Boasting

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

From His riches, God has poured out on us an amazing bounty of grace and goodness.

As an example of how God gives gifts, let's consider Abraham, who is considered the forefather of us all.

We know very little of Abraham's birth.  We know that he came from Ur of the Chaldeans.  Although we do not consider him a Babylonian, that is what Chaldeans were and that is where Abraham came from.  His father was Terah, and was possibly the one who moved Abraham and his family from Ur to Haran.  The Spirit of God says:

Yes, think about Abraham, your ancestor, and Sarah, who gave birth to your nation.  Abraham was only one man when I called him.  But when I blessed him, he became a great nation.  (Isaiah 51:2, NLT)

Because of the call of God, Abraham received promises and blessings beyond measure.  These blessings and promises were received by faith.  While Abraham yet lived, he did not see all the promises and blessings we are talking about.  God promised Abraham that He would make Abraham the father of many nations.  Abraham died long before this ever happened.  But, Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.  (Genesis 15:6)  More than earthly or physical blessings, Abraham received blessings of an eternal and spiritual nature.  We see evidence of this in Scripture when it says:

Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.  (Hebrews 11:10, NLT)

God chose Abraham when he was far from God in a godless nation among a godless people.  God chose Abraham and made him great.  He did not choose Abraham because he was already great.

Think about when you were called.  Were you great?  Were you mighty?

1 Corinthians 1:26 asks us to consider or remember our calling.

First, consider what we receive as a part of our calling.

We receive eternal life. 

Ephesians 2:1 tells us that we were dead in our trespasses and sins.  (Ephesians 2:1)  We were lost and without hope in the world.  (Ephesians 2:12)  Our calling from God involves Him moving us out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of His beloved Son.  We were held captive by the devil to do his will.  (2 Timothy 2:26)  We were set free.  We were redeemed and made part of God's family.  We are children of God.

We are also saved from the penalty of our sins. 

Even though we freely admit that we have sinned, we have no fear of punishment because we know that by the grace of God our sins have been forgiven and we have been made clean and pure.  This is not because of what we have done.  It is based solely on what Christ did on the cross and it is ours because of the call or invitation of God.  Without this call of God, we would be condemned to an eternity in hell because of our sin and unrighteousness.

The Holy Spirit says:

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.  (1 Corinthians 1:26, ESV)

The call of God is not based on our wisdom.

The call of God is not based on our power.

The call of God is not based on our birth.

We humans put much emphasis on wisdom, power and birth.

Just look in the self-help section of the bookstore.  The great number of books implies the importance of wisdom and knowledge.  There are books to tell us how to overcome numerous problems and challenges.  There are books that promise to teach us how to succeed.  There are books that promise to teach us how to be happy.  These all claim to have wisdom for our lives. 

Look at how much we invest in education and you will understand that we place a high value on wisdom and knowledge.

We also put much emphasis on power.

From the nations of the world to the living rooms of our houses, power struggles never cease.  Power is about control.  Power determines who gets resources and who gets their way.  North Korea feels they need nuclear weapons and the missile delivery systems to reach anywhere in the world, and we fear they would use them if they had them.  This is just one of many power struggles currently going on in our world.  I hope that the power struggles in our houses do not involve nuclear weapons.  But, sadly, some of us threaten to kill the relationship in order to get our way.  Make no mistake; divorce is murder -- murder of the relationship, the family and the oneness established by God.  This happens because we want control.  We want our own way.

We humans also put much emphasis on birth - heritage.

Some are born into nobility.  Unless you are born into the royal family, you do not need to worry about ever being king or queen of England.  In the same way, most of us do not need to worry about inheriting the riches of Donald Trump or Bill Gates. 

However, we are all born into families.  We are all born into nationalities and races.  We are all born into religions.  There are many who consider themselves Christians because they were born into Christian homes.  If you are born on American soil, you are automatically an American citizen.  If you are born to Asian parents, you are Asian.  There is no choice involved in this.  If your parents are not Japanese, you will never be Japanese, even if you take Japanese citizenship.  One can change their citizenship, but one cannot change their race, or the accidents of birth.

Since wisdom, power and birth are so important to us, we boast in these things.  If you do not have a college degree, you need not apply for some jobs.  If you are not powerful, you will be taken advantage of.  If you are not born into the right family, religion, race or nationality, you may be blocked from going where you want to go.

When 1 Corinthians 1:26 tells us to consider our calling, it points out that not many of us were wise, powerful or of noble birth. 

It says, "Not many.”  This would imply that some are.  These are the exceptions and if you are one of these exceptions be grateful -- grateful but not proud.  The Holy Spirit says:

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,  so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.  (1 Corinthians 1:27-29 ESV)

Our boasting and reliance on human wisdom, power and birth is not good.  The Lord indicates how much He is displeased with our pride when he says:

This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord.  (Jeremiah 17:5 NLT)

We know that the new birth, our redemption and salvation do not rely on human strength.  John 1:13 says:

...who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.  (John 1:13 ESV)

Wisdom has its place.  Proverbs 1:7 says:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.  (Proverbs 1:7 ESV)

It is foolish to despise wisdom.

Power has its place because God has ordained government.  Romans 13:1 says:

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.  (Romans 13:1 ESV)

It is foolish to despise power or authority.

Even our parentage has its place, for none of us would be where we are without it.

It is foolish to despise our heritage.

It is also foolish to boast in or put our confidence in these things.  As the passage quoted above states, "God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,  so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”  (1 Corinthians1:28-29, NLT)

All our boasting must be in the Lord.  All our confidence must be in the Lord.  This is where 1 Corinthians 1:30 takes us.  It lays out for us some of the reason we have to boast in the Lord.

