Boonville Alliance Church and Park United Methodist Church

Rev. David Hedeen

The Gospel and the Church – 1 Thessalonians

The Community Gathers…

Responsive Scripture Reading from Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits:

Who redeems your life from the pit,

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy;

The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.

As far as the east is from the west,

so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

As a father shows compassion to his children,

so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children.

Bless the Lord, all his works,

in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!

–Psalm 103:1-2, 4, 8, 11-13, 17, 22 (ESV)

…To hear the Word

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 NLT

5 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to
write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief
in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on
them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
4 
But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised
when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we
don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be
clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the

“Becoming Fully Devoted Followers of Christ Jesus”

 Boonville Alliance Church and Park United Methodist Church
Rev. David Hedeen

light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the
confidence of our salvation.
9 
For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died
for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So
encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

…To Renew Commitment

The Gospel and Church Life

1. Christ’s Return (vs 1-3)

 Unexpected: Thief, labor
 No escape

2. Living Prepared (vs 4-8)

 Children of Light--shining
 People on Guard--prepared
 On Alert—clearheaded

3. A Precious Hope (vs 9-11)

 Jesus is our salvation and hope
 Encourage one another in Hope

Additional Verses:

Romans 13:10 “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake
up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is
nearly over; the day is almost here. So, let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of
light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual
immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord
Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 “ Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the
body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would
prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please
him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the
body, whether good or bad.”

“Becoming Fully Devoted Followers of Christ Jesus”

 Boonville Alliance Church and Park United Methodist Church
Rev. David Hedeen

1 Corinthians 4:5 “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will
bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will
receive their praise from God.”

…To Disperse in Mission

“ Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will
reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete.
But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
11 
When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left
those infant ways for good.
12 
We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long
before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees
us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
13 
But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that
consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three
is love. Amen”

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 The Message

“Becoming Fully Devoted Followers of Christ Jesus”