`Return of The King - Devotional Lesson

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11

Supporting Text Acts 17: 1-10
Matthew 9:24
John 11:11
Romans 13: 11-14
James 4:13-17
Matthew 24: 29-31, 36-44 - Jesus comes ofter the dawn of destruction
Mark 13:32 - Jesus doesnt know that day; Acts 1:7

Purpose: To remind believers of the Hope of Salvation and to inspire them to live in a way
worthy of the gospel.

General Summary of the story of Thessalonians:

Paul and silas were Traveling together when the opportunity presented itself to preach to the
jews and the greeks in Thessalonica. Paul had great success and were able to persuade
numerous people there to COme to christ and to turn away from false idols and wait patiently
for christ return however some of the Jews grew jealous and “gathered some wicked men,
formed a mob, set the city in an uproar and attacked the house of jason” The issue seemed to
be the political implications of the greeks and jews decision to follow christ as the greeks were
very loyal to their previous king Caesar but were now pledging loyalty to “another king” (Jesus)
The men were determined to find Paul and silas and JAson had them immediately shipped out
of the city as the city was in chaos over this. Paul having faced this situation was in alot of ways
directly related to the current suffering of the thessalonians. That having said he only spent a
short time with them and it seems that he was incredibly worried for them considering the
current circumstances of the city. The temptation to turn back to the way they had come was
strong as paul was not able to be their with them to help them as originally planned. Plus there
was alot of things that came into question regarding Pauls Character. PAul tried time after time
to come to them but was unable to. He then sent timothy to continue their instructions and to
see how they were doing in their faith. A good report was given and the rest of the letter is spent
encouraging them and reminding them of things that they already know and to keep on doing
these things

Ideas to explore:
- Dead vs. Asleep
- Drunk vs Sober
- Another King
- The city in an uproar
- Imminent vs the immediate return of christ

Outline(Draft): Overarching Idea: “Total Confidence”

 A. Idea - (Total Confidence about christ coming suddenly) - Stay ready so you don't have
too get ready
B. Idea - (Total Confidence about who you are and why Christ is coming for you) Take heart
we dont belong to the dark - Remember

C. Idea - (Total Confidence about how we are supposed to live know this)Wake up and live
- God has not abandoned you

Outline:

Return of the King - 3 things to have Total Confidence

A brief personal story - about hiding from my Dad

A. Your Father is coming suddenly- You need to believe that christ is coming suddenly and
when you do not expect it.
1. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3( the encouraging part of this passage is that we have
foreknowledge of it and when the Day of the Lord comes we get to watch safely
in the ark of jesus)
2. SK - what can stop us from living this way is doubt. At times we believe that
Christ is not coming. Your level of trust leads your actions. I often have the
side-eye on many things because I’m skeptical. Sometimes it's past hurt or
disappointment; you may just naturally be a cynic. You're a stone-cold fact
gatherer. But you can trust in God always. I want you to think of times when you
saw God's promise fulfilled. Let this serve as a reminder that the Lord ALWAYS
keeps his promise, especially that of his return.
3. SK - Because God is gracious, we can faithfully go to bim to alleviate our doubts.
John 20:24. Thomas, though he walked with Jesus for 3 years was doubtful of
Jesus’ return, and he said “I have to see this, I don't believe you”.l How many of
us can be Thomas? And yet, Christ met him where he was at in his unbelief. I
Want to encourage you that if you are struggling with believing that the Messiah
is returning, then go to him with your doubts as he is sure to answer you and lead
you in the right direction.

4. Paul chose to Focus on two unshakeable truths in the midst of chaos

- The day is coming suddenly1

1
Paul at the time was in a dilemma. He had spent such a short amount of time with the thessalonians and
suddenly was whisked away. A riot and chaos ensued in the city. Moreorless threatening the faith of the
newly converted Thessalloians. Paul chose to remind them of what they already knew about the Day of
the Lord and that it was coming and suddenly. Of all the things paul chose to focus on during this time of
chaos you chose to remind them of the coming of the Lord. Them being new converts PAul saw tha it was
incredibly important that they remember this fact because if they did not they would be surprised. The day
 - And those that dont will be suprised
B. You are your father's child and he is coming to get you.
C. “For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in
marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would
happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming
of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two
women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. “Therefore
keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand
this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he
would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also
must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect
him.” This scripture speaks of preparation. If you know something is to come, youll
prepare. I know everyone prepared for the pandemic and there is not a clorox wipe in
sight, but we need to prepare for our saviors return and we do this by being in the light.
And being in the light is not just repentance of the sins of the flesh and the sins of the
heart, but it is also being 100 percent honest about where you're at.
D. Total Confidence on how to prepare for his return.

of the Lord held particular significance to those of jewish faith but not necessarily to those of the greeks.
The day of the Lord was a coming of two particular events. A time of destruction and judgement but also
when the promise of salvation would be fulfilled. I think no matter where we are in our faith Chaos
threatens to distract us from whats truly important.