Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

When God brought Israel out of Egypt, He instituted the Passover, and it was supposed to be eaten in a particular way.

First, they slaughtered the lamb and put its blood on the doorposts of the houses where they would gather.

Then they could eat it roasted, but not raw or boiled.

They could not leave anything until the morning.

They also had to eat it a certain way.

Exodus 12:11 says, “Now you shall eat it in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste⁠—it is the Passover of Yahweh.”

After that, Yahweh would go through Egypt and strike down all of the firstborn, man and beast, in order to execute His judgments against all the gods of Egypt.

The key here is that they had to eat it on high alert, ready and watchful.

Great danger was coming, and they did not want to be swept away in it with the Egyptians.

Our text tonight falls in a similar context, let me read it, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-7.

4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief, 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day.

We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be awake and sober.

7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

Last week Craig mentioned that he was starting verse 4 to provide context for the first three verses, and I want to pick up where he left off tonight.

We’ll review verse 4 to get a running start as we work through this section.

It lays a foundation for 5-7.

So, in 1 Thessalonians 5:4-7, I want to show you two pairs of contrasts that will teach you to stay awake and sober as we wait for the day of the Lord.

First, we will see that you are not in darkness, but you are sons of light.

Then we will see how you need to act accordingly—not sleeping, but being awake and sober.

Let’s look at it now.

1.

You are not in darkness

4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief,

“But you, brothers”

Contrast with v. 3 “they/them” - gets their attention

Endearment, comfort, reassuring

“are not in darkness”

Essentially a disability, blind, unable to perceive surroundings

Spiritually, it means that they lack understanding and are bewildered at heart

“Their foolish heart was darkened” Rom 1:21

“Darkened in their understanding” Eph 4:18

Deut 28:15, 28-29, “Yahweh will strike you with madness and with blindness and with bewilderment of heart; and you will grope at noon, as the blind man gropes in darkness, and you will not succeed in your ways; but you shall only be oppressed and robbed all your days, with none to save you.”

Unfortunate combination of least awareness and greatest danger

Darkness is known for the wicked actions it conceals:

John 3:19, "Men loved the darkness… for their deeds were evil”

Eph 5:11, “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness”

2 Cor 6:14, Do not be “bound together,” “partner,” or “fellowship” with “unbelievers,” “lawlessness,” and “darkness”

Like a child afraid of the dark, be comforted that you have no reason to fear.

You are safe.

Everything is going to be okay.

“that the day would overtake you”

This is THE day, the day of the Lord from v. 2

What will the day of the Lord be like?

READ Zeph 1:14-18

Not like being overtaken by daylight savings in the spring

It is a day of distress, bitter cries, and destruction

It is a day of bloody fury and divine wrath

You do not want this day to overtake you

"Overtake” implies that the day is stronger than the darkness.

You can never make a room so dark that it puts out the light; however, the opposite is true.

Turn on the light, and the darkness will flee before it.

John 1:5, “the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.”

It is not possible for darkness to overtake the light.

It is not possible for those in darkness to escape the day.

READ Amos 5:18-20.

Rejoice that you serve Jesus, the light of the world whose victory is secure.

“like a thief”

Thieves love darkness, it is no surprise that those in darkness are robbed.

Generally, this implies that darkness is vulnerable on the day.

The day is judgment: John 3:18-21,

19 And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light lest his deeds be exposed.

21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been done by God.

Deeds of darkness cannot withstand exposure to light.

Like camera film, they are destroyed by exposure to light.

Specifically, this implies that the day will come suddenly.

Zeph 1:14 said it is “near and coming very quickly”

Matt 24:42-44, “Therefore stay awake, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming… the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

This thief will steal more than your iPhone.

It will steal your soul.

Thieves are scary because they steal lives in addition to possessions.

Be thankful that Jesus will lose none of those the Father has given Him.

2. You are sons of light

5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day.

“you are all”

Brief encouragement that none have been left out.

Not like Jesus telling his disciples, “One of you will betray me.”

“sons of”

To be known as a son can be either a privilege or a curse

Sons inherit the name of the family

Firstborn sons inherit a double portion of property

A title with “son of...” describes who your identity and heritage

OT phrase “sons of belial” in KJV, now translated “vile men” (Sodom)

Sons of Thunder - James and John’s temperament (Mark 3:17)

son of perdition - Judas’ divinely appointed fate (John 17:12)

Son of Encouragement - Barnabas’ spiritual gift (Acts 4:36)

Your identity as a son brings responsibility to act a certain way

Deut 14:1-2, You are the sons of Yahweh your God; you shall not gash yourselves nor shave your forehead for the sake of the dead.

For you are a holy people to Yahweh your God, and Yahweh has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Remember Uncle Ben said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

“sons of light and sons of day”

Jesus is THE Light of the world

A “son of light” believes in Jesus and does not remain in darkness.

John 12:35-36, 45-46, 35 So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you.

Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.

36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light… 45 And he who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46 I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.”

Many verses describe our transition from darkness to light

Acts 26:18, Jesus sent Paul to the Gentiles “to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God”

1 Pet 2:9, We were “called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”

Eph 5:8, Paul outlines our new moral responsibility, “for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light”