What a blessing it is to come to the Christmas season, not just because of the remembrance, but because of the music.
! I just love the music of Christmas.
And they couldn't have been better positioned this morning just to help prepare our hearts for the subject that we're going to be dealing with today.
If you've looked at your bulletins and if you're looking at the screen, you see Christmas and the second coming.
And you might be asking yourself the question, time out, wait a second, go back to seminary.
I think you need to get your theology straightened out here, Andrew, because Christmas and the second coming just don't go together.
I mean, come on.
And then for our Christmas passage today, we're going to be in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5.
How many of you have ever had a Christmas sermon from 1 Thessalonians chapter 5?
All right, it's a first.
Hopefully not the last.
Because we hope to be here again next week to fill out our discussion about how in the world does Christmas go with the second coming.
And what I'd like to help us understand today is it really is just a matter of perspective.
And any of you who have heard stories about the significance of perspective would be familiar with the story of the six blind men who are on their journey.
Okay?
And on their journey, all of a sudden, one of them runs into this elephant.
And we're going to see that here in a moment here.
So they're running into this elephant.
And the first guy, he's feeling around.
He's blind.
He doesn't know what this is.
But he hears this is an elephant.
And he says, ha-ha, I know what an elephant is.
It's large like a wall.
It can't be pushed.
This is what an elephant truly is.
Then the second guy says, are you kidding me?
I can put my arms around this elephant.
You can't put your arms around a wall.
Certainly, a wall is not a good description of an elephant.
He's holding on to the leg.
And he says, what a better description of an elephant is as a tree.
I can feel the texture.
I can feel this bark-like substance.
And I can put my arms around it just like a tree.
Of course, the third guy says, no, no, no, no, no.
I can feel texture, yes.
He's holding on to the trunk.
And it is small.
It's not like a wall.
But it's not as big as a tree.
And it's really flexible.
And it's curling around my arm.
No, this is more like a snake.
An elephant is like a snake.
And the next guy says, you are all wrong.
He's holding on to the tail.
He says, yes, it does have some texture.
And it is small.
I can put my hands around this.
But can't you feel the hair?
It's more like a rope.
Not like a wall or like a tree or like a snake.
No, it's like a rope.
And the final guy says, you are all crazy.
He's holding on to the tusk.
And he says, yes, it's firm.
And it's not flexible.
It's smooth.
I don't feel any texture at all.
And the end is sharp.
This elephant is like a spear.
And certainly, they all bring their different perspectives to the table.
Not one of theirs perspective is wrong.
They all have a measure of truth inherent to what they are describing in this elephant.
But because they all have a limited perspective and don't see the elephant in its totality,
their perspective is narrow.
Their perspective is small.
And so they have a limited understanding of what an elephant really is.
Now, when we come to the Christmas story this morning,
I would say the first century Jew was less like these blind men
and more like those who see the elephant as a whole.
Because their prophetic experience in reading from the Word
is to see what the coming of Jesus was going to be like from start to finish.
They saw the beginning of Jesus' ministry
and they also got to see the end that we're going to look at this morning.
So it's no surprise why those living in the first century
in expecting the totality of Jesus' ministry
were dumbfounded when Jesus didn't meet their expectation.
To the extent that the wise men come into Jerusalem
and they go to the palace and they ask Herod,
where is he who is born king of the Jews?
Now, this greatly concerned Herod as he's considering this.
He'll have some competition going on.
So he calls in for the scribes.
He calls in for the chief priests.
And he asks them, where is this individual?
Where is this Messiah-like figure
who will come and will be the king of the Jews?
Where will he come to be born?
And of course, their answer was,
well, obviously he is going to be born in Bethlehem.
That's what was foretold of the prophets long ago.
He will be born of Bethlehem.
He will be a king.
But did you ever find it surprising
that the scribes and the chief priests
leave those wise men in Jerusalem?
They stay put while the wise men make their way to Bethlehem?
For all that they knew about the prophecies,
their limited perspective kept them fixed
and planted in Jerusalem
instead of going to worship the king.
I would like to present to you this morning
that the same happens for us in Christmas,
but not because we have a broad perspective
of what Christmas is,
but because our focus about Christmas is too narrow.
