1 Thes 5:4-11 The Children of the Day CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
Children of the day are children of light, v.5, because God our Father is light, 1 Jn 1:5-6, because Jesus our brother is light, Jn 12:46, Jn 8:12, and because the word of God by which we were born again is light, 2 Pet 1:19. Children of the day are not:
In Darkness, v.4 – the world is in darkness, Jn 1:4-9, but because we have received Jesus as our Savior, we are not of the darkness or of the night, Jn 9:4-5. When Jesus was here it was day and now that he is gone it is night. And when he returns it will be day here again, Lk 1:76-79. Since he is in us, though, it is day for us even in nighttime.
Overtaken, v.4 – we know that Jesus is coming and when he comes he will remove us from the earth, 1 Thes4:13-18. The rest of the world will be completely surprised by his return to the earth, just like people are surprised by a thief, Joel 2:1-11, Matt 24:42-44.
Appointed to Wrath, v.9 – the wrath of God is poured out when Jesus returns, Is 13:9, Mal 4:1-3, 2 Thes 1:7-9. The earth will have to keep this appointment, but we get to miss it because we have been saved.
Rather, Children of the day are to:
Watch and Be Sober, v.6-8 – while the world sleeps in the night and is drunken in the night, we are to watch and be awake, Rom 13:11-14, Eph 5:14, 8. And we are to be sober, Tit 2:2, 1 Pet 5:8, 2 Pet 3:14. Our hearts are to be guarded with the breastplate of faith and love and our minds are to be guarded with the helmet of the hope of Salvation.
Obtain Salvation, v.9-10 – so there is more to obtain than what we have in salvation right now. In addition to eternal life, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the gift of Jesus, and all the promises, we will receive a glorified body in the likeness of Jesus, Rom 8:23-25, Phil 3:21, and an inheritance, Eph 1:11. We receive all of these by Jesus who died for us, so whether we wake [are alive when he returns] or sleep [are dead when he returns], Jn 11:25-26, 1 Thes 4:16-17, we are going to live together with him, Eph 1:10.
Comfort Ourselves Together, v.11 – because these truths are, indeed, comforting, 1 Thes4:18.
Edify One Another, v.11 – these truths strengthen us together and unify us as children of the day in a very dark world, Eph 4:11-16.