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.  (1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV)

"Because of him" is referring to God the Father who has brought to nothing the wisdom, power and nobility of the world.  It is because of Him, because of His calling, that we are in Christ Jesus.  

Verse 26 calls us to consider, remember our calling.  This is where it has led us.  We started with nothing, and as a result of this calling we are now in Christ Jesus.  Look at what it says Jesus has become to us.  He has become wisdom from God, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.  Let's consider each of these briefly in turn.

He has become wisdom to us.  He is the mystery of God hidden from ages past.  He is the Word made flesh, the very revelation of the glory of God.

He has become righteousness to us.  He is our breastplate of righteousness; by His wounds, we are healed.  God laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

He has become sanctification to us.  In Him, we are made holy, called saints and set apart for the kingdom of God.  We have an inheritance that the world has not given and the world cannot take away.

He has become redemption to us.  We were slaves to sin, but we have been set free to live for Him and by His power.  Because of Him, we belong to Jesus and to the Father and have the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Because of these things, we can boast in the Lord.  Long before Jesus was born, the prophet Jeremiah wrote:

Thus says the Lord : "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,  but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the  Lord  who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.  For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”  (Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV)

This series has been titled, "God's Power in Perilous Times.”  One of the biggest perils for humanity is our pride.  Pride and boasting will only yield to the working of the Holy Spirit in our inner person.  Let's take 1 Corinthians 1:31 to heart.

"Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
(1 Corinthians 1:31 ESV)

Wisdom and Power

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Our text today divides the world into two classes of people. 

It does not divide it by race.  The text does not divide the world by gender, nationality, political affiliation or religion.  It does not divide the world by economic status or intelligence.  All of these things are very important to us, and we spend much of our lives concerned about such things.  Politics and economics are important.  However, are they most important?  Race and gender are significant.  However, are they most significant?

Today, we are going to look at the turning point of all history.  We are going to look at what is most important and most significant.  This one thing divides the world into the "haves" and the "have nots."  This one thing divides the world into two classes of people. 

This one thing is the cross.

Those who are perishing and those who are being saved form the two classes of people.

1 Corinthians 1:18 says:

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  NASB

Here we see that all people are divided into those who are perishing and those who are being saved.

We are all going to die physically.  We all know this.  However, the Bible speaks of a second death and of the judgment of God.  Hebrews 9:27 says, "...each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment..."  (NLT)  This clearly refers to judgment coming after physical death.

The Bible teaches that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  (Romans 3:23)  It also states quite plainly that "the wages of sin is death."  (Romans 6:23)  In order to understand this more completely, we can look at John 3:18 which says, "...whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." (ESV)  It is clear from the Bible that all of us have sinned and that our sin is enough to condemn us.  All humanity, without Christ, is perishing not just physically but eternally.  Hebrews 10:26-27 puts it in these terms:

Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.  (NLT, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/HEB.10.26-27)

We see the evidence of evil all around us.  Murders, rapes and crimes of all kinds fill our newscasts. 

The world asks two questions that address this evil.  One question is "How can there be a God if there is so much evil in the world?"  The second question is "How can a loving God condemn anyone to Hell?

The Bible offers the best answers I have yet heard to these questions, but there is no end of debate concerning these issues.  Both the questions and the answers are as old as the Bible itself.  These and many other questions and objections have been passed around for millennium.  It is interesting to note that these two questions in particular contradict each other.  The first one complains that God is not doing anything about evil and the second one complains about God doing something about evil.  Approximately three thousand years ago, the Psalmist wrote:

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the  Lord  and against his Anointed, saying,  "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us."  (Psalms 2:1-3, ESV, https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.2.1-3)

Why is humanity so set against God?

1 Corinthians 1:21 speaks truthfully when it says:

Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.  (NLT, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1CO.1.21)

Through human wisdom, the world rages against God.  However, God does not wish for any to perish.  He says as much in 2 Peter 3:9.  ('The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. '  https://www.bible.com/bible/59/2PE.3.9)  According to the most well-known verse in the Bible (John 3:16), in order to keep anyone from perishing, God gave His only Son, and yet as 1 Corinthians 1:18 tells us, this message is foolishness to those who are perishing.

Just as the world is divided into two classes of people, those who are perishing and those who are being saved, so also, the Church is divided along the same lines.  This is why Paul spends so much time on the distinction between the world's wisdom and God's wisdom.

Two things in the world have long been a trap for the Church.  One is the world's wisdom and the second is the world's power.  Unity of the faith means that we must discern and understand these things.  Indeed, it is a very sad truth that many call themselves Christian who deny the very master that bought them.  The Bible speaks of this when it says:

For people will be lovers of self ... having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.  Avoid such people.  (2 Timothy 3:2,5 ESV, https://www.bible.com/bible/59/2TI.3.2,5)

The Reformation happened some 500 years ago because the Roman Church had become enamored with political power and its doctrine perverted by the wisdom of the world.  These things still divide us, and must divided us.  For example, there are some that say that all roads lead to God.  They say that it does not matter what name you call Him.  We are all calling on the same God.  This might indeed sound wise to the world.  However, it denies the Master who bought us.

This is seen clearly in 1 Corinthians 1:23:

So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.'  (ESV, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1CO.1.23)

We preach that Christ was crucified. 

The Jews have a different religion.  They do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah ("the Christ").  They are offended by claims that Jesus is the Messiah they have been promised and are waiting for.  The Muslims have a different religion and do not believe that Jesus was one with the Father, and are offended that we teach the Trinity.  The claims of Jesus to be the only way to the Father are offensive to other religions. 

For those with no religion, it is all nonsense.  Jew, Christian, Muslim or other -- we are all talking nonsense.  Many claim that we either cannot know (agnosticism), or that there simply is no God (atheism).

Perhaps it is in an effort to not be offensive to other religions, or perhaps it is in an effort to not seem foolish to the world, but to say that everyone will be saved in the end or that all roads lead to God is to ignore one of the basic truths of the Gospel.  Jesus clearly taught:

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  (John 14:6 ESV, https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.14.6)

In addition, John 3:36 teaches:

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.  (ESV, https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.3.36)

This is the dividing line.

We can and do enjoy rich, warm fellowship and family relationships with Christians who differ from us doctrinally.  Some speak in tongues, others do not.  Some baptize by immersion, others by sprinkling.  Some accept women as pastors, others do not.  Some believe Jesus will rapture the Church before the Tribulation, others believe He will do this at the end of the Tribulation.  While we know we are right and vigorously teach and defend our positions, we share a bond of brotherhood in Christ.  We are family.  Many of us have experienced an unexplainable sense of unity with believers of different cultures and languages, because we share a common Savior.

Jesus is what we have in common, and our faith in Jesus is the dividing line between those who are perishing and those who are being saved.  We need this dividing line because we need to know what to believe and what not to believe.  We must know where the line is drawn.  1 John 4:1-3 explains this when it says:

'Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.  This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.  (1 John 4:1-3 ESV, https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1JN.4.1-3)

This is how we determine the truth from the lie.  This is how we measure whether a teaching is from God.  What do they say about Jesus?

Some who teach falsehood sound as if they are saying the right things about Jesus, but redefine the terms.  For example, some say He is a god but not God.  On the other hand, some say He is a god in the same way we will all one day be gods.  These and other such teachings rob the cross of its power and show that those who say such things are among those who are perishing.

Since the time of Jesus until this present day, Christians have stood on these truths and have chosen to die rather than compromise on the truth of the cross, the truth that Jesus, God's Son, died on the cross to purchase our salvation.

This truth is the very power of God for our salvation.  To add anything to it, such as the thought that any work we can do can merit our salvation, is to take away from the power of the cross, and to nullify it as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:17.

According to 1 Corinthians 1:21, the world, through its wisdom, does not know God, nor can it. 

In 60 A.D., Paul's said, "God used our foolish preaching to save those who believe."  (1 Corinthians 1:21, NLT)  Now, two thousand years later, God is using the same foolish message to save those who believe.  The world is doing all it can to stop this message.  It is ridiculed in the media.  It is ridiculed on our campuses and outlawed in our schools.  In half the countries of the world, the governments openly persecute Christians, imprisoning and in some cases executing them for holding on to this foolish message.

However, for us who know its power, we know that the very gates of hell cannot and will not stop the advance of the Gospel, because it is the very power of God for the salvation of those who believe.  Because of this, we have a unity and solidarity of faith that the world cannot understand or take away.  Truly:

This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.  (1 Corinthians 1:25 NLT, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1CO.1.25)

We live in perilous times, but we need not fear because we have the wisdom and power of God in the message of the cross.

Christ Divided

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Acts 11:26 tells us, "It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians." (NLT)

The word "Christian" means "follower of Christ."  In 1 Corinthians 1:7-9, the Apostle Paul shows us a little of the benefits of being a follower of Christ when he says:

Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  (NLT)

With every spiritual gift having been provided and the promise that God will keep one strong, this is a privileged relationship.  One enters into this relationship with Jesus by faith.  As we are told in John 1:12:

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.  (NLT)

Many other passages of Scripture address both what it means to be a Christian and how one becomes a Christian, but the two just quoted form a good representation.  By our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God has invited us into partnership with His Son.  This partnership with His Son involves us being called His body.  1 Corinthians 12:13 says:

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.  (ESV)

We are made one in Christ.  Based on this, the Apostle makes an appeal.

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.  (1 Corinthians 1:10, ESV)

This is not a harsh scolding, but rather a gentle, loving appeal.  The Spirit comes beside us and gently calls for us to come to unity in the faith, reminding us of the name and character of our Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:10 literally says, "...through the name of our Lord, Jesus the Christ..."  The word name in this case refers to His character as made known by deeds and reputation.  Therefore, this appeal or admonition is based on the tender mercies of our Lord.  As the epistle has just pointed out, we have received God's gracious gifts, forgiveness and cleansing from our sins and partnership with Jesus.  It is based on these things that we are called to unity.

Since this is a call to unity, it is necessary that we define what is meant by unity.  The Apostle does this effectively in very few words.  First, he says, "...that you all speak the same thing..."  (1 Corinthians 1:10 literal translation)  The word used here was: 

...originally, "lay down to sleep," used later of "laying an argument to rest," i.e. bringing a message to closure; (http://biblehub.com/greek/3004.htm) 

This implies coming to agreement on the crucial matters of faith.  He further explains this when he says, "...having been knit together in the same mind and in the same judgment."  Here, in this context, mind refers to reason and judgment refers to knowledge or facts.  Therefore, taking in the knowledge we have, we are expected to arrive at a reasonable conclusion that should lay the argument to rest or bring unity.

This is precisely what the Gospel does.  We all are equal at the foot of the Cross. 

In 335 and 381 A.D., the Church crafted a statement that we all still use to summarize the basics of the faith:

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds (æons), Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father;

by whom all things were made;

who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary, and was made man;

he was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried, and the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father;

from thence he shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead. ;

whose kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spake by the prophets.

While this statement serves as a rudimentary statement of faith for the Christian Church, the Gospel can be summed up even more succinctly in the words of John 3:16.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

However, this does not deal with all matters of faith and practice.  For this reason, we hold the Bible to be the final authority in matters of faith and practice.