Our understanding of the coming of Christ
is too limited.
It's too small.
Of course, we think about Jesus.
He was born of a virgin, Mary,
and he traveled along with Joseph, of course,
in his mother's womb as they were going to Bethlehem.
He was delivered and put in place in a manger.
And yes, there were angels that came to sing
and to proclaim the message of Christ's birth
there in the fields outside on the outskirts of Bethlehem.
And yes, they did come,
but that is just a narrow view
of what Christmas really is.
It does include his life in ministry.
It does include his death and his resurrection.
But I want to present to you
and help maybe present a case
that the coming of Christ
includes all that we think of,
including the future events of Christ's coming.
Christmas and future events.
And when we think about the future,
we can think about the future with certainty.
We can think about the future with expectancy
and anticipation
because of what he has accomplished
in the past for us,
which was yet future for the prophets
and present for those living
during the first century.
But before we look into our word,
let me pray for us
that God will direct our hearts
as we think about Christmas
and future events.
Let's pray.
Father, we have come here this morning
as those who desire to worship.
We desire, like the shepherds,
to bow down before your throne,
before your manger,
before the person of Jesus today.
And we desire to give you
the gifts that we have.
Really, the ultimate gift
that we can give to you
is the gift of ourself.
That's what you want from us.
You want us to lay it all down at your feet.
You want us to give you
the totality of ourselves,
our heart, our mind, our strength.
That's what you have called us to,
to love you in totality,
to worship you in wholeness.
Not to compartmentalize in any way.
So Lord, as we think about Christmas today,
we ask that you would also help
to fill up our appreciation
and understanding
of what you came to accomplish
in that first visit.
And what you will secure
in your final visit,
your second coming.
help us to walk away this morning
with a fresh sense of anticipation
and enthusiasm and excitement
and being blown away, Lord,
by your amazing grace.
All that you have accomplished for us
and all that we have to look forward to
because of what you've done
in your first coming.
So Lord, this morning we ask
that your Holy Spirit
would occupy our attention,
that you would direct our thoughts,
that you would help to
orient our perspectives,
that you would lead us into truth,
and that you would lead us
into the kind of life
that is representative
of those who are true followers
of Jesus today.
We thank you
for this word
that you've given to us
and placed in our hands.
And we ask that you would be honored
and glorified
through our conversation
and our study
in your word.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
So I'd like you to open up your Bibles,
if you would please,
to 1 Thessalonians chapter 5.
As we look at this
great Christmas passage,
in verses 1 through 3.
Here's what it says.
Now concerning the times
and the seasons, brothers,
you have no need
to have anything written to you.
For you yourselves
are fully aware
that the day of the Lord
will come like a thief
in the night.
While people are saying
there is peace and security,
then the sudden destruction
will come upon them
as labor pains
come upon
a pregnant woman.
And they
will not
escape.
As we look
this morning
at Christmas
and we come
to understand
what Paul has in mind
with these events,
we'll begin
to appreciate
that
all the totality
of the prophecy
in predicting
what the Messiah
would do
not only begins
to culminate
in the person
of Christ
as a baby
but will culminate
completely
in his coming
as king.
The future king
that has been
predicted
by prophets
of old.
I want us
to look
at Christmas
and future
events
through the
lens
of three
different venues.
I want us
to see
first of all
that it is
connected for us
by the prophets.
There are
pages
and pages
of scripture
that we could
go to
this morning
but I'm not
going to bore you
with all the details.
I want to just
point out
for you
a few passages
that begin
to fill up
our understanding
of what
the people
in the first
century were
expecting.
When they heard
the Messiah
was coming
what did
they anticipate?
What were
they expecting?
So keep
your finger
if you would
in 1 Thessalonians
and move
with me
back to Isaiah.
I'm going
to Isaiah
because
it is
one of the
better books
to help us
recognize
the fullness
of Jesus'
ministry
but also
because it's
a little bit
more familiar
for us
having studied
it last year.
So Isaiah
chapter 2
is where we're
going to begin
our time
this morning.
There are
42 times
in the book
of Isaiah
that it says
the prophet
says
in that
day
in that
day
in the
later days
and the
day of
the Lord
all of
these events
culminating
together
and setting
the expectation
for what
the time
of the Messiah
will be like.
