Preparing for Your Future 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5, 9

Transcription

1 Preparing for Your Future 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5, 9 Also available are a text-only version of the outline at or an audio podcast at This is a pdf file for the PowerPoint notes for the continuation of a series on Paul s letter to the Thessalonians by Pastor Dave Tietjen on January 31, 2016.

2 Predicting the future is precarious

3 Predicting the future is precarious because... poking fun is possible

4 Predicting the future is precarious because... stoking fear is tempting Earth Day Then and Now We are doomed... starving... freezing... choking... running out of gas. Ronald Bailey

5 Predicting the future is precarious because... stoking fear is tempting New York City under water At this point, the following video clip was shown:

6 Predicting the future is precarious because... forgetting is likely Technology moves so quickly today that any looming resource constraint will be nothing more than a blip. We adjust. Phil Verleger

7 Predicting the future is precarious because... forgetting is likely The concerns of 1900 Forecasting environmental concerns for 2100

8 Predicting the future is precarious because... forgetting is likely The concerns of 1900 Forgetting environmental concerns in 1900 What about the horses?

9 Predicting the future is precarious because... forgetting is likely The changes since 1900 Radio, airport, movie, etc.

10 Predicting the future is precarious because... forgetting is likely The changes since 1900 Earth Day 2030 I predict a much cleaner, much richer future world with less hunger and malnutrition, less poverty, longer life expectancy and lower mineral and metal prices. Ronald Bailey

11 Preparing for the future is (spiritually) possible

12 by seeking assurance Two distinct problems have always fascinated human minds.... The first relates to what happens after death. Where are our loved ones, and shall we see them again? The second relates to what will happen at the end of the world. Is there going to be a day of reckoning, and, if so, how can we prepare for it? John Stott

13 through Scriptural affirmation 1 Thessalonians 5:1 ESV Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.

14 through Scriptural affirmation... of various events

15 through Scriptural affirmation... of vivid illustrations 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 ESV For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 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.

16 through Scriptural affirmation... of a vital affiliation Sons of light... of day 1 Thessalonians 5:4 ESV But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.

17 through Scriptural affirmation Psalm 107:10-11, 14 ESV A scriptural picture Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.... He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.

18 through Scriptural affirmation Matthew 4:12-13, 16 ESV A scriptural presence Now when (Jesus) heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali.... The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.

19 through Scriptural affirmation Acts 26:18 ESV A scriptural path To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

20 through Scriptural affirmation Colosssians 1:13 ESV A scriptural path He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.

21 through Scriptural affirmation Malachi 3:16-18 ESV A scriptural promise Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name....

22 through Scriptural affirmation Malachi 3:16-18 ESV A scriptural promise... They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

23 by being secure in our appointment 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 ESV For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.

24 by being secure in our appointment Our destiny can be deliverance