1Thes5:1-11 Sons of Day

# Sons of Day 光明之子 
## 1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:1-11
[Vietnam. Andreas Kind](https://unsplash.com/photos/bUhzlj3gGso "caption")

---

# Does Christ's future **return** affect me **now**? 
耶穌基督的再來, 會現在影響我嗎？

>>>
+ does it really **matter**?
  + nothing I do can **change** it
  + prob. not in my **lifetime**
+ I'm a Chr, I'm good: wait for **reward**
+ **Reminder**: 
  + what is **coming**
  + who we **are** in Christ
  + what we should be **doing**
  + in prep. for His return
+ Behold the **Lamb**: (prayer)
______
+ Risen Saviour: by Your undeserved **grace**
  + we've received your new **life**
+ so we anticipate our own **resurr**
+ Shake us from our **sleep** + **drunken**
+ stand firm in **faith**, love, hope
  + until day you return

---

## Growing Together, While Apart 當分開時一起成長

| *1* | Impact of **Faith** | 信心的影響 |
|---|---|---|
| *2a,b* | Toil of **Love** | 愛心的勞苦 |
| *3* | Acc. with **Hope** | 充滿希望的負責 |
| *4* | Purity + **Love** | 在聖潔和愛中成長 |
| *5a* | **Hope** of Salvation | 救贖的盼望 |
| *5b* | Acts of **Faith** | 信心的行為 |

>>>
+ Theme of 1Thes: encouragment in **FHL**
+ 1st half: Thes' **rl** w/Paul 
  + and **response** to gospel
+ 2nd half: addr 4 specific **Qs** / issues:
  + 1: How to deal w/**sexual** temptation
  + 2: How to show godly **love** to others
  + 3: What happens after we **die**
  + 4: **When** is Christ returning

---

## Sons of Day 光明之子
1. What Is **Coming** [[4:13-5:3]](# "ref") 什麼會來臨
2. Who We **Are** in Christ [[5:4-5,9]](# "ref") 我們在基督裡是誰
3. How We Should **Prepare** [[5:6-8]](# "ref") 我們應該如何準備

>>>
+ **Reality** of Chr's return:
  + inescapable, must reckon
+ **Identity** as sons of day
  + even though might not feel so
+ **Responsibility** to engage in 
  + Chr's work, 
  + equipped w/**armor** of God
+ The **teaching** starts back in ch4,
  + perhaps responding to Q about
  + believers who have **died**:

---

But we do not want you to be **uninformed**, 
brothers, about those who are **asleep**, 
that you may not **grieve** 
as others do who have no **hope**.

論到睡了的人， 
我們不願意弟兄們不知道， 
恐怕你們憂傷， 
像那些沒有指望的人一樣。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 4:13 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Yuriria, Mexico.  Cristian Newman](https://unsplash.com/photos/Zi8-E3qJ_RM "caption")

>>>
+ "asleep": 
  + not annihil, not **ghosts** / angel
  + not look from heaven **guiding** us
+ but wait in hope for Chr's **return**: v16

---

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.

因為主必親自從天降臨， 
有呼叫的聲音和天使長的聲音， 
又有神的號吹響；

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 4:16 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Łukasz Łada](https://unsplash.com/photos/q7z-AUlHPaw "caption")

---

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,

那在基督裡死了的人必先復活。 
以後我們這活著還存留的人 
必和他們一同被提到雲裡， 
在空中與主相遇。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 4:17a (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")

---

and so we will always be **with the Lord**.

這樣，我們就要和主永遠同在。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 4:17b (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Seems **unbeliev**: far out of daily exp
  + but so was creation, flood, **resurr**
+ This is **real**, coming, imminent
  + might be **asleep**, or still alive
+ **When** will this happen?
  + **Chronology** (num of years)
  + or **seq** of events

---

For you yourselves are fully aware 
that the **day of the Lord** will come 
like a **thief** in the night.

因為你們自己明明曉得， 
主的日子來到， 
好像夜間的賊一樣。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:2 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Dylan Roberts, Strumble Head Lighthouse, UK](https://unsplash.com/photos/ndsRLeQBlsA "caption")

>>>
+ **futile** to predict precise time/seq
+ Thief not at time of your **choosing**
+ World sees slow **continuity** of history
  + and assumes Chr will **never** return:
  + 2 Pet 3:

---

“Where is the promise of his **coming**? 
For ever since the fathers fell asleep, 
all things are **continuing** as they were 
from the beginning of **creation**.”

