A thief in the night

Preached at Christ Church, Billericay, 19 November 2023 8:00

Reading 1 Thessalonians 5v1-11; Matthew 25v14-30

Prayer

Thief – Break-in

Getting a visit from a thief is a scary thing to contemplate.  None of us wants that to happen, but it is all too common, with 1.27% of households experiencing a break-in in the year ending June 2023, according to government statistics.  None of them were expecting it (well, you can never say none, but the vast majority weren’t).  None of them were adequately prepared either (and I do mean none).  That’s partly because it’s not really an expected event, but also in our world, people don’t have a clue how to be prepared. 

That was certainly true for us, when we were burgled back in 2017.  Had I known before it happened, just where the weaknesses were in my preparations, it would not have happened.

Now, I have different security in place, which I hope is good enough.  I’ve learnt a little from the experience.

Only once

Some things only happen once, and I really hope that the 2017 incident was the one and only occurrence, but you never know.

We can be sure, of course, that the 2^nd coming of Jesus will only happen once.  We can’t learn from experience about that, as it will be a one-off that can never be repeated.

Jesus in Luke

In this part of the letter to the Thessalonians, Paul is echoing what Jesus told His followers in Luke 12:35-40, when Jesus is encouraging them to be ready for the return of the Son of Man.  Jesus’ words are also recorded in Matthew and Mark.

Not for us

The warning though is, in a way, not for us.  In verse 3 Paul says:

While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But there is no reason for us to need to escape.

Pax Romana

The phrase “peace and safety”, refers to the propaganda of the Roman Empire.  That was the promise the Empire made to its subjects.  At that time it was largely true.  In the period from 27 BC to 180 AD, there were few serious wars.  Nothing threatened the centre of the empire at all, there were only skirmishes on the edges.  The period is known as the Pax Romana.  The empire was at the height of its powers.  Even this says Paul is an illusion, because if the Day of the Lord arrives any protection the Empire provides will be useless.

Christians in the light

We, as Christians, are not in the dark about such things, so when the Day of the Lord arrives, it should not be a surprise for us.  We should not be like others who are asleep.  We should be awake and sober.

The analogy has changed a little, as Paul’s focus changes to the Christians, rather than the rest of the world. 

Since Christians are children of the light and children of the day, they must behave that way.  Preparedness means there are things we must do – put on faith and love as a breastplate and hope of salvation as a helmet.  Paul expands on this in his letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 6.  It’s worth noting that the breastplate and the helmet are defensive armour, they are designed to protect you from the attack of the enemy.

If you are well protected, you will be ready for anything that comes at you. 

Faith, Love and Hope

Faith, love and hope are the basic characteristics of any Christian.  They are mentioned throughout the New Testament.  Here are a few verses that highlight each.

For Faith:

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Faith to Love

2Pe 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  ⁷ and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

Hope

1 Peter 1:3 According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

V9

In verse 9 he reminds the Thessalonians (and us) that God does not intend them (or us) to suffer the coming wrath, but that they (and we) have salvation because of faith in Jesus.

v10

And in verse 10 that Jesus died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live with Him.

Awake, not asleep

Well, I’d rather be awake than asleep.  If we are to be awake, we must stay watchful, so that we know what’s coming.  There are plenty of signs that the 2^nd coming of Jesus, The Day of the Lord, is near.

The signs

Some of the signs might be:

·      easy global communication, because Jesus will be seen everywhere at the same time when He returns.

·      increase in wars and unrest across the globe

·      possible war in Israel, if the surrounding powers can get their act together, it is possible that the war with Gaza will spread into the surrounding area, and especially into Israel.

·      Individualism, as everyone has their own beliefs and goes their own way.

Final Story

Let me leave you with a story that illustrates the way constant readiness might work.

Shackleton

During one of his expeditions to the Antarctic, Sir Ernest Shackleton left some of his men on Elephant Island.  He did this with the intent of returning for them and carrying them back to England.  But he was delayed.

