Episode #187. Today we’ll read 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 together. Paul explains the Day of the Lord and gives the Thessalonians some final exhortations.
Transcript
Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #187. Today we’ll read 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 together: Paul explains the Day of the Lord and gives the Thessalonians some final exhortations.
Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast. I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together. Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should. It’s just easier to do it with a friend. So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud. I’m so glad you’re here!
Welcome
Well, we are going to wrap up 1st Thessalonians with the same warm hug that Paul gave to the Philippians. Honestly, were all the Bibles in the world destroyed accept for this last chapter of 1st Thessalonians, you would have the perfect outline of Godly, Christian behavior. Now, don’t hear me wrong. People would first have to be told the Gospel and believe it. But after that, this chapter would serve you well.
And, oh by the way, did you hear me say, “this final chapter?” You did it again! You finished another book in the New Testament! Are you telling your friends? Your pastor? Anyone who will slow down long enough to listen? This is a big deal and a huge commitment, and I know God is pleased with you. I just want you to know that I would love hear you brag at Lifting Her Voice.com, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
1 Thessalonians Chapter 5
The Day of the Lord
About the times and the seasons: Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief.
For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.
Exhortations and Blessings
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t stifle the Spirit. Don’t despise prophecies, but test all things. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will do it. Brothers and sisters, pray for us also. Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers and sisters. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Closing Thoughts
Here Paul continues his discussion of the end times. And the warning can be summed up in two simple words: Be prepared! Paul gives an incredible analogy in verse 2 saying, “For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.” In other words, without warning. Nobody knows. Nobody.
Throughout history, many have tried to predict Christ’s second coming. Even in our lifetimes, we have heard of believers who, following the ill-gotten advice of a trusted teacher, have sold everything they had and parked themselves on a hillside waiting for the return of Christ, only to be disappointed when He did not return according to their schedule.
So as believers, we are to believe Paul when he says that nobody knows when. Your pastor does not know. The writer of that popular novel about end times does not know. That flashy TV evangelist who seems to have all the answers? He doesn’t know either. But Paul assures us of one thing we can know: that once the end has begun, it will be as certain as the labor pains of a pregnant woman – there will be no escaping the ultimate result.
So then, what are we to do? We are told to be prepared. We do not belong to the night, like those who carouse in darkness like drunkards. Instead, we are to be self-controlled, fully dressed in the armor of God, awake and alert, ready to give an account of the faith we have in Christ. Let’s pray.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you know how we are. We want to know everything, we hate surprises and we need to feel like we are in control. But when it comes to end times, Your word is clear. We will not know until it happens. Jesus, help us to focus not on when You will return but on what condition You will find Your church when You return. Help us to be prepared, to be wholly pleasing to You. In Your holy name we pray, Amen.
Thank you for joining me here today. I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here. In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort. Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us. If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review. Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. See you right here tomorrow. Be well!
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Show Notes
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