Ready and Steady

Introduction

There are some announcements that make us laugh or at least smile. Here is a random sample of church bulletin announcements.

The sermon this morning: “Jesus Walks on the Water.” The sermon tonight: “Searching for Jesus.”

“Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don’t forget your husbands.”

The peacemaking meeting scheduled today has been cancelled due to a conflict.

For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

Potluck supper Sunday at 5pm—prayer and medication to follow.

The minister would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.

We have announcements to begin our assembly. We announce weddings. We announce funerals. We announce those who are sick. We announce about upcoming events. We announce good things. What we cannot announce are things that happen suddenly. For instance, we cannot announce when a woman is going to deliver a baby. We cannot announce when someone is going to have a heart attack or that the doctor’s visit will find something unpleasant. We cannot announce when a car accident will happen. We cannot announce when a thief will break in and steal. Nor can we announce when Jesus will return.

A woman, as she approaches the time for her delivery, knows that the time is getting close. We prepare for a thief by locking doors or maybe providing for a security system. We prepare for an auto accident by buying insurance. We visit a doctor in an effort to avoid health issues. What do we do to prepare for Christ’s return? Are we afraid? Excited? Indifferent? Today we will look at what Paul told the early believers in Thessalonica about Christ’s return and we will note that Paul was interested in them being prepared. So we too should be prepared for our King’s return.

Children of Light

Paul is in Corinth when he writes this letter. Timothy has returned from a visit to Thessalonica. With his overall good report, Timothy gives Paul some areas that need further teaching or correction. Depending on the translation, these areas are easy to pick out. In 4:1, Paul begins with “now about other matters” and he gives further instruction about avoiding sexual immorality. In 4:9, he again writes “now about” as an introduction to the section about loving each other. In 4:13, while the NIV leaves out the “now” it is there. In 5:1, Paul writes “now about” and so he begins a new topic. The previous topic was new teaching, but the topic he picks up with in 5:1 is not new. In 5:1, he says there he doesn’t need to write about this subject and the implication is that he has already done teaching on this matter. So this section serves as a reminder of previous teaching and a strong urging to be ready for Christ’s return.

Paul says that there are no dates and times to give about Christ’s return. There are no pre-announcements. No signs to look for. You leave your house one day and come back to find that someone has broken into the house and stolen some of your stuff. Thieves don’t leave post-it-note announcements. They show up unannounced. Paul says it will be like that as well. He makes a second comparison to a woman going into labor to deliver her child. No one knows when those things will happen. Paul uses a third illustration which is lost on us for the most part. Peace and security is a direct quote and probably comes from Roman language. This phrase is found on statues, coins, and inscriptions throughout the Roman world. With Thessalonica having been given imperial status (linking them to Caesar as a trusted city), then Paul is probably using the very phrase that those living in this city would have heard or seen on a regular basis. The point—everyone may be saying “peace and security” because of Rome but when Christ returns Rome will not have the last word.

There are two reasons Paul gives for the Thessalonians to remain confident about Christ’s return. First, they are children of light. For those who live as children of light then there is no fear in Christ’s return. Paul uses a comparison to make his point. Light and darkness are opposed to each other. As children of light we live in confidence knowing that Christ will return. As a result, children of light are to live ready and steady lives. Those who are children of light live life ready for Christ’s return. We also live steady lives. This means we live pursuing a life that demonstrates light.

The second reason is that God already has plans for us—life with Christ. Whether we are alive when Christ returns or in the grave when he returns the plan is the same—eternal life with Christ. God’s wrath is not for children of light. Look at how Paul writes this—Christ died so that we may live. This is good news. There is light and there is darkness. There are those who belong to Jesus and those who do not. When Christ returns, those who belong to him will live with him.

Application

There are two lessons to get from this text. First, God wants us to be confident about what is going to happen when Christ returns. As children of light, we are not afraid. We are not apprehensive. We do not live in fear. We understand that life is temporary. Peace and security is not found in a style of life or where you live. For us as children of light, peace and security is found in Jesus.

This means that when the events of life occur, we know that there is a day when we will be with Jesus. Someone says that such a view ignores reality. Not at all. The events of life make us hurt just like everyone else, but we know that this life is not all there is.

When Christ returns we live. Jesus has the final word. And his word for his children is life. Real life. Life without end. This is God’s plan for us.

Second, to stay ready for Christ’s return means to live life as a child of light. This is not perfection but it is to live life with a heart set on honoring God. Paul writes that we are to be awake and sober. Both used metaphorically to convey the truth of how we are to live. As children of light we are not afraid of openness. We do not hide our actions. We are living with Jesus’ return in mind. We do not live in secrecy. We do not hide our actions. As Paul writes we build each other up as children of light. We are not afraid to admit we have struggles and that we need help. What does this openness look like?

We are not afraid of someone looking into our history files on our computer or phone.

We are not afraid of letting people know the entertainment we choose.

We are not afraid that others will find out how we spend God’s money.

We are serious about living while enjoying what God has given to us.

We think about more than what will make me happy and comfortable.

When we live life awake and sober, we are living for God. We are living in anticipation for Christ’s return. We are living without fear or dread. We are living unselfishly and openly. We are living confidently. Does this describe your life? Invitation.

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