So look
with me
beginning
in
verse 2
of chapter 2
of Isaiah.
You'll notice
you may want
to even
underline
this opening
phrase
it shall
come
to pass.
That's what
I'm referring
to when I
talk about
expectation.
It shall
come to
pass
in
the
latter
days.
The
mountain
of the
house
of the
Lord
shall
be
established
as the
highest
of the
mountains
and shall
be lifted
up above
the hills
and all
the nations
shall flow
to it
and many
peoples
shall come
and say
come
let us
go up
to the
mountain
of the
Lord
to the
house
of the
God
of Jacob
that he
may teach
us his
ways
and that
we may
walk
in his
paths
for out
of Zion
shall go
the law
and the
word
of the
Lord
from
Jerusalem.
Now drop
down with
me to
verse 11.
The haughty
looks of
man shall
be brought
low.
The lofty
pride of
men shall
be humbled
and the
Lord alone
will be
exalted
here it is
again
in that
day.
For the
Lord of
hosts
has a
day
against
all
that
is
proud
and
lofty
against
all
that
is
lifted
up
and
it
shall
be
brought
low
against
all
the
cedars
of
Lebanon
lofty
and
lifted
up
and
against
all
the
oaks
of
Bashan
against
all
the
lofty
mountains
against
all
the
uplifted
hills
against
every
high
tower
and
against
every
fortified
wall
drop
down
again
now
to
verse
20.
Do you
see it?
Do you
see the
blending
of all
of these
events
coming
together
things
that we
have
begun
to
separate
and
we
call
it
eschatology
we
call
it
the
doctrine
of
future
events
all
of
these
things
beginning
to
culminate
in
the
person
of
Jesus
Christ
and
so
the
expectation
had
been
set
that
once
the
Messiah
had
come
once
the
king
would
come
to
this
earth
we
could
expect
all
of
these
events
to
take
place
now
turn
to
chapter
four
just
a
page
away
beginning
in
verse
two
it
says
in
that
day
there
it
is
again
the
branch
of
the
Lord
shall
be
beautiful
and
glorious
and
the
fruit
of
the
land
shall
be
the
pride
and
honor
of
the
survivors
of
Israel
who
is
the
branch
well
we
know
the
branch
is
Christ
now
turn
to
chapter
seven
here's
a
familiar
Christmas
passage
this
is
one
that
is
more
typical
for
us
in
this
time
of
year
chapter
seven
in
beginning
down
in
verse
seven
thus
says
the
Lord
God
it
shall
not
stand
and
it
shall
come
to
pass
for
the
head
of
Syria
is
Damascus
and
the
head
of
Damascus
is
resin
now
drop
down
to
verse
10
again
the
Lord
spoke
to
Ahaz
ask
a sign
of
the
Lord
your
God
let
it
be
deep
as
she
or
as
high
as
heaven
but
Ahaz
says
I
will
not
ask
and
I
will
not
put
the
Lord
to
the
test
and
he
said
hear
then
oh
house
of
David
is
it
too
little
for
you
to
weary
men
that
you
weary
God
also
therefore
the
Lord
himself
will
give
you
a
sign
behold
the
virgin
shall
conceive
and bear
a son
and
shall
call
his
name
Emmanuel
notice
in
verse
18
in
that
day
the
Lord
will
whistle
verse
20
in
that
day
the
Lord
will
shave
verse
21
in
that
day
a
man
will
keep
verse
23
in
that
day
every
place
where
there
used
to
be
a
thousand
vines
worth
a
thousand
shekels
of
silver
will
become
briars
and
thorns
there
is
this
anticipation
of a
future
event
that
is
that
is
integral
to
the
coming
of
Messiah
the
birth
of
Jesus
Christ
as
the
prophets
saw
it
and
as
the
prophets
communicated
it
was
all
bound
up
in
one
event
it
was
one
big
elephant
with
all
of
these
various
aspects
that
needed
to
come
together
in
one
major
event
that
we
happen
to
see
separated
into
two
but
actually
bound
into
one
the
prophets
understood
the
connection
and
communicated
the
connection
but
the
angels
did
as
well
it
was
connected
the
story
is
connected
by
the
angels
and
a
verse
that
has
always
intrigued
me
is
found
in
first
Peter
it
may
be
a
little
small
for
you
to
see
but
let
me
read
this
for
you
it
says
concerning
this
salvation
the
prophets
who
prophesied
about
the
grace
that
was
to be
yours
searched
and
inquired
carefully
what does
that
communicate
to you
they're
talking
about
