Living in Holiness: Anticipating the Day of the Lord

Summary

As we gather today, we find ourselves nearing the end of our journey through the Bible, focusing on the themes of the end times as presented in 1 Thessalonians. This part of Scripture reminds us of the imminent return of Jesus and the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan for restoration. The New Testament authors, living in the wake of Jesus' first coming, were acutely aware of the approaching end, anticipating the day when God's kingdom would fully manifest on earth. This anticipation is encapsulated in the concept of the "day of the Lord," a time when all evil and brokenness will be eradicated, and holiness will be perfected.

The metaphor of a crayon box was used to illustrate the world and its various elements, each crayon representing different aspects of life, both good and bad. Among these, the crayon of holiness stands out as the only one that will endure the purifying fire of God's judgment. As believers, we are called to live in holiness, aligning our lives with God's will and preparing for the day of the Lord. This call to holiness is not just about avoiding sin but actively engaging in love, work, and community in ways that reflect God's kingdom.

The Thessalonians, much like us, faced challenges in understanding and preparing for the end times. They were either overly consumed by worldly pursuits, paralyzed by fear, or indulging in sinful behaviors. Through the playful analogy of the "little piggies," we explored these different responses to the end times and were encouraged to find a balanced approach. We are to live with an awareness of the coming kingdom, engaging in our daily lives with purpose and integrity, while avoiding the extremes of neglecting our responsibilities or succumbing to fear and indulgence.

In our everyday actions, whether at work, home, or in our communities, we are to let God's kingdom break through. Our lives should be a testament to God's love and holiness, impacting those around us. As we await Jesus' return, we are reminded that our value is not in our work, but our work does have value in God's eyes. We are encouraged to continue living in holiness, trusting that God, who is faithful, will equip us to fulfill this calling.

Key Takeaways:

1. Anticipation of the Day of the Lord: The day of the Lord signifies the end of all evil and the perfection of holiness. As believers, we should live with a sense of anticipation and readiness for this day, aligning our lives with God's will and reflecting His kingdom in our daily actions. [45:31]

2. Holiness as a Lifestyle: Holiness is not just about avoiding sin but actively engaging in love, work, and community in ways that reflect God's kingdom. Our everyday actions should be a testament to God's love and holiness, impacting those around us. [49:31]

3. Balanced Living in Light of the End Times: We are called to live with an awareness of the coming kingdom, engaging in our daily lives with purpose and integrity, while avoiding the extremes of neglecting our responsibilities or succumbing to fear and indulgence. [55:37]

4. The Value of Our Work: While our value is not in our work, our work does have value in God's eyes. We are encouraged to continue living in holiness, trusting that God, who is faithful, will equip us to fulfill this calling. [01:04:33]

5. God's Faithfulness in Our Journey: As we strive to live in holiness, we can rest in the assurance that God, who calls us, is faithful. He will equip and empower us to walk in His ways, allowing His kingdom to break into our everyday moments. [01:13:18]

Youtube Chapters:

[0:00] - Welcome
[42:53] - Introduction and Excitement
[44:04] - Nearing the End of the Bible
[45:31] - The Day of the Lord
[47:18] - Crayon Box Metaphor
[48:39] - The Crayon of Holiness
[49:31] - Destruction of Evil
[51:06] - Living in the Light
[52:59] - Reflecting on Our Lives
[54:18] - The Little Piggies Analogy
[55:37] - Balancing Work and Faith
[57:17] - Economic Imbalance
[59:02] - Living in Holiness
[01:01:19] - Practical Advice from Paul
[01:04:33] - The Value of Work
[01:05:42] - Rooted in Jesus
[01:08:26] - Importance of Everyday Life
[01:11:17] - Prayer and Benediction

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 - This passage discusses living a life that pleases God, focusing on holiness and love.
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 - This passage talks about the Day of the Lord and encourages believers to live as children of the light.
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 - A prayer for sanctification and a reminder of God's faithfulness.

