Distinction/Set Apart

In Light(Jesus)

This is a passage that parallels the message from last week. The Coming of the Lord. Some might look at this passage compared to last weeks and assume that Paul is declaring that the church has failed to comprehend the message of the gospel. But look at these passages side-by-side and see that Paul is arguing basically the same things. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 (NRSV)

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NRSV)

11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. This is why in 5:1 he declares that you do not need a letter. 1 Thessalonians 5:1 (NRSV)

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you.

What Paul does lean into in this passage is the Coming of the Lord (Parousia) as judgement, Joel 2:31 (NRSV)

31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. Amos 5:18 (NRSV)

The Day of the Lord a Dark Day

18 Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord!

Why do you want the day of the Lord?

It is darkness, not light;

Look at 5:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (NRSV)

3 When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! Paul is saying to the Thessalonians, you know this so I need not tell you. I believe this is a contrast statement in that Paul is trying to get their attention, as I hope to get your attention today. This is not a game. We all look forward to the day of the Lord because we are children of the light.

1 Thessalonians 5:4–5 (NRSV)

4 But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; 5 for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness.

Verse 6, Paul asks the question by making a statement concerning light and darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:6–8 (NRSV)

6 So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; 7 for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. Perhaps you are considering, who are those who are asleep? Tell us pastor, who here is asleep. This reminds me of Jesus and the Passover meal. Mark 14:18–21 (NRSV)

18 And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.”

The disciples all want to know who will betray Him. This gives us the indication that they had no idea who this was; perhaps no real signs of betrayal and yet Jesus knew who it was, and I would suggest that the betrayer knew.

The disciples were in distress about what Jesus shares with them because they were all dining with him. Their expression is, “surely not”

The closing of Paul’s message is that God does not want the wrath to consume us, his children, but that you must choose the light. 1 Thessalonians 5:9–11 (NRSV)

9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

What should we take home with us from Paul’s message? John 8:12 (NRSV)

Jesus the Light of the World

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Walk not in darkness but be children of light as God intended us to be.