The day of the Lord is coming, and we must prepare well.
1 Thessalonians 5 (1)
Pray Psalm 23.1-3.
The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Read 1 Thessalonians 5.1-6.
Reflect.
1. We can’t know when Jesus is coming again, be we can know that He is. Why should that be enough for us?
2. What difference does it make that we are children of “the day” and not of “the darkness”?
Meditate.
Paul echoes Jesus here (Acts 1.7) in advising the Thessalonians against speculating on the specific time of Christ’s return. The reason he had “no need to write” to them was undoubtedly because he had taught them what Jesus told His disciples just prior to His ascension. The return of the Lord will be unexpected. It comes like “a thief in the night” because when it occurs, everything that unbelieving men have been hoarding and indulging will be taken away from them, and they will discover that they are utterly and eternally without hope.
Already the “labor pains” of this fatal delivery are upon the unbelieving world. All the misery, destruction, waste, disappointment, disillusionment, and unsatisfying consumption which characterize this dark world are the pains indicating that something terrible is “slouching toward Bethlehem to be born” (Yeats). Believers know this, and we understand that the wrath of God, which is now being revealed against all manner of unbelief and unrighteousness (Rom. 1.18ff), is but a portent of a greater day of wrath to come.
When Christ comes again, believers will not be overtaken as by a thief. This is because they will not be clinging to anything that will be burned up in the judgment of the Lord. Their values, aspirations, hopes, desires, longings, joys, and delights will all be bound up in and focused on Jesus. He is coming to us, not like a thief, but as a Deliverer and Restorer and the eternal God and our Friend. At the judgment, when Jesus returns, unbelievers lose everything; Christians gain everything. We do not know when He is coming again, so we must work hard to make our lives such that, when He does return, we will be clinging to nothing which, to lose, would cause us any regret.
Therefore, let us not be lulled into thinking that the pleasures and treasures of this life hold any lasting thrall or hope for us as followers of Christ. We do not sleep in the darkness; we walk in the light, as He is in the light. And so, because we are not of the night but of the day, we are preparing toward that day by working out our salvation, increasing in holiness and Christlikeness, continuing to bear witness to the Lord and His coming, and encouraging one another in our walk with and work for the Kingdom and glory of God.
Prepare.
1. Material things are not inherently evil. Is there a difference between “worldly things” and “necessities”? How can we know which is which?
2. Is it part of the Good News of God’s Kingdom to explain to unbelievers that a day of “bad news” is coming? How would you do that? What would you say? And what would you point to in our day as a portent or “labor pain” of that coming day?
3. We are “sons of light and sons of the day.” How should the people in your Personal Mission Field be able to see that this is so?
…we must be desirous to learn so far as our heavenly Master doth teach us; but as for such things as he will have us ignorant of, let [none] be so bold as to inquire after them that we may be wise with sobriety. Therefore, so often as we are vexed with this foolish desire of knowing more than we ought, let us call to mind this saying of Christ, “It is not for you to know.” For unless we will burst in against his will and commandment, this shall have force and strength enough to restrain the outrageousness of our wits. John Calvin (1509-1564),Commentary on Acts 1
Lord, I know I must daily prepare for Your coming, and for today, that means…
Pray Psalm 23.
Meditate on those green pastures and still waters, on that banquet table, and on what it means to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Give thanks and praise to God for what awaits you when Jesus returns.
Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 23 (The Gift of Love: Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire)
Because the Lord my Shepherd is I shall not want, for I am His!
He makes me lie in pastures full; I rest in Him by waters still.
My soul He quickens and will bless; He leads in paths of righteousness.
Though I may walk in death’s dark vale, I shall not fear – He will not fail!
The Lord is ever by my side; His rod and staff with me abide.
A table rich for me He spreads; with oil my Lord anoints my head.
Goodness and mercy, full and free, shall ever after follow me,
and in the house of God, my Lord, shall I abide forevermore!
T. M. Moore
You can map out your Personal Mission Field by watching this brief video (click here). Download the worksheet that goes with the video and get started working your Personal Mission Field today.
Forward today’s study to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link to the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Paul’s ministry and prepare for your own.
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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).