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the metaphor of the crayon box represent in the sermon, and which crayon is said to endure the day of the Lord? [48:39]
2. How does the sermon describe the Thessalonians' different responses to the end times using the "little piggies" analogy? [54:18]
3. According to the sermon, what are some specific behaviors Paul encourages in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5? [01:01:19]
4. What is the significance of the "day of the Lord" as described in the sermon? [45:31]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of holiness as a lifestyle go beyond merely avoiding sin, according to the sermon? [49:31]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our work has value in God's eyes, even though our value is not in our work? [01:04:33]
3. How does the sermon encourage believers to find a balanced approach to living in light of the end times? [55:37]
4. What role does God's faithfulness play in our journey towards holiness, as highlighted in the sermon? [01:13:18]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life. Are there areas where you might be coloring with "crayons" that don't align with holiness? How can you begin to change that? [52:59]
2. The sermon discusses living with anticipation for the day of the Lord. How can you cultivate a sense of readiness and anticipation in your daily life? [45:31]
3. Consider your work and community involvement. How can you ensure that your actions reflect God's kingdom and have value in His eyes? [01:04:33]
4. The sermon encourages balanced living in light of the end times. What practical steps can you take to avoid extremes of fear or neglect in your spiritual journey? [55:37]
5. How can you actively engage in love and community to reflect God's kingdom, as suggested in the sermon? [49:31]
6. Think about a specific area in your life where you need to trust in God's faithfulness. How can you remind yourself of His promise to equip and empower you? [01:13:18]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of everyday actions. Identify one small change you can make this week to let God's kingdom break through in your daily routine. [01:08:26]

Devotional

Day 1: Living in Anticipation of God's Kingdom
As believers, we are called to live with a sense of anticipation for the "day of the Lord," a time when God's kingdom will fully manifest on earth, eradicating all evil and perfecting holiness. This anticipation is not passive but active, requiring us to align our lives with God's will and reflect His kingdom in our daily actions. The New Testament authors, living in the wake of Jesus' first coming, were acutely aware of this approaching end and lived with a readiness that we are encouraged to emulate. This readiness involves living in holiness, engaging in love, work, and community in ways that reflect God's kingdom. As we await Jesus' return, we are reminded that our value is not in our work, but our work does have value in God's eyes. [45:31]

"For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively prepare for the "day of the Lord" in your daily life, ensuring that your actions reflect God's kingdom?

Day 2: Holiness as a Daily Commitment
Holiness is not merely about avoiding sin; it is a lifestyle that involves actively engaging in love, work, and community in ways that reflect God's kingdom. Our everyday actions should be a testament to God's love and holiness, impacting those around us. The metaphor of a crayon box was used to illustrate the world and its various elements, with the crayon of holiness standing out as the only one that will endure the purifying fire of God's judgment. As believers, we are called to live in holiness, aligning our lives with God's will and preparing for the day of the Lord. This call to holiness is about more than just personal piety; it is about letting God's kingdom break through in our everyday moments. [49:31]

"But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways can you let God's holiness shine through your actions today, impacting those around you?

Day 3: Balanced Living in Light of the End Times
We are called to live with an awareness of the coming kingdom, engaging in our daily lives with purpose and integrity, while avoiding the extremes of neglecting our responsibilities or succumbing to fear and indulgence. The Thessalonians, much like us, faced challenges in understanding and preparing for the end times. They were either overly consumed by worldly pursuits, paralyzed by fear, or indulging in sinful behaviors. Through the playful analogy of the "little piggies," we explored these different responses to the end times and were encouraged to find a balanced approach. We are to live with an awareness of the coming kingdom, engaging in our daily lives with purpose and integrity. [55:37]

"Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace." (2 Peter 3:14, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to find a better balance between worldly responsibilities and spiritual readiness?

