Stay Awake . . . Be Ready

As the video just asked, what will the Lord find us doing when He returns on the Last Day? Will he find us doing the work of His kingdom: loving one another; sharing the gospel of grace? Or, will He find us consumed with the ways of this world? Will He find us living and walking by faith, trusting Him to provide and protect us in our daily life? Or, will He find us wringing our hands and pacing the floor in fear because of what is happening in our society today?

The parable of the 10 Virgins — the appointed gospel reading for last Sunday that we didn’t hear due to our Missions Festival — is an appropriate illustration because it illustrates who is ready for the Lord’s appearing and who is not. As you may recall this parable, of the 10 virgins, 5 were prepared and had enough lamp oil for anytime the bridegroom appeared. Whereas the 5 foolish virgins were not prepared and did not have enough oil for their lamps. And, as things always go in life — like a thief in the night — the announcement came that the Bridegroom was coming and the virgins readied their lamps. But the foolish ones realized they didn’t have enough oil. The Bridegroom arrived and everyone was granted access to the wedding hall, except those who were NOT READY. The parable concludes with a couple startling pronouncements: (1). The door was shut; and (2). and the Bridegroom saying to the foolish virgins, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.”

So today’s text begs the question, “What will the Lord find you doing when He arrives?” Soberly watching, waiting and ready, or being guided by the gods of this world? So, over the next few minutes we will meditate on the text to the Thessalonians as we think about (1). The Day of the Lord; (2). The Christian’s Destiny; and (3). How Shall the Christian Live in light of the Day of the Lord.

The Day of the Lord

It will come suddenly, like a “thief in the night.” People of the world will be consumed and with things of this world, like “peace and security,” which was a Roman slogan in Thessalonica in Paul’s day. But the Christian will not be surprised when the Day of the Lord comes, because he is a “child of the day” and of “the light.”

The Day of the Lord will bring sudden destruction. Just as the pain of childbirth come suddenly and are impossible to avoid, so the Day of the Lord will bring inescapable destruction and the wrath of God on the unsuspecting and unprepared.

Our Lord’s desire is for the Christian to be prepared, and He gives us gifts of grace so that we are properly prepared to meet it.

God’s wrath against sinners is clearly discerned. Only the child of God who find safety in the wounds of Jesus Christ can face that Day without fear.

The Christian’s Destiny

The Christian is not destined for wrath. Wrath is for all those — like the foolish virgins — who sin and fall short of the glory of God. By birth and by choice, all people are numbered among those deserving the name “SINNER.”

God would be completely justified in assigning all people to destruction because of their private and public rebellion against Him.

The greatest rebellion of all is the breaking of the First Commandment, of having other gods — or putting something or someone alongside God. We cling to the god science, instead of hearing the promises of the living God to never leave us or forsake us. We run to the god of fear during times of pandemic, instead of running to the Lord our Healer.

When the people of God wandered in the wilderness after they fled their captivity in Egypt, they began to grumble against Moses because at one point the water they drew to drink was bitter. So Moses cried out to God and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the waters, and the water became sweet. Then God made this promise to them — Exodus 15:26

Exodus 15:26 NET

26 He said, “If you will diligently obey the Lord your God, and do what is right in his sight, and pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, then all the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians I will not bring on you, for I, the Lord, am your healer.”

Apart from the grace of God, everyone is without hope and without God.

The true Christian, however, is destined to salvation through Christ. Though the Christian deserves death like everyone else, all who trust Christ as Lord through faith receives the forgiveness of sins and assurance that on the Day of the Lord, the door that was shut to the foolish virgins will not be shut to them. Why? Because God, working through His Word and His Sacraments creates and sustains faith in the Christian’s heart, making it possible for Him to escape the wrath to come.

How Shall the Christian Live?

The Christian must “stay awake” and “be sober.” That is, living in anticipation of the sudden return of Christ. So, the believer must remain alert and in control of his senses. The Greek grammar here indicates a continued action.

This is essential because stuff will happen in life and if we’re not careful we will end up taking our eye off the ball — which is to always be ready, doing those things that God has given us to do.

The devil will always attempt to distract us, especially when sickness and disease comes our way. He causes us to live in fear, and with fear comes doubt; then he has us right where he wants us: looking at the storm instead of focusing on Christ.

One evening the disciples were crossing the sea and Jesus was not with them. A storm started to rise then they say Jesus walking on the water. Peter, being Peter, said, “Lord, command me to walk out there with you,” to which Jesus gave the command. Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward Jesus. Can you imagine his excitement that he’s really doing it? But then Peter hears the wind starting to howl and notices the affect of the wind with waves coming right toward him. Jesus and His promise is no longer Peter’s focus, so he sinks like a rock.

What is happening in your world right now that is causing you to look away from Jesus and His promises? Are you fixated on Presidential election? Does COVID have your attention?

Friends, the Christian is to be on the defense against the evil forces of this world; the devil and his minons will stop at nothing to get your eyes off Christ and His promises to you. And since the best defense is a good offense — to use an old cliche — God urges each Christian to adorn themselves in a certain way:

To put on faith and love as his breastplate;

To put on the hope of salvation as his protecting helmet;

The Christian knows that it is the power of God’s Spirit working through the Means of Grace — that is, God’s Word and Sacrament (baptism and Lord’s Supper) — that empower him to “put on” these good gifts.

It is these gifts, dear friends, that enable us when the storms of life come our way. The evening news cycle, science, and other things of this world will ALWAYS fall short. Instead, the Christian realizes his need to live in utter dependence on resources that are not his own, but come from the Spirit of God.

In life or in death the Christian lives with Christ; the Christian’s entire existence is centered in Jesus Christ. He can truly say with the apostle Paul, “It is my eager expectation and hope that . . . whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil 1:20-21). The Christian’s life and prayer expressed the reality of this conviction. A Christ-centered life is a joyous life, a fearless life, and watchful life; it has its own present and future reward.

Christians are admonished to gather together regularly to encourage one another as we see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25), and to encourage one another and build one another up (1 Thess 5:11).

The Christian never lives in isolation, but in community. In that communion of saints, the Christian shares the good things of God with his brothers and sisters in the faith.

God’s grace is not inactive in the individual but shows continued expression of His love through Jesus Christ in the life of the Christian.

What will the Lord find you doing when He arrives on the Last Day?

He will find the Christian watching for His return, Alert, in Expectant Hope, clings to His gifts and promises through faith that lives by love.