Council for Vigilance
Preaching Outline on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 – “But brethren, concerning the times and the seasons you do not need that I write to you; for you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.”
Introduction
Today I want to talk about something that stirs the heart of every Christian: the return of Jesus. This is a topic that generates a lot of curiosity, but it can also generate confusion. After all, when will it be? How will it happen? What should we do while we wait?
The Apostle Paul, writing to the Thessalonians, knew that these questions were on their minds. But he didn’t waste time trying to give dates or exact details. Instead, he gave practical, straightforward advice: “Brothers, you already know what you need to know about the times and seasons. I don’t need to write any more. You already understand that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
Paul wasn’t concerned with calendars or calculations. He was concerned with how we would live while we waited. So today I want to invite you to reflect on this simple but powerful message: let’s watch and be ready!
Development
1. understanding “times” and “seasons” – What did Paul mean?
Before we dive into the text, let’s better understand what Paul means by “times” and “seasons”. In the original Greek, he uses two different words:
- Kronos: Refers to chronological time, the “deadline” or the linear passage of time. It’s the time we measure with clocks and calendars.
- Kairós: Refers to the “right moment”, the opportune time, that specific moment when something decisive happens.
When Paul says: “You do not need it written to you about times and seasons,” he is saying that Christians already understood that Jesus’ return does not depend on human calculations, but on a divine plan. God knows the right time (Kairós ) for all things, and it’s up to us to trust him, living alert and prepared.
2. The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night
That’s a striking phrase, isn’t it? When we think of a thief, we imagine someone who comes without warning, silently, unexpectedly. And that’s exactly what Jesus’ return will be like: sudden and unexpected for those who aren’t prepared.
But here’s an important observation: Paul is not saying that Jesus’ return will be secret or hidden. Quite the opposite! The Bible clearly says that Christ’s coming will be visible, glorious and accompanied by clear signs (Matthew 24:29-30). What Paul is emphasizing here is that, for those who live distracted, sidetracked or unprepared, Jesus’ return will be like a fright.
On the other hand, for those who are vigilant and ready, Jesus’ return will be a great celebration! It will be like the sound of a trumpet calling the Church to meet the Bridegroom. That’s why the apostle reminds us: “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” We don’t know the day or the hour, but we do know that he is coming!
3. Living in sanctification and vigilance
Now comes the practical part: what does it mean to be vigilant?
- Vigilance means being attentive to spiritual priorities: We can’t get lost in the distractions of this world. How often do we get so busy with work, social media, entertainment or even everyday problems that we forget to seek God? Watching means keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, seeking His presence daily.
- To watch is to walk in holiness: Holiness is not perfection, but a commitment to live according to the values of the Kingdom of God. This includes abandoning sin, practicing love, serving others and cultivating a life of prayer and obedience.
- To watch is to be in communion: The Bible teaches us that the Church is the Body of Christ. We cannot face the challenges of this life alone. We need to be connected to each other, building each other up and walking together in faith.
- Watching is trusting in God’s promises: There’s no point in obsessing over dates or speculating about the end times. What matters is trusting that God is in control and that everything will happen according to His perfect plan.
4. The signs of the times – Are we close?
Many people ask themselves: are we living in the last days? The answer is yes! Jesus made it clear in Matthew 24 that we would see specific signs before his return: wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, religious persecution and an increase in evil.
But beware: these signs are nothing new. They have been happening since biblical times. What we must understand is that each generation needs to live as if it were the last. We can’t relax, thinking: “Oh, Jesus isn’t coming back now.”
Preaching Outline on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 – “But brethren, concerning the times and the seasons you do not need that I write to you; for you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.”
More Preaching Outlines
- There is still hope – 1 Thessalonians 4:13
- Preaching Prayer – I Thessalonians 5:16-23
- Look at Calvary – Luke 23:39-43
