Part II
Purpose: To encourage believers to live in the light of Christ's soon return.
Aim: I want the listener to be challenged to do the work of discipling because Jesus is coming back.
REVIEW:
Vs.1-3 I. The Unsaved and the Second Coming
Vs.1-2 A. Their fate is sealed
1. The time of their judgment is unknown "like a thief in the night"
2. Their judgment is certain "the day of the Lord will come"
Vs.3a B. Their words are deceitful
1. They proclaim inner peace "peace"
2. They proclaim physical safety "safety"
Vs.3b C. Their punishment will be harsh "labor pains"
It will be severe! It will be sudden! It will be certain!
INTRODUCTION: One of the most amazing contrasts in the Bible is the difference between the fate of the unbeliever and the joy of the believer. Nothing clears away the emptiness of everyday life like learning about Christ and then sharing that with someone else. God has created us with an automatic desire to share good news. Our son Doug gave me an example of this two days ago. He texted us at 11:30 at night wanting to know if we were still up because he had some great news. The news was that he had won a tablet computer. His only computer was on its last legs and he needed a new one for his work. He was so excited that, even though he lives in southern Florida, he just had to share the news with someone.
In our text today Paul is going to show us how we can have that same kind of joy about Christ every single day.
"The Greek words for joy and grace are related; grace causes joy. In the Christian understanding, nothing brings joy like the good news of what God has done in Christ to bring us salvation. Salvation by grace is "through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works..." (Eph. 2:8--9). [1]
LESSON:
Vs.4-11 II. The Saved and the Second Coming
Vs.4 A. Believers are delivered from darkness "you...are not in darkness"
We are not IN darkness! Darkness starts long before hell is experienced. A person's understanding is in darkness before the soul suffers eternal darkness. Paul described unsaved people as those are: darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; (Ephesians 4:18 NAU)
Colossians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, (NAU)
If the rapture of the church occurs before the Day of the Lord or the seven years of tribulation then "...believers will not be present on earth to experience its terrors and destruction." [2]
Faith in Christ is the only war for us to have understanding or light. John 12:35-36 35 So Jesus said to them, "For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. 36 "While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light." These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. (NAU)
If you are not securely trusting in Christ then one day He will appear "as a thief--The two oldest manuscripts read, 'as (the daylight overtakes) thieves'" [3]
Vs.5 B. Believers belong to the light "sons of light"
"SONS OF LIGHT Hebrew idiom, implying that as sons resemble their fathers, so you are in character light (intellectually and morally illuminated in a spiritual point of view)." [4]
Christ IS our light! John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." (NAU) Ephesians 5:8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (NAU)
How can we know we belong to the light? One way is to look and see if we have a commitment to encourage and support other believers. 1 John 2:8-11 8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (NAU)
True believers also have a sense that we know that the Lord is at hand. Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (NAU)
Are you looking for the Lord's return? 2 Peter 3:10-14 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, (NAU)
"Christians are always to be wakeful and vigilant; they are so to expect the coming of the Redeemer, that he will not find them off their guard, and will not come upon them by surprise." [5]
Vs.6-8 C. Believers shouldn't look like the unsaved "as others do"
OTHERS can read "the remaining ones" i.e. the ones who don't belong to Christ.
When Paul says, "let us" he is including even the spiritually mature in his warning.
The word Paul uses for SLEEP in 4:13 refers to death. Here he uses a different word which means, "spiritual laziness, insensitive."
"LET US NOT SLEEP mee (NT:3361) katheudoomen (NT:2518). Present active subjunctive (volitive), let us not go on sleeping." [6]
Romans 13:11-14 11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. (NAU)
When we are confronted with sin, one reaction should always be, "I don't have time for this".
What are some ways we show indifference toward God?
