The prayer requests that God pour strength and courage upon believers so that they may welcome God through service to others. It asks that believers serve others generously and faithfully in God's name. The document then discusses passages from 1 Thessalonians encouraging believers as they wait for Jesus' return. It advises not wasting time on predictions but building each other up through faith, love, and hope while armor of God.

1. A Prayer for the People of God
Redeeming Sustainer,
visit your people
and pour out your strength and courage upon us,
that we may hurry to make you welcome
not only in our concern for others,
but by serving them
generously and faithfully
in your name.
Amen.

2. 1Thessalonians 5:1-11
WAITING as THOSE with HOPE

3. 1. So…when is he coming back?!
Jesus hadn’t returned yet, so…?
2. So…who do we listen to?!
The voices of the system,
or the voice of God,
for they are NOT the same!
PAUL’S MAJOR CONCERNS…

4. Now when it comes to specific times and
dates, my dear family, you don’t need to
have anyone write to you. You yourselves
know very well that the day of the Lord will
come like a midnight robber. When people
say, “Peace and security!” then swift ruin
will arrive at their doorstep, like the pains
that come over a woman in labor, and
they won’t have a chance of escape.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-3 (KNT)

5. But as for you, my dear family—you are
not in darkness. That day won’t surprise
you like a robber. You are all children of
light, children of the day! We don’t belong
to
the night, or to darkness. So, then, let’s not
go to sleep, like the others, but let’s keep
awake and stay sober.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:4-6 (KNT)

6. People who sleep, you see, sleep at night.
People who get drunk get drunk at night.
But we daytime people should be self-
controlled, clothing ourselves with the
breastplate of faith and love, and with
the helmet of the hope of salvation;
because God has not placed us on
the road to fury, but to gaining salvation,
through our Lord Jesus the Messiah.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:7-9 (KNT)

7. He died for us, so that whether we
stay awake or go to sleep we should
live together with him. So strengthen
one another, and build each other up,
just as you are doing.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:10-11 (KNT)

8. 1. Don’t waste ANY time with predictions
about who/where/when
RELEVANT OBSERVATIONS…

9. 1. Don’t waste ANY time with predictions
about who/where/when
2. Don’t assume the priorities of the
system you inhabit = the Kingdom
RELEVANT OBSERVATIONS…

10. 1. Don’t waste ANY time with predictions
about who/where/when
2. Don’t assume the priorities of the
system you inhabit = the Kingdom
3. While we wait, build each other up,
and make that mean more than mere
sentiment…
RELEVANT OBSERVATIONS…

11. Closing Prayer
You, O God, are our dwelling-place from
generation to generation, our shield from anguish
and distress. You arm us as children of light
with the hope of salvation and you protect us
by your love. Give us grace to build up
and encourage one another,
as we seek wisdom and abundant life
in the strength of your Word
and the assurance of your Spirit.
Amen.