Day 4: The Value of Our Work in God's Eyes
While our value is not in our work, our work does have value in God's eyes. We are encouraged to continue living in holiness, trusting that God, who is faithful, will equip us to fulfill this calling. Our everyday actions, whether at work, home, or in our communities, should be a testament to God's love and holiness, impacting those around us. As we await Jesus' return, we are reminded that our work, when done in alignment with God's will, has eternal significance. This perspective transforms our approach to work, encouraging us to engage in it with purpose and integrity. [01:04:33]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: How can you approach your work today with the mindset that it has value in God's eyes, and what changes might this perspective inspire?

Day 5: Trusting in God's Faithfulness
As we strive to live in holiness, we can rest in the assurance that God, who calls us, is faithful. He will equip and empower us to walk in His ways, allowing His kingdom to break into our everyday moments. This trust in God's faithfulness is crucial as we navigate the challenges of living in anticipation of the end times. We are reminded that our efforts are not in vain, for God is at work in us, equipping us to fulfill our calling. This assurance gives us the confidence to live with purpose and integrity, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. [01:13:18]

"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust more in God's faithfulness, and how can this trust transform your daily actions?

Quotes

1) "The day of the Lord was this moment in which all evil, all effects of the enemy, all brokenness that encroached around us, would be annihilated by the hand of God. The day of the Lord is a definitive end to every effect of the kingdom of darkness on our bodies, on our relationships, on our world. The day of the Lord. Now, the New Testament combines this idea of the day of the Lord with the return of Jesus. The parousia, this return, this triumphant, like parade that Jesus is making his way into town and we are celebrating him. The day of the Lord and the Prusia, they're this one moment." [45:31] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "You don't belong to the darkest. You walk in the light. For you who color with the crayon of holiness, the day of the Lord is a relief. Finally. Finally, the things that brought brokenness into our relationships will be gone. Finally, the things that hurt our bodies and plague our minds and tempt our flesh, those things will be over. All crayons of injustice and evil and confusion and anxiety and war and chaos, oppression, strife, they will be destroyed. And right living will flourish. Finally, the crayon of holiness will continue to color beautifully in the logic of God. God's holy presence, picture perfect the day of the Lord." [51:06] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "So what does the end mean for those of us living in the middle? What should our posture be as we wait for the return of Jesus? What do we do as we wait for the end of darkness and the reign of light? What do we do in the middle? In our crayon metaphor, the day of the Lord meant the destruction, annihilation, the end of all evil and darkness, all impurity, all injustice, all war, all chaos. And it meant the perfecting of holiness. And we asked, what crayons am I coloring with? With? And I hope that you are in a place where you can confidently say that you are coloring with holiness." [59:02] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Your value is inherently sacred in the eyes of God. Nothing could change how special you are. You are loved no matter what you accomplish, or how you perform, or how you fail, or what mistakes you'll make tomorrow. You are royalty in the eyes of God. We sang that earlier. He has made us royalty. No matter what achievements you have, your value isn't in your work. But your work does have value. And we can't forget how our work, our day to day living, displays the glory of God to the world." [01:04:33] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "God's kingdom breaks into the world in the little holy moments of everyday life. So think about the things you do every day or every week. If you have a family, if you have a job, if you have hobbies, interests at home, what do you do when you're out? What do you do? Think about your day and your week. Is God's kingdom breaking in? Do you respect your boss? Do you love your spouse? Are you patient with your kids and fair with your employees? Are you gentle with other drivers on the road? Are you living at peace with friends and family, superiors and peers? Are you controlling your body and your sinful impulses? Are you continuing to stay invested, not becoming passive for any reason or in any season? Are you diligent and compassionate?" [01:09:40] (73 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "God will make this happen. Thank goodness. Thank the Lord. God will make this happen. For he who calls you is faithful. He will make this happen, happen. He who calls you to be holy, to live rightly, he will make this happen. Because even when we are faithless, he is faithful. So keep working, keep loving, keep living, and keep coloring. Let the kingdom of God break in to your everyday moments." [01:11:17] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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