Given the tremendous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, His great love and the truth and nature of the Scriptures, unity of the faith is both possible and necessary.  However, divisions are inevitable.

Later on in the letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul says:

But, of course, there must be divisions among you so that you who have God's approval will be recognized!  (1 Corinthians 11:19, NLT)

We can understand this statement more when we read passages like 2 Peter 2:1.

But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.  (NLT)

Necessary divisions result from perversion of the truth of the Gospel and denying the Master, who bought us.  For example, any religion, church or teaching that denies that Jesus is God is a perversion.  1 John 4:3 makes it clear that any teaching that denies Jesus is from the spirit of the antichrist.  Unity of the faith then involves the exclusion or rejection of such heresies.

The appeal, then, that the Apostle is making is for those who are true believers in Jesus Christ.  Through people associated with Chloe, who everyone in Corinth apparently knew, Paul learned of strife in the Church.

As he addresses this strife, Paul defines the nature of the conflict.  In 1 Corinthians 1:12 he says,

What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”  (ESV)

Paul is shocked by this.  He gives the equivalent of a literary shout.  If this were a text message, it would be in all CAPS!  He says, "CHRIST IS DIVIDED!"  Our translations treat this as a question, "Is Christ divided?"  However, the original is a statement, a statement of shock and dismay.

Paul then asks some important questions.  He asks:

Was Paul crucified for you?  Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?  (1 Corinthians 1:13, ESV)

The obvious answer to these questions is "No."

Paul next spends time explaining that he baptized only a few of them.  He stresses that Christ did not send him to baptize but to announce the Good News.  In other words, Paul was not trying to gather a following for himself.  His entire purpose was to gather a following for Christ Jesus.

The problems that Paul points out specifically are strife and divisions.  He addresses these more in 1 Corinthians chapter 3 when he says:

For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?  For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?  (1 Corinthians 3:3-4, ESV)

Strife and divisions come from our flesh or from being human.  Because of this, the root of strife is hard to pinpoint.  Jealousy, greed, pride or malice could all be involved in the motive of the heart.  Some, wishing to gain a following for themselves, will cause strife.  Some, wishing to cause harm to a person or ministry, will cause strife.  Some, having pride in their superior wisdom or knowledge, will cause strife.

Whenever this happens, there must be an intervention.  Paul as an Apostle carried both the authority and responsibility to intervene.  Therefore we have the book of Corinthians.  Because of our human nature, strife is inevitable and there are battles that must be fought.  However, they must be fought without wrath, malice and all those things that characterize the flesh. Paul does not yell at the Corinthians.  He appeals to them as brothers.  In giving instructions to Timothy on pastoral leadership he says:

Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.  (1 Timothy 5:1-2, NLT)

While maintaining a gentle and humble approach, Paul makes his answer to the strife and divisions among the Corinthians.  He first points out that his ministry was not what he calls "eloquent wisdom" or "skilled speech."

The appeal of human wisdom is one of the dangers that Paul spends a lot of time on both in Corinthians and in his other letters.  He spends time on the subject in chapters 1 and 2 and then concludes chapter 3 with:

Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world's standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.  (1 Corinthians 3:18, NLT)

To the Colossian Church he said:

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.  (Colossians 2:8, ESV)

To the Ephesian Church he said:

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  (Ephesians 5:6, ESV)

To the Hebrews he said:

Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings...  (Hebrews 13:9, ESV)

Being led astray by "eloquent wisdom" or "skilled speech" is a real danger.  One of the early heresies in the Church was that of Gnosticism.  Gnostics claimed to possess special knowledge known only to a certain few or the enlightened.  They also taught that the body was entirely evil and that the spirit was entirely good.  This is undoubtedly an oversimplification of their teachings, but it is accurate enough to point out that "special" or "deeper" knowledge is a dangerous thing. Paul certainly had knowledge and he used it.  He says in 1 Corinthians 2:6-7:

Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.  But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.  (ESV)

In addressing the divisions, Paul says that he avoided words of eloquent wisdom "lest the cross of Christ be emptied..."  (1 Corinthians 1:17, ESV)  The word he uses for emptied means nullified or made nothing.  To add anything to the gospel is to make it meaningless.

The Scriptures tell us that evil people and imposters will continue to go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13, ESV)  However, we must hold onto the simple truth of the Gospel.  We are not saved by special knowledge.  No teacher, leader, pastor or priest can save a single person.  Only Jesus saves.  We must faithfully proclaim the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation.

Colossians 2:3 tells us that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ.  In the end, He is our one and only pursuit and purpose.  When we value anything more than Christ, it will show itself in conflicts and strife, first internally and then externally.  Christ is, of course, not divided.  Therefore, strife is always a symptom of a spiritual problem.  We must begin to deal with it by returning to the cross, because only the cross has the power to heal our divisions.

We must not be like those that 2 Timothy 3:5 mentions who "...having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power."  (ESV)

Only the cross has the power to transform lives.  This is why the Apostle Paul says:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  Romans 1:16

The Church in Corinth

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

This week I read the following article on the web:

Calvary Baptist Church, a progressive Baptist landmark in the heart of downtown Washington, has named a gay couple as co-pastors.

Sally Sarratt and Maria Swearingen were presented to the congregation during worship services Sunday (Jan. 8) and are set to begin their new jobs on Feb. 26.

A spokeswoman for the congregation said she didn’t know whether a gay couple leading a church was a first for Baptists.

“We look for the best people in the world and that’s who they were,” said Carol Blythe.  “We’re very excited.”[i]

Calvary Baptist Church is very proud and happy about their choice.  For us conservatives, this is quite shocking.  We ask, “How has this come about?”  However, this is nothing new.  The Apostle Paul dealt with similar issues in the Church of his day.  Paul, in his letter to the Church in Corinth said:

¹I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something that even pagans don’t do.  I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother.  ²You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame.  And you should remove this man from your fellowship.  (1 Corinthians 5:1-2, NLT)

In the Church in Corinth, a wise, understanding approach to morality and sexuality were a source of pride.  They were so proud of themselves.  We are no different.  We are proud of our wisdom.  By looking at what Paul says to the Corinthian church, we will confront the sources of conflict, immorality and false doctrines that have always plagued the Church.

At this time, I will look at the first nine verses of 1 Corinthians 1, and will take up the rest of the chapter in subsequent articles.  In the opening of his letter, the Apostle Paul expresses His thankfulness, introducing himself as the author of the letter and the Corinthian church as the recipients.  Then he takes us to the source of his confidence.  This is the approach I wish to take.  I will look first at the author, then at his recipients and finally at the source of his confidence.

First then, let us consider Paul.

In addition, we must also consider Sosthenes, because Paul lists him as a co-author.  Most of us are familiar with Paul, but not with Sosthenes.  Paul, as an Apostle, is in a unique position of authority.  The Apostles spoke with authority that is passed down only in their writings.  Their authority stems in part from the fact that they were personally trained and commissioned by Jesus.  This authority is of utmost importance, and I want to look at it more in depth.  However, Paul does not include Sosthenes to strengthen his authority.

We meet Sosthenes in Acts 18.  Paul ministered in Corinth for a year and a half before persecution from the Jews in Corinth took on a violent form.  Acts 18 lists Crispus as one of the Jews who accepted Jesus as Savior.  Crispus was the ruler of the synagogue at the time, but was replaced by Sosthenes.  At least, Acts 18:17 lists Sosthenes as ruler of the synagogue.  Sometime after the events of Acts 18, Sosthenes apparently accepted Christ and we find Paul writing with Sosthenes who he calls “our brother.” 

This is important because Paul is an outsider.  As an outsider, he was vulnerable to the accusation of not understanding the culture.  Sosthenes was not an outsider.  He was one of the Corinthians.  Paul uses a similar approach in a number of his letters, referencing others as being with him.  He does this, not to strengthen his authority, but as a softening measure.  By including local influence, he makes the authority by which he speaks more palatable, thus taking away the, “He doesn’t understand us because he is not one of us.”

Paul wrote with Divine authority.  He points this out when he says, “…chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.”  The New Testament was written by apostolic authority.  This is why Peter says:

…Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—speaking of these things in all of his letters.  Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture.  And this will result in their destruction.  (2 Peter 3:15-16, NLT)

We see in this passage that the Apostle Peter speaks of Paul’s writings as being Scripture.  The question of authority is important, because it is the foundation on which we build our faith and practice.  How are we to determine what is right and what is wrong?  According to what we just read from 2 Peter, to distort the things of Scripture will result in our destruction.  Jesus used the analogy of building with a firm foundation or with a foundation firmly planted in the sand. 

Paul, by addressing his authority in the opening of his letter, is establishing his right and responsibility to address issues in the Church.

In 2 Peter 3:2, Peter starts out by saying:

I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.  (2 Peter 3:2, NLT)

The phrase, “…what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles,” reminds us that we would not have a New Testament if it were not for the apostles.  There are histories, such as those written by Josephus, that provide evidence that what the New Testament says is historically accurate.  However, the actual teachings of Jesus are passed down to us in the writings of those who accompanied Jesus night and day for 3 years.  Thus, we can be certain that Jesus said:

For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.  These are what defile you.  Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.  (Matthew 15:19-20, NLT)

Apparently, Jesus thought adultery and sexual immorality were just as wrong as murder, theft, lying and slander.  Do we recognize Him as having authority to speak into our lives?  Do we believe that He is God?  What about His apostles?  Do they have authority?  Paul introduces himself as an apostle in order to establish his claim to authority and right/responsibility to write the letter.  Therefore, he says with the authority of Jesus:

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God?  Don’t fool yourselves.  Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.  (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, NLT)

There are several ways around this statement if we would like to justify our thievery or immorality.  We can question its authority.  We can question its authenticity or we can claim to have greater authority or wisdom.  The Corinthians were doing all three of these, but chief among them was the greater wisdom that they claimed to have developed.

We have come now to the point that it is necessary to talk about who Paul was writing to:  the Corinthians.

First, we see that the Corinthians were genuine believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul says of them:

I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people.  He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.  (1 Corinthians 1:2, NLT)

They are called holy or saints, depending on which translation one uses.  Paul also says that they have been given gracious gifts by Jesus and that God has enriched their church in every way.  We can understand then that while Paul was writing to address problems and issues in the Church at Corinth, it was because they were fellow believers and saints that he was addressing the problems.

However, they were proud of things that according to Paul would keep them from inheriting the kingdom of God.  Paul affirms that they were enriched in every way.  And, it becomes evident in the letter that follows that they had become proud of this and considered themselves superior because of it.  This pride became the source of divisions and many other problems in their fellowship.

Corinth was a trade city, and it was very prosperous.  It lay in a position between Italy and Asia that allowed it to profit by the traffic along a major trade route.  This also made it a multicultural and multiethnic center for that area of the world.  This meant that the city was a crossroads for different ideas, religions, philosophies and vices.  To behave as a Corinthian became euphemistic for behaving immorally.