「主要降臨的應許在那裡呢？ 
因為從列祖睡了以來， 
萬物與起初創造的時候仍是一樣。」

[2 Peter 彼得後書 3:4 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Hans Braxmeier](https://pixabay.com/en/wave-sea-surf-swell-foam-spray-384385/ "caption")

>>>
+ Testimony of **creation** + **flood**
+ Cosmos of the **now** treasured up
  + for judgement by **fire**: v3

---

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**.

人正說平安穩妥的時候， 
災禍忽然臨到他們， 
如同產難臨到懷胎的婦人一樣。 
他們絕不能逃脫。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:3 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Ukraine. Paul Itkin](https://unsplash.com/photos/xCdFXXoZkJc "caption")

>>>
+ not that having **baby** is **destruc**
  + though a **lot** of blood!
+ "labor pains": sudden, severe, inescap:
  + can't **wish** the pain away
  + only way out is **through** it
+ Day of Lord is imminent **reality**:
  + it is **going** to happen
+ w/**trumpet** blast, **all** will see
  + God's **glory** + authority

---

# Does Christ's return feel **real** to me? 我對基督的再來， 覺得是真實的嗎

>>>
+ **fantasy** / fiction
+ intellectually **know** it, but
  + practically,
  + still have to **live** my life
+ as **real** as my **flesh** + bone?

---

## Sons of Day 光明之子
1. What Is Coming [[4:13-5:3]](# "ref") 什麼會來臨
2. **Who We Are in Christ** [[5:4-5,9]](# "ref") 我們在基督裡是誰
3. How We Should Prepare [[5:6-8]](# "ref") 我們應該如何準備

>>>
+ To those who **ignore** the reality
  + of Chr's imminent return:
  + sudden, inescapable **destruction**
+ But take **heart**: you are not like that
+ Series of three **contrasts**:
  + not in darkness, but of **light**
  + not sleeping, but **awake**
  + not drunken, but **sober**

---

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**.

弟兄們， 你們卻不在黑暗裡， 
叫那日子臨到你們像賊一樣。 
你們都是光明之子，都是白晝之子。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:4-5a (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Chris Lawton](https://unsplash.com/photos/6tfO1M8_gas "caption")

>>>
+ sons of light + sons of day
+ don't **feel** like sons of day:
  + **impostor** syndrome
  + always-on, happy, holy
+ not **gen** light of self, but
  + **inherit** from Father of lights
+ not that we're **righteous**,
  + but **forgiven**
+ skipping ahead to v9:

---

For God has not destined us for **wrath**, 
but to obtain **salvation** through 
our Lord Jesus Christ

因為神不是預定我們受刑， 
乃是預定我們藉著 
我們主耶穌基督得救。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:9 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/o--lefJNe0w "caption")

>>>
+ God **set** us on this **path**:
+ not heading to **condemnation** / wrath
  + but to attain of **rescue** / redemp
+ **Remember** what Chr has **done**
  + and who we **are** in Christ
+ **Forgiven**, on path to salvation, 
  + children of **light**

---

# Do I sometimes feel like an **impostor**? 我有時覺得我是 冒名頂替的嗎?

>>>
+ Others look to me to be **stable**, 
  + wise, kind, bring **light**
+ But I wrestle with **darkness**,
  + temptations, weakness, depression
+ **Who** am I? 
  + Where does my **light** come from?

---

## Sons of Day 光明之子
1. What Is Coming [[4:13-5:3]](# "ref") 什麼會來臨
2. Who We Are in Christ [[5:4-5,9]](# "ref") 我們在基督裡是誰
3. **How We Should Prepare** [[5:6-8]](# "ref") 我們應該如何準備

>>>
+ **Reality** of Chr's return
+ Remember in Chr we are sons of **light**
  + and sons of day
+ Push to **action** + life
+ "In Your **light** do we see light" (Ps36)
+ see **path** to walk, not **stumble**
  + nor meander **aimlessly**
+ no longer asleep but **awake**: 
  + 2nd **contrast** in v5

---

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**.

