Be Actively Waiting

Be Actively Waiting
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, 5:12-24
March 1, 2026 

Tonight, we are ending our study in the book of 1 Thessalonians. Thus far Paul has exhorted them and encouraged them to excel in living out their Christian life. He then answered their questions about the end times and those who have fallen asleep before the coming of Christ.

That’s what we were looking at last time, when he was reminding them of the things to come, telling them not to live in fear but to be excited as they watch for the return of Jesus Christ. That is what frames our lives. Looking to eternity, looking to that which is important.

He reminded them to walk soberly as those living in the light  as they are sons and daughters of the light.

He then finishes off this first letter by again reminding them of what their Christian conduct should be. In fact, it is so important that he reminded them about this again at the end of the second letter he sent them as well.

 Now that we know that Christ is returning and the day of the Lord is at hand, how do we live practically in the now?

Many don’t discern the message correctly, in the sense that when they come to the realization that the day of the Lord is drawing nearer, they stop living here on earth. They become so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.

Paul brings them back to finding the right balance. As we are waiting, we are to keep living as unto the Lord. These are the principles that he’s focusing on in this next section.

I. Appreciate the Body of Christ

• Loving and being in relationship with the body of Christ is a core value when following Jesus. No man is an island. We are called to love and to serve one another in love.

A. Love one another

• Paul says that it is almost unnecessary to remind them to love one another, because of their great example, as they were taught by God.
• How was it possible? They never met Jesus. Paul only spent a few weeks with them. How were their hearts impacted so dramatically?

1 John 4:7-11, Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 

• It all starts with the realization that God loved me FIRST. Love is not something you try to generate. The more you get to know and understand the love of God, the more it changes you.
• Before we can love, we first need to have a deep transforming understanding of how much we are loved. For us to be able to pour love out, love first has to be poured in.
• Slowly but surely, you find yourself having compassion where you didn’t before. You are put off by wrong things you weren’t before. It is a work of God’s Spirit in you.
• If you are struggling with this, ask God to show you His heart, ask Him to teach you how to love, ask Him to change your heart. You will be surprised.

B. Be your brother’s keeper

• Paul then gives some practical ways that we can support one another.
• Admonish the unruly. Unruly is described as someone who is disruptive, ill-disciplined, disobedient, difficult.
• This is the way the world is. However, we are not told to admonish the world because that is the nature they operate from. But if someone has publicly decided to follow Jesus, identifies as a Christian, we are held to a higher standard. We are called not to take the Lord’s name in vain. Don’t take up His name, saying I am a Christian, and then blaspheme it by the way you live.
• This means that we are called to, in love, warn and seriously advise those of the body of Christ who you see going towards a cliff-edge.

Illus- When I was baptized,…

• But then also, to encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak. Those who are not strong in the faith yet. Those who are still struggling to come to grips with their new faith walk.
• Remember, Jesus has compassion and patience with them. The aim is not to chase away and disqualify new believers, but to help them grow in love, those who are willing to receive it.

Illus – A baby needs to be cared for…

• In short, be patient with everyone. We would like people to be patient with us, so we should act the same. Do unto others…

II. Live a Godly Life

• While we await the return of Christ, Paul exhorts us to live a godly life. When our hearts change, our lives change. We are set on a new path. I don’t walk like I used to.
• Now, the old flesh still wants to rear its ugly head and take control, pull you in another direction.
• So, Paul reminds them that how you live matters. Sow seeds of life, not seeds of death.

A. Let your life bear witness

• Verse 6 – Do not defraud your brother. This is a call to integrity. It speaks to the sexual perversion we discussed a few weeks back which we should see as obvious ( don’t commit adultery, don’t sleep with your neighbor’s wife, honor women as your sister in the Lord), but it essentially speaks to all areas in life.
• Do not steal. Do not let the almighty dollar dictate your life and your actions. Do not say, “but it is only business.”
• Abstain from every form of evil. Does this thing honor God? Does this align with His character? Would I entertain this if God was here with me? The truth is that He is! He lives in you. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We should live in a constant awareness that ‘I am now in the presence of God’.
• 15 – Don’t repay evil for evil. This is a core teaching of Jesus. We can deduce from Paul’s letter that they also experienced persecution. But Jesus said, love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you.
• Seek after that which is good for one another AND for all people. When we repay evil with evil, evil increases. Evil wins. When we repay evil with good, evil is arrested and countered. But, we say, evil triumphs when good men do nothing. I am not saying ‘do nothing’, but check your heart. Don’t let your heart turn evil.
• When we discuss it as an abstract concept, it makes sense. But in reality, it is sometimes much more difficult. Then we need the Spirit of God to change us, lead us, transform our thoughts. We need to ask, God, transform my heart. Let me see what you see. Show me your ways. And He will.

