By Kevin Shrum
Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville
Focal Passage: I Thessalonians 5:1-11
I once read a study noting that we may spend as much as four months out of every year waiting — we wait at stop lights and intersections, in traffic, in the fast-food line, at our doctor’s office, for friends and family to arrive and so it goes. We wait so much of the time that we waste a great deal of our time. Waiting can be deadly and detrimental. Waiting can be wasteful.
But waiting can be productive as well. There are times that we must wait, but while we wait we can prepare for what we’re waiting for. This must be the case when it comes to waiting for the Day of the Lord.
In fact, there are two “days of the Lord.” There is the “day of the Lord” — lower case “d” — referring to our day to die and meet the Lord (Heb. 9:27). And then there is the “Day of the Lord” — upper case “D” — referring to the second coming of Jesus. When that day arrives, we will give an account to God. This means that we must wait with anticipation and accountability. This was the Apostle Paul’s point in I Thessalonians 5:1-11.
Warning issued (I Thessalonians 5:1-3). The Spirit issued a stern warning through the pen of the Apostle Paul. The Thessalonian believers knew the Lord would return (vs. 1). But they needed to be reminded that Jesus’ return would be sudden, “like a thief in the night” (v. 2). Further, Paul warned God’s people to be leery when “peace and safety” (v. 3) are announced when, in fact, “sudden destruction” (v. 3) is arriving like a mother in labor. No one will escape the “Day of the Lord.” True believers live with an expectant heart that makes them live faithful and diligent lives.
Alertness required (I Thessalonians 5:4-8). Paul’s warning evoked a call to alertness. If the Lord Jesus can return at any moment – theologians call this the “imminent return of the Lord” — then they should not be surprised by His return. This is why living as a child of the light rather than as children of darkness is essential (Matthew 5:14-16). True believers are awake, alert, sober, engaged and not inebriated with lazy living. Instead, truly alert believers who are actively waiting on the Lord are filled with faith, love and hope (v. 8).
Future defined (I Thessalonians 5:9-11). And what does our future in the Lord look like? First, if we are truly in Jesus Christ we are no longer under the wrath and judgment of God (v. 9).
Second, rather than the wrath of God we have obtained the salvation of God in the person of Jesus Christ (v. 9).
Third, because Jesus died for His people, they can live for Him (v. 10). And they live together as God’s people, and not as isolated, Lone Ranger believers. Fourth, because of these amazing truths we can comfort, encourage and build each other up toward faith and good works (v. 11 and see also Hebrews 10:24-25).
So, as we wait for the return of the Lord, we do so: (1) being warned of being ready for His return, (2) alert in faith, hope, and love and (3) confident in our future in Jesus Christ. B&R