We're going back now, probably close to 200 years, C.H. Spurgeon was a prominent pastor in Great Britain.
!
And in the 1800s, he would often preach. He was kind of the premier preacher there in Great Britain.
And he would be invited to go to places, and he would preach in locations without amplification.
They didn't have the benefit of microphones and speakers.
And so he had to communicate with just the gifts that God had given to him to emphasize and to just punctuate the morning with his ability to articulate the scriptures.
Well, in one location where he was, he was invited to this massive agricultural hall.
And as was his custom, he would kind of check out the acoustics of the place.
And in that particular agricultural hall, it needed some renovation.
So up in the rafters was a guy who was working on the ceiling or the roof and trying to help make sure that the things were patched up and ready for the venue that would be taking place later on in the week.
And he went and just said one phrase.
Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
And the truth, spoken by John the Baptist, so overcame this worker that he left immediately and gave his life to the Lamb.
The power of the Word of God.
And the power of the Lamb to accomplish his work in the hearts of people.
This morning, it is my desire.
I'm just going to put all my cards on the table.
It is my desire this morning as we work through 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, the first 11 verses,
that we become familiar with the Lamb.
And that through understanding the Lamb,
that it will fill our hearts not only with worship,
but it will lead us to deeper praise of the Lamb.
As I think about the Lamb,
and I think about that phrase spoken by John the Baptist,
it has its roots in the past.
Going all the way back to the very beginnings,
we see that Cain and Abel offered two different sacrifices.
Cain's was unacceptable,
and Abel's was acceptable because he offered a spotless lamb.
It was the lamb that was accepted as a sacrifice to God.
Moving a few more chapters,
we find that Noah and his family,
having gotten off the ark,
and having experienced rescue through the ark,
through the flood,
now offer some sacrifices to God.
The sacrifice of a lamb that helped to remind them of the covenant promise of God.
This promise of God that he would never bring a flood.
This kind of destruction on the earth again.
And they commemorated that promise,
and that recognition of who God was by sacrificing a lamb.
Moving forward to the time of Abraham,
and Abraham having waited years and years and years for the promised son, Isaac,
and then being told by God to offer Isaac as a sacrifice.
And as he's about to plunge the dagger into his son,
God says,
I provided a lamb.
I provided a sacrifice.
A replacement for Isaac.
A way for redemption.
A way for escape.
Through the lamb.
Generations would come and go,
and the children of Israel would find themselves in Egypt.
They would find themselves as slaves there in Egypt.
And as God unleashes the plagues on the Egyptians,
he comes to the end where there is going to be a firstborn son from every household that will be destroyed.
Save those who put the blood of the lamb across their doorposts.
And beginning what we would come to know,
and what would be commemorated as the Passover.
This time of passing over and saving those who put their trust in the lamb.
And the sacrificial system,
which would require the price of a lamb,
who through the lamb you would be able to come,
and you would make your way to Jesus,
to God in heaven,
and you would ask for forgiveness.
Generations more would come and go,
and John the Baptist would commemorate the ministry of Jesus through that statement,
Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
And then Jesus' ministry would begin,
and for 30 years he would talk about the redemption that would come through the lamb.
Peter would mention this in his little letter.
He would talk about the precious blood of Christ,
the redemption that came through the lamb.
Fast forward all the way to the end,
into Revelation,
and we see in Revelation chapter 5 a scene that is portrayed for us.
The coming of the king,
the coming of the one who would exact judgment on the earth,
who would unleash the wrath of God's fury on those who were wicked.
And the only one who was worthy to open the scroll was the lamb.
The lamb from the beginning to end.
And so we come to our passage this morning in 1 Thessalonians.
We pick up where we left off last week,
and we recognize that there is continuity throughout the scripture from start to finish.
And as we worked our way through the passage,
I want to just touch on these things to catch any of you up who were not here last week,
so that you can kind of get in the flow of our study.
We opened up to 1 Thessalonians chapter 5,
and we read that first phrase.
The first phrase beginning there in verse 1 now,
concerning the times and the seasons, brothers.
And we came to realize that Christmas is not just locked away in Bethlehem.