Philosophically and morally, the Church in the United States has Corinthian-like influences.  Our media, our schools and many of our churches have forsaken the authority of the Apostles and of the Lord Jesus Christ for what they perceive is greater wisdom and enlightenment.

Even so, we can have the same confidence that the Apostle Paul expresses in the opening of his letter to the Corinthians.  We find this confidence in 1 Corinthians 1:7-9.

⁷Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.  ⁸He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.  ⁹God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  (NLT)

A summary statement would be, “Our confidence is in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”  And, this is enough.  However, three elements of this confidence are worth considering.

First, we have every spiritual gift we need.

The Lord has poured out His Spirit and gifts on the Church in full measure.  We have gifted teachers, musicians, poets, scholars, pastors and ministries in abundance.  We have excellent Bible translations, study materials and available resources in all formats in incredible variety and abundance.  Radio programs, podcasts, YouTube and books beyond counting are available to us.  The abundance of gifts and provision both physical and spiritual that God has poured out upon His Church in the United States is truly remarkable.

However, gifts are not all that we need.  The second element in our confidence in God is His faithfulness. 

Paul says, “He will keep you strong.”

What a tremendous promise.  This promise is echoed in a number of places in the New Testament.  A favorite of mine is Philippians 1:6, which says:

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.  (NLT)

This promise of God does not mean that we will not go through refining, fiery trials.  It means that God, in His faithfulness, will take us through whatever is necessary to refine, purify and sanctify us for Himself as a spotless bride.

It occurs to me to ask, “Do we want God’s gifts, or do we want God Himself?” 

Oh, for a heart for God, to love Him with heart and soul and strength as I have been commanded!  What treasure in life can compare with the treasure of knowing Jesus?

God is faithful.  We can have full confidence that He will complete the work He has begun.  But, it is important to realize what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15.

¹²Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.  ¹³But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done.  The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.  ¹⁴If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.  ¹⁵But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss.  The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.  (NLT)

What am I building with?  We must each ask ourselves this question.

Finally, a third element in our confidence is our calling.  Paul says, “…he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Like Paul, we have a calling, a purpose.

Our calling, purpose and mission give us great confidence.  My value is not found in superior wisdom or knowledge.  It is not found in my gifts or in me at all.  The calling of God fills my life with meaning, value and purpose.  Such confidence comes from having confidence in God.  This is why Paul could express such thankfulness even while writing to correct abuses, problems and divisions.

What is your confidence?

---

[i] http://religionnews.com/2017/01/09/gay-couple-will-pastor-historic-baptist-dc-church/. Accessed November 15, 2017.

The Return of the Lord

Revelation 19:11-21

Jesus is coming back.

He promised us:

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  (John 14:3, KJV)

The belief that Jesus is coming again is central to the teaching and faith of all Christians.  However, how and when this will occur is not agreed upon.  That He is coming is not in doubt.  How He is coming is not clearly understood.  This can be explained by looking at how the Jews of the Old Testament interpreted the promises of His coming.

The Old Testament prophets promised that a Messiah, a Savior, would come.  Many details were given.  He was to be born of a virgin.  He was to be of the line of David.  He was to be born in Bethlehem.  He was to save His people from their sins.  Along with these promises, there were promises for the Gentiles.  He was to be a light for the nations, and a Savior for all peoples.  In addition, there were promises for the kingdom of Israel:  promises of a restored nation and a kingdom.

As the people anticipated His coming, they understood only ONE coming.  They thought the Messiah would come and restore all things all at once.  They did  not envision a process or more than one coming, certainly not a second coming.  In the paragraph above, I have described three separate promises: the Incarnation, the salvation of the Nations and the Kingdom of Israel.

The people who had only the Old Testament had trouble understanding both His sufferings and the glories to follow in the context of one coming.  They did not separate the promises for the nation of Israel from the promises for the nations.  They did not separate the promises of salvation for all peoples from promises for the kingdom of Israel.

We are no different.  We have trouble discerning what the Spirit is saying to us.

For example, the Kingdom of God is not of this world.  The Kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom and God reigns as King in our hearts.  This has always been true.  Jesus taught that God seeks worshipers who worship Him in spirit and in truth. Abraham was such a man, and he worshiped God before there was any nation of Israel.  The same is true of Noah and Enoch.  However, this truth does not negate or nullify the promises God made to Israel and to David of a lasting kingdom and throne.  And yet, many, based upon the truth of the spiritual kingdom, teach that the Church has replaced Israel.  This is an error and it leads to errors in regards to our understanding of the times and seasons of Jesus' return.

The importance of the issue is addressed in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 where the Spirit says:

Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.  (NLT)

If one teaches that the Kingdom that is promised is now and that it is a spiritual kingdom and that the teaching of Revelation 20 regarding the Millennium is symbolic, then one must also teach that the day of the Lord has already begun or at least leave open the possibility,  which, according to 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, is impossible.

The reason a clear understanding is important is given:  to prevent us from being shaken or alarmed.

It is easy for us to be shaken or alarmed.  Let's consider what the Bible has to say about the world we live in.

Psalms 2:1-2 says:

Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together
against the LORD
and against his anointed one. (NLT)

This has long been the attitude of the world toward God, our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We have all heard of the Antichrist and his coming. Daniel 9:26 describes him as "the prince who is to come" and 2 Thessalonians 2:3 describes him as the "man of lawlessness."  In the book of Revelation, he is called "the beast."  However, 1 John 4:3 tells us:

...every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. (ESV)

Jesus warned us:
If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.  (John 15:18, NLT)

And, the Apostle John added to this when he said:

So don't be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
1 John 3:13, NLT

When 26 believers are killed on a Sunday morning in a church just outside of San Antonio, we are shaken to the core.  However, we should realize that the spirit of the Antichrist is at work in the world.  Throughout the world, Christians die for their faith every day.

The spirit of the Antichrist has long been at work in the world.  Things that happen may cause us to think the day of the Lord has come. However, the day of the Lord has not yet begun.  2 Thessalonians 2:3 makes it clear that the man of  lawlessness, the beast, must first be revealed, and 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 makes it clear that he cannot be revealed until the restrainer is removed.

And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.  (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7, NASB)

The One who holds him back is the Holy Spirit present in the Church, the Body of Christ.  The removal of this Restrainer will occur with the rapture of the Church.  This will complete the age of the Gentiles where God has been working to fulfill His promise to bring salvation to the Nations.

However, in relation to the Lord's return, at the rapture we are described as meeting the Lord in the air.  Jesus is not described as setting His feet on the ground.  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says:

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. (NASB)

Once this occurs, the man of lawlessness will be revealed, the seventieth week of Daniel 9 will begin, and so will the day of the Lord.  This will complete the 70 weeks decreed for the nation of Israel and be the period known as the great tribulation.  This has to do with God's promises to the nation of Israel.

At the end of this tribulation period, the Lord Himself will fight against the Beast and his army.  This is what is described in Revelation 19:19-21.

19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.

 This battle is also foretold in Zechariah 14:3-4, which says:

Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south.  (NLT)

This describes a coming of the Lord not understood by those who did not foresee the church age and/or perceive the separate promise of God to bring salvation to the nations.

This second coming described by Revelation 19 and Zechariah 14 will precede the Millennial Kingdom.  While Isaiah, Ezekiel and other passages refer to the Millennial Kingdom, Revelation 20 describes it in very clear language:

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. 2 He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years. 3 The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while.

4 Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.  (Revelation 20:1-4, NLT)

At the time of His incarnation, Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.  He bore our sins.  He bore our sorrows.  By His wounds, we are healed.  God laid on Him the iniquity of us all.  (Isaiah 53)  However, look at how He is described in Revelation 19:11-13:

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

This is the Jesus who was born in a manger to a young virgin named Mary.  This is the same Jesus who allowed Himself to be beaten, stripped and spit upon.  This is the same Jesus who died to save us from our sins.  However, this time He is coming to judge the nations.  A great spiritual truth will be demonstrated before the eyes of all the earth.  John 3:36 says:

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (ESV)

These things are coming.  Jesus will come, first for His Church and then to judge the nations.  Are you ready?

I do not want believers in Christ to be shaken, thinking the day of the Lord has already begun.  But, I do want us all to be shaken if we are serving anything or anyone besides the Lord.  We are so busy.  Life is full of challenges, adventures and pleasures.  Our appetite for these things can easily become our god.  1 John 2:15-17 tells us:

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.  (ESV)

We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  (Romans 3:23)  The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)  The Lord promises, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  (Romans 10:13)

Come and accept Jesus as your Savior today.

If you, for some reason, choose not to accept Jesus now and one day find that all the believers have disappeared, remember this message.  Seven horrible, terrible, very bad years are decreed and then the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will appear.  At any time during those seven years, you can save your eternal soul by calling on the name of the Lord to be saved.  It will be better for you though if you just do it now.

Jesus is coming and:

On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.  (Revelation 19:16, ESV)

The Day of the Lord

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11


The day of the Lord is coming.

For those who believe in Christ, this is good news.  For as 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 says:

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. (NLT)

The day of His appearing will be a time of rejoicing for those who believe, but for those who do not, there is only the certain expectation of wrath, judgment and trouble.  However, even then there will be hope for those who repent. 

The day of the Lord is a term used to describe a series of events foretold by the Scriptures regarding what could be termed the end of the world or end times prophecies.  There are ministries whose entire existence centers around end times prophecies and world events: interpretations abound.

The passage we just read refers to the rapture of the church.  However, three major teachings are dominant in regard to the rapture of the Church.  These three are pre, mid and post.  That is to say, pre means pre-tribulation.  This is the teaching that Jesus will rapture His Church before the tribulation.  This is often shortened so that one hears "pretrib." Mid and Post correspond to teachings that Jesus will return either in the middle of the seven year tribulation or at the end of the seven year tribulation.

These teachings are not to be confused with teachings regarding the millennium.  The "tribulation" refers to seven years of unsurpassed evil and suffering.  It will be a time of God's judgment, and a chance for the unbelieving to repent and be saved.  The "millennium" refers to the thousand year reign of Christ on earth referred to in Revelation 20.

There are also three major teachings on the millennium:  Pre, post or "a-."  These three teachings have to do with when and whether or not Jesus will set up a literal, physical kingdom on earth.  We are pre-mil, according to our doctrinal statement.  In other words, we believe and teach that the tribulation and Jesus' return will happen before the millennial kingdom of Christ on earth.

While our doctrinal statement says nothing about pre, mid or post trib, we clearly state that we are pre-millennial or "pre-mil."  This is because of the clear teaching of Scripture.  We know the Spirit is indicating that Jesus will reign on earth.  We know the Spirit is indicating there will be a period of tribulation preceding Jesus' reign.  However, we are not in agreement about the timing of the rapture of the Church in relation to the tribulation.  While I am convinced the Scriptures are clear on this point, I leave room for the Holy Spirit to convict me if I have misinterpreted His Word.

The tribulation and millennium together form a concept known as the "Day of the Lord."  1 Thessalonians 5:2 uses the term "day of the Lord" to describe the events of the last days. 