Illus – I have experienced this many times. Someone does something that hurts me, or frustrates me, or makes me angry. The first thought is to lash out, get angry, vent acid. But after I have calmed down and asked God to show me, He does. I start to see a different perspective. I start to look at it from an eternity perspective, a fight between good and evil, what the enemy wants to accomplish through this. And I definitely do not want to be aligned with Him. Then I pray. And I pray for the person. And God steps in and changes things.

• Verse 11. Make it your ambition to lead a quiet and peaceful life. This world wants to draw you into its drama. It wants to get you angry. In modern vernacular, I see the word “activist”. Step out of it.
• You can still stand for what is right, but don’t let your heart be pulled into the drama. It will stir a hurricane in your soul.
• Mind your own affairs. Stay out of other people’s business that has nothing to do with you.

Illus – Maybe you’ve seen the picture of someone always leaning on the fence, looking into the neighbors’ yard, picking up the latest gossip. They are busy. But busy with the wrong thing.  They are busybodies.

• Many people mentally live their lives like that. Nowadays gossip is available 24/7. People who live with purpose don’t have time for that. They don’t have time to be pulled into the gossip and the drama. There are more important things.
• Attend to your own business. Be focused on what God wants you to do. Stop fussing about your neighbor. We so much want to give comments and rulings about the lives and decisions of others.

Illus – How much time is spent commenting on the posts of others…

• Many times, people get so caught up in the stories and drama of others, which they by the way have no say in or ability or authority to do anything about it, that it paralyzes them in their own lives. They get stuck. Focus on your own business.
• Work with your hands. Great practical advice. Do something. Do not just sit around. Do what God has put before you. Be active and pro-active.

Illus – When my kids were looking for jobs…

2 Thessalonians 3:7, For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you;

• V 12 – So that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in need. The outside world should respect us for our work ethic. You cannot use the name of God to beg.
• As far as you are able, be self-supportive. Be a productive part of society. Be part of the solution, not the problem. Make a difference. This is not pointing fingers to those who are truly not able, but there are many who are able but are lazy.
• We live in a time where there is a certain part of society that doesn’t want to work, but want everything to be handed to them for free.
• This is a cultural cancer that is spreading through the young generation. It is a culture of entitlement where someone else must pay for everything they need, yet they never stop to think who “someone else” is, as long as it is not them.
• They even sometimes reference the bible to support the fact.

Acts 2:45, and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

• The core thing that is missed here is that they all were working, but sharing with all. There were no free loafers.
• Paul here restores the right perspective.

2 Thessalonians 3:10, …if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.

• Naturally, this has to do with “willing to work”. some are actively looking for work, or are in a season that it is not possible. This is not what Paul refers to.
• As Christians, we are to be the greatest example of discipline, hard work, and living ethically with integrity, because we are carrying the name of our King.
• Paul was very serious about the fact that our lives should not dishonor God, especially in our work conduct.

2 Thessalonians 3:14, If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

B. Prioritize Spiritual Fundamentals 

• Paul reminds them to prioritize the spiritual fundamentals where we find our strength.
• Rejoice always. Have a joyful heart. Rejoice that your name is written in the lamb’s book of life. Even though you are walking through shadows now, you always walk in the light of his grace and love. It too shall pass.
• Pray without ceasing. This is more than 5 minutes in the morning. It is continual connection and talking to God. Know Him in all your ways.
• Give thanks. This focuses your heart on the truth of who God is and that He is working all things together for our good and for purpose.
• “Thank you, God, for…” Make a list and keep expanding it.

C. He will finish what he started

• Paul ends off by again reminding them that it is God through His Spirit that is at work in us and brings this to pass.
• Verse 23-24- The God of peace Himself sanctifies you. Makes you holy, and He has called you, and He is faithful to bring it to pass. One day when we see Him face to face, we will only be blameless because of His finished work on the cross imputed to us.

2 Thessalonians 3:3, But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 

• What a wonderful, joyous incredible promise to hold on to. He protects us. He holds us in His hands. The evil one has no eternal hold on you.
• He is the one who has called us. He brings it to pass.
• Until then, until he comes, live a life living productively, actively waiting for the King’s return.