This week, Pastor Chris continued in our Driven by Eternity series with a message from 1 Thessalonians 5. The apostle Paul calls believers to live prepared for the return of Christ, recognizing that the Day of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly, and with unavoidable judgment. Rather than speculating about dates and times, Christians are to live prepared with expectancy, walk as children of light, remain spiritually awake and sober, and stand firm in faith, love, and the hope of salvation. Because Christ has secured our salvation through His death and resurrection, we are also called to encourage and build one another up as we await His glorious return.
Live Prepared…Live with Expectation
1 Thessalonians 5:1–3 (ESV)
1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
“The prophets were little interested in chronology, and the future was always viewed as imminent … the Old Testament prophets blended the near and the distant perspectives so as to form a single canvas. Biblical prophecy is not primarily three-dimensional but two; it has height and breadth but is little concerned about depth, i.e., the chronology of future events … the distant is viewed through the transparency of the immediate. It is true that the early church lived in expectancy of the return of the Lord, and it is the nature of biblical prophecy to make it possible for every generation to live in expectancy of the end.” George Ladd
The Day of the Lord
- Unknown in its timing (:1)
- Unexpected in its arrival (:2)
- Unmistakable in its judgment (:3)
- Unavoidable in its consequences (:3)
Matthew 24:42–44 (ESV)
42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Luke 17:26–30 (ESV)
26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all— 30 so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
2 Peter 3:10 (ESV)
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Signs Preceding Christ’s Return
- The Preaching of the Gospel to All Nations (Matthew 24:14).
- Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21-22).
- False Christs and False Prophets (Matthew 24:4-5).
- Powerful Signs in the Heavens (Matthew 24:29).
- The Appearance of the Man of Lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).
- The Salvation of “All Israel” (Matthew 24:31).
Hebrews 3:15 (ESV)
As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
Live as Children of Light
1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 (ESV)
4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
John 8:12 (ESV)
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Ephesians 5:8 (ESV)
8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Live Prepared by Being Spiritually Awake and Sober
1 Thessalonians 5:6–7 (ESV)
6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.
Romans 13:11–12 (ESV)
11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Mark 14:38 (ESV)
38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
1 Thessalonians 5:8 (ESV)
8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
Encouraging Others
1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 (ESV)
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
Romans 5:8–9 (ESV)
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
Isaiah 53:5 (ESV)
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Hebrews 10:24–25 (NLT)
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Living Prepared Discussion Questions:
- What would change in your priorities if you lived with a greater sense of expectancy for Christ’s return?
- What does it practically mean to “walk as children of light” in today’s culture?
- What habits help you stay prepared and spiritually awake and attentive to God’s voice?
Living Prepared Application Questions:
- What is one specific step you will take this week to live more prepared for Christ’s return?