TOPIC: AWAKE, O SLEEPERS!
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-24
1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
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.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
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.
9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. Various Exhortations
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies.
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil. Blessing and Admonition
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.
24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
MEMORISE:
Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:17-19)
EXPOSITION
It is becoming more evident in our time that the kingdom of darkness is fighting tooth and nail to hijack the affairs of man by force. Leaked audios and videos of secret conversations/convocations of high ranking satanic agents that went viral during past global predicaments bear testimonial volumes.
The various conspiracies, subtle and sinister attempts of depopulation, pandemic, economic sabotage, high level corruption and blood shed prevalent in almost all crimes are more than complementary justification for this. But, are these horrible worrying indicators not pointing to the end of the age, telling us that something is seriously amiss spiritually?
A Christian sister said she recently saw an angel of the Lord, with a long multi-layered whip, approaching intimidatingly from the North Pole toward the South. This may mean God’s own way of waking up His sleeping people as He had purposed and earlier promised.
Unstable economy, bad government, unemployment, syncretism, explosion of occult practices, needless killings, and bloodsheds, travesty of justice, persistent persecution of the Church, general insecurity and faithlessness in God are all suggestive.
We may be able to reduce these plagues by heeding the great Apostles counsel to the Thessalonians, unceasing prayers and rekindling the fire of the spirit. Just as well as staying away from all appearances of evil.
May the God of peace, Himself, truly preserve us to the end-spirit, soul and body, in Jesus name. Wake up from your sleep, brother/sister in the Lord! Behold, the Bridegroom has come! Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. O you seed of sin, be gone from me, henceforth, in the name of Jesus.
2. Holy Spirit, rekindle the fire of spiritual sensitivity in me, in the name of Jesus.
3. O Lord God of Elijah, let the fire of faith in our homes, churches, altars and nations be rekindled from above, in Jesus name.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
2 Chronicles 36:1 – 36:23, Ezra 1:1, Acts 10:22 – 10:43
SHALOM