Faithfulness While We Wait

Oregon Pastor Rob

Waiting... • Sermon • Submitted a year ago

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

Isaiah 35

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Introduction:

· In 2011, a bus travelled downtown Salem, Bush Pasture Park (Weirdos? A topic to ignore?)

· Advent contrast: Excitement for Jesus’ first coming; ambivalence about his second coming

THE THESSALONIANS DIDN’T HAVE THIS PROBLEM; THEY HAD TROUBLE WITH HOW TO LIVE IN THE MEANTIME. THE FIRST THING IS THAT WE EXPECT HIS RETURN.

I) We Must Expect Jesus’ Return

A. Jesus’ return will come like a thief while the world seeks “Peace and security”

i. The World seeks “peace and Security” (vs. 3)

1. Inscriptions: “Peace and Security” won by military and political power

2. What give us “peace & stability”? political, social, means? wealth?

ii. Jesus’ Return: Something we can prepare for & something we can’t (vv. 2, 3)

1. ILLUSTRATE: buy a home, fix up the yard, paint, (ignore security!)

2. We focus on peace & security NOW that we fail to see eternity

B. Jesus’ return will come like a thief that we can expect

i. A thief doesn’t surprise those who expect it (vs. 4, 1)

1. ILLUSTRATION: taking the neighbor’s warning to heart; buy an alarm

2. Advent: urges to remember that Jesus will most certainly return

ii. We Are to Encourage one another: (vs. 11)

1. If we’re so comfortable here & now, Jesus’ return might not mean much

2. EXAMPLE: Preaching in Liberia to those suffering in the present

I WANT US TO NOT TO LIVE FOR THE “PEACE AND SECURITY” OF THIS WORLD BUT FOR THE HOPE OF JESUS’ RETURN. IF WE’RE EXPECTING JESUS’ RETURN, HOW MIGHT WE LIVE DIFFERENTLY WHILE WE WAIT.

II) We Must Live Faithfully While We Wait for his return

A. Those In the Darkness Live Unprepared for Jesus’ Return (vv. 5-8)

i. Those asleep or drunk live without hope of Jesus’ Return (vv. 6-7)

1. Darkness & night: the confusion of time careening towards…nothing!

1. EXAMPLE: A babysitter who told us to do whatever we wanted

2. A way of life focused on self, living for instant gratification

B. Those Who Have been Brought into the Light Live Prepared for His Return

i. But we ARE NOW in the light, and children of the day (vv. 5, 8)

1. Notice that this isn’t a future reality – but a present one

2. The birth of Jesus is the arrival of light into the darkness, hope into a hopeless world—and because of Jesus we are in the light

ii. Therefore we are to live as who we are

1. We aren’t motivated by what the world is motivated by, celebrate what het world celebrates, we don’t lveo what the world loves, or value what the world values

2. BUT in a “selfish world” we are to be known by our love (vs. 8)

WE DO THIS BECAUSE, AS PAUL SAYS, WE ARE NOT APPOINTED FOR WRATH. AND I KNOW THAT RAISES A LOT OF EYEBROWS – WHICH BRINGS US TO THE LAST POINT.

III) We Need Not Fear The Lord’s Return

A. Should We Fear God’s Wrath?

i. Isn’t Judgment an outdated view of God?

1. For many, this talk of “judgment” is incompatible with God

2. EXAMPLE: Primitive civilizations: gods as angry, but we are modern.

ii. Judgment is actually a good belief to hold to

1. YET: The premise that anger is inappropriate for God is flawed and we know this from our own experience

2. EXAMPLE: our anger at injustice leads us to act, to punish, & restore

B. No! We’ve Been Rescued From Wrath

i. For the Christian, there is hope for rescue

1. we feel we are above board – yet scrutiny would prove otherwise

2. The gospel: Jesus came once, and will come again for our salvation

ii. Therefore, the hope of our salvation is a helmet

1. Our helmet: the promise that Jesus IS our salvation

2. EXAMPLE: how do you let go of slights? Unfair treatment? Injustice in the world?

Transition:

Conclusion

Communion & Advent

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