Hope for today and tomorrow
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Context: Paul continues the future hope that comes from knowing Jesus.
Structure: Paul reminds the believers that the seasons are seen, the sanctified are aware, and that there are those that are “sauced” and those that are sober. He closes with the security of the saved.
Main Idea: God will send His son to receive His bride. There are only two sides when he returns, the lost or the saved.
Biblical Theology: God’s plan has always been to send Jesus to receive His bride and there will be those who are left behind.
Application: Are we living for him in light of His return?
The
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.
Reflection - Are you watching the “seasons?”
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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.
Reflection - Are you in the light or the darkness?
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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. 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.
Reflection - Are you serious about salvation?
The
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. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
To live is Christ to die is gain.
Reflection - Are you saved?