Living In The Light Of His Coming

Temple Baptist Church - 10-25-2015

1 Thessalonians 4:4-12

Introduction:

A.  1 Thessalonians 4 is most noted for verses 13-18.  2 Thessalonians 2:1 says, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him.”  I will deal with verses 13-18 later but it will do us well to remember what time it is in Bible prophecy. 

1.  The time is near.  The time is here!  With all of my heart I believe that we are about to experience the truth our Lord set forth in John 14.

John 14:1-4  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  (2)  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it werenot so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  (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.  (4)  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

2.  As one preacher put it, “We have quit looking for the signs and are listening for the shout!”  We are not to be as some who now spiritually slumber.

Romans 13:11-14  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.  (12)  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. (13)  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  (14)  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

3.  In these two portions of Scripture, we find: The Promise of His Coming (John 14) and the Prophecy of the Conditions of the times.

B.  We that are saved and awake are to possess our vessels in sanctification.  In verses 4-12, there are things that we are to avoid and things that we are to do.

1.  We are to be content!  Vs 5 This verse uses the phrase “the lust of concupiscence.”  Normally, the word concupiscence is used with a sexual connotation.  “Concupiscence” means a desire of the lower appetite contrary to reason.  1 Timothy 6:6-8  But godliness with contentment is great gain. (7)  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  (8)  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

2.  We are to be honest!  Vs 6  “Go beyond” refers to transgressing the bounds of justice and equity between men and men; it means cheating and defrauding in trade and business; it means to increase or devalue goods or prices; it means not keeping a bargain, contract, covenant; it means taking advantage of the weakness and ignorance of men.  1 Corinthians 6:7-8  Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?  (8)  Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that yourbrethren.

3.  We are to be holy!  Vs 7  In our day, holiness has been a word ascribed to the Pentecostal Movement.  Holiness has become a thing of antiquity among God’s people.  As the church conforms more and more to the world, the churches are being filled with carnal, worldly people.  We are to be holy!  1 Peter 1:15-16  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  (16)  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

4.  We are to have fervent charity!  Vs 9-10  I have dealt with this in detail in a previous message so I will just “tap” on it tonight and move on.  LOVE ONE ANOTHER!  Fervent charity covers a multitude of sins.  1 Peter 1:22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

5.  We are to set a good example!  Vs 11-12  Here we find a three-fold admonition.  1)  Study to be quiet!  Learn to keep the old mouth shut.  2)  Do your own business!  Minding your own business has always been the right thing to do.  Don’t take the dog by the ears.  3)  Work a job!  In the days of a handout society, work hard and God will reward you with a living.  1 Timothy 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.