Introduction

Good morning, everyone! I'm so glad to see each and every one of you here today. We're about to get into some really interesting stuff. Now, I know that Sundays are meant for rest, but I promise you, this won't feel like work. We're going to have a chat, a good old fashioned chat, about something that's been on my heart for a while.

You might be wondering, "What's the topic for today?" Well, let me tell you. We're going to be talking about prophecy, about a thief in the night, and about our responsibilities as Christians. Sounds intriguing, right? I'm excited about it too!

Let's start off with a quote that I came across recently. It’s from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor and theologian who stood up against the Nazi regime. He once said, "The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children." That quote really struck a chord with me, and I think it ties in well with what we're going to talk about today.

Now, let's read our Scripture passages for this morning. We'll start with Matthew 25:14-30:

[Read passages]

Let's pray together before we get started.

Dear Heavenly Father, we're so thankful for this day and for the opportunity to gather together as a community. We ask that You would open our hearts and minds to Your Word and to the message that You have for us today. Help us to understand and apply these truths in our lives. We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Alright, now that we've set the stage, let's get into it. Are you ready? I know I am! Let's go!

The Day of the Lord in Prophecy

In the book of Zephaniah, we find a vivid description of what is often referred to as "The Day of the Lord." This is a term that appears frequently throughout the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament prophets. It's a day of judgment, a day of reckoning. It's a day when God's justice will be fully realized, when wrongs will be righted, and when God's people will be vindicated.

Imagery: Zephaniah paints a picture of this day with stark, even terrifying imagery. He speaks of a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation. It's a day when the whole earth will be consumed by the fire of God's jealousy. It's a day when all the earth will be silent before the Lord God. Yet, even in the midst of this terrifying description, there's a note of hope. Zephaniah speaks of a remnant, a group of people who will be spared from this day of wrath. These are the humble, the meek, those who seek righteousness and humility. These are the ones who will be hidden on the day of the Lord's anger.

The New Testament: In his letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul also speaks of the Day of the Lord. But his description is somewhat different from Zephaniah's. Paul speaks of this day as coming like a thief in the night, suddenly and unexpectedly. He warns his readers not to be caught off guard, not to be found sleeping when this day arrives.

Not just a future event, but a present reality: It's something that we should be prepared for, something that should shape our lives and our actions. We're called to live as children of the light, not of the darkness. We're called to be awake, to be sober, to put on the armor of faith and love, and the helmet of the hope of salvation.

The parable of the talents in Matthew's Gospel: This parable is often interpreted as a lesson about using our gifts and resources wisely. But it's also a story about the Day of the Lord. The master in the story represents God, and his servants represent us. The master goes away on a journey, leaving his servants in charge of his property. This is like the current age, where God has entrusted us with His world and His work. But the master will return, and when he does, he will settle accounts with his servants. This is the Day of the Lord.

The words of the Psalmist: In Psalm 90, we find a prayer for wisdom and for a right understanding of our lives. The Psalmist speaks of our lives as fleeting, as a mere breath. He speaks of God's wrath and of our sinfulness. But he also prays for wisdom, for a heart of wisdom that understands the brevity of life and the importance of living rightly. This Psalm, like the other passages we've looked at, speaks to the reality of the Day of the Lord. It reminds us that our lives are short, that we're accountable to God, and that we need wisdom to live rightly.

So, what does all this mean for us? How should these truths about the Day of the Lord shape our lives? I believe there are several implications.

First, we should live with a sense of urgency. The Day of the Lord is coming, and we don't know when. We need to be ready, to be prepared. Second, we should live with a sense of responsibility. God has entrusted us with His world and His work, and we will be held accountable for how we use these gifts. Third, we should live with a sense of hope. Even in the midst of judgment, there is mercy. Even in the midst of wrath, there is grace. Fourth, we should live with a sense of humility. We are not the masters of our own fate. We are not the captains of our own souls. We are servants of the Most High God, and our lives are in His hands.

The Thief in the Night

As we continue, we find ourselves in the heart of the matter, the thief in the night ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO