Sermon text

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

[1] Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. [2] For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. [3] 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. [4] But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. [5] For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. [6] So then, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. [7] For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. [8] 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. [9] For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, [10] who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep, we might live with him. [11] Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (ESV)

Call to Worship

Psalm 57:1–5

[1] Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
        in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
till the storms of destruction pass by.
[2] I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
[3] He will send from heaven and save me;
he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah
       God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!
[4] My soul is in the midst of lions;
I lie down amid fiery beasts—
the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
[5] Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth! (ESV)

Prayer of Repentance

O Lord, You who are all-merciful, take away my sins from me and enkindle within me the fire of Your Holy Spirit. Take away this heart of stone from me and give me a heart of flesh and blood, a heart to love and adore You, a heart which may delight in You, love You, and please You, for Christ’s sake. Amen.

Benediction

Heavenly Father, You are faithful and we look forward to the return of Jesus, what a great day that will be! By Your grace, let us live our lives in light of His return. May we be like the bride, preparing for the bride groom, as we seek holiness and obedience with all things. Give us the strength to endure the trials and temptations set before us, as we set our eyes on Jesus who endured on our behalf.  Continue to grow our love for one another and may the world know we are Yours by how we love one another. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

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