It's not just locked away with the angels and the shepherds and Mary and Joseph
making their way to this anonymous little town,
and the wise men that happen to show up,
and who knows exactly how much further down the road.
But Christmas is actually encompassing an event.
And we saw this last week.
It says,
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers.
Paul uses two words to help connect us to some chronology.
The first is the word chronos,
which helps us recognize the transpiring of hours and days and calendar.
Whereas the next word we come to is the word seasons or kairos.
It's the word that helps us summarize events or periods of time.
Things that fit together as one unit.
And we're forced to ask ourselves the question,
Okay, so is this something that we are anticipating yet to come,
or is this something that has already happened?
Well, we look at the language here,
and we look at verse 2,
and we try to get some clues as to whether or not this is a future event or a past event.
And Paul says,
For you know and are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
This all fits in the context of chapter 4 as well.
And you back up to chapter 4, verse 13,
and you get some more clues.
It says,
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those things,
about those who are asleep,
that you may not grieve as others who have no hope.
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even so, through Jesus,
God will bring those who have fallen asleep.
So there's our answer, right?
We're talking about future events.
We're talking about things that are yet to come.
But then I messed everything up
as we were looking at these future events
in the anticipation of what the prophets thought was going to happen.
How they summarized these events that would take place
in terms of the Messiah's coming.
And then the angels,
what was their understanding about the prophecies of the Old Testament?
And how did the apostles see things?
And we got to understand that the first coming,
Christmas actually sets the context
for everything that is about to follow.
That what Jesus accomplished,
what the Lamb has done for His people,
for the people of Israel,
and also for the nations,
actually guarantees
what we have to anticipate
in terms of Jesus' future coming.
It helps us to order
and recognize
the things that Jesus did do
in accomplishing and fulfilling His promises
and what we can expect to happen
well into the future.
We saw that Christmas is connected
to future events.
But then we moved on a little further.
And we got to explore this loaded word
that comes next.
It says,
Now, concerning the times and the seasons,
brothers.
We saw that that was an important word
for us to begin to understand.
Because for us,
living here in the 21st century,
we make some assumptions.
We begin to say,
Well, that must be talking about Christians.
And we understand
that there are certain truths,
and I want to walk us through
four truths about the Lamb
and four truths about
the promises of God
in the Old Testament
that help to order our understanding
in relationship
to the coming of the Lamb.
The first truth that we find right here
is that Israel and the church
are unified but distinct.
Israel and the church
are unified but distinct.
All of that is encapsulated
in this one little word,
the word brothers.
Paul uses this word 20 times
in this little letter.
He uses this word
for a couple of reasons.
One is to help emphasize
his relationship to them.
They were special to him.
He had an affection for them.
It just explodes
out of the pages
of 1 Thessalonians.
Paul's interest
and his desire
for these people.
And so he calls them brothers
time and time and time again.
This little letter
uses the word brothers
more times
or concentrated more times
than any other New Testament book.
because Paul wants to stress
his relationship
to these people.
But he also wants
to help emphasize
their relationship
to one another.
He wants them to recognize
that although
they may come
from different backgrounds,
that they are
in actuality
united
because of the work
of Christ
in their life.
although they are
distinct as people,
their heritage
may be different.
They are unified
by the working
of Christ
in their life
to make them part
of one
unified body.
Paul wants them
to recognize
especially those
who are Jewish
to understand
that although
God has made them
distinct
through Christ
he has
brought them
together.
If you were to go
to Ephesians chapter 2
and I would just
let me just encourage you
turn with me
to Ephesians chapter 2
we can see this
for ourselves.
Ephesians chapter 2
beginning
in verse 11.
We'll begin to understand
why the Jews
were so
interested
in the heritage
that they had
through Abraham.
Here's what it says.
Therefore
remember that
at one time
you Gentiles
in the flesh
called the uncircumcision
by what is called
the circumcision
which is made
in the flesh
by hands.
Remember that
you were
at that time
separated
from Christ
alienated
from the
commonwealth
of Israel
and strangers
to the covenants
of promise
having no hope
and without God
in the world.
So if you're a Jew
and you're part
of Abraham
what is your thought?
You're thinking
hey
God has blessed me.
Hey
I get to enjoy
God's favor.