Vs.6a, 1. Don't be lazy "let us not sleep"
Sleepiness or laziness is a natural act. Hebrews 2:1-4 1 For this reason [that Jesus is superior to all] we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. (NAU)
Jesus could not have warned us more clearly: Mark 13:31-37 31 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 32 "But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 33 "Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. 34 "It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. 35 "Therefore, be on the alert--for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning-- 36 in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 "What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!' " (NAU)
Vs.7 2. Don't be worldly "at night"
Hebrews 3:12-15 12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, 15 while it is said, "Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me." (NAU)
Vs.6b,8 3. Be in battle mode "be alert and sober"
We must understand that we are in a battle. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, (NAU)
"LET US BE SOBER "greegoroomen (NT:1127). Present active subj. (volitive) again, let us keep awake" [7]
We are not only called to work, we are called to fight. What are we fighting for? What is the battle all about?
Paul challenges us with two things we must do: in 1 Corinthians 15:34, (#1) Become sober-minded as you ought, and (#2) stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. (NAU) Our marching orders are to spread a knowledge of God. I wonder how many people know who the one true God is because of us?
We will never have passion to display God to the world around us until we see everything around us as temporary.
Peter tells us that since the world is temporary we need to keep an eternal focus. 2 Peter 3:11-12 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! (NAU)
We need to protect our heart (by the breastplate) and our heads (by the helmet).
Here Paul gives us,
Three different attitudes that we must adopt.
#1 Put on Faith-- a confidence in the Lord
#2 Put on Love-- a tender heart toward the Lord and others
#3 Put on Hope-- a confidence about the future
All of these things we are told to PUT ON, which means the same thing as, Get dressed. How can we PUT ON these new attitudes? Only one way: SELF CONTROL or "...sound moral judgment." [8]
It starts with a decision to deny ourselves worldly pleasures. Titus 2:12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, (NAU)
This then frees us so that we can be alert to the battle that is right in front of us: 1 Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (NAU)
Romans 13:10-13 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. (NAU)
Then we are ready to rejoice in God's permanent gift of grace. 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (NAU)
Vs.9 D. Believers are free from punishment "not destined us for wrath"
Now Paul comes back to the thought he started in verse four.
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. (NAU)
God's intention for them is not the wrath that will come on the earth in the day of the Lord, but the full salvation that will be theirs when the Lord returns for them in the clouds. "The wrath of God referred to here clearly refers to the Tribulation; the context makes this apparent." [9]
This freedom from the punishment of our sin then drives us to two more things.
Vs.10 E. Believers long for Christ "we will live together with Him"
Romans 14:8-9 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. (NAU)
Jesus has provided and paid for everything! We have an eternal pre-paid vacation filled with joy.
Vs.11 F. Believers support each other "encourage...build up one another"
How can we be an encouragement to each other?
"#1 Remind each other that the Lord is coming. 2 Timothy 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (NAU)
"#2 Pray with each other.
"#3 Study the Scripture with each other. We should communicate our knowledge and experiences one to another. We should join in prayer and praise one with another. We should set a good example one before another." [10]
Since Paul commanded us to encourage each other we can assume:
#1 We need encouragement. Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name. (NAU) 1 John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (NAU)
#2 Encouraging each other is a process. Romans 14:19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. (NAU)
CONCLUSION: Those who are looking for Christ's coming are serving Him joyfully.
Hebrews 9:28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. (NAU)
[1]The Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook, Walter A. Elwell, Editor, (Harold Shaw Publ., Wheaton , IL; 1984), pp. 250-251 Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002; 2002).
[2]John F. MacArthur, Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible, (Dallas: Word Publishing) 1997
[3]Jamieson, Robert; Fausset, A.R.; and Brown, David, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1998.
[4]Ibid.
[5]From Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft
[6]From Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft & Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament. Copyright (c) 1985 by Broadman Press
[7]Ibid.
[8]Youngblood, Ronald F., General Editor; F.F. Bruce and R.K. Harrison, Consulting Editors, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1995.
[9]Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985
[10]From Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.
How eager are you to see Jesus?
