Refuge Church Of San Antonio

The Day It All Goes Down - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8

Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8 NLT


Areas We Can Agree On

- Ever Christian is going to experience some kind of suffering in this life simply because of our connection with Jesus. The enemy will make sure of that and TRY and DISCOURAGE with that suffering to you to keep you from having a close relationship with God.

- No Christian will experience God’s judgment because Christ has already taken it for us. You will face consequences of your sins here on earth but will not answer for your sins in Heaven at the Great Judgement.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 NLT

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14 NLT

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24 NLT

- No one can predict when Jesus is coming back. We watch, pray, live and wait.


No More Warnings (5:1-3)

- God doesn’t owe us any warnings about when He is coming back other than what He has already given us (5:1).

Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 1 Thessalonians 5:1 NLT

- The only way to prepare for Jesus return is to expect and live like it could happen at any time (5:2).

2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 NLT

- Those folks who ignore and who are oblivious to spiritual things now won’t be able to avoid them when the time comes (5:3).

3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 NLT

- Those who know Jesus…don’t need to worry or fear …but to have peace and excitement about when he does decide to come back. (5:3).


No More Excuses (5:4-8)

- If you and I have really trusted in Christ and walk with Him daily…we are people who walk in the light of Jesus…we now know the truth…So we shouldn’t live our daily lives like we live in darkness…not knowing what the truth really is. (5:4-5).

4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 NLT

- People who “Spiritually Sleep”…or ignore what God is showing and telling them…develop sinful habits that cause those who really know Jesus to ignore Him even more and forget what the reality of His coming brings. (5:6-7).

6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7 NLT

- Don’t walk through the battlefield of this life without protecting your heart, your head and your hands (5:8).

- Who you trust - Heart
- What you believe - Head
- How you do life – Hands
- The only way to do this is to “draw close to God”


So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:7-8 NLT

8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8 NLT

- The direction of your life today is a direct reflection of your faith, love, and hope that always reveals your ultimate allegiance (5:8).


QUESTION:Who will you serve?

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. 1 John 2:15-17 NLT