salvation
they're
looking
for
the
coming
of
Messiah
they
know
what
he's
going
to
do
he's
going
to
bring
deliverance
and
they
are
absolutely
riveted
by
the
story
they
want
to
know
the
details
they
want
to
know
the
times
they
want
to
understand
how
this
is
all
going
to
play
out
and
as
a
matter
of
fact
one
of
that
he's
praying
over
and
over
and
over
again
Lord
give
me
a
clear
indication
of
when
this
is
going
to
happen
and
God
piece
by
piece
gives
him
more
revelation
and
finally
has
said
okay
Daniel
that's
enough
I'm
not
going
to
tell
you
any
more
that's
all
you
get
to
hear
be
content
with
that
but
they
searched
and
inquired
carefully
because
they
knew
how
amazing
this
story
was
the
story
of
deliverance
verse
11
inquiring
what
person
or
time
the
spirit
of
Christ
in
them
was
indicating
when
he
predicted
the
sufferings
of
Christ
and
the
subsequent
glories
it
was
revealed
to
them
that
they
were
serving
not
themselves
but
you
in
the
things
that
have
now
been
announced
to
you
through
those
who
preach
the
good
news
to
you
by
the
Holy
Spirit
sent
from
heaven
and
then
this
phrase
things
which
angels
long
to
look
I
wonder
if
the
angels
were
just
as
surprised
just
as
enthusiastic
just
as
excited
about
the
coming
of
Christ
and
not
really
understanding
all of
the
details
of how
that
first
coming
was
going
to
look
we
get
some
indication
from
the
announcement
that
they
give
to
the
shepherds
there
on
that
Bethlehem
hill
they
say
glory
to
God
in
the
highest
and
on
earth
peace
goodwill
!
to
men
peace
that
was
connected
to
Old
Testament
prophecies
peace
that
anticipated
the
coming
king
and
the
rain
on
his
earth
that
would
establish
once
for
all
in
Jerusalem
the
lack
of
war
and
the
joining
of
the
people
of
Israel
and
the
subsequent
joining
of
all
the
nations
I
think
the
angels
were
just
right
along
with
the
prophets
in
just
okay
what's
going
to
happen
I
can't
wait
here
we
go
here
it
is
it's
right
here
come
on
let's
sing
and
their
enthusiasm
and
excitement
about
this
Christmas
story
was
just
so
activated
because
of
their
comprehension
and
understanding
of all
the
prophetic
messages
that had
gone
before
things
which
angels
longed
to look
into
and now
we
turn to
a bit
of
application
because
the
peace
that
God
intended
to bring
to the
earth
was not
the
kind
of
peace
that
the
people
were
looking
for
but
it
was
better
the
kind
of
peace
they
wanted
was
freedom
from
the
oppressors
the
kind
of
peace
they
wanted
was
the
ability
to feel
liberated
and
to not
be at
war
and to
be
able
to
express
themselves
as a
people
of
Israel
but
what
they
really
needed
was
peace
with
God
through
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
that
was
the
only
peace
that
really
mattered
that
peace
had
to
precede
the
other
peace
and
that
is
true
for
all
of
us
in
this
room
today
you
cannot
have
future
peace
until
or
unless
you've
experienced
spiritual
peace
you
cannot
anticipate
the
future
coming
of
Christ
you
cannot
look
forward
to
it
with
any
degree
of
excitement
or
enthusiasm
until
and
unless
you
have
first
enjoyed
the
peace
of
God
through
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
that
only
comes
through
faith
in
Jesus
repentance
from
your
sin
and
cleansing
of
Christ
on
your
life
and
fellowship
now
with
God
through
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
do
you
have
the
peace
that
passes
understanding
the
peace
that
only
comes
through
Jesus
that's
the
peace
that
he
wants
to
give
you
today
the
angels
I
believe
also
anticipated
the
future
peace
that we
still
look
forward
to
because
it
had
to
be
preceded
by
the
peace
of
the
Holy
Spirit
next
it's
connected
by
the
apostles
connected
by
the
prophets
connected
by
the
angels
and
connected
by
the
apostles
here
they are
enjoying
and
participating
in the
ministry
of
Jesus
Christ
for
three
years
they've
