Stay Alert Church

The Thessalonians have eternity on their minds and Timothy must have brought back some questions from them…

Last week we looked into the matter of the dead in Christ

We looked at the rapture

We found that we can and should have a hope

Paul continues his line of thinking as he writes this next portion of his letter: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 NASB95

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

SEPTEMBER 21, 1938: THE GREAT NEW ENGLAND HURRICANE

Without warning, a powerful Category 3 hurricane slams into Long Island and southern New England, causing 600 deaths and devastating coastal cities and towns. Also called the Long Island Express, the Great New England Hurricane of 1938 was the most destructive storm to strike the region in the 20th century.... Charlie Pierce, a junior forecaster in the U.S. Weather Bureau, was sure that the hurricane was heading for the Northeast, but the chief forecaster overruled him. It had been well over a century since New England had been hit by a substantial hurricane, and few believed it could happen again. Hurricanes rarely persist after encountering the cold waters of the North Atlantic. However, this hurricane was moving north at an unusually rapid pace–more than 60 mph–and was following a track over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.

With Europe on the brink of war over … little media attention was given to the powerful hurricane at sea. … By the time the U.S. Weather Bureau learned that the Category 3 storm was on a collision course with Long Island on the afternoon of September 21, it was too late for a warning.

Along the south shore of Long Island, the sky began to darken and the wind picked up. Fishermen and boaters were at sea, and summer residents enjoying the end of the season were in their beachfront homes. Around 2:30 p.m., the full force of the hurricane made landfall, unfortunately around high tide. Surges of ocean water and waves 40 feet tall swallowed up coastal homes. … Winds exceeded 100 mph. Total damages were $306 million, which equals $18 billion in today’s dollars.

Full Article Details: September 21, 1938 : The Great New England Hurricane Author History.com Staff Website History.com Year 2010 Published September 21, 1938 : The Great New England Hurricane http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-great-new-england-hurricane This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. © 2016, A&E Television Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Eternal Things

There is something fierce coming… Paul is addressing the Day of the Lord here in this passage.

Paul is talking about future things… “times and epochs”

Times and periods of time

We will not know the time, but should know about the time

We are curious about tomorrow

Ecclesiastes 3:11 eternity is in our hearts...

So few churches even teach on end times these days

Paul taught it right from the get go with the Thessalonians!!!!!

The future is OUR HOPE, OUR ENCOURAGEMENT, how we are BUILT UP!!!

“If we are to live right today, We need to think right about tomorrow!”… ETERNAL THINGS

They know Christ is coming for the church…BUT will the church face or go through the tribulation???

Tough times / Persecution / Death

God brings us life and life abundantly. John 10:10 HE NEVER promised life would be easy… only that there is more than what this life offers!!!

The Day of the Lord Will Come

Used 17 times in scripture

Refers to destruction / wrath of God / troublesome times

Believers we know this is coming

2 Peter 3:3-4 God has brought His wrath on man before…

2 Peter 3:3–4 NASB95

Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”

Noah and the flood

Noah pleaded, they just mocked until it was too late

2 Peter 3:8-9 God is patient in bringing it

2 Peter 3:8–9 NASB95

But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

It will be like labor pains

Sudden “peace and safety” as with Noah

Gradually they get worse

No escape… too late

The Day of the Lord Is Not for Us

Day of the Lord is not the Rapture, it is referring to the time called The Great Tribulation

Look at time line of events… chapter 4 boldly declaring His coming for His church

Comes like a thief… no thief would use a trumpet

Pre-tribulation vs mid-tribulation vs post-tribulation

Will you be ready to meet Him? Or will you be walking in your sleep (dead spiritually)

Paul makes a clear distinction that believers will not face wrath Verse 9

Paul uses a contrast…

They/them vs you/us

Day vs night

We shed light

We are children of light (FAITH HOPE LOVE)

We are awake vs not asleep

Sober and Drunk

Don’t be dull of mind

Stay alert

Be a part of the real world don’t try to escape it

WE HAVE HOPE

We need to see the signs and offer HOPE!

If we know this is coming… what do we do with it?

Encourage and build up one another

A right thinking about future events brings encouragement and hope NOT fear and hopelessness

Share this!!! It is coming

Not in panic and fear but care and love

Send out the warning… with the rescue message

Do you have the heart of Christ for the lost????

Pay attention!!!

There is nothing left to come

The labor pains are greater and greater

Be aware of the Truth… The Day of the Lord for this world is fast approaching.

A Long Islander who had bought a very sensitive barometer from a respected company. When it arrived and to his annoyance the needle pointed below 29, where the dial read, 'Hurricanes and Tornadoes.' He shook it and banged it against the wall; the needle wouldn't budge. Indignant, he wrote a scathing letter to the company and on his way into New York city he mailed it at the post office. That evening he returned to Long Island to find his barometer missing along with his house." The needle had been correct, the date was September 21, 1938.

That's the way we are. If we can't cope with the forecast, we blame the barometer. Or ignore it. Or throw it away!

We have been given God’s word (tool)

Are you using it accurately? Are you even using it correctly?

Devastation is coming and we can share the hope and the escape… are you sensing the urgency?!

God has promised us it will come… He is true to His Word

God has promised those who know Him will not go through it

Do you have a personal relationship?

What are you going to do with what you know?