Hey
I'm not
one of those
people
one of those
Jews
or one of those
Gentiles
who as
Paul
describes it
well
have a lot
of strikes
against them.
They are
alienated
from Israel.
They're
strangers
from the
covenants.
They have
no hope
and they are
without God.
so in
one sense
of the word
they were
right.
Everything
that they had
in their
Jewishness
they got
to enjoy
because God
had made
them a covenant
people.
But those
who were
outside
of the covenant
of promise
were not able
to enjoy
the blessing
of being
called the
people
of God.
So there's
no wonder
why
when Paul
begins to
share the
gospel
all over
Asia
and Macedonia
the Jews
initially
received
the gospel
with great
zeal
and interest.
Wow
the Messiah
has come
look what
he has
accomplished
for me.
But once
the Gentiles
began to
embrace
the gospel
for themselves
now the
Jews
became jealous
and because
of their
jealousy
they expelled
Paul
and they
came against
Paul
and sought
to push
him out
of every
town
in which
he was
sharing
the gospel.
Things
in Thessalonica
were no
different.
The hostility
of this
location
was intense.
We've got
to see it
over the
past several
weeks
of going
through
this little
letter.
And so
it was
of utmost
important
for the
apostle Paul
to emphasize
the unity
that this
church had
with one
another
and it
was a
unity
that they
had
because
of faith
in Jesus
Christ.
Notice
if you're
still in
Ephesians
what Jesus
did to
eliminate
the division.
Now in
verse 14
of Ephesians
chapter 2.
For he
himself
is our
peace
who has
made us
both one
and has
broken
down
in his
flesh
the dividing
wall of
hostility
by abolishing
the law
of commandments
expressed in
ordinances
that he
might create
in himself
one new
man
in place
of the
two
thus
making
peace.
You see
the lamb?
You see
what Jesus
accomplished?
Jesus
as the
seed
of Abraham
Jesus
as the
offspring
of David
comes
and now
breaks down
the hostility
because he
fulfilled
the law
and brings
the two
together
in
himself
now
creating
one
new man
from the
two.
Although
we recognize
there is still
distinctiveness
that we looked
at a bit
last week
in Romans
chapter 11
Paul is
coming against
some of the
natural
questions
that would
come up.
He says
has God
neglected
the promises
to Israel?
Certainly
not.
And as we
see in
Revelation
God has
a continuing
and enduring
desire
to uphold
and to
favor
the people
of Israel.
But those
of us
who are
Gentiles
which probably
includes
all of us
in this
room
if you
have come
to faith
in Jesus
Christ
you now
get to
enjoy
the benefits
of being
a son
the benefits
of being
a daughter
because
of faith
in Jesus
Christ.
All of the
promises
that God
gave to
Abraham
Isaac
and Jacob
and Moses
and David
can be
yours
through faith
in Jesus
Christ.
We have
been adopted
into the
family.
We have
been grafted
into this
amazing tree
that Paul
talks about
in the book
of Romans.
there is
now unity
that God
has created
because of
Jesus Christ
and his
finished work
on the
cross
because
of the
lamb.
We can
rejoice
in the
work
of the
lamb
for us.
Israel
and the
church
are unified
but distinct.
We turn
then to
the next
few verses
in 1
Thessalonians
chapter 5.
we look
at Christmas
in the
future.
We're
evaluating
this truth
about
Israel
and the
church
being
distinct
but unified
and then
we turn
to this
second
truth
that we
find in
verses 2
and 3.
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.
the second
truth is
that God's
wrath will
be poured
out on
unbelievers.
Now where
do you get
that Andrew?
Well
notice this
statement
given by
the people
who are
looking around
at the
circumstances
and wondering
what's about
to happen.
What do
they say?
It says
in verse 3
while people
are saying
there is
peace
and security
then
sudden
destruction
will come.
Now isn't
that an
interesting
question?
You're
looking around
they seem
to look at
the world
now by
the way
they're not
looking at
the world
and saying
oh there's
no conflict
oh there's
no war
because as
sin continues
to increase
those things
will also
increase.
It has
nothing to do
with what's
happening around
them.
It has
everything to
do with
an anticipation
of judgment
that has
not yet
come.
