Living In Anticipation Of His Coming Part 1
I Thessalonians 5:1-11
Pastor John Talley
Part of The Waiting Church
April 19, 2020

Read I Thessalonians 5:1-11

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Knowing that we are safe from the coming

of God should not result in but a all the more .

I. Our comprehension 5:1-3

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. —I Thessalonias 5:1-3

  • A. Our preparations 5:1-2
    1. No need for more information
    2. No need to worry about the timing
  • B. Our understanding 5:3
    1. There is a “day” coming when God will judge the sins of the world
    2. Once the world recognizes the reality of it; it will be too late

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While the world clamors for

, we must of the .

II. Our protection 5:4-5

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. —I Thessalonians 5:4-5

  • A. Because of who we are not 5:4
  • B. Because of who we are 5:5

Our

is what our and for how we should .

III. Our application 5:6-11

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. 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. —I Thessalonians 5:6-11

  • A. Personal 5:6-7
    1. Negative 5:6a
    2. Positive 5:6b-7
      a. Mental alertness
      b. Moral alertness
  • B. Spiritual 5:8-10
    1. Live out our identity 5:8
    2. Live out our destiny 5:9-10
  • C. Corporate 5:11

The waiting church is to

the of who we are, to be one another to be more and more .


Small Group Questions

  1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

  2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind? This would be a great opportunity as a group to use the Ask a Pastor feature and that way we can address it either directly or in the messages in the future.

  3. How can we sound the alarm of coming judgment effectively in our culture?

  4. How does our identity in Christ assist us in our daily lives as we wait for Christ’s return?

  5. Are you encouraging others to be strong and faithful until Christ’s return? What are some things we can do to further encourage one another?