Series: Return Sermon Title: Second Coming of Christ Pastor Larry Stockstill 1 Thessalonians 4: 15-18 (ESV) “For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. * There will be NO preparation   1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 (ESV) Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 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. * We MUST stay ready   1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 (ESV) But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. * Stay UNDER your pastor   1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (ESV) We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work” * Stay CLOSE to your brothers   1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 (ESV) And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. * Stay FILLED with the Spirit REJOICE always - positive emotions PRAY without ceasing - constant prayer life GIVE THANKS in everything - attitude of gratitude