been
able
to
watch
the
miracles
that
Jesus
did
and
to
listen
to
the
words
that
he
shared
to
see
his
power
over
nature
and
to
understand
his
true
origin
the
origin
of
one
who
was
from
God
they
understood
that
he
was
the
Messiah
he
was
the
one
predicted
by
the
prophets
it
was
him
and
because
he
was
here
they
expected
the
fulfillment
of
what
Messiah
was
going
to
come
to
do
and
that
was
to
establish
a
kingdom
and
so
it
should
be
no
surprise
in
Matthew
24
they
say
what
are
the
times
what
are
the
seasons
in
which
these
things
are
going
to
come
about
by
the
way
we
see
that
same
word
those
same
words
together
here
in
our
passage
in
chapter
5
verse
1
that
opening
phrase
now
concerning
the
times
and the
seasons
brothers
the
times
that
Paul
was
referring
to
are
the
same
times
that
the
apostles
anticipated
the
coming
of
Messiah
what
would
it
look
like
and
so
they're
asking
Jesus
okay
Jesus
when
are
the
times
going
to
actually
happen
when
can
we
expect
that
you're
going
to
establish
your
kingdom
of
course
Jesus
says
well
here's
what
you
can
anticipate
and
he
goes
on
to
describe
what
we
know
to
be
future
events
but
it
ultimately
leads
to
his
death
and
his
resurrection
here
on
earth
and
then
right
before
he
ascends
to
the
father
they
say
okay
now
this
must
be
the
moment
this
must
be
it
and
so
in
Acts
chapter
1
they're
anticipating
that
Jesus
is
going
to
be
captured
back
up
to
God
the
father
in
heaven
and
they're
asking
him
the
same
question
are
you
now
going
to
restore
the
kingdom
is
this
the
day
and
Jesus
says
it's
just
not
it's
not
for
you
to
know
the
times
of
the
seasons
stop
being
so
preoccupied
with
that
event
be
satisfied
in
this
relationship
in
the
peace
that
you
have
with
me
because
of
faith
in
me
and
the
finished
work
of
Christ
on
the
cross
don't
be
so
bound
up
in
what's
going to
still
come
in
this
event
that
is
still
to be
anticipated
and
then
there
they are
in
Jerusalem
they're
awaiting
!
the
coming
of
the
Holy
Spirit
the
Spirit
comes
and
their
hearts
and
lives
are
filled
up
by
the
power
of
the
Spirit
and
they
speak
in
tongues
there
in
Acts
chapter
2
and
Peter
in
describing
the
events
again
combines
all of
these
Old Testament
prophecies
into one
you find
in Acts
chapter
2
in his
message
to those
who are
listening
he says
in
speaking
from
the
prophet
Joel
he
says
and
in
the
last
days
it
shall
be
God
declares
that
I
will
pour
out
my
spirit
on
all
flesh
and
your
sons
and
your
daughters
shall
prophesy
and
your
young
men
shall
see
visions
and
your
old
men
shall
dream
dreams
and
I
will
show
wonders
in the
heavens
above
and
signs
on
the
earth
below
blood
and
fire
and
vapor
and
smoke
the
sun
will
be turned
to
darkness
the
moon
to
blood
before
the
day
of
the
Lord
comes
the
great
and
magnificent
day
again
the
blending
of
all
of
these
events
because
they
recognize
that
with
the
Messiah
is
coming
he
has
actually
accomplished
what we
anticipate
it is a
guarantee
because
of his
first
coming
what
we
still
anticipate
in his
second
coming
Jesus
accomplished
the work
of
salvation
he
accomplished
peace
for
humanity
through
his
work
on the
cross
he
demonstrated
God's
view
of sin
and
sets
the
marker
of what
will
happen
to
those
who
exist
outside
of
Christ
how
God
will
deal
with
sin
in
the
lives
of
those
who
do
not
come
to
faith
in
Jesus
Christ
we
see
even
in our
in the
previous
passage
in
first
Thessalonians
we
see
this
joining
together
of
all
of
these
events
not
only
surrounding
the
coming
of
Christ
in
his
first
coming
but
now
anticipating
the future
coming
if you're
back there
again
with me
in
first
Thessalonians
you back
up to
chapter
four
you can
see what
I'm
talking
about
Paul
says
we don't
want you
to be
uninformed
brothers
about
those
who
are
asleep
that
you
may
not
grieve
as
others
who
do
not
have
hope
for
since
we
believe
that
Jesus