我們不是屬黑夜的，也不是屬幽暗的。 
所以我們不要睡覺像別人一樣， 
總要儆醒謹守。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:5b-6 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **double** meaning of **sleep**:
  + 4:13 **died** in Chr, await resurr
  + **unaware**, unconscious
+ Fact we're not **destined** for wrath
+ does not mean we **passively** wait
  + for our salvation / reward
+ rather, bc Chr's **grace**
  + saving us beyond what we **deserve**
+ we are even more **motivated** by grat.
  + to live **worthily** of the calling:
  + Eph 4:

---

I ... urge you to **walk** in a manner 
**worthy** of the calling 
to which you have been **called**

我為主被囚的勸你們： 既然蒙召， 
行事為人就當與蒙召的恩相稱。

[Ephesians 以弗所書 4:1 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Mika Matin. TN, US](https://unsplash.com/photos/MMylZHPsO2I "caption")

>>>
+ Call to be **awake** + **sober**-minded
  + in light of imminence Chr return
+ Not **alarmist**: stoking **fear** / panic
  + quit job, live in commune in woods
  + fight to overthrow gov, devil
+ But **alert**, attentive to God's calling
  + not **autopilot** going through motions
+ Calling in Eph4: **love** e.o. in Chr
+ 3rd contrast v7: drunken -> **sober**

---

For those who **sleep**, sleep at **night**, 
and those who get **drunk**, are drunk at night:

因為睡了的人是在夜間睡， 
醉了的人是在夜間醉。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:7 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Iceland. Davide Cantelli](https://unsplash.com/photos/H3giJcTw__w "caption")

---

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**:

但我們既然屬乎白晝，就應當謹守， 
把信和愛當作護心鏡遮胸， 
把得救的盼望當作頭盔戴上。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:8 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ "drunk": release of inhib feels **freeing**
  + but lets worst of **sinful** nature out
  + **uncontrolled**, self-indulgent
  + unfocused, **distracted**
+ e.g writing **dissertation**: clean house
  + "productive": busy
+ Fill day w/"necessary" **chores**
  + but neglect what **God** prioritises
+ Remember the **wise** servant in Mt24:

---

Who then is the **faithful** and **wise** servant, 
whom his master has set over his **household**, 
to give them their **food** at the proper time?

誰是忠心有見識的僕人， 
為主人所派，管理家裡的人， 
按時分糧給他們呢？

[Matthew 馬太福音 24:45 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Salomon Koninck, "Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard" Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. 1648.](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ASalomon_Koninck_-_Parable_of_the_Workers_in_the_Vineyard_-_WGA12249.jpg "caption")

---

**Blessed** is that servant whom 
his master will find so **doing** when he comes.

主人來到，看見他這樣行， 
那僕人就有福了。

[Matthew 馬太福音 24:46 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **Wicked** servant: thinks master delayed
  + **beats** fellow servants
  + **indulges** w/drunks
+ Faithful svt: **stand firm** doing task
+ **FHL** theme in 1Thes:
+ **Faith** in God's prom: put in **action**
  + serving Him is **worth** it
+ Train up **love**, as Chr loves us
+ Strength in **hope** of God's salv
  + duty/joy to **share** hope w/world
+ Armor **protects** from Satan's schemes
  + **equips** to engage in God's work
+ God who **calls** us forward:

---

For God has not destined us for **wrath**, 
but to obtain **salvation** through 
our Lord Jesus Christ,

因為神不是預定我們受刑， 
乃是預定我們藉著 
我們主耶穌基督得救。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:9 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Plattenkogel, Austria. Lukas Budimaier](https://unsplash.com/photos/6cY-FvMlmkQ "caption")

---

who **died** for us so that 
whether we are **awake** or **asleep** 
we might **live** with him.

他替我們死， 
叫我們無論醒著、睡著， 
都與他同活。

[1 Thessalonians 帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:10 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Chr won **victory** over sin + death
  + both **life** + death under dominion
+ When we **die**, it's only **sleep**
  + in hope of **resurr**
  + to live w/Him forever
+ As long as we **live** on earth,
  + let it be in **wakefulness**
  + **focused** on the work God calls
  + keeping **in step** w/Him

---

# Have I become **sleepy** or **drunken** waiting for Christ's return? 在等待基督再來時， 我是否已成為困倦或醉酒?

>>>
+ **Complacent** / unaware
+ worse: **self-indulgent**, uncontrolled
+ Is God reminding me of a **responsib**
  + as faithful + wise svt over house?
+ Have I neglected my **armour** of FHL
  + to equip me to **stand** firm?

---

>>>
+ Triumphed over sin + **death**
  + so we have **living hope** in resurr
+ Remind us: **reality** of coming judgment
  + **identity** as child. **light** + day
  + **resp.** as faithful stewards
+ Gird us w/**FHL**: 
  + get back in work kingdom
  + stand **firm** in faith til return
_____________________________________________