The Aim of Eschatology Part 1 | 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Scripture

• 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

About this sermon

Introduction: To study Scripture rightly, requires submitting your mind and heart to the aims and the concerns of the biblical writers (which also means the aims and concerns of the Spirit of God working through them). Their aims and concerns must DETERMINE (not just influence) our aims and concerns. As I have said before, Scripture must not only give us our answers —it must guide our questions. Our minds must be submitted to the contour of Scripture as well as the content of Scripture. Not just WHAT is said, but what is on display in what is said that indicates WHY it is said and demonstrates HOW it is said. And in this way, God renews our minds. This kind of disciplined submission to Scripture has to do with the renewing of our minds. Are we allowing Scripture to teach us to think? Are we allowing Scripture to teach us WISDOM as well as knowledge? Are we allowing Scripture to teach us where to place our emphasis? I bring this up because Paul is now giving instruction about the last days —about eschatology. And what we notice is that his teaching isn’t concerned with and driven by that which often characterizes the people in our day most concerned with eschatology. I DON’T WANT TO BE MISUNDERSTOOD — GOD GAVE US THE TRUTH ABOUT THE FUTURE BECAUSE IT IS VITAL FOR US TO KNOW IT — IT IS VITAL FOR OUR LIVING RIGHT NOW. God doesn’t reveal ANYTHING that we don’t need to know. So, I am not saying that eschatology doesn’t matter. But what I am pointing out is WHAT IS WHAT THE SELF-EVIDENT AIMS ARE FOR PAUL’S INSTRUCTION ABOUT THE LAST DAYS. He does not give them truth about the last days in a way that simply focuses on information. He is certainly not communicating information in a way that would fuel SPECULATION. He gives them these truths that they might know TRUTHFUL encouragement. He wants them to know WHAT IS TRUE and to be COMFORTED BY IT. HIS CONCERN IS PASTORAL. HIS FOCUS IS ON HOW THEY ARE TO LIVE — THAT THEY WOULD LIVE WELL IN THE PRESENT FOR CHRIST — BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE FUTURE. HIS AIM IS THE SHEPHERDING OF THEIR HEARTS. The truth God has revealed about the future is intended to TRANSFORM OUR LIVING in the present. The aim is never to satisfy all our curiosities. The aim is never our intellectual entertainment. The aim is not to give us material to be used for inventive theories. The aim is A LIFE — that in RESPONSE TO TRUTH — is FAITHFUL TO CHRIST. Continued Christian faithfulness is the goal. And if that is not OUR aim, when we come to the subject of eschatology, we have already gone astray. NOTE: Right away, before looking at a single verse, we should consider if our aims match Paul’s? Do our concerns, when it comes to the subject of eschatology, reflect the concerns of a shepherd? Do we want to know about the future, to truthfully encourage and strengthen God’s people in the present, so that we can faithfully serve Christ? This morning, we will think about the aim of eschatology.