died
and
rose
again
even
so
through
Jesus
Christ
God
will
bring
with
him
those
who
have
fallen
asleep
do you
see
what's
happening
there
the
work
of
Christ
in
the
past
has
secured
his
work
in
the
future
we
as
God's
people
can
anticipate
future
resurrection
because
of the
finished
work
of
Christ
in
the
past
and
in
the
minds
of
the
prophets
and
in
the
minds
of
the
apostles
in
the
minds
of
the
angels
there
was
a
blending
together
of
these
events
things
that
help
us
to
anticipate
the
future
coming
of
Christ
so
what
do
we
do
with
this
well
first
what
we
need
to
do
with
this
is
we
need
to
live
our
life
in
anticipation
of
the
coming
of
Christ
live
your
life
in
anticipation
of
the
coming
of
Christ
don't
be
like
the
scribes
don't
be
like
the
chief
priests
who
have
all
of
the
academic
knowledge
the
biblical
understanding
but it
doesn't do
anything
to change
your
perspective
recognize
the
whole
event
that is
before
you
and what
Jesus
his
first
coming
has
to do
with
his
second
coming
that
we
can
anticipate
the
certainty
!
of his
second
coming
because
of
the
work
of
Christ
as
a
baby
his
ministry
as
a
baby
and
throughout
the
33
years
of
ministry
on
this
earth
be
more
like
Simeon
who
being
filled
with
the
Holy
Spirit
and
Anna
being
filled
with
the
Holy
Spirit
are
looking
forward
to
the
coming
of
Christ
let
it
mark
your
moments
as
you
wait
for
the
certainty
!
And
because
these
events
come
together
I
want
to
present
for
you
four
truths
that
help
to
shape
our
eschatology
our
understanding
of future
events
I'm going to
deal with
two of
these
truths
this
morning
and
then I'm
going to
deal with
two of
these
truths
next
week
the
first
truth
is
found
in
chapter
5
verse
1
it
says
now
concerning
the
times
and the
seasons
brothers
this
truth
is
that
Israel
and
the
church
are
unified
but
distinct
the
church
and
Israel
are
unified
but
distinct
first
I
want
to
look
at
their
unity
I
want
to
look
at
their
unity
because
Christmas
shapes
our
understanding
of
brothers
when
we
step
back
and
look
at
brothers
and
think
about
this
term
from
a
21st
century
perspective
our
natural
inclination
is to
think
about
brothers
in
terms
of
Christianity
yes
you're
a
brother
or
you're
a
sister
we're
all
part
of
the
family
of
God
we've
all
been
joined
together
in
Christ
because
of
faith
we
have
begun
to
appreciate
and
know
that
but
from
a
first
century
perspective
and
especially
in a
place
like
Thessalonica
this
was
an
amazing
truth
because
if you
remember
Paul's
ministry
moving
from
one
place
to
the
next
the
first
thing
that
he
would
do
is
he
would
walk
into
the
synagogue
he
would
walk
into
town
he
would
see
where
the
synagogue
is
and
he
would
begin
to
preach
to
the
Jews
we
know
from
Romans
chapter 1
verse 16
it says
I am not
ashamed
of the
gospel
of
Christ
for
it
is
the
power
of
God
to
salvation
to
everyone
who
believes
what's
that
next
phrase
to
the
Jew
first
and
then
to
the
Gentiles
you
see
everywhere
Paul
went
the
Jews
seemed
to be
quite
happy
with
the
message
of
the
gospel
the
message
of
a
Messiah
until
the
Gentiles
began
to
respond
and
once
that
happened
jealousy
and envy
filled
their
heart
and
they
catapulted
Paul
out
of
town
Paul's
ministry
was
first
to
the
Jews
and
then
to
the
Gentiles
we
see
that
as
a
trademark
throughout
his
ministry
in
the
first
century
so
don't
misunderstand
or
confuse
the
fact
that
unity
doesn't
also
lead
to
distinction
there
were
difficulties
for the
church
especially
in
Thessalonica
because
of the
animosity
of the
Jews
towards
the
Gentiles
so
when
Paul
uses
this
term
brother
he's
using
it
to
help
them
understand
their
connection
to
him
of
course
he's
using
it
as
a
term
of
endearment
but
more
than
that
Paul
wants
them
to
understand
their
connection
to
Christ
and
their
connection
to
one
another
no
other
New
Testament
book
uses
the
word
brother
!
