He’s Coming!

Temple Baptist Church - 9-28-2008

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Introduction:

A. In the verses, Paul, writing to the Thessalonica Church, gives instruction concerning the last days and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

B. In verse 1 of our text, we can understand the Signs Of His Coming:

1. We can see the Signs Of Noah’s Day - Matthew 24:36-39 But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

2. We can see the Signs Of Lot’s Day - Luke 17:28-30 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed [them] all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

3. We can see the Signs Of Laodicea’s Day - Revelation 3:15-17 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

C. In verse 2, we find the Surety Of His Coming! We, as God’s children, understand that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming again and that His coming in eminent! As the world sleeps, we must watch!

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.

Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him,

Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

D. In verses 2-3, we can see the Suddenness Of His Coming. He is coming as a thief. Unannounced! He is coming quickly. In an hour when the world is not looking, He will suddenly appear for the Church and the Tribulation Period will begin for this world.

E. In verses 4-5, we can see the Sadness Of His Coming. The Church will go to Heaven while the billions of this Earth will perish! No warnings other than the preached Word. No second chances for those who have heard the message of salvation. Family and friends who are lost will eternally perish!

F. We that are saved both know that He is coming and are to be looking for His appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

G. Here, we find Paul’s admonition to the Church in light of the coming of our Lord.

1. Be Not Asleep! Vs. 6-7

a. Sleep causes a lack of activity
b. Sleep causes a loss of consciousness
c. Sleep cause us to dream and lose reality

2. Be Not Drunk! Vs. 6-8

a. Drunkenness is from participation
b. Drunkenness causes dullness of the senses
c. Drunkenness enjoys the company of other drunks

3. Be Not Faithless! Vs. 8

a. Saving faith, yes! 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

b. Living faith, not much! Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.
Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

4. Be Not Unloving! Vs. 8

a. Sinfulness is affecting us – Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

b. Humanism is affecting us - Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

5. Be Not Discouraged! Vs. 8-11

a. By helping one another - Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

b. By expecting Him – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18