THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS

 "Preparing for the Return of Jesus" 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

HE WILL COME AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT (VV 1-4)

FOR SOME, BUT NOT FOR OTHERS
The Lord's coming will be a surprise for many as the 'thief in the night picture' clearly 
illustrates (1 Thes 5:2; cf  2 Peter 3:10).
But for those who heed the warnings of Scripture, the 'Day' will not overtake them as 
a thief (1 Thes 5:1-2,4) because they will be ready for His coming, though we don't 
know when it will be; and because they will have taken to heart the words of 
Scripture we shall be considering.

FOR SOME IT WILL BE AN INESCAPEABLE DESTRUCTION
Jesus will come when some are saying "peace and safety!" (1 Thes 5:3). In all the 
troubles and tribulations a sudden lull will occur. People will be saying, "peace and 
safety!" When Jesus comes it will be with "sudden destruction" (1Thes 5:3). Terrible 
signs will occur prior to His coming (Matt 24). Just as labour pains come upon a 
pregnant women. There will be no time - nor any way - to escape this destruction, 
which is described in more detail in the second epistle to the Thessalonians 
(2 Thes 1:7-10).

This day will be one of glory for those who are ready (2 Thes 1:10). That is for those
who now 'sleep in Jesus' (1 Thes 4:13-16) and for those prepared for His coming when
He does descend (1 Thes 4:17-18).

What will this 'day' mean for us, when the Lord comes as a "thief in the night"?
Will it be a day of destruction or a day of delight? It depends whether we are prepared
for His coming; and proper preparation means...

WE SHOULD LIVE AS SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE DAY (vv 5-11)

WE NEED TO BE WATCHFUL AND SOBER...
We are "sons and daughters of the light" and of the "day" (1 Thes 5:5) because we 
follow Jesus the "Light of the world". (John 8:12 & 12:35-36).

We are "sons and daughters of light" and of the "day" because we are now 'in Jesus', 
and walk in the Light (Ephesians 5:8 & 1 John 1:5-7) [light of world = God's presence,
God, truth etc.]
Also it's because we cast off works of darkness, and seek to walk properly (Romans 13:
11-14).
We are to be watchful for His coming (1 Thes 5:6); for no-one knows the day nor the 
hour (1 Thes 5:2 & Matt 24: 36,42).
Watchfulness includes prayer (1 Peter 4:7).
Watchfulness includes repentance and strengthening that which we have; in 
Revelation 3:2-3 it says, "Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I 
have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what
you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will 
come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you."

Sardis does seem aware of her true spiritual state. Everyone thinks it's a good and
alive Church, but Jesus knows better! Her works do not measure up to God's standard. 
They must build on what remains good, repent and be obedient.

On the other hand 'sleep' in our text (v6) refers to spiritual slackness (1 Thes 5:6-7). 
We are to be 'self-controlled' (1 Thes 5:6-8a). The word 'sober' is used in other 
translations and means to be temperate or abstinent, indeed 'self-controlled'. We are to
be sober-minded, watchful, circumspect/cautious!

Read how Jesus relates this to watching for His coming in Luke 21:34-36 - "Be careful, 
or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of 
life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all 
those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that 
you may be able to stand before the Son of Man".

WE ARE TO BE A PEOPLE ARMED AND WAITING...
In all soberness (seriousness), putting on the "armour of God" (1 Thes 5:8).

We must put on the breastplate of faith and love - because faith and love protect our 
hearts from much evil. Now, faith comes from the Word of God, and love comes from 
Him who is the Word (Romans 10:17 & 1 John 3:16).

We must put on the helmet, the hope of salvation. Our hope of salvation protects our 
minds from much fear and doubt; and hope also comes from the Word of God (Romans 
15:4). [Our "armour" is taught in more detail by Paul in Ephesians 6:11-18] 

We are encouraged to wait and not give up our faith because God has appointed us to 
salvation (1 Thes 5:9-10). He has not appointed us to wrath, to suffer His anger! We 
know a day of anger and judgement is coming (Romans 2:4-11); yet Jesus has come to 
deliver us from that anger (1 Thes 1:10). He has appointed us to salvation!!

It's like getting a letter offering you a job. When you have received the letter it means
you have the job! Likewise the Spirit within us is our guarantee that we have been 
delivered from God's anger that we have passed from death to life! YOU HAVE IT!

We have it through the shed blood of His Son (Romans 5:8-10). So, whether we are 
alive at Jesus coming, or asleep, meaning body asleep, but spirit alive and in His 
presence, we will all live together with Christ forever! (1 Thes 4:14,17; Phil 1:21-23).

THE THOUGHT OF JESUS RETURN IS TO BRING US ALL COMFORT AND SHOULD BE USED 
TO BUILD ONE ANOTHER UP 
We are to comfort one another (1 Thes 5:11) with the comfort we each receive from 
God (2 Cor 1:3-4); with the comfort of our hope we have in Christ (1 Thes 4:18). We 
are to edify (build up) one another (1 Thes 5:11). This is a goal we are to pursue 
(Romans 14:19; 15:2), building each other up is the primary work of the Church 
(Ephesians 4:11-12, 15-16). 

CONCLUSION
Will we be prepared when Christ comes? It all depends... Whether we are watchful.
Are we serious about His coming? Are we putting on the armour of God? With faith and 
love as a breastplate protecting our hearts? With the hope of salvation as a helmet 
protecting our minds? 

Are we actively engaged in comforting and edifying each other? If so, then we are truly
sons and daughters of the 'light' and sons and daughters of the 'day'!

What is it that is absolutely necessary for us to be doing? Reading and studying the
Word of God which builds faith and hope and which provides comfort.

Seeing the importance of the Church of God together with fellowship, where love is to 
be expressed among members and where comfort and edification is to be experienced 
by members. 

Preparing for the return of Jesus cannot happen without diligent application of God's 
Word and active participation in the Lord's Church.

Lets be sons and daughters of the Light, the Truth and Purity of God. Lets be sober 
watchful and prepared for our Lord's return and cautious against our enemy ever trying 
to destroy our faith and our Church. Lets put on God's armour and stand firm with the 
Sword, His Word in our hands. Lets not grow tired and give up our faith for we have 
been appointed to salvation and not God's anger. Let us be filled with New Testament
hope, the certainty of the truth of God's Word and the promises found there for us. 
Let's encourage one another and the day of the Lord's return gets nearer. Let's 
remember the importance of God's Word and the importance of His Church and 
fellowship together! 

If we love someone who has gone away, we will always be looking for their return and 
preparing in every way for their coming!

I am sure that we would want that loved one to find things just as they would want 
them, and us dressed in our best to greet them! 

       
Don Attenborough      
Ashtead Baptist Church        

I acknowledge the 'sermon outlines' provided by Mark Copeland when preparing this talk. 
 Copyright protected not to be reproduced without permission - March 30th 2008