than
the
book
of
1
Thessalonians
in
terms
of
concentration
if
you
compare
the
number
of
words
in
the
book
to
the
number
of
uses
of
this
word
brother
no
other
New
Testament
book
compares
to
1
Thessalonians
because
I
believe
Paul
wants
this
church
to
understand
their
connection
their
unity
as
those
who
are
Jews
and
Gentiles
especially
in a
place
that
was
hot
in
terms
of
animosity
Paul
describes
in a
number
of
places
what
Christ
has
done
to
accomplish
unity
for
the
people
Jews
and
Gentiles
perhaps
the
most
prominent
example
is in
Galatians
chapter 3
where he
says
there is
neither
Jew
nor
Greek
there
is
neither
slave
nor
free
there
is
no
male
or
female
for
you
are
all
one
in
Jesus
Christ
and
if
you
are
Christ's
then
you
are
Abraham's
offspring
heirs
according
to
promise
God
has
made
them
one
because
of
Jesus
but
their
unity
and
union
did
not
obliterate
their
distinction
they
are
also
distinct
Paul
is
constantly
making
a case
for
his
own
Jewishness
he
says
that
in
Philippians
chapter 3
he
appeals
to
the
orientation
of his
own
heritage
as being
one
who is
from
Abraham
Paul
is
consistently
targeting
the
Jewish
community
we
find
that
in
Cyprus
we
find
that
in
Antioch
we
find
that
in
Iconium
and
also
in
Berea
which
is
the
place
that
Paul
went
directly
after
Thessalonica
it
was
his
custom
as
he
says
to
consistently
go
and
present
the
truth
to
the
Jews
first
why
because
his
heart
was
for
his
people
but
also
because
he
knew
the
continuing
heart
of
God
for
the
people
of
Israel
that
comes
front
and
center
to
us
in
Romans
chapter
11
verses
1
and
2
Paul
says
I
ask
then
has
God
rejected
his
people
by no
means
for
I
myself
am
an
Israelite
a
descendant
of
Abraham
a
member
of
the
tribe
of
Benjamin
God
has
not
rejected
his
people
whom
he
foreknew
there
is
a
plan
for
Israel
and
we
see
that
plan
playing
out
not
only
in
God
preserving
the
nation
of
Israel
but
also
in
the
end
times
we
read
in
the
book
of
Revelation
the
specific
and
unique
role
that
Israel
plays
in
proclaiming
the
gospel
there
in
Revelation
I
think
it's
in
chapter
12
where
God
chooses
out
12,000
from
every
tribe
to
be
ambassadors
of
the
gospel
there
during
the
tribulation
period
now
records
have
been
lost
as far
as
Israel
is
concerned
they
can't
trace
their
lineage
anymore
they
can't
go
to
ancestry.com
to
find
out
what
tribe
they're
from
but
God
knows
and
God
has
preserved
a
people
for
himself
a
distinct
group
of
individuals
from
every
tribe
who
he
intends
to
continue
to
use
well
into
the
future
a
people
who
is
united
but
distinct
that's
an
important
truth
for us
to
understand
as we
consider
eschatology
the
second
truth
is found
in the
remaining
verses
in
verses
2
and
3
and
that
truth
is
that
God's
wrath
will
be
poured
out
on
unbelievers
God's
wrath
will
be
poured
!
