Are we prepared?

Intro- We are one day close to the Jesus returning and taking us home… How does that thought settle with you? Is there something that you feel like you need to accomplish before then? Or are you at peace, and anxiously waiting?

Tony Hall- Train…

At the end of our text () we find that the church in Thessalonica was prepared for the return of Christ. What kind of things did they do that made them prepared for the return of Christ?

Prepare by obeying the Gospel.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 ESV

5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Paul here reminds them of the Gospel that came to them.

The Gospel “came to them” by Paul himself in .

If you read that passage you will see that Paul spent his time emphasizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

in Paul made clear that the Gospel is the death burial and resurrection . If there were no death, and resurrection, there would be no good news.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 ESV

5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Paul said that when the Gospel came to them it came with power

Likely a reference to the signs that Paul was able to work in order to confirm the message proclaimed

Paul said the Gospel came to them in the Holy Spirit

A reference to the inspiration of the Spirit which Paul had

Paul said the Gospel came to them with full conviction

Meaning that there was a reason to have assurance of the message.

Paul gives that assurance in V.10- “He raised from the dead”

If Christ had truly conquered death, why in the world would anyone doubt His message?

2 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV

8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

In Paul’s Second letter to the church in Thessalonica, He opened by talking about the judgement that was coming. In this vivid passage he states two groups of people on whom God would inflict Vengeance. Those that don’t know God, and those that don’t obey the Gospel.

Exodus 12:23 ESV

23 For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.

When the passover was instituted, God said that when he passed through Egypt and He looked upon the doorpost and saw the blood, He would passover.

makes it clear that when we are baptized we are baptized into the Death of Jesus and we can have a resurrection like His. (obeying the Gospel.)

In

Here we see a glimpse into the throne room of heaven and there are all of these people in white robes. They are described as the ones who have been washed by the blood of the lamb.

Just as the ones who were passed over in Egypt when God saw the blood, We can be passed over when Christ returns in judgement… Only if He sees the blood.

Transition- Obeying the Gospel, (Baptism) is essential for preparing for the return of Jesus, but as you know. It is not all that there is.

Prepare by living your faith.

We know it is not enough to say we have faith, but we must actually live out that faith. It was James who wrote in chapter 2 that faith without works is dead.

The Thessalonians weren’t simply “playing church” they had real, genuine faith.

They had works of faith and labors of love

V.3 references their works of faith and labors of love

Do we have works of faith? When is the last time that you did something for no other reason than you had faith in God?

Steadfastness of Hope in Jesus

The end of V.3 states that they had a steadfast hope in Jesus

Their Hope was evident. Their hope was real. They were living in a time that it would have made the most sense for them to keep quiet about their faith due to persecution (Acts 17)

Imitating Jesus

V.6- Paul states that the Thessalonians had become imitators of him, and of Jesus. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Transformed lives

1 Thessalonians 1:8–9 ESV

8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

Paul commended them on their preaching of the Gospel. He said that their preaching has reduced the workload for him

Paul spoke to them about how their faith had spread. Not just the Gospel but people all over were hearing about the faith that they had. They were hearing about this faith because of the drastic changes made in their lives.

Conclusion- Challenging for families and individuals is two-fold. First, am I prepared for the return of Jesus? Second, How can I set a better example. Like the Thessalonians did? Do people all around me know about my faith?