THE MARKS OF A CHRISTIAN

Pastor James J. Barker

Text: I THESSALONIANS 5:1-28




INTRODUCTION:


  1. The phrase "the times and the seasons" (5:1) indicates that the apostle Paul is referring to the question of the time of the Lord's return (cf. 4:13-18). Chapter 5 is a continuation of chapter 4.
  2. The Bible teaches repeatedly that we will not know that precise date of our Lord's return.
  3. Our Lord said in Matthew 24:36, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
  4. And here in I Thessalonians 5:1, Paul says to the church of the Thessalonians, "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you."
  5. Paul wrote that because they had been reading in the Old Testament about the day of the LORD and the description and characteristics of that day were familiar to them. It is a great theme in Old Testament prophecy.
  6. Paul taught them much Bible prophecy (cf. II Thess. 2:5).
  7. This is the first mention in this epistle of the phrase "the day of the Lord." It is not a single 24-hour day. Rather it is an extended length of time, covering a number of events beginning with the rapture and extending through the tribulation period, into the millennial kingdom, the thousand-year reign of Christ.
  8. Unsaved people know nothing of this. The Bible says they are in darkness (5:3-5). They are "asleep" (5:6, 7).
  9. Jesus said in Matthew 25:5, "While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept."
  10. God's people should not be slumbering and sleeping. And God's people are not in darkness. While we wait for the Lord to return we are to be busy. Jesus said in Luke 19:13, "Occupy till I come."
  11. This is laid out for us here in I Thessalonians 5, which is a summary of true Christianity.
  12. I have entitled this morning's message, "The Marks of a Christian."

 

I. HOPEFULNESS -- we are looking onward

  1. This world is in bad shape, but the Christian is hopeful. Here in New York, we have several degenerates and perverts running for office.
  2. I read an article the other day that said, thanks to Mr. Weiner and Mr. Spitzer, New York City has become a laughing stock.
  3. However, New York City has been a laughing stock for a very long time. Nevertheless, the Christian is hopeful. We see NYC as a great mission field.
  4. Romans 5:20 says, "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound."
  5. This world is in bad shape, but the Christian is hopeful. When the worldly crowd says, "Peace and safety," we know that sudden destruction will come upon them, "as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape" (I Thess. 5:3).
  6. This world is in darkness, but those of us who have been born again are not in darkness (5:4, 5). We are hopeful.
  7. This world is in darkness, but those of us who have been saved by the grace of God are not in darkness (5:4, 5). We are hopeful.
  8. First Thessalonians 5:2-4 refers to "the day of the Lord." In this context, the day of the Lord refers to the events surrounding the second coming of Christ. It will be a time of judgment for those who are not saved.
  9. The Lord will deal with the world in judgment for its sin. God will pour out His wrath upon this world because this world loves sin.
  10. God will pour out His wrath upon this world because this world has rejected the Gospel.
  11. Worldly people know nothing about the rapture, about the coming tribulation period, about the antichrist, about the mark of the beast, about the battle of Armageddon, and about Bible prophecy in general.
  12. Their minds are filled with worldly foolishness, drugs, alcohol, rock music, Hollywood filth, sports, making money, shopping, etc.
  13. But the Christian is hopeful, and the Christian is watchful (5:6-8).
  14. "The night" in verse 7 represents darkness. Sinners love darkness. John 3:19 says, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
  15. "Men love darkness." Adulterers love darkness. Homosexuals love darkness. Drunkards love darkness. Dopeheads love darkness. Thieves love darkness. Liars love darkness.
  16. "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness" (I Thess. 5:4).
  17. First Thessalonians 5:8 says, "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation."
  18. This is similar to what Paul says in Ephesians 6:12-18. It has been pointed out that there is no mention of a protective covering for the back. This is because Christians must never retreat. We must never turn back.
  19. We are looking onward. We are moving forward.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
-- Sabine Baring-Gould

  1. The Christian is hopeful because "God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (5:9; cf. 4:16-18).
  2. No matter what happens to the Christian, whether we live or whether we die, we have a glorious future because we shall be with the Lord forever (5:10).
  3. Our Lord said, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 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 14:1-3).
  4. That is a message of hope (cf. Titus 2:11-13).

 

II. HELPFULNESS -- we are looking outward

  1. The Christian is looking outward -- looking for ways to help others.
  2. Over 100 years ago, the Salvation Army had their big annual conference, and the report was that General Booth, their founder, would not be able to attend due to his failing health.
  3. It was agreed that though he could not attend, General Booth would send a telegram or a message to be read at the opening of the convention as an encouragement to those in attendance.
  4. When the thousands of delegates met, the moderator announced that General Booth would not be able to attend because of failing health and eyesight. Gloom and sadness swept across the convention. Then, the moderator announced that General Booth had sent a message to be read with the opening of the first session. He opened the telegram and read the one word message:
    "Others!"
  5. The hymnwriter put it this way:

Lord, help me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer shall be for — Others.

 

Others, Lord, yes others,
Let this my motto be,
Help me to live for others,
That I may live like Thee.
-- Charles D. Meigs. 

  1. "Edify" one another (5:11) means to "build up." Christians are helpful. We try to build each other up. We are not trying to tear people down.
  2. The devil is tearing people down.
  3. Jesus said, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).
  4. Jesus said, "For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (Luke 9:56).
  5. As pastors we try to build up our congregation -- spiritually, as well as numerically. That is our responsibility.
  6. Church members should be helpful. They have their responsibilities too, and one of them is to take care of their pastor (I Thess. 5:12, 13).
  7. When Christians do this, there is peace in the church (5:13b).
  8. Problems arise in the church because the church is comprised of people, and people often create problems. But God has given us instructions on how to deal with difficulties in the church (5:14, 15).
  9. "Unruly" (5:14) means "out of line." Some believers are feebleminded and weak (5:14). We must be "patient" with them.
  10. "But ever follow that which is good" (5:15).

 

III. HAPPINESS -- we are looking upward

  1. We joyfully look up to God and rejoice (5:16).
  2. We joyfully look up to God and pray (5:17, 25). Our Lord said "that men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1).
  3. Our Lord said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Luke 11:9).
  4. Our Lord said in Matthew 21:22, "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
  5. The Bible speaks of continuing in prayer, and continuing instant in prayer, and of praying always in the Spirit.
  6. James 5:16 says, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Let us "Pray without ceasing" (I Thess. 5:17).
  7. We joyfully look up to God and give thanks (5:18).
  8. The Christian should never "quench" the Holy Spirit (5:19). In Scripture, fire is an emblem of the Holy Spirit. Some Christians put out the fire; they quench the Spirit by sin. Just like you can quench a fire, you can quench the Spirit.
  9. Sometimes Christians let the fire go out by carelessness.
  10. Beloved. Let us not be careless. And let us not be worldly.
  11. Let us look upward -- the Lord is coming soon.

May be morning, may be noon,
May be evening and may be soon!
Coming again, Coming again;
O what a wonderful day it will be -
Jesus is coming again!

 

CONCLUSION:


  1. In I Thessalonians 5:23, the apostle Paul prays for them to be wholly (completely) sanctified.
  2. The word "sanctify" means, "to separate from profane things; to consecrate to God."
  3. Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
  4. "And I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (5:23b).
  5. Jesus is coming, and we need to be consecrated, and dedicated, and separated while we wait for His coming.
  6. Do you have these marks of a Christian?

Hopeful -- looking onward

Helpful -- looking outward

Happy -- looking upward

 



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