That's why
they say
hey
peace and
security
we're doing
really good
look what
we're getting
away with
things are
going pretty
well for us
God doesn't
really care
and maybe
God doesn't
actually
exist.
very interesting
observation
by those
who are in
the world
who say
hey
there's
peace and
security in
the world
which
points
to the
fact
that
unbelievers
expect
judgment
to come
they expect
judgment to
come because
it is
hardwired
into their
very conscience
it's hardwired
into every
individual
that walks
this earth
because God
has wired
it into
them
if you look
at Romans
chapter 2
verse 14
and 16
I may have
put this
on a slide
maybe not
let me read
it for you
here we go
for when
the Gentiles
who do not
have the law
by nature
do what the
law requires
they show
that the work
of the law
is written
on their
hearts
while their
conscience
also bears
witness
and their
conflicting
thoughts
accuse
or even
excuse
them
on that
day
when according
to my
gospel
God judges
the secrets
of men
by Jesus
Christ
one of the
greatest
resources
that we
have
in our
gospel
testimony
is that
hired
wired
into
every
person
who
walks
this
earth
is
a
recognition
however
broken
however
insufficient
there is
still
a sense
of morality
there is
a broken
moral compass
in every
individual
that God
has put
there
and that's
why
people
in the
last days
are asking
themselves
this question
where is
God
I guess
I can just
do what
I want
to do
because
judgment
hasn't
come
yet
God's
wrath
will be
poured out
on
unbelievers
when is
this going
to happen
when will
his wrath
be poured
out
will it
happen
in eternity
in hell
or is
there some
aspect of
his wrath
that is
going to
be poured
out
here
in this
day and
age
I want
to help
us understand
that people
understand that
there is a
demand for
justice
they recognize
that God
will exact
judgment
on them
there is a
demand
for justice
that they
recognize
but where is
the place
of justice
where will
it happen
will it be
something
visible
or will
it be
something
that we
don't get
to see
what to see
is the
testimony of
scripture
is there
is a
future
element
an eternal
element
of judgment
because of
sin
that God
will sentence
us to hell
apart from
him
forever
but there
is also
coming a
day
when judgment
will be poured
out on
the wicked
here
on the
earth
that has
been the
testimony of
God
since the
very beginning
look at
Adam and
Eve
expelled
from
the garden
you look at
Noah and
the flood
that came
on the
earth
and
extinguished
all
living
creatures
you look at
Sodom and
Gomorrah
and the fire
and brimstone
that God
brought on
the earth
to judge
the people
living in
those cities
you look at
those from
Pharaoh's army
who pursued
the Israelites
across the
Red Sea
all drowned
in the
Red Sea
God gives
deliverance
to his
people
the place
of God's
vengeance
is consistently
visible
earthly
and terrible
and as we
look at the
Old Testament
we see
the very
same things
and reiterated
again by
Jesus Christ
and helping
to set
the expectation
for what
that future
day will
look like
and it
always involves
a physical
component
an earthly
component
but why
does there
seem to be
a delay
why is there
a delay
in justice
why is God
prolonged
and pushed
out
this day
of wrath
it is
coming
and I want
to point
us to
a couple
of verses
in 2nd
Peter
that help
us to
recognize
a similar
passage
that helps
us see
and draw
out some
of the same
points
2nd Peter
chapter 3
verses 3
and 4
says
know this
first of all
that scoffers
will come
in the last
days with
scoffing
following their
own sinful
desires
they will
say
get this
where
is the
promise
of his
coming
forever
since the
fathers fell
asleep
all things
are continuing
as they were
from the beginning
of creation
you see it there
peace and safety
God's not coming
after all
everything is fine
there's no
judgment
you tell me
that God
is a God
of justice
and he's a God
of sovereignty
but where is he
that's what the
scoffers will say
but moving on
the Lord is not
slow to fulfill
his promise
as some
