A Thief In The Night Series

Matthew 24:43

43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

As we seek the Lord today for His guidance, let's remember in Matthew 24:43 that Jesus was referring to the way He would return, not an actual thief.

We must remember that the same way He went up is the same way He will come again, only we will not know the day nor the hour of His return.

As we partake of the holiness of God, we must understand the concept of the word thief to know what the theft may consist of or what it is that he/ she may do as a thief.

So what is the definition of a thief?

a person who steals another person's property, especially by stealth and without using force or violence

But today we are talking about one who comes aware.

We know that oftentimes when a robbery occurs, you are not aware of it until the crime has been committed. As we build up riches here on this earth if we are not watchful of our spiritual life then we leave ourselves open for destruction and our work undone.

If you knew what time the thief was coming then instead of going about to do the Lord's will, we would become watchful and inactive as the sinner man . We would lay in wait for the thief, hoping to catch him sneaking through a window. All the while , no one is getting a word. No one is getting saved. Nobody is being about the father's business, because we are now worried about the thief.

The song writer says it like this…"No man knows the day nor the hour when the Lord will surely come. That's why we gotta get our house in order, don't let Him catch you with your work undone."

2 Peter 3:10

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

I tell you now is the time to get ready saints. NOW is the time to release your faith. Now is the time to use your talents to draw souls for Christ.

We need to understand that when the Lord comes, He is not coming as a thief, but like a thief. He's going to come unaware, slip in if you will. And when he comes heaven and earth will pass away.

I can't stress this enough, but like TD Jakes says ….Get Ready, get ready,get ready!

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:52

So on today, I want you to know the thief is coming. He's coming like a uninvited guest who just stop by and you saying to yourself, I wonder what they want.

BUT WE AS CHRISTIANS SHOULD REST ASSURE....

1st Thessalonians 5:1-5

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers,1 you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.

Not very often will you offender break into a house that is well lit. And as people of God we are the light of the world, a light that sitteth on a hill which cannot be hidden.

The bible teaches that we as children of God shall not be caught off guard. But for those who don't know the Lord. It says sudden destruction will come like a woman in labor.

We know that the Lord is soon to come

Saints, that's why we should always watch and pray, and live holy everyday.

So what can we do to keep the other thief at bay? The one that is trying to steal your soul?

Tell your neighbors, we must be steadfast and unmoveable!

You must, and I must arm ourselves with the word of God .

Yes, we must get to know Jesus. Have a relationship with Him. Turn the lights on in our house and discourage the thief which comes to steal ,kill, and destroy. It's time to get this old house in order. Been run down to long. Paint beginning to peal. Nails are working themselves out. Got some broken windows that needs mending and a roof that needs fixing. Ain't God Alright!