindful of One Another read 5:14-15
It is not enough to have church leadership.
There must also be partnership, with each member doing his or her share of the work.
I Peter 4:7-11 remind us that each Christian is a steward of a spiritual gift.
And that we must use that gift for the good of others and the
Glory of the Lord.
Paul specifies certain kinds of Christians who need special help:
The unruly – the careless who will not be ruled,
those who are out of line must be warned.
The feebleminded – the fainthearted must be encouraged.
The weak – those not mature in the Lord must be supported until they can walk in the Lord, this means that they are to mature. (Romans 14:1-5)
Our attitude toward all people shall be one of patience and love,
never returning evil for evil. (Romans 12:17-21)
4. Be Thankful read 5:16-18
“Be joyful, pray, and give thanks” sound like ordinary advice;
but when you add the adverbs, you have a real challenge:
“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances”
When we walk with the Lord and keep in constant communion with Him we will see
many reasons for rejoicing and thanksgiving all day long.
“Pray without ceasing” does not mean a constant mumbling of prayers. (Matthew 6:7)
True prayer is the attitude of the heart.
The desire of the heart. (Psalms 10:17; 21:2; 37:4; 145:19)
When our hearts desire what God desires, we are praying all day long as the Spirit intercedes
for us and in us. (Romans 8:26-27)
5. Be Careful in Worship read 5:19-21
“Prophesying” in the early church was the immediate work of the Spirit.
The prophet would give the message from God.
But Satan is an imitator.
So it was necessary to test the messages. (I Corinthians 12:10; 14:29-33)
The danger was that the believers would “go overboard” in emotional abuses or,
the other extreme, QUENCH THE SPIRIT by rejecting His revelations.
Verse 21 tells us to “Test everything. Hold on to the good.””
6. Be Faithful in Daily Conduct read 5:22-28
“Appearance of evil” means “EVERY form of evil.”
Of course, we should not allow anything in our life that others could
misunderstand, criticize or stumble over.
God is faithful to build us up in holiness if we but submit to Him and His Will.
Prayer
Brotherly Love
And attention to God’s Word
Will sanctify us and keep us ready for Christ’s return.
Closing Prayer