1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, "5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night."
Introduction: The church’s urgency is the need to live in the light of eternity as the days are getting darker. Jesus’ soon coming return, whose time is unknown to all but God, motivates us to live like sons and daughters of the day.
I. Know the Lord is coming back (verse 1-2)
We do not know exactly when the LORD is returning, but we do know that He is coming back at a time we least expect. There are often two mistakes made when considering the Lord’s return; one is to believe we know the exact time of His return. The second mistake, and the opposite, is to forget that Jesus is returning. Both mistakes are deadly to the spiritual life.
We have hope He may return in our lifetime.
II. Know we’re not of the night (verse 4)
We are to walk in the light of God, not taken by surprise. As children of light, our spiritual maturity should help us see spiritual potholes and realize that as children of the day - we have work to do to serve the king.
III. Let us not sleep as others sleep (verse 6)
Let us not sleep as the apostles did on the night of the Lord’s betrayal. Other passages such as 1 Peter inform us we should be sober and alert, not asleep or drunk as these are the characteristic of ‘night’ people (or the unsaved).
IV. Be sober (verse 7)
As believers, always be watchful and mindful of the condition of this present world. Don’t get caught up in the world system or beliefs, and don’t be inoculated by the pleasures of earth. The only way to be alert, however, is to be informed by the Word of God.
V. Wear the breastplate of faith and love (verse 8)
The breastplate of faith and love helps to protect the heart. How do other people know we are followers of Jesus? By our love for one another.
VI. Wear the helmet of salvation. (verse 8)
Read the scriptures continually to renew the mind; this helmet protects us from ungodly thinking and preserves the purity of the new man that we are in Christ.