Being Prepared 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8

Transcription

1 Being Prepared 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 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 February 7, 2016.

2 Respect the preparation illustrated

3 Seeing the future can mean apprehension Possible crises How prepared are you for the Apocalypse Chicago Magazine, May 2015 Dirty bomb Loss of water supply Snow event Blackout Urban Riots

4 Seeing the future can mean apprehension Possible crises How prepared are you for the Apocalypse Actual crises Hurricane Katrina, Ebola outbreak

5 Seeing the future can mean apprehension Possible crises How prepared are you for the Apocalypse Actual crises Hurricane Katrina, Ebola outbreak With every new epidemic or terrorist attack, a new batch of preppers is born.... We think of it like sediment.... Another headline, another layer forms. David Scott, LifeSource

6 Facing the future can motivate action He walked me down to his basement and cracks open two large plastic storage trunks. Inside one is... The other trunk holds... Chicago Magazine, May 2015

7 Having faith should manifest anticipation Encouraging priorities Preparing in love Defining our perspective Living in hope

8 Remember the principles demonstrated

9 The insecurity Paul addressed His own departure Jesus delay

10 The instruction Paul affirmed Fulfilled prophecy demonstrates God s absolute control of human history what God says, He does; what God promises, He fulfills, precisely when and as He promised. Fulfilled prophecy gives us confidence in the Scriptures and assures us that prophecies pertaining to the future will be fulfilled.... Bob Deffinbaugh

11 The instruction Paul affirmed... Prophecy also gives us hope and produces perseverance in difficult days. Prophecy motivates us to trust and obey and to lay up treasure in heaven, rather than on earth. Bob Deffinbaugh

12 The instruction Paul affirmed Return certain, but delayed Response determined by belief

13 Recognize the practice advocated

14 There is a distinction made 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5, 7 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.... For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.

15 There is a distinction made As the Gospels divide all peoples at the judgment into wheat and tares to sheep and goats, so Paul placed the whole of humanity in two camps. The lines are drawn sharply, and no middle ground is contemplated.... D. Michael Martin

16 There is a distinction made... Christianity is not a religion in which one can dabble. It is not possible to hedge the bet by belonging to both the church and another religious group. One is either of the light or in darkness. D. Michael Martin

17 There is a distinction made Titus 2:11-12 ESV For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.

18 There is a direction marked 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8 ESV So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober....but since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

19 There is a direction marked But let us be prepared, being spiritually alert, firm in the faith, courageous, strong, calmly, but with glad anticipation, looking forward to the future day. Let us, moreover, do all this because we belong to the day and not to the night. William Hendricksen

20 There is a direction marked With proper equipment Faith gives us sight; love guides our steps; hope settles our souls. Pastor Dave

21 There is a direction marked With proper equipment When faith is weak, love grows cold. When love grows cold, hope is lost. When hope in God s promise of future glory is weak, believers are vulnerable to temptation and sin.... John MacArthur

22 There is a direction marked With proper equipment... Only those who keep the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of the hope of salvation firmly in place can resist effectively the onslaught of the forces of darkness. John MacArthur

23 There is a direction marked With proper equipment With patient effort 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 ESV We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 There is a direction marked With proper equipment With patient effort Romans 13:14 ESV But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

25 There is a direction marked With proper equipment With patient effort Put on Jesus Christ when you get up in the morning. Make Him a part of your life that day. Intend that He go with you everywhere you go and that He act through you in everything you do. Call upon His resources. Live your life IN CHRIST. Ray Stedman