# “Living as Children of the Day”

## Scripture Reference(s)
Acts 17; Acts 2; Acts 8; Daniel 9:24–27; Matthew 16; Matthew 24:14; Luke 12:35–40; John 5:24; Romans 5:5; Romans 10:9–10, 13; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5; Colossians 1; Colossians 3:4; Philippians 4:4; Revelation 2–3; Revelation 6; Revelation 11; Revelation 13  

## Introduction  
• Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians answered fears that deceased believers had “missed” Christ’s return.  
• In 1 Thessalonians 5 Paul tackles a second concern: “When will the Day of the Lord arrive?”  
• Pastor reminds listeners that the Church’s present task is world-wide gospel witness; dating Christ’s return is forbidden.  
• Historical sweep given: apostolic zeal, later persecutions, state favor under Constantine, medieval formalism, the Reformation, and today’s mission deficit of three billion unreached people.

## Key Points / Exposition  

### 1. The Day of the Lord & the Two “Days”  
- “Day of Man” (present age) vs. “Day of the Lord” (future divine intervention).  
- Sequence taught:  
  1. Rapture—Christ comes “as a thief” for His Church (1 Th 4–5).  
  2. Seven-year tribulation (cf. Daniel 9:24-27; Revelation 6).  
  3. Christ returns with His saints to establish His kingdom.  
- Believers are “rescued from the coming wrath” (1 Th 1:10); wrath is for those who reject grace.

### 2. Mission of the Present Church  
- Matthew 24:14—gospel to every nation precedes the end.  
- First-century believers evangelised the known Roman world within one generation (Col 1).  
- Today’s unfinished task: ~3 billion unreached souls.  
- Church exists on earth not for comfort but for witness.

### 3. Errors of Date-Setting  
- Recent African prophecy naming a rapture date shows biblical illiteracy.  
- Jesus’ seven words: “It is not for you to know” (Acts 1 paraphrased).  
- Believers must know Scripture to avoid deception.

### 4. Salvation & True Church Identity  
- Entry is through Christ alone (John 5:24).  
- Salvation by grace through faith, not sacraments or works (Romans 10:9-10).  
- Repentance = surrender of self-rule to Jesus’ lordship.

### 5. Living as Children of Light (1 Th 5:4–11)  
- Contrasting pronouns: “they/them” (unbelievers) vs. “you/us” (saints).  
- Commands: be awake, sober, armoured with faith & love (breastplate) and hope (helmet).  
- Promise: no appointment with divine wrath.

### 6. Household Conduct While We Wait (1 Th 5:12–22)  
- Esteem hardworking leaders.  
- Live in peace; warn the idle; encourage the disheartened; help the weak; be patient.  
- Never repay wrong with wrong.  
- Personal disciplines:  
  • Rejoice always (Phil 4:4)  
  • Pray continually  
  • Give thanks in every circumstance  
  • Do not quench the Spirit  
  • Test prophecies; hold the good; reject evil.

### 7. The Holy Spirit & Everyday Prophecy  
- Acts 2 promise: sons & daughters will prophesy.  
- “Prophecy” often manifests as Spirit-prompted impressions leading to timely words or actions (e.g., Philip & Ethiopian, Acts 8).  
- Sensitivity grows as believers daily present themselves for service and obey small promptings.

### 8. Apostolic Benediction  
- 1 Th 5:23-24—prayer for complete sanctification (spirit, soul, body) until Christ appears.  
- God’s faithfulness guarantees fulfilment.

## Major Lessons & Revelations  
• Christ’s return is certain but unschedulable; readiness replaces date-setting.  
• The Church’s raison d’être is gospel proclamation to every people.  
• Salvation is a present possession—believers have already “passed from death to life.”  
• Faith, love, and hope are both armour for warfare and identifiers of true disciples.  
• The Spirit still speaks; quenching Him impoverishes witness.

## Practical Application  
1. Begin each day by yielding yourself to Christ’s mission: “Here am I—send me.”  
2. Study Scripture systematically to resist false predictions.  
3. Share the gospel intentionally, aiming at the remaining unreached.  
4. Honour and pray for local church leaders; foster unity and peace.  
5. Encourage someone disheartened this week—call, visit, pray.  
6. Practise continual prayer: short, frequent dialogues with the Lord.  
7. Keep a “faith-love-hope checklist” when facing news, conflict, or temptation.  
8. Record Spirit promptings; act on them and evaluate fruit.  
9. Refuse retaliation; choose blessing over payback.  
10. Cultivate gratitude—list daily evidences of God’s grace.

## Conclusion & Call to Response  
The Day of the Lord is approaching swiftly and silently. Those who belong to Christ need not fear; instead, they must shine as children of light, labouring to complete the Great Commission.  Pastor urges every hearer: examine whether Jesus is truly Lord, surrender self-rule, and step into a life of Spirit-led witness.

## Prayer  
“Father, thank You for the promised Day of the Lord. Sanctify us completely—spirit, soul, and body—that we may be blameless at Christ’s appearing. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit, clothe us with faith, love, and hope, and empower us to be light in a dark world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

## References & Resources  
• Hymn quoted: “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.”  
• Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” (1517) – Reformation milestone.  
• Historical overview: Persecutions under Nero to Constantine; Revelation 2–3 church portraits.