At Refresh 2023, we looked at the hope of the coming of the Lord Jesus. Each Christian has this bright certain hope in a challenging and ever-changing world. The Apostle Paul exhorts his readers in 1 Thessalonians 5 to be ready for the day of the Lord. Throughout the letter to the Thessalonians Paul sets out how believers should live in the last days holding fast to the hope we have in the Lord Jesus. There is practical teaching in Paul’s ministry to the Thessalonians that should lead impact each believer in Jesus as serve the Lord in the church and in our daily life.
Below is a series of talks to encourage believers to be ready for the return of the Lord Jesus and how we should live today.
Talk 1: Children of the Day – P White
As believers in the Lord Jesus the Apostle Paul describes us as Children of the Day. There is something different about the Christian from everyone else in the world. We have a hope in the Lord Jesus and we are called to be light in a dark world while we wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus.
Talk 2: Keep Awake, Be Sober & Encourage – A.D
In 1 Thessalonians 5 the Apostle Paul exhorts believers Keep Awake, Be Sober & Encourage one another while waiting from the Lord Jesus to return.
Talk 3: Admonish the disorderly & Comfort the faint-hearted – T Pons
The Apostle Paul was someone who cared how believers in Christ were established and how they got on in their walk with one another. In this short talk we look at what 1 Thessalonians 5 says about Admonish disorderly & Comfort the faint-hearted.
Talk 4: Pray Continually – T Noble
Paul exhorts his readers in 1 Thessalonians to pray continually. Prayer is something that should unfamiliar to a Christian. In this short talk we look at the importance of prayer.
Bible Scripture: Darby Translation
1 Thessalonians 5:1-28
“5 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that ye should be written to,2 for ye know perfectly well yourselves, that the day of [the] Lord so comes as a thief by night.3 When they may say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon her that is with child; and they shall in no wise escape.
4 But *ye*, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief:5 for all *ye* are sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night nor of darkness.6 So then do not let us sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober;7 for they that sleep sleep by night, and they that drink drink by night;
8 but *we* being of [the] day, let us be sober, putting on [the] breastplate of faith and love, and as helmet [the] hope of salvation;9 because God has not set us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who has died for us, that whether we may be watching or sleep, we may live together with him.11 Wherefore encourage one another, and build up each one the other, even as also ye do.12 But we beg you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and take the lead among you in [the] Lord, and admonish you,
13 and to regard them exceedingly in love on account of their work. Be in peace among yourselves.14 But we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, sustain the weak, be patient towards all.15 See that no one render to any evil for evil, but pursue always what is good towards one another and towards all;
16 rejoice always;17 pray unceasingly;18 in everything give thanks, for this is [the] will of God in Christ Jesus towards you;19 quench not the Spirit;20 do not lightly esteem prophecies;
21 but prove all things, hold fast the right;22 hold aloof from every form of wickedness.23 Now the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly: and your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.24 He [is] faithful who calls you, who will also perform [it].
25 Brethren, pray for us.26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.27 I adjure you by the Lord that the letter be read to all the [holy] brethren.28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you.”
Click below to listen to hymns from Refresh 2023:
