Are We Prepared?
Open your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 which we’ll get to in a moment but first let’s pray:
Before we look at 1 Thessalonian let me read Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
The need for readiness or preparedness is taught in every area of life. Children are taught to be ready and prepared, from how to get ready for school each day, to learning how to avoid dangers by learning to "stop, look, and listen.
Boy scouts are taught how to survive in the wild, and to be prepared for good deeds.
Soldiers are taught the importance of readiness, of being properly equipped and trained for battle, of being always "vigilant" and "alert."
The question this morning, “Are today’s Christians ready for Christ’s return?
Our text says – “You too, be ready” This means whoever reads this passage – Be ready!
Before looking at 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 let me give you a brief introduction to put the verses we are going to look at in context.
1 Thessalonians is one of the earliest letters the Apostle Paul wrote to the early church; it’s also one of the first books of the New Testament to be written.
The Apostle Paul, Silas, and Timothy had been to Thessalonica on Paul’s second missionary journey.
Paul had spent a few months at Thessalonica before travelling to Berea, then to Athens, and then he went to Corinth.
Paul felt that he had not had enough time in Thessalonica to instruct the new believers in Christ as thoroughly as he would have liked - so while Paul was in Athens, he sent Timothy to further encourage the Thessalonians.
After a time, Timothy re-joined Paul in Corinth with news of the strong faith of the Thessalonians.
It was in Corinth that Paul wrote his first letter to the Thessalonian church to express his joy at their steadfastness, encourage them while suffering, and corrected misconceptions about the Lord’s return.
That brings up the question, do we have any misconceptions about the return of Jesus?
Are we properly prepared for the second coming of Christ? Will He find us ready when He comes?
Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5 verses 1 to 10. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Let’s pray: Heavenly Father, thank You that we who have trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord are not appointed to wrath, but to be given rest and rescued from Your wrath that will come on an unsuspecting world as a thief in the night. May we be ready and prepared for that glorious day when Christ comes and takes us to be with Himself. In Jesus’ Name I pray, AMEN.
How can we be properly prepared for the second coming of Jesus Christ?
Our preparation for the 2nd coming of Jesus must take into account that the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.
The return of Jesus will be a surprise for many. We live in a world where many people doubt Jesus ever existed. Some say if He existed, He was just another prophet or a good man who went around helping people and He is not coming back.
Some Christians look at everything that is happening in the world right now and assume that the return of Christ is imminent. They say because of this situation or that circumstance, war, famine, or persecution we must be in the last days.
It is almost as if they have never read these words in 1 Thessalonians or the words of Peter in 2 Peter 3:10, which read, 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Don’t misunderstand me, I believe we are living in the last days because every day since Jesus ascended into Heaven after His resurrection is one of the last days – we just don’t know how many days, months or years there will be till He returns.
However, many years, months, days, hours or minutes remain we must be ready for Jesus' return even though we don't know exactly when it will be.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
Not in times of trouble or tribulation, but when everything is peaceful and secure. In his second letter to the Thessalonians Paul provides more detail on this in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire ptaking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Another translation: God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from His glorious power. When He comes on that day, He will receive glory from His holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about Him.
The day of Jesus’ return will be a day of glory for those who are ready and a day of disaster for those who are not.
Are you properly prepared for the second coming of Christ?
What will that day be for you?
When Jesus comes "as a thief in the night" will you experience a day of disaster and destruction or a day of delight?
It all depends upon if we are prepared for His coming – it depends on if we have already repented of our sins and accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior and walking or demonstrating our belief.
This is a decision we must make before Jesus returns, a decision that we must make now, when He returns it will be too late, this is a choice we cannot put off.
For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. (1 Thessalonians 5:5)
Proper preparation for Jesus’ return requires us to live now, today, as children of the light and of the day, because we don’t belong to darkness and night.
In John 8:12, Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
In John 12:35-36, Jesus said, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”
We are to live as "children of light" and "children of the day", we are to live as those who follow Jesus the light of the world.
Proper preparation for the return of Jesus requires us to walk in the light, Ephesians 5:8, For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.
I want you to notice that we’re hearing the word live and walking in the light a lot.
Proper preparation for the return of Jesus requires us to cast off works of darkness and seek to walk properly - Romans 13:11-14 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So, remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Proper preparation for the return of Jesus requires us to be watchful for His coming, 1 Thessalonians 5:6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.
Matthew 24:36 and Matthew 24:42-44, However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
“So, you too must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
Proper preparation for the return of Jesus requires us to pray 1 Peter 4:7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.
Proper preparation for the return of Jesus requires repentance and strengthening of what we have.
Revelation 3:2-3 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.
Proper preparation for the return of Jesus requires us to not be asleep – to not be spiritually lax but to be alert – to be spiritually watchful 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.
Listen to how Jesus states the importance of watching for His coming in Luke 21:34-36 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
Jesus is telling us we should be properly prepared for His return.
It is so important that we take the promise of Jesus' 2nd coming seriously.
Proper preparation for the return of Jesus requires us to be correctly armed.
1 Thessalonians 5:8, let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
Paul encourages us to put on "the armor of God" and emphasizes the importance of the breastplate of faith and love because faith and love protect our hearts from evil.
Romans 10:17, So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
And 1 John 3:16, We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
Our confident hope of salvation is like a helmet that protects our mind from fear and doubt.
Our hope also comes from the word of God - Romans 15:4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
Proper preparation for the return of Jesus requires us to wait patiently.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out His anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when He returns, we can live with Him forever.
In regard to God’s anger, there is a day of anger coming, in Romans 2 verses 4-11 Paul says Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But He will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.
Church, if you are truly in Christ, if you have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and are living accordingly you will not experience God’s anger, Jesus came to deliver us from the punishment our sins deserve.
If you have repented and turned to Christ as demonstrated by your life you will experience glory and honor and peace from God the Father.
Your salvation is certain and secure because of the blood of Jesus – Romans 5:8-10 God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son.
Here is the wonderful truth for all who trust repent and trust in Jesus, 1 Thessalonians 5:10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when He returns, we can live with Him forever.
When Jesus returns, whether we are "awake or asleep" (alive or dead), we will rise and live with Jesus forever!
1 Thessalonians 4:14, For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died.
1 Thessalonians 4:17, Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.
The Apostle Paul was willing to wait. In Philippians 1:20-25 he wrote, For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.
We can be properly prepared for the second coming of Jesus Christ by:
Being watchful and certain He is returning.
Living as children of the light and of the day because we do not belong to darkness and night.
Putting on the armor of God - With faith and love as a breastplate protecting our hearts, and with the hope of salvation as a helmet protecting our minds.
The absolute necessity for us to be able to do these things is spending time in the Word of God which builds our faith and our hope and provides us comfort and direction.
We must be diligent to be properly prepared for the second coming of Jesus Christ by applying God's Word to our lives by allowing the Holy Spirit to direct us.
Don’t live a careless life (Luke 21:34-35) But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
As the flood in Noah’s day affected the entire earth, so we read Christ’s Coming will be as a snare that will affect the whole world. Those living carelessly will pay a great price for not being spiritually ready.
Like a trap springing shut, there will be no exit from this earth. That’s why it pays to be ready, living lives of purity and service.
I will close with the words of Paul from 1 Thessalonians 5:23,24 and 28 - Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen!