Glynlea Grace United Methodist Chruch

SCRIPTURE

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

But as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you. ² For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ When people say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape. ⁴ But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a thief. ⁵ For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of the night or of 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, and 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 wake or sleep we might live with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Matthew 5:14-16

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵ Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

FOCUS and FUNCTION

Focus: The Scripture lessons refer to us as either children of light (1 Thessalonians 5:1

-11) or simply as light (Matthew 5:14-16). What does it mean to be identified

with light? First Thessalonians 5:1-11 is part of a larger passage (1 Thessalonians

4:13 – 5:11) that describes the imminent return of Christ. The passage makes it

clear that, as children of light, Christians should be prepared for Christ’s return.

We shouldn’t sit idly by as we wait for our time to go to heaven or Jesus’ return,

whichever comes first. As children of light, we are expected to be pure and build

each other up. Matthew 5:14-16 further explains that we are to conduct good

works in order to bring honor to God. In this way we prepare the way for the

return of Christ. To sum it up, we are to bring light into the world through holy

living, good works and loving kindness. When we do this, God uses us to prepare

the world for the return of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Function: To encourage the congregation to live holy lives consisting of good works as

they await the return of Christ.

The Sermon

I. Introduction: Story of yelling at a West Point Graduate

A. During my 10 years as an Army officer, I only chewed out one person. He was a 2^nd LT. from West Point.

B.      It was during a rotation at the National Training Center. I was a 1^st LT. in the Intelligence section of the Battalion Staff. The 2^nd Lt. worked under me.

C.      After a battle, the intelligence officer would attend an after-action review briefing. While he attended this briefing, the 2^nd Lt. and I were supposed to prepare intelligence briefings for the next battle. On one occasion, I told the 2^nd Lt. we needed to get to work while we waited for the Intelligence Officer to return. The 2^nd Lt. stated that he was going to rest while we waited for the Intelligence Officer. I then took him outside the battalion headquarters and chewed him out. Henceforth, he was very compliant.

D.      The point: While we waited for the Intelligence Officer to return, he expected us to work, not just lie around and do nothing. As Christians, Jesus expects us to work while we wait for His imminent return. He doesn’t want us to sit idly by and do nothing as we wait for his return. Today’s Scripture lessons make this clear.

II. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

A.      1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 is part of a larger passage of Scripture that describes the return of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11).

B.      1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Describes what it will be like when Christ returns. C.      1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 Remind us that we do not know when Christ will return but then…

D.      1 Thessalonians 5:4 tells us that we shouldn't be surprised when Christ does return because we are children of light, not darkness.

- Question: What does it mean to be children of light?

- Find the answer in the rest of this passage and Matthew.

III. What it means to be Children of Light according to 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11

A. We are not part of the darkness. We live in a sinful, fallen and dark world. As Christians, we may be in the world but we are not of it. We don't live the same way the rest of the world lives….

B. We have self-control. The Holy Spirit enables us to refrain from doing things that are sinful. .

C.      We also have faith, hope and salvation

D.      These aspects of being Children of light demonstrate how Christians are expected to be righteous and pure. Other passages demonstrates that being Children of Light also involves doing certain things, in order to make the Kingdom of Heaven a reality on earth.

IV. Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus said, " You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵ Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

A. These verses are part of the Sermon on the Mount. Being Children of Light involves showing people how to…

- Loving your enemies

- pray, fast and do good works for the right reasons

- Not worry

B. When we do these things, our light will shine and God will be glorified

V. As Children of Light

A. We enable others to see how things really are

B. Provide direction for lost people

C. We show people the way to Jesus

D. So, until Jesus returns, be His light!!!!

VI. Conclusion:

A. Being light or Children of Light starts with repentance and faith in Jesus

B. If you want to be the light of the world, start with repentance and faith.

C. If you are already a Christian but have started to dim as the light of the world, you can become re-energized through repentance.