Christian Be Ready
Perseverance • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
As we continue in our study of perseverance and how is it described in 1 Thessalonians, we see an emphasis for the Christian to be ready. What exactly are we to be ready for? Well, in the context of this passage, we are to be ready for the Day of the Lord. Many passages of Scripture speak of the Day of the Lord. It will be a glorious day for the Christian, but it will not be so glorious for the non-Christian. We will have no idea when this day will be, but we should anticipate its coming. While we are waiting, there are a few things we can expect and several things we can do.
Listen closely to this passage from 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
1 Now, brothers, 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, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons 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 alert and self-controlled.
There are four things I see in this passage that will be helpful for us. We need to be prepared, be purposeful, be particular and be persistent.
Be Prepared (vs. 1-3)
Be Prepared (vs. 1-3)
One of the greatest influences on my life outside church was being a Boy Scout. I was fortunate to gain full understanding of the Boy Scout Motto, “Be prepared.” I find myself thinking through situations and making sure I am as prepared as possible in most scenarios in which I find myself in and around. The Apostle Paul in stating in first few verses that the Christian should be prepared for the Day of the Lord. Again, they did not know when this would take place. Jesus made that clear just before His ascension.
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
Sometimes to be prepared, we have to be reminded of what has already been forecast. The Thessalonians are reminded of what they had been taught by Paul and the other apostles regarding the Day of the Lord. They were taught to be ready because the “day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” We also see that this was taught by Jesus when He spoke of the Day of the Lord. Matthew 24:43-44
43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
This reminder was appealing to what the Thessalonians had already known. This brings up a great point for us. What do we need to be reminded of today? I am not talking about a reminder like a grocery list or a some tasks that need to be accomplished. What do you know in your faith that you should be doing, but yet you are not doing it? Why? What is keeping you from doing that particular piece of faith?
We are reminded to be prepared and we also have a realization as to why we need to be prepared. The Day of the Lord will come at time that is unexpected and it will be a threat to those unprepared for its arrival.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
This is something that has long been foretold and we must realize that it is not just a tall tale. Remember, there are many references to the day of the Lord.
6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?”
People will be going about their daily lives in a sense of complacency when this happens. This really shows us another reason to be prepared for the day of the Lord. Look what is said in the Old Testament. It will be a day of reckoning.
6 Wail, for the day of the Lord is near;
it will come like destruction from the Almighty.
7 Because of this, all hands will go limp,
every man’s heart will melt.
8 Terror will seize them,
pain and anguish will grip them;
they will writhe like a woman in labor.
They will look aghast at each other,
their faces aflame.
22 The wind will drive all your shepherds away,
and your allies will go into exile.
Then you will be ashamed and disgraced
because of all your wickedness.
23 You who live in ‘Lebanon,’
who are nestled in cedar buildings,
how you will groan when pangs come upon you,
pain like that of a woman in labor!
Those of you that have ever been in labor know that the pain comes because the event has to run its course. There is no stopping once it starts. That is why in so many passages, including our text today in 1 Thessalonians 5:3 show the comparison of the Day of the Lord to a woman being in labor. You will want to be prepared!
34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.
Be Purposeful (vs. 4-5)
Be Purposeful (vs. 4-5)
Therefore, until the day of the Lord comes, we need to be purposeful. We see yet another reminder in 1 Thessalonians 5:4 that the ones to whom the letter is written, are not people of darkness and therefore should not be surprised with these events take place. However, we should live our lives as if it were going to happen at any moment. We are to remember who we are in Christ.
5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
As one that in Christ, I should live a life of purpose in remembering who I am. I also should remember what I know.
13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
What a reminder! I know what I was before Christ and I know what has happened in order that I may know Christ now. I have become a child of the Light and I should therefore no longer be a child of the darkness.
I need to remember that which I am called to do. Jesus said it this way,
14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
I need to be purposeful in in my readiness for the day of the Lord and I also need to be particular.
Be Particular (vs. 6)
Be Particular (vs. 6)
Did you know that you should be particular in what you do as a Christian?
6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.
We are called to be particular by daring to be different.
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
In this day and age, this will be different. We should focus on the things of God instead of the things of this world.
We will determine to be directed.
133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
To be fully prepared for the Day of the Lord, I need to let go and let God! I am reminded that it is not my will but God’s will that I should pursue.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Seeking the Kingdom of God means that you will be particular in your behavior, actions, and mindset. You will be disciplined and decisive.
15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
We are to be prepared, we are to be purposeful, and we are to be particular in our Christian walk. With this in mind, I want to share with you how you can apply these truths to your life so you can be ready for the Day of the Lord.
Be Persistent
Be Persistent
The word persistent means to persevere in spite of the opposition, obstacles and things that would make us want to stop. I feel there are three specific implied steps in this text that will help you be persistent.
First, ground yourself in the God’s Word. If Jesus is the greatest gift to mankind, I believe that the Bible is the second greatest gift. God’s Word tells us how to live and maintain the Christian life. When we accept it as His Word, it changes everything about us! We have already seen in 1 Thessalonians the value of how God uses His word.
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
Secondly, we need to grab the hand of Jesus. Nothing says I love you more, I trust you more, than to place your hand in someone else’s hand. I am reminded of the story of Peter seeing Jesus walking on the water in Matthew 14. When Peter sees Jesus, he calls out to Him and says, “Lord if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus simply said, “Come.” So Peter takes off and he walked on water. However, when he realized he was walking on water, he began to sink. Peter must have realized that the water was deep or he could not swim or both! Peter cries, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:31
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Jesus reached out His hand and caught Peter. The hand of Jesus is available for us to reach out and grab. When we do, we say, “Yes Lord! It is no longer my way but Yours!” What are you grabbing a hold of these days? What are you standing on that would cause you to sink without the hand of Jesus? For me, it is everything! The longer I live, the more convinced I need to hold the hand of my Jesus!
Lastly, we need to grow in Christlikeness. If you truly have experience of grounding yourself in God’s word and grabbing the hand of Jesus and allowing Him to lead you in this life, you will grow in Christlikeness. That same Peter that walked on water wrote:
1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
In other words, because of your life in Christ, you are compelled to be ready for the Day of the Lord. You will live like a Christian. You will love like a Christian. And you will be ready for His incredible return. What needs to change in your life right now to make sure you are ready?
