“WHAT NOW?” 1 Thessalonians
FBCF – 11/4/20 Refresh
Jon Daniels
INTRO – We are in the midst of a “what now” moment. Been experiencing a lot of these in recent days.
- Usually ask this question when you reach a point of no return in a situation or a relationship
Or we ask this question when we’ve really blown it & it seems like we don’t have any way to go forward.
- Roy Riegels – 1929 Rose Bowl – GA Tech vs Cal. Center Roy Riegels recovered punt for Cal & ran 65 yds in wrong direction before one of his own players tackled him on 1 yd line before he crossed the wrong goal line. Cal decided to punt rather risk a play that close to goal line. Tech blocked up for a safety, totally demoralizing the Golden Bears.
o Locker room at halftime – Roy sat in corner w/ towel over his head. Coach told team that same team that started 1st half would start 2nd half. Team left locker room. Roy stayed. Coach: “Roy, didn’t you hear me? Same team that started 1st half…” Roy: “I can’t, Coach. Embarrassed you, myself, this university. Can’t face that crowd again.” Coach: “Get up & go back out there. The game is only half over.” Even though Cal lost the game 8-7, Riegels played harder than he ever played, blocked a punt in 2nd half.
Riegels faced a “what now” decision in that locker room after making a horrible mistake that had some serious consequences & actually ended up costing his team the game. Tonight, you may find yourself in the middle of a “what now” situation. May be suffering through some of the consequences. Or may be facing some consequences that are coming. We’ve all been there & will be there again. So, let’s talk about how to move forward from a “what now” situation.
EXPLANATION – 1 Thessalonians written by Apostle Paul. One of his 1st letters. Wrote this letter to:
- Encourage new believers
- Give them assurance of eternal life
- Remind them of 2nd coming of Christ
- Challenge & encourage them to live a godly life
Some good stuff here that is definitely applicable to our lives today. Listen to some of the things that Paul write about as he challenges & encourages this church:
- Proclaims Christ to be Lord of all
- Proclaims the doctrine of the 2nd Coming
- Encourages believers who are facing persecution
- Warns against sexual impurity
- Gives practical advice on everyday behavior as a Christ-follower
- Strong evangelistic, missionary challenge
APPLICATION – 1 Thess. is a great letter for us in the “what now” moments of our lives.
What do we need to do in those “what now” moments?
Keep Trusting
That God hears our prayers – 1:2-3 – Prayer is a must in our “what now” moments. It should be our first response when we find ourself in a “what now” moment. It’s the means by which God acts in our lives.
- Matthew 21:22 – “Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
- John 15:7 – “If you remain in me & my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, & it will be given you.”
That Jesus is coming again – 1:10; 4:15-18; 5:2 – This is our HOPE – our confident expectation! When you “wait,” you’re expecting something to happen – usually soon. That’s what the Thessalonian believers were expecting. How much more should you & I expect it since we are 2000 yrs farther along on God’s calendar? 1 Corinthians 15:52 – “…in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet…we shall be changed.”
That the Gospel is true – 2:4; 4:14; 5:9-11 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, & forever (Hebrews 13:8). That means that, no matter what our “what now” moment looks like, Jesus is still in the business of saving lost souls & changing lives for all eternity.
- 2:4 – We need to speak it!
- 4:14 – We have to believe it!
- 5:9-10 – We need to rejoice in it b/c we are not “destined for wrath” – i.e., we don’t have an appointment w/ the wrath of God b/c Jesus kept that appointment for us! Listen to this:
o “When we really see the love of Christ for us – that He actually bore our sins & punishment on the cross – then we break before Him in humble adoration & love. Love floods us, for He did so much for us. We never have to die; we never have to bear the punishment of sin – all b/c He loved us. Therefore, our hearts reach out to Him broken & pouring love back to Him.” (The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible, Thessalonians-Philemon, p. 50)
Keep Travailing – 2:1-2,9 – “travail” – “hard work; pain, anguish, or suffering resulting from mental or physical hardship; pain of childbirth”
“conflict” – struggle, fight, battle, competition
Christian life not meant to be easy. All will have our share of hardships & trials, just like Paul did here w/ the Thessalonians.
- “suffered & been shamefully treated”
- Could have let that inhibit spread of Gospel. But he didn’t. Continued to boldly preach & spread Gospel despite opposition.
Our hardships & anguish is an opportunity for the Lord to take us deeper in our walk w/ Him.
Also an opportunity for us to show others how to handle pain in a Godly, Christ-honoring way by not giving up & not lashing out at those who are causing the pain.
Keep Treasuring – 2:8 – Christian brothers & sisters are treasures to us.
- We “share” ourselves w/ each other – give ourselves
These relationships are so important in our “what now” moments!!!
- Look around this room. Think about this Church FAMILY. We don’t just come to this building once or twice a week, say “Hi”, then forget about each other until next week.
- We are doing life together!
- That’s what the Church is all about! Those “what now” moments are when we need each other the most!
Keep Trying – Don’t give up! Keep trying to live for God.
- Winston Churchill: “Never give in. Never give in. Never. Never. Never. In nothing, great or small, large or petty, never give in, except to convictions of honor & good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
- Churchill not known to be a theologian, but we can certainly apply that to our lives in our “what now” moments.
- 4:12-21 – practical advice on how to do this
- Riegels had to get back out on that field, even though he had messed up big time, was embarrassed, & caused others to suffer loss.
CONCLUSION –
A widely respected man known as "Uncle Johnson" died in Michigan at the incredible age of 120. Perhaps his advanced years could be credited in part to the cheerful outlook that characterized his life.
One day while at work in his garden, he was singing songs of praise to God. His pastor, who was passing by, looked over the fence and called, "Uncle Johnson, you seem very happy today."
"Yes, I was just thinking," said the old man.
"Thinking about what?" questioned his pastor.
"Oh, I was just thinking that if the crumbs of joy that fall from the Master’s table in this world are so good, what will the great loaf in glory be like! I tell you, sir, there will be enough for everyone and some to spare up there."
No matter what our “what now” moments look like here on earth, one day it will all be made right!