By the time he could go back for them, the sea had frozen, and he had no access to the island.  Three times he tried to reach them but was prevented by the ice.  Finally, on his fourth try, he broke through and found a narrow channel.  Much to his surprise, he found the crewmen waiting for him, supplies packed and ready to board.

They were soon on their way back to England.  He asked them how they knew to be ready for him.  They told him they did not know when he would return, but they were sure that he would.

So every morning, the group leader rolled up his bag, and packed his gear and told the crew to do the same thing, get your things ready, boys. The boss may come today.

For us, it ‘The Lord may come today’

Amen

 

References: 

https://shortpowerfulsermons.com/1-thessalonians-51-11-the-not-so-secret-rapture/

https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/1-thessalonians-5-1-11-rev-randy-barker-sermon-on-second-coming-190820

https://drjustinimelsr.com/sermon-on-1-thessalonians-51-11-waiting-on-jesus/

 1 corinthians - What is the difference between hope and faith? - Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange

Revolution

Preached at Christ Church, Billericay 5 Nov 2023

Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

Revolution

Last time I spoke, I started with a pop song. So, I thought I’d try again, as that one wasn’t really loved by many of us.

The Beatles sang:

You say you want a revolution

Well, you know

We all wanna change the world

You tell me that it's evolution

Well, you know

We all wanna change the world

The song is called Revolution, and it was the ‘B’ side to “Hey Jude”. It’s a protest about violent revolution, and particularly Chairman Mao.

Guy Fawkes

Today, we remember another violent revolutionary – Guy Fawkes. He was caught under the House of Lords with a lot of gunpowder. While I was on holiday in Sussex the other week, I learned that the gunpowder was made in the town of Battle. That’s where the abbey was built to atone for the deaths caused in the 1066 incident. But back to Guy. You may see effigies of him today, on the bonfire, as we remember his failure.

Gunpowder Plot

Guy Fawkes, and his co-conspirators had rented an undercroft, and filled it with gunpowder, after failing to get help from the Spanish government. Their aim was to remove the protestants (particularly James I) and make England a Catholic nation once again.

After an anonymous tip-off, the building was searched, and Guy was the unlucky man who had been left minding the gunpowder.

Bonfire celebrations

The lighting of bonfires, and the burning of effigies, was started the following year as an official celebration. Fireworks were added later.

Violent Revolution

An attempt by one group of Christians to kill another group of Christians always seems to me especially sad, as they both should know that God doesn’t work that way. Violent revolution rarely has any real effect anyway, when you look back on it. Mostly, one despot is replaced with another, and the common people are just as oppressed as they ever were.

Personal Revolution

There is another way, and it is the way that Paul is trying. His approach takes much more planning and much more hard work. It is also genuinely effective in the long term. It delivers real change for people. Paul is trying for a personal revolution. A revolution in the lives of each of the people he meets, similar to the one he, himself, had experienced.

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

In the chapter that we read from today, Paul is reminding the Thessalonians of his ministry amongst them. He was there with two others, Silvanus (or Silas) and Timothy. At the beginning of the chapter, he reminds them that they spoke to them despite strong opposition. The evangelists had come from Philippi, where they had also suffered insults. He tells them that their motives were not to please men, but to please God. They have not used flattery, or tried to hide greed. They have been gentle with them, and Paul compares the three of them to a mother caring for her small children. The missionaries shared with them, not only the gospel – which of course is why they are there – but also their life.

Work and mission

Now, we arrive at verse 9, where Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they worked ‘night and day’. This way they cannot be accused of living off, or even getting rich off, the people they are ministering to.

Paul is not against ministers being paid for their work, as we can read in

1 Timothy 5:17-18

¹⁷ The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”

Not sure if I’ve ever been compared to an ox before.

Anyway, so ministers are due their wages, but for his mission, as an apostle and evangelist, it is not appropriate.