count slowness
but is patient
towards you
not wishing
that any
should perish
but that all
should reach
repentance
the reason
for delay
is because
God
desires
salvation
he prolongs
judgment
because
of a heart
of mercy
he prolongs
justice
that he will
have on
this earth
because of
a desire
to lead
us
into
repentance
but
the day
will come
the day
of the Lord
will come
like a thief
that should
sound very
familiar
taken
right out
of 1 Thessalonians
chapter 5
and then
the heavens
will pass away
with a roar
and the heavenly
bodies will be
burned up
and dissolved
and the earth
and the works
that are done
on it
will be
exposed
this earthly
component
that is coming
to bear
on this
world
that God
will
judge
the earth
and it is
coming
like a thief
in the night
a couple
of days
ago
maybe you've
had this
experience
maybe not
a couple
of days
ago
I was
at the
gas station
filling up
I pulled
into the slot
and the gas
price was
$1.29
$2.29
it's like
okay
well
it's not
as good
as a few
days ago
but hey
I can
or maybe
it was
$2.29
you guys
are saying
wow
where is
that gas
station
I want
to find
that
yes
it was
$2.29
I don't
want to
get your
hopes up
too much
okay
so
$2.29
I'm
filling up
and then
I look
at the
sign
again
and
it says
$2.16
I'm like
$2.29
which price
did I pay
I looked
at the
receipt
I paid
$2.29
and so
I walked
into the
store
and said
hey
$2.29
it says
$2.16
out there
right now
and it
didn't
switch
for me
when I
was in
the
middle
of
pumping
he said
I'm
sorry
I missed
out
on
$2.16
I thought
at least
$1.50
that's
nothing
he can
just
hand
that
over
to me
and I
feel
like
I
got
something
the point
is this
how does
this
relate
Jesus
is coming
like a
thief in
the night
and you
may not
be ready
and if
you
aren't
ready
there is
no
refund
there is
no
refund
for
those
who
miss
the
coming
of
the
day
of
the
Lord
that's
why
Paul
moves
on
through
this
passage
he's
speaking
to
those
who are
living
in the
light
who've
been
called
by the
lamb
into
salvation
be
ready
don't
miss
it
anticipate
the
coming
of
Christ
come
into
a
relationship
with
him
so
you
don't
miss
that
future
reuniting
that
will
happen
on
that
day
which
now
leads
us
into
our
next
point
this
third
truth
the
truth
that
God
keeps
his
promises
we
find
that
here
in
our
the
next
several
verses
it
says
beginning
in
verse
four
but
you
are
not
in
darkness
brothers
for
that
day
to
surprise
you
like
a
thief
for
you
are
all
children
of
light
children
of
the
day
we
are
not
children
of
the
night
or
children
of
darkness
so
then
let
us
not
sleep
as
others
do
but
let
us
keep
awake
and
be
sober
Paul
is
talking
to
a
group
of
individuals
who
have
experienced
the
joy
of
having
been
brought
into
salvation
and
because
of
what
they
know
about
Jesus
death
and
resurrection
just
like
we
saw
in
chapter
four
there
is
now
a
new
anticipation
an
anticipation
of
his
future
coming
and
it
needs
to
reorient
everything
about
our
perspective
it
needs
to
transform
our
way
of
life
it
needs
to
reorder
our
priorities
it
needs
to
help
us
as
Paul
says
to
walk
circumspectly
not as
fools
but as
wise
redeeming
the time
because
the days
are evil
those
who
are
in
the
light
will
live
as
those
who
are
alert
those
who
are
ready
those
who
are
looking
and
anticipating
this
future
coming
of
Messiah
just
like
Simeon
and
Anna
that
we'll
look
at
briefly
next
week
this
feeling
of
expectation
he's
coming
I want
to get
myself
ready
for
this
I want
to be
ready
for
when
he
comes
and
the
promise
of what
Christ
has
accomplished
for
this
people
will
set
for
them
an
expectation
that's
what
we
see
in
verses
4
and
5
and
6
several
years
ago
when
Sarah
and I
got
married
and I
don't
recommend
this
by the
way
but
here's
what
I
did
on
our
honeymoon
I
put
together
a
list
of
letters
I
didn't
even
tell
her
where
we
were
going
I
just
said
pack
with
certain
things
and
kind
of
gave
her
a
list
she
didn't
know
what
was
going
to
happen
I
had
a
letter
set
aside
for
every
day
and
on
that
letter
was
kind
of
the
location
and
some
of
the
