RETURN OF THE KING

1. BRIEF PERSONAL STORY ABOUT HIDING FROM MY DAD

BY THE END OF THIS LESSON YOU WILL LEARN 3 THINGS THAT YOU CAN HAVE TOTAL
CONFIDENCE ABOUT. TOTAL CONFIDENCE ABOUT CHRIST COMING AND SUDDENLY,
THAT YOU ARE YOUR FATHER'S CHILD AND HE IS COMING TO GET YOU, AND HOW TO
PREPARE FOR YOUR FATHERS RETURN.

MAIN SCRIPTURE - 1 THESSALONIANS 5 : 1-11

Brief Background of Thessalonian Church - Acts 17:1-10

A. TOTAL CONFIDENCE ABOUT CHRIST COMING SUDDENLY

I. SCRIPTURE - 1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-3
II. EXPLANATION - With the previous background in mind. Paul thought it pertinent
to remind/ warn the thessalonians about two unshakeable truths. With very
certain chaos happening around them paul urged them to remember these
things. When paul reference The day of the Lord was coming and that it was
coming suddenly. It was important to correctly understand what the Day of the
Lord is to understand the significance of this message. The day of the Lord
represents a certain significance in jewish history particularly.
- Explain the day what the day of the Lord is. Matthew 24: 21, 29-31, 37-39
- The day of the Lord was something that was talked about all throughout
Jewish history so when he said he did not need to write about it. He really
did not need to write about it(Input reference scriptures) because they
shouldve have already known. This also reminded them with the focus
that they really lived everyday thinking jesus was going to come back at
any moment. IT Was a day that God was in complete control of.
- Paul Brings up a day of Chaos in the midst of chaos
- I believe one of the things Paul was concerned about was that in the
midst of Choas they would forget the significance of this day and be
surprised.
- Paul stresses and repeats a saying that they have heard all throughout
history so this made what he was saying very important. That that day
would come like a thief. ITs important to understand that paul was
referencing the imminent coming of that day rather then the immediate.
Imminent simply means that that no matter what you do it is going to
happen. Immediate means that its happening right now. A failure to
understand this is the difference between being prepared and being
surprised.

III. My faith can be challenged in the midst of Chaos and I need reminders.
 Having an immediate vs imminent view of Christ return
“I need to get my life together movement”
Immediate tends to result in reactive responses and imminent
understands its a proactive decision on our living.

Imagine the difference in reaction when a man doesnt know that the thief
is coming and he simply responds in his knowledge. People can die
An immediate view leads to doubt and disbelief.

***Now Sandra will share her thoughts and some practicals***

IV. Story about dog and wrong bus

Application - What doubts do you have about Jesus return?
Do you still believe as strong about the imminent return of jesus as you did when you first
started and why or maybe you dont anymore
When Chaos comes do you get on the wrong bus.

B. Total Confidence That our Father is coming to get us.

I. Scripture - 1 Thessalonians :5 - 4-11

II. Explanation - a reasonable concern for the thessalonians to have after
hearing the reminder of the day of the lord was to flip to the opposite spectrum
and be super concerned about the coming of this day.Paul takes this time to
remind then that they are Children of Light and as such they have nothing to
worry about or be surprised from.
I think I can be alot like the thessalonians where I can constant worry about this
day coming and wonder when Im gonna perish from my mess of a life. But
according to this. We are already redeemed. As soon as we choose jesus and
got repented and baptised we were adopted into Gods family.
- Chaos cna make me forget who I am and who I belong to, and when I
forget who I am I act like someone who I am not.
- Story about get punched out. I am a lover not a fighter.
- Challenges to remembering who I am: Fear and Chaos

***Now Sandra will share her thoughts and some practicals***

The Day of the lord for chirstians is a time of celebration not of fear because we are
already his child. The whole point of jesus Death was for this day. We are not to receive wrath
but mercy and salvation. But if hide in the dark We wont be recognized by God. (1John)
- The reality is that The only family that will matter on that day is Gods family.
III. Application. What challenges your identity? When Choas happens who do
you become? Have you done something that makes you question your place as a child
of light.
C. Total Confidence in how we prepare for our fathers return
I. Scripture - 1 thessalonians 5: 6-8
II. Explain - Our responsibility is to prepare. By living as we really are Children of light and
we do that by being self controlled alert putting on faith and love as a breastplate and
hope of salvation as a helmet. As young christians is easy to forget that is what the true
battle was the primary teacher of their faith had been taken from them suddenly and now
they were to figure out how to live righteously for themselves. Paul gives them clear
instructions on how to prepare for this day.
1. Paul reminds us that this is a battle and the battle is for our heart. The primary
function of the breast plate was to protect our most vital organs namely our heart.
The helmets primary function was to prevent the head from injury. In battle
Injuries to either the head or the heart were almost always fatal
2. Paul wanted them to understand that while chaos ensued around them that
wasnt the primary concern. The primary concern was of the condition of our
hearts and the state of our minds.
3. I know during this time there has definitely been an assault on my mind and my
heart. And the immediate focus can be the situation at hand rather than what I m
experiencing.
-Address the state of things currently
- Reconciling that these things attack our faith in God. Theyve attacked my faith
in God.
-Doubt can be fatal if left unchecked, But faith Protects our hearts, Hope protects
our minds, Love binds them all together.

***Now Sandra will share her thoughts and some practicals***

Final Summary with Conclusion of the story with my dad.

You can have total confidence about 3 things. And in the end You dad is coming home.
D. Breakout rooms