Hard Labour

In Paul’s day, all Jewish youngsters were taught a trade. We know that from Acts 18:2b-3, where he got together with other tent makers in Corinth. Paul was not afraid of hard physical work. His skill would provide a basic income, the materials – leather, rope, twine, could be bought locally, and the tools were easy to pack up and transport.

He would effectively set up a business, rent a workshop, and somewhere to live. Then he could start trading and finding customers. Here his integrity would be under constant scrutiny by the towns folk, and all he did business with.

The evangelism would take place on the Sabbath, or in the evenings, if time permitted.

Greeks and Physical Labour

The Greeks despised hard physical work, and saw it as something to be done only by slaves. So, this in itself meant that Paul and his companions were like nothing the Thessalonians had seen before. They would have known about the Jews, and other roaming religious speakers, but judging from what we hear, these all expected payments for their so-called wisdom.

Reflect on God’s planning?

It’s worth stopping for a moment and looking back at how God’s plan has worked for Paul.

Everything he needs to be the Apostle to the gentiles has been provided. His parents even taught him a trade that would be compatible with the role and allow him to work while travelling around the empire.

Verse 10

Verse 10 is a strong reminder for them of how he behaved. If it wasn’t the case, there would be no point whatsoever writing it in the letter, they would see the falsehood and ignore everything else he said. So Paul is clearly telling them the truth.

You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.

Challenge 1

I wonder how many in the church today can honestly claim to be “holy, righteous and blameless” in all their dealings with the believers. In a world where there is so much factionalism and disagreement about almost any little thing, we still have to maintain our integrity – our holiness, our righteousness and we need to ensure we are blameless, not just when out there evangelising, but with all that we do with and for the believers.

That’s the first challenge these verses have for us.

Verses 11 & 12

In verses 11 and 12 Paul reminds the Thessalonians how he behaved to them – like a father. Someone who is always encouraging and comforting, and urging them to live lives that are worth of the God who calls them into His kingdom and His glory.

Most of the gods the Thessalonians knew would require specific religious observances at specific times. The Roman emperor Caesar, the latest god to be proclaimed, required loyalty at all times. Caesar already had a kingdom and a glory, that extended to the edges of the empire. Beyond those requirements the people could live as they chose, there was no call to honesty or fairness. Paul’s God requires even more of them, not just loyalty, but a whole lifestyle that is worthy of Him and His glory, that extends across the whole of the world (known or not in Paul’s time).

Challenge 2

That is the second challenge that these verses have for us. Do we live our lives in such a way that we are ALWAYS honouring God, in every aspect of our lives?

Outcome

The final verse of our reading (verse 12) shows the outcome of Paul’s work, his tent making and his evangelism, because they go hand in hand. His words and his argument are backed‑up by how he lives, so that the truth and love of God can shine through him. Here’s what it says:

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

Personal Revolution

And there it is, the personal revolution that has come to each of the Thessalonian believers. God’s word – who we know as Jesus Christ – is at work in each one who believes.

It’s the word that they heard from Paul, who made it possibly for them to hear it by being there, and being a role model for them. He rose to the two challenges. He was holy, righteous and blameless, and everything he did was honouring to God and His Glory.

As a result, the Thessalonians were able to listen to him and hear God’s words through him. So, they could answer God’s call on their lives. They experienced the personal revolution that is accepting Christ Jesus into their lives, just as we have.

That's how you change the world!

Amen.

 

Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RaiQ807O9I from 19:26 to 32:27

References

https://genius.com/The-beatles-revolution-lyrics

https://sermonwriter.com/biblical-commentary/new-testament-1-thessalonians-29-13/

https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-31/commentary-on-1-thessalonians-29-13-2

https://sermoncentral.com/sermons/how-to-be-a-blessing-instead-of-a-burden-guy-glass-sermon-on-character-113462

https://cepreaching.org/commentary/2020-10-26/1-thessalonians-29-13-2/