activities
that
we
could
do
in
each
of
those
places
and
so
she
had
kind
of
an
expectation
of
hey
there's
certain
number
of
letters
certain
number
of
days
I
guess
there's
a
promise
at least
of
hope
for
what
is
to
come
and
hopefully
based
upon
knowing
me
and
deciding
to marry
me
there was
a
confidence
at least
in
my
character
of being
able to
come
through
with the
promise
of a
honeymoon
and not
just
we're going
to San
Jose
in a
similar
fashion
God
has given
promises
to us
that are
connected
to promises
given in
the past
and because
of his
ability to
accomplish
and fulfill
those
promises
through
Jesus
Christ
we can
anticipate
that he
will come
clean
and come
through
to fulfill
promises
for us
in the
future
I think
I have
four promises
here
I want to
just punch
through
really quickly
for you
what I want
you to
recognize
is that
God gives
a promise
to a
specific
group of
people
and then
he blows
it up
and expands
upon it
in the
New Testament
through
Jesus
Christ
that he
hasn't
replaced
that promise
he hasn't
nullified
that promise
he hasn't
disqualified
that promise
but he
builds
upon that
promise
and strengthens
it to
now welcome
in a whole
new group
of people
for example
his promise
to Abraham
in Genesis
chapter 12
he says
this
I will
make you
a great
nation
and I
will bless
you and
make your
name great
so that
you will
be a
blessing
I
will
bless
those
who
bless
you
and him
who
dishonors
you
I
will
curse
and in
you
all the
families
of the
earth
shall
be
blessed
promise
and in
Galatians
here's the
fulfillment
the people
of God
who were
Jews
thought
this is
amazing
for me
but now
this is
amazing
for the
nations
know
then
that those
who are
of faith
are sons
of Abraham
and the
scripture
foreseeing
that God
would justify
the Gentiles
by faith
preached the
gospel
before him
to Abraham
saying
in you
shall all
the nations
be blessed
so then
those
who are
of faith
are blessed
along
with Abraham
the man
of faith
through
faith
we can
participate
in the
promise
of Abraham
amazing
but how
about the
promise
to Israel
we find
in Exodus
chapter 19
now therefore
if you will
indeed obey
my voice
and keep
my covenant
you shall
be my
treasured
possession
among all
the peoples
for all
the earth
is mine
and you
shall be
to me
a kingdom
of priests
and a holy
nation
these are
the words
that you
shall speak
to the
people
of Israel
and that
should be
really familiar
because we've
been going
back to
1 Peter
a lot
so I
wanted to
give you
a different
verse
in Revelation
to him
who loves
us
and has
freed us
from our
sins
by his
blood
of course
speaking
about the
lamb
and made
us
a kingdom
and priests
to his
God
and father
to him
be glory
and dominion
forever
well how
about promises
to David
promise to
David in
2 Samuel
chapter 7
here's what
it says
when your
days are
fulfilled
David
and you
lie down
with your
fathers
I will
raise up
for your
your offspring
after you
who shall
come from
your body
and I
will establish
his kingdom
you shall
build a house
for my name
and I will
establish
the throne
of his
kingdom
forever
promise
come to
Luke chapter
1 for the
fulfillment
behold
Mary
you will
conceive in
your room
and bear a
son
and you
shall call
his name
Jesus
he will
be great
and be
called
the son
of the
most high
and the
Lord God
will give
to him
the throne
of his
father
David
and he
will reign
over the
house
of Jacob
forever
and of
his kingdom
there will
be no
end
in Jesus
are the
promises
to David
fulfilled
well how
about promises
to the
nations
come back
to Genesis
chapter 12
in you
all the
families of
the earth
shall be
blessed
well
which
families
not just
Jewish
families
but the
families of
the earth
will be
blessed
through
Jesus
who by
the way
has now
cemented a
relationship
through Abraham
as being
his seed
and strengthened
that promise
now it is
an eternally
fulfilled
in Christ
who is a
descendant
of Abraham
and as
we find
in Isaiah
chapter 49
6
God speaking
to Israel
I will make
you as a
light for
the nations
that my
salvation
may reach
to the
ends
of the
earth
fulfilled
in Jesus
Christ
Simeon
says
now
Lord
you're
letting
your
servant
depart
in peace
according
to your
word
for my
eyes
have seen
your
salvation
that you
have prepared
in the
presence
of all
peoples
a light
for revelation
to the
Gentiles
and for
your glory
to the
people
Israel
finally
we see
what God
does for
his people
we see
that here
in the
last part
of 1st
Thessalonians
chapter 5
this final
truth
Jesus
endured
the wrath
of God
for those
who believe
and I've
broken this
into two
parts
that we
need to
touch on
really briefly
the first
is that
Jesus
paid the
price for
sin
you know
that
Jesus
in speaking
to Nicodemus
in John
chapter 3
this Pharisee
of the Pharisee
a leader
of the Pharisees
he's called
because he's
part of the
Sanhedrin
Jesus
is having
a conversation
with Nicodemus
about what
does it
mean
to be
a child
of God
what does
it mean
to be
one who
has been
accepted
and not
condemned
he says
there in
John
chapter 3
he says
God
did not
send
his son
into the
world
to
condemn
the
world
but
in
order
that
the
world
might
be
saved
through
him
whoever
believes
in him
is not
condemned
but whoever
does not
believe
is condemned
already
because
he has
not
believed
in the
name
of the
only
son
of
God
those
who
by faith
are now
sons of
Abraham
because
of
confessing
their faith
in Jesus
Christ
and asking
forgiveness
for their
sins
will not
experience
the condemnation
of God
the wrath
of God
will not
come
upon
them
Paul
explains it
well
in Romans
chapter 6
he says
for the
wages
of sin
is death
but the
gift
of God
is eternal
life
through
Jesus
Christ
our
Lord
Jesus
paid
the
price
for
sin
have
you
experienced
the
benefits
of that
payment
and because
he paid
the price
for sin
Jesus
also
delivers
us
from
future
wrath
he
endured
the
wrath
of God
on your
behalf
as the
prophet
Isaiah
says
Jesus
was
brutalized
for you
and for
me
he
was
crushed
he
was
bruised
for you
and for
me
Jesus
does not
overlook
sin
Jesus
does not
turn a
blind eye
to sin
but
God the
father
laid the
burden
of sin
on the
shoulders
of Jesus
and he
paid the
price
so that
you
and I
would not
have to
and as
we find
here
in verses
8
through 11
Jesus
delivers
us
from
future
wrath
look at
this
since
we
belong
to the
excuse me
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
and here
we are
for God
has not
destined
us
for wrath
but to
obtain
salvation
through
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
this is
now the
second time
that he
said this
because he's
reiterated
this from
chapter 1
verse 10
says much
the same
thing
and to
wait for
his son
from heaven
whom he
raised
from the
dead
Jesus
who
delivers
us
from
the
wrath
to
come
this is
all in
the context
of the
day of
the
Lord
this is
all in
the context
of the
vengeance
of God
and the
wrath of
God
poured out
on the
wicked
of this
earth
but those
who are
in Christ
have already
endured
the wrath
of God
because
Jesus
endured
it
for you
and thus
you are
preserved
from future
wrath
because
it's already
been paid
what a
blessing
to know
that
Jesus
has
truly
paid
it
all
and so
all
to him
I owe
as we
come now
to the
close
of this
service
I
want to
just
encourage
all of
you who
are here
those of
you who
are in
Jesus
Christ
who are
participating
in the
promises
to Israel
and to
Abraham
because
of the
promised
seed
Jesus
who has
now
brought us
in to
favor
with
God
take that
message
this
Christmas
anticipate
his
coming
be like
Simeon
and understand
the fullness
of Christmas
the fullness
of his
first and
second coming
and how
they're joined
together
in Christ
they're guaranteed
because of
what Jesus
has done
in the
past
and reaches
to help
us
anticipate
what's
coming
in the
future
but this
morning
if you're
not in
Jesus
this morning
if you've
not
accepted
him as
your
savior
if he's
not your
lord
we would
love
to lead
you
into an
understanding
of how
to have
Jesus
as your
savior
let me
pray for
us
and then
I'll
ask
the
worship
team
to come
out
Thank you.