I Thessalonians 5

1Th 5:1  But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.

1Th 5:2  For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

1Th 5:3  For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

1Th 5:4  But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.

1Th 5:5  You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

1Th 5:6  Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

WATCH - 1127 gregoreuo gray-gor-yoo'-o from 1453; to keep awake, i.e. watch (literally or figuratively):--be vigilant, wake, (be) watch(-ful). see GREEK for 1453

Going back to I Thessalonians 5

1Th 5:7  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

1Th 5:8  But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

Ephesians 6:13 Ephesians 6:13Why take to you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
American King James Version×  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:14 Ephesians 6:14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
American King James Version×  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Ephesians 6:15 Ephesians 6:15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
American King James Version×  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; CONTINUE…

Ephesians 6:16 Ephesians 6:16Above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
American King James Version×  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Ephesians 6:17 Ephesians 6:17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
American King James Version×  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Going back to I Thessalonians 5

1Th 5:9  For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

1Th 5:10  who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

1Th 4:13  But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

1Th 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

1Th 4:15  For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.

1Th 4:16  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

1Th 4:17  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

1Th 4:18  Therefore comfort one another with these words.

So, here, we are no longer comparing being alert with being oblivious. Now Paul is referencing the value of being focused on God, that, even if we die having maintained that focus, we have the promise of salvation. So, we have no no need to fret in relation to the death of the body, now asleep, awaiting the return of our Savior.

Going back to I Thessalonians 5

1Th 5:11  Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

1Th 5:12  And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

1Th 5:13  and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

1Th 5:14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

1Th 5:15  See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

1Th 5:16  Rejoice always,

1Th 5:17  pray without ceasing,

1Th 5:18  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1Th 5:19  Do not quench the Spirit.

1Th 5:20  Do not despise prophecies.

1Th 5:21  Test all things; hold fast what is good.

1Th 5:22  Abstain from every form of evil.

1Th 5:23  Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

PRESERVED - 5083 tereo tay-reh'-o from teros (a watch; perhaps akin to 2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon

IMPORTANT: Though we grow in grace and knowledge, though we must endure to the end, there is something given to us immediately upon receiving the Holy Spirit, something that does not take into account necessary vigilance to live by God’s standard, something that is fully there to be conserved, preserved, protected – salvation; something only given to those God defines as BLAMELESS from the moment they become a conceived child of God.(CONTINUED…)

Yes, you are presently and completely a child of the living God. You are not going to become God’s child. You ARE God’s child, a member of His Family and this is what Paul desires to be preserved among the faithful.

1Th 5:24  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

1Th 5:25  Brethren, pray for us.

1Th 5:26  Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

1Th 5:27  I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

1Th 5:28  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

The thought that brought this presentation about was born from my remembrance of verse 23, and what it means to be “preserved”, which led me to study the context and note two other themes. My purpose today was to remind us of the hope we have as we remain steadfast in God’s truth and love. So, my desire is that we are reminded a bit more about what it means to…

Stay Alert, Do Not Fret, and The Lord Preserve You