out
on
unbelievers
we'll
address
this
a little
bit
more
next
week
because
our
time
is
running
a little
bit
short
but
I
want
to
just
help
you
fill
this
in
a bit
God
will
pour
out
his
wrath
on
unbelievers
because
there is
a demand
for
justice
that
we'll
look at
a little
bit
more
next
week
there's
a demand
for
justice
there is
a place
for
justice
but
now
we
are
experiencing
a delay
a temporary
delay
in the
justice
of God
on this
earth
look at
it with
me
here
in
verses
2
and
3
it
says
for
you
yourselves
are
fully
aware
that
the
day
of
the
Lord
will
come
like
a
thief
in
the
night
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
judgment
is
coming
God
has
set
a
precedent
for
judgment
from
the
beginning
of
time
beginning
in
the
garden
Adam
and
Eve
when
they
stepped
out
of
line
and
sin
was
a
part
of
their
lives
they
were
then
propelled
out
of
the
garden
the
consequence
of
sin
moved
them
out
of
the
garden
out
of
fellowship
in
intimacy
with
God
in
the
garden
a
few
chapters
later
as
the
people
of
the
world
are
growing
in
ungodliness
there
is
judgment
on
the
world
that
God
brings
a
flood
and
he
captures
away
Noah
and
his
family
but
he
brings
justice
and
judgment
on
the
earth
because
of
sin
then
we're
familiar
with
the
story
of
Sodom
and
Gomorrah
the
judgment
that
God
brings
to
two
cities
because
of
wickedness
and being
steeped
in
immorality
judgment
comes
but not
only on
the nations
judgment
also comes
to God's
people
who when
they
consistently
rebel
against the
standards
of God
God
leads them
into
captivity
first
the
northern
ten
tribes
because of
by
Assyria
and then
the
southern
two
tribes
by
Babylon
God
will
judge
sin
and
ultimately
there will
be
a future
judgment
that will
come
ultimately
we will
all stand
before the
judgment
seat of
Christ
the
question
that will
be
posed
to
all of
us
is
on
what
basis
can
you
escape
the
judgment
of
God
what
is
your
security
what
helps
to
alleviate
from
certain
doom
for
those
who
are
in
Christ
the
only
answer
is
that
Jesus
is
the
means
by
which
I
can
escape
future
punishment
because
of
the
work
of
Christ
in
paying
for
my
sin
on
the
cross
one
of
the
truths
that
we're
going
to
get
to
next
week
is
that
although
judgment
is
coming
on
unbelievers
Jesus
absorbed
the
wrath
of
God
for
those
who
are
in
Christ
and
that
is
an
amazing
truth
that
we're
going
to
look
at
a
little
bit
more
next
week
and
because
of
that
truth
we
will
be
free
from
the
time
of
judgment
the
day
of
wrath
the
day
of
vengeance
that
God
promises
to
bring
on
the
earth
but
before
we
close
this
morning
I
want
to
just
pose
to
all
of
you
will
you
escape
future
judgment
because
of a
relationship
with
Jesus
Christ
right
now
has
there
ever
been
a
time
in
your
life
where
you
said
Jesus
please
forgive
me
Jesus
I
understand
you
are
the
only
way
Jesus
I
need
you
to
cleanse
me
from
my
sin
and
to
be
the
punishment
for
my
sin
so
that
I
can
anticipate
future
peace
that
I
participated
in
peace
today
and
can
look
forward
to
peace
in
the
future
for
those
of
you
who
know
Jesus
we
have
much
to
celebrate
this
Christmas
the
fullness
of
Christmas
and
all
that
was
anticipated
coming
to
bear
on
our
lives
as
we
think
about
the
work
of
Messiah
and
what
he
promised
to
do
not
only
in
coming
as
a
baby
and
dying
on
the
cross
but
in
coming
as
king
that
is
part
of
Christmas
too
and
we
can
anticipate
that
we
can
look
forward
to
that
if
we
have
a
relationship
with
him
this
morning
don't
leave
today
without
knowing
Jesus
don't
leave
today
without
welcoming
the
king
of
peace
into
your
life
let's
pray
as