In Thessalonians

Tension between “what God has done through Jesus’ death and resurrection” and “awaits the object of hope: resurrection, full adoption as heirs, full conformity to Christ.”

Four consequences of this tension:

Redemption is a process

Believers struggle between new and old

Conformed to Christ: already death; currently suffering; future resurrection

Transformation - fruit of the Spirit vs. works of the flesh

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Paul speaks to the end times through his letters to the Thessalonians. New Christians found themselves at odds with the world around them. Suffering for claiming salvation and lordship of Jesus Christ in their lives.

Many believers of Paul’s time thought that Jesus’ return was imminent and were concerned about the believers who died and they miss His return.

Paul answers their concern in our scripture reading today.

Please stand as we honor the reading of God Word.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11 NIV

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

THE WORD OF GOD, FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Asleep

Asleep (vv 4:13-18)

Imagery of a King’s (dignitary) arrival

Down from heaven, command, archangel, trumpet sound

Just a few words but what imagery it brings to our minds

Those who have previously died will not miss out on this wonderful moment

The dead in Christ will rise first!!

All believers will meet Him in the air and be with Him forever.

For those who are “asleep” - they will join us as we all see and meet Jesus

1 Thessalonians 4:18 NIV

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Aware

Aware (vv 5:1-3)

We don’t know the day or time - only the season

Labor pains suddenly coming on

A thief in the night - doesn’t text you ahead of time

Like Hide & Seek - “Ready or not - here I come!”

Jesus shares these words in the gospel of Luke

Luke 12:39–40 NIV

39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Awake

Awake (vv 5:4-11) (and sober or self-controlled)

We do not belong to the darkness of the world but to the light of Jesus

verse 8 - faith, love, and hope are seen as weaponry for spiritual battle

faith and love - breastplate

hope of salvation - helmet

Don’t be like others - don’t be like the world

Live in the light where we belong - not the darkness.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

The tension of past, present, future is not unique to Thessalonica.

We live in the present between what God has done for us and is doing for us and is going to do for us through Jesus Christ.

We have a Blessed Assurance in Jesus for what he has done, is doing, is will do.

Jesus came, He is here, He is coming!

Jesus is in Thessalonians

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