The Pilgrim Path---First Thessalonians 5: 1 – 11 

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

“THEREFORE…”

---The LORD Jesus is coming---like a thief in the night. No matter how many books, charts, seminars, movies---you have been exposed to---the Holy Spirit says, “His return will catch us by surprise.” Be on guard. Be ready.

---The LORD Jesus’ arrival will find many saying, “Peace and security.” But there is NO safety outside of Jesus Christ. Do You belong to Him by grace through faith?

---The LORD Jesus’ people are NOT in darkness---and do not “sleep” as others. We are the “sober” ones---living for Him, by His power---that the world may “see” the Gospel and “run” to Him for Life!

---The LORD Jesus’ people are dressed in style: wearing the breastplate of faith and love. Their “wardrobe” is topped off appropriately---with the helmet of Gospel certainty (their soul is secure in Jesus).

---The LORD Jesus’ people encourage one another---AND build one another up in our Holy Faith. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines encourage, “to make someone more determined, hopeful, or confident.” As a Follower of the LORD Jesus---we want to make other saints, not more, “confident” in us---but more confident in King Jesus / the Holy Scriptures / The Glory of His Church / the Mission of the Gospel. We want to “see” saints “hopeful” in the Word and their role in Christ’s Body. Please do ALL you can to encourage the people of God. Life is far too short to be known as a discourager of God’s people. Ask yourself if you are genuinely wearing the breastplate of “faith and love.” It is easy to wear the breastplate of self-righteousness and judgment. The brothers and sisters need mercy. Pray the Holy Spirit will make you a soul who dispenses such favor from heaven. What a privilege to have such an opportunity!

From John Chrysostom: To claim that we love someone, and not to behave as those who love, is ludicrous, not just to God, but even in the sight of other people.

“We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100: 3

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” First John 1: 7

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason