Living Together in the Meantime

Foundations: Who God Is, Who We Are, and How We Are to Live

Who God Is:
- A God of Grace and Mercy: God showed supreme grace toward us when we were unlovable, broken, and undeserving. He does not pour out wrath on His children; He appointed Jesus Christ to bear wrath in our place on Calvary (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
- Our Creator, Redeemer, and Judge: He possesses supernatural power—the God of the resurrection who lifts believers up when they are brought low.
- The True Source of Comfort: God’s Word is absolute truth that anchors the human heart. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter who dwells inside believers (John 16), and God provides comfort through the Scriptures (Romans 15).
- Purposeful in Difficulty: Just as God uses the Tribulation to draw Israel back to Himself, He purposefully uses trials in our lives to refine us and draw us closer to Him.
- Faithful to Complete Salvation: Eternal security is grounded firmly in what Christ has accomplished, not our personal performance.
Who God Tells Us We Are:
- Children of Light and of the Day: We do not belong to the darkness or the night (1 Thessalonians 5:4–5).
- Not Appointed to Wrath: Secured and redeemed through the finished work of Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10).
- God’s Workmanship: Created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10), no longer defined by our old, vengeful, fleshly nature.
- The Body of Christ: Knit together in love, intentionally designed for interdependent Christian community rather than isolated individualism.
How We Are to Live:
- Live Soberly and Alertly: Maintain spiritual balance without becoming obsessive or "drunk" on prophetic timelines.
- Gather Consistently: Prioritize fellowship and assembling together for mutual encouragement and spiritual health.
- Comfort and Edify One Another: Intentionally build up other believers, stepping outside of self-centeredness to practice the "J-O-Y" principle (Jesus first, Others next, You last).
- Respect Spiritual Leadership: Know, submit to, and esteem pastoral leaders highly in love so their labor is joyful.
- Care Specifically for Every Member: Tailor ministry to the individual's spiritual need—warn the unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, and show patience to all.
- Refuse Retaliation: Crucify the fleshly urge to return evil for evil, actively pursuing good works toward all people.

Review: The Sequence of End-Times Events

Before moving into practical Christian living, the pastor reviewed the prophetic timeline established in prior teachings:

The Rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4): The church is caught up before the Tribulation; believers are not appointed to wrath.
The Tribulation: A seven-year period; the first half is relatively peaceful, while the second half brings intense devastation and judgment.
The Second Coming of Christ: Christ returns to the Earth at the close of the Tribulation to reign for one thousand years.
Key Distinction: The Rapture and the Second Coming are two separate events and must not be confused.

Part 1: Living in Light of the Day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:1–10)

Scripture Reading

1 Thessalonians 5:1–2 – "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night."
1 Thessalonians 5:3 – "For when they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child."
1 Thessalonians 5:4–5 – "Ye brethren are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light and the children of the day: we are not of the night nor of the darkness."
1 Thessalonians 5:6–8 – "Therefore let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober...putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation."
1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 – "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."

Key Teaching Points

The "Day of the Lord": Refers consistently in Scripture to the Second Coming of Christ and the associated outpouring of divine judgment.
"Travail Upon a Woman with Child": A classic biblical metaphor representing the sudden, progressively intensifying pain of the Tribulation period.
Exemption from Wrath: Believers are children of the day. The Day of the Lord will not overtake the Church because God will take His people home prior to His wrath.
Assurance of Eternal Security: 1 Thessalonians 5:10 affirms that whether we are spiritually alert or asleep at that moment, our salvation remains secured by Christ's death.
Spiritual Sobriety: Believers must guard against becoming imbalanced or sensationalized by prophecy; Scripture calls us to clear-headed, sober living.

Part 2: Comfort and Edify One Another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Scripture Reading

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – "Wherefore, comfort yourselves together and edify one another, even as also ye do."

The Central Question: What Do We Do in the Meantime?

Because believers are delivered from the coming wrath, Paul instructs the church on how to live during the interim period before Christ’s return.

1. Comfort One Another Together

Meaning of Comfort: Derives from drawing someone close to your side to encourage, exhort, and strengthen.
Mutual Ministry: Ministry is not solely the responsibility of pastors. Because every believer possesses the Holy Spirit and God's Word, all Christians are called to be conduits of comfort.
Supporting Scriptures on Gathering and Comfort:
- Romans 1 – Being comforted together by mutual faith.
- Colossians 2:2 – "That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love."
- Hebrews 10:25 – "Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together..."
- 1 Thessalonians 4:17 – Caught up together in the clouds.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:10 – Live together with Him.
The Pattern of "Together" in Scripture:
- The Rapture: Caught up together in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
- Eternity: We shall live together with Him (1 Thessalonians 5:10).
- Present Earthly Life: Comfort yourselves together (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
- Pastor's Point: "If you are about to do this in eternity, you better do it on planet Earth."
The Afghan Illustration: The pastor shared a memory of his mother knitting a blanket using four distinct colors of yarn. Though initially difficult, it became a cherished comfort whenever family members were sick. Similarly, the local church is composed of diverse people and backgrounds knit together in love (Colossians 2:2), where beauty is found in spiritual unity rather than uniformity.
Clarification on Church Attendance: While attending church is not a requirement for salvation, assembling is essential for spiritual growth, health, encouragement, and mutual comfort. The COVID pandemic illustrated how forced isolation fosters spiritual weakness and relational dysfunction.
Watching Out for the Straying:
- Analogy: Like sick or birthing animals in the wild (as documented on National Geographic) that separate from the herd, Christians tend to isolate themselves when they are struggling spiritually or emotionally. The church must actively notice and pursue those who begin to drift.
Repentance and Personal Responsibility: Rather than complaining about an unfriendly church culture, Christians are commanded to initiate the love and comfort they desire to receive.