 As I said, there are ministries whose whole focus is on the end times or the day of the Lord, and interpretations abound.  Some have been led astray by false doctrines in regard to these things, and even false religions and cults have sprung up as biblical prophecies are twisted or misused.  Therefore, it is surprising that Paul starts 1 Thessalonians 5 with the statement:

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)

Literally, he says, "Now concerning times and seasons..." 

Is he saying this because these things are not important?

No, he is saying this because they already knew the truth.  He is saying this to us as well.  We already have all the revelation we need to discern the truth. 

He uses the same language in 1 Thessalonians 4:9 in relation to love.  He says:

But we don't need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.  (NLT)

Loving each other is very important, and the reason Paul says there is no need to write to them about the importance is because they are taught by God.  It is the same way with times and seasons.  We are expected to know.  Jesus scolded the religious teachers of His day because they could read the signs in the sky for the weather, but they could not discern the signs of the times.  In truth, the point of the passage we are looking at today is that we should not be caught by surprise at the coming of the day of the Lord.

What is essential for us is that we encourage each other and build each other up.  This is the conclusion that the Spirit works toward in verse 11.

We have all heard the saying that the day will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.  And indeed, this is what verse 2 of 1 Thessalonians 5 starts with.  It says:

For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.  (NLT)

At first glance, this does not seem encouraging.  However, it works to the encouraging of us believers, and as a strong warning to those who do not believe.

First, he gives the warning.  1 Thessalonians 5 3 says:

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.  (NLT)

It is important to note that this says, "When people are saying..."  It is ambiguous who is talking.  However, it is clear that believers are not saying this.  The Spirit clearly says that in the last days mockers will come, mocking the day of His appearing.  2 Peter 3:3-4 says:

Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”  (NLT)

It is upon such people that disaster will fall suddenly.  This is why 1 Thessalonians 5:4 says:
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief.  (NASB)

The teaching and encouragement begins here.  Only those who do not take the word of God seriously will be caught off guard.  The "thief in the night" analogy is for those who are asleep, not for us believers.  There is no need to write to us believers about the times and seasons because we are already taught by God to be aware of the times and the seasons.  Jesus is very clear that no one knows the day or hour of His appearing, but He also makes it clear that we should know the season.

This is where 1 Thessalonians 5:6 says, "Stay alert and be clearheaded."  This is a two-part exhortation.  The first part is to be alert, and the second part is to be clearheaded.

First, how do we stay alert?

I know I am speaking to those who take the word of God seriously, but I fear for those who do not.  How often does the word of God warn us to stay alert?  Jesus told a parable of a master who went away and left a servant in charge.  In this parable Jesus taught, "Blessed is that servant whose master returns and finds him doing his job."  (Matthew 24:46, Berean Study Bible)  This seems to indicate there is a tendency for us to let down our guard and start "goofing off," as it were.

The first step in staying alert is to make our spiritual life a priority.  The goal of a daily quite time is a relationship.  Everyone has knowledge.  I do not need to fill you with more knowledge, but I must exhort and encourage  you to spend time alone with God every day.  This is what Paul is talking about when he says he does not need to write to us about times and seasons.  Knowledge is not the problem, staying alert is.  When I say alone with God, I do not mean a devotional book.  I  mean time alone with the Bible and the Spirit of God.  Ask God questions.  Look at the verse you are reading and ask God why.  "Why is this important?"  "Why is this here?"  We all miss days, but I do not know why.  I have also gone days without talking to my wife, and I know from experience that this is a sure recipe for disaster, and a very stupid practice.  While my wife is very patient, God is much more patient.  However, this does not decrease the trouble I can get myself into if I am not listening to Him.  I do not want to be legalistic about this, but how can we have a relationship with God if we do not take the time to listen to Him?  This is the only way to stay alert that I know of.

1 Thessalonians 5:5 says:

For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

Here, Paul's exhortation shifts focus from being alert to being clearheaded.  Whoever takes the time to be in the word of God daily will develop knowledge.  However, knowledge without humility and application to our lives leads only to pride and arrogance.   1 Corinthians 8:1 warns us, "But knowledge puffs up while love builds up." (NIV)  I am not speaking against knowledge as much as I am trying to remind us all that it is important to remember who we are.  Jesus reminded us that we are the light of the world.   Ephesians 5:1 reminds us to imitate God because we are His children, and here in 1 Thessalonians  5 we are being reminded that we are children of the light.  We do not belong to darkness and night. The danger to us as believers is not the difficulties that are to come, but becoming so intoxicated by the world that we live like we belong to the darkness around us.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 warns us:

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.

This is why 1 Thessalonians 5:6 and 8 tell us to be clearheaded.  We are to have a sober assessment of the times and seasons we are living in, and verse 8 points us to the tools at our disposal that will enable us to remain clearheaded.

Verse 8 reminds us of the armor of God presented to us in Ephesians 6. It says:

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.

The armor of faith and love is the breastplate of righteousness.  Our hearts are protected by the shield of faith and by the attitude of love.  The shield of faith works by our confidence in the word of God.  If the world we live in has shaken our faith in the word of God, we will not stand.  If the world we live in has quenched the fire of our love for God and our brothers and sisters in Christ, we will not stand.  The helmet of salvation is our confidence in the truth of the gospel that protects our minds. 

If we stay alert by humbly spending time alone with God every day, we stay clearheaded by humbly remaining  in fellowship with other believers every week. This is why verse 11 says:

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

If we do not stay alert and clearheaded, the Lord's return will sneak up on us like a thief in the night.  Caught off guard, we will suffer loss.  However, there is no reason we should be caught off guard.  The best preparation we can have is to stay ready.  If we stay ready, we will not need to get ready.  Indeed, this is the only way we will be ready.  If you are not ready, there is not much time so get ready now, today.