Sharper Iron — Christ is Surely Coming: Confidence by Faith on the Day of the Lord

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Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.

Though Paul has already taught the Thessalonians concerning the Lord’s return, he writes to them in order to nourish and reinforce their faith so that they will meet that Day with confidence and joy. The Day of the Lord will be unexpected, like a thief in the night. Those who meet that Day without faith will face sudden destruction. Paul reminds the Thessalonians and all Christians that they are not such children of the darkness. They are children of the light because they are in Christ. That faith produces watchfulness and sober living, living in repentance of sin and good works of love for the neighbor. Living in the light of Christ, Christians are protected by His armor of faith, love, and hope. This is true because of what Christ has done. He has died so that we live. If this is how He has come to us the first time, then His second coming to deliver the fullness of His victory is a day of great joy. Such words serve as an encouragement to all Christians as we confess them to one another.

“Christ Is Surely Coming” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that journeys through the two epistles to the Thessalonians. Through these two letters, Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy encouraged the young church in Thessalonica to stand firm in the midst of persecution as they eagerly waited for Christ’s second coming. This Word of God still strengthens the Church today to live now with faith, hope, and love, even as we long for the Day of Christ’s return, the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

The Day of the Lord

5 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers,[a] you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 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. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children[b] of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 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. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Footnotes:

1 Thessalonians 5:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27

1 Thessalonians 5:5 Or sons; twice in this verse

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.