2. Edify One Another

Meaning of Edify: Rooted in the architecture of building a house; it means to actively construct, strengthen, and uplift someone.
Supporting Scriptures:
- Romans 14:19 – Pursuing things that make for peace and edify. The pastor emphasized practicing self-control over a "fast tongue" to ensure speech builds up rather than destroys.
- Ephesians 4 – Utilizing spiritual gifts to build the body of Christ.
Cultural Contrast: Modern culture promotes self-branding and personal promotion. Biblical Christianity commands elevating Jesus and building up others through the J-O-Y Principle (Jesus first, Others next, You last).
Interactive Church Application: The pastor directed the congregation into small groups (facilitated by leaders including Jason Rowe, Bo, Schmidt, Joe, Hank, Terry, and Coach Braun) to share testimonies of receiving or giving comfort and edification.

Part 3: Knowing and Esteeming Spiritual Leaders (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13; Hebrews 13:17)

Scripture Reading

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 – "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake, and be at peace among yourselves."
Hebrews 13:17 – "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."

Pastoral Exhortation on Spiritual Leadership

1. Knowing Those Who Labor Among You

Scripture References: Matthew 7:16–20 (recognizing leaders by their fruit); 1 Timothy 5:17–18 (elders who labor in word and doctrine are worthy of double honor).
Application: Believers must remain close enough in relationship to truly know their leaders. Paul set an example by laboring day and night so as not to be a burden. Congregations must avoid an entitlement mentality ("What have you done for me lately?") and instead appreciate the labor and personal sacrifices made by spiritual leaders.

2. Submitting to Those "Over You in the Lord"

Definition: A leader appointed by God to provide spiritual oversight, order, and biblical admonishment (warning).
Cultural Contrast: Western individualism strongly resists submission, headship, and authority. However, claiming that no spiritual leader has authority to admonish you is a sign of spiritual immaturity and regression, not maturity.
Illustration: Just as citizens respect a police officer in uniform due to the office and authority they represent, believers must honor the calling and office of spiritual shepherds who watch over their souls.

3. Esteeming Leaders Highly in Love

Scripture References: Acts 15:22; Acts 26:2; Philippians 2:3 ("Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves").
Application: Esteem is demonstrated through posture, respect, and lowliness of mind, not through demanding empty titles (e.g., insisting on "Doctor" or "Pastor"). Honoring spiritual leaders creates peace within the church and enables pastors to serve with joy rather than grief.

Part 4: Practical Body Life and Overcoming Evil (1 Thessalonians 5:14–15)

Scripture Reading

1 Thessalonians 5:14–15 – "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."

Four Distinct Ways to Care for Church Members (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Warn the Unruly: Lovingly confront and admonish those who are insubordinate, disruptive, or speaking divisively against leadership. (Illustration: A player confronting a teammate who complains behind the coach's back rather than resolving issues constructively).
Comfort the Feebleminded (Faint-Hearted): Provide gentle affirmation and encouragement to those who are fearful, anxious, discouraged, or struggling with weak faith and mental health battles.
Support the Weak: Come alongside and hold up those who are spiritually, emotionally, or physically frail. (Illustration: Stagehands physically supporting an aging, frail Johnny Cash so he could reach the microphone to sing at his final concert).
Be Patient Toward All Men: Exercise longsuffering toward everyone, remembering that people carry hidden burdens and painful backgrounds that impact their behavior.

Key Points: Four Truths Concerning Good Works

The pastor outlined four foundational biblical truths regarding the believer's pursuit of good works in contrast to worldly retaliation:

We Are Created for Good Works
- Scripture: Ephesians 2:10 – "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
- Truth: God redeemed us and recreated us in Christ with the explicit divine purpose of producing good deeds.
We Profess Godliness Through Good Works
- Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:10 – "But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."
- Truth: Our good works validate and make visible our profession of faith to an observing culture that expects retaliation.
We Must Grow and Be Equipped in Good Works
- Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:17 – "That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
- Truth: Scripture matures and equips believers to transition away from selfish immaturity into an active lifestyle of doing good.
We Must Be Zealous for Good Works
- Scripture: Titus 2:14 – "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
- Truth: Christians are to be passionate and proactive in seeking opportunities to bless others, particularly those who seem least deserving.

Practical Application Challenge

Refuse Retaliation: Crucify the fleshly urge to "fight fire with fire," return evil for evil, or engage in bitter disputes that poison homes, workplaces, and communities.
Identify an Unlovable Person: Intentionally identify an individual in your life who is antagonistic, frustrating, or undeserving of kindness (such as a difficult coworker, a hostile neighbor, or someone who wronged your family).
Execute a Concrete Good Work: Carry out a tangible act of Christian love toward that individual this week (such as buying them a beverage or bringing coffee and a pastry) as a practical demonstration of the grace of Jesus Christ.