Thessalonians – Living Ready: Faithful in the Waiting
Encourage One Another
Readings: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Preacher: Kevin Kim
We are starting a new series on Thessalonians this week and will be diving into this powerful and hope-filled letter under the theme: Living Ready – Faithful in the Waiting. As followers of Jesus, we live in anticipation of His return—not with fear or passivity, but with purpose and faithfulness.
This week, we begin by exploring Paul’s strong call to encourage one another. In a world that often leans toward criticism, comparison, or discouragement, the message of Thessalonians reminds us to speak words of hope, strengthen each other’s faith, and build up the community of believers. We are invited to live as people of the light—sharing Christ’s love in our relationships and choosing to be ‘encouragers’ in every season of waiting.
Join us as we open our hearts to what God wants to say through this timely and encouraging letter.
Sermon
Encourage One Another
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
We are starting a new series on Thessalonians this week under the theme: Living Ready – Faithful in the Waiting.
Before we dive into today’s passage, let’s take a moment to see where we are in the story.
Background and Overview of 1 Thessalonians
Who wrote it?
The Apostle Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians, likely around A.D. 50 or 51, making it one of the earliest—if not the earliest—letters in the New Testament.
To whom was it written?
It was written to a small, young church in Thessalonica—a major city in northern Greece. Paul and Silas had planted the church during one of their missionary journeys, but due to persecution, they had to leave the city quickly (see Acts 17). Even though their time was short, Paul had a deep love and concern for the believers there.
Why did Paul write this letter?
Paul wrote after hearing a report from Timothy, who had visited the Thessalonian church. The good news? They were standing strong in their faith despite opposition. So this letter is Paul’s way of reconnecting—thanking them, encouraging them, and reminding them how to live as followers of Jesus in uncertain times.
How is the letter structured?
- Chapters 1–3: Paul celebrates their faith, love, and hope. He expresses his gratitude and affection, reminding them that following Jesus—even when it’s hard—is worth it.
- Chapters 4–5: Paul gives practical instructions: how to live holy lives (4:3–8), how to love others (4:9–10), and how to work diligently (4:11–12). He also comforts them about death and reassures them that Jesus is coming back (4:13–18).
The whole letter is framed with prayer (1:2–3; 3:11–13; 5:23–24) and grounded in the gospel: Jesus is King, and He’s coming again. Until then, we’re called to live with holiness, love, and enduring hope.
With all that in mind—with Paul’s heart for this young church, and his call for them to live with hope and holiness—we now come to the final chapter.
And Paul starts with a gentle reminder. He’s not introducing something brand new—he’s circling back to what they’ve already been taught. It’s like he’s saying, “You already know this—but let me remind you because it’s important.”
And what does he remind them of?
That Jesus will return, and He’ll come suddenly—like a thief in the night. That’s where we begin.
I. Don’t Be Surprised—Jesus Will Return Suddenly (vv. 1–5)
Paul kicks off chapter 5 like a good pastor: “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need to have anything written to you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1)
In other words, this isn’t new to you—I’m just reminding you. That’s a big part of Paul’s ministry—helping people hold on more firmly to what they already believe. Truth gives us confidence. It keeps us steady.
Then he says something that really grabs your attention: “For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2) It’s the same image Jesus used in Matthew 24:42–44. In other words: don’t expect a countdown. Jesus will return when we least expect it.
Paul contrasts this with the popular slogan back then: “Peace and security.” (1 Thessalonians 5:3) That was Rome’s promise. But it was not real peace—it was enforced by power.
Paul warns that those who place their hope in that kind of peace will be taken by surprise. Sudden destruction will come—like labour pains that can’t be stopped.
But here’s the hope: “But you, beloved, are not in darkness… for you are all children of light and children of the day.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4–5) As believers, we’re not in the dark. We know the story. We know who Jesus is and what He’s promised. His return isn’t a threat—it’s the fulfillment of everything we’ve hoped for.
II. Stay Spiritually Awake and Ready (vv. 6–10)
So what do we do while we wait?
Paul says: “So then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6) Now, “sleep” and “drunkenness” are metaphors. He’s talking about being spiritually distracted or distant. Paul’s saying: don’t drift. Don’t get tricked into thinking this world is all that matters. Stay awake.
Then he says: gear up. “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
That echoes 1 Thessalonians 1:3—faith, love, and hope. But here, Paul describes them as armour:
- Faith keeps us steady when things shake.
- Love holds us together, even when it’s hard.
- Hope lifts our eyes when life gets heavy.
And here’s why we can live that way: “For God has not destined us for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with Him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10)
That little phrase—“for us”—changes everything. The gospel is not distant. It’s personal. Jesus gave his life for you—so you belong to him, now and forever.
This passage isn’t about predicting dates. It’s about how we live, knowing what’s already true. Jesus died. Jesus rose. Jesus is coming again. And that changes everything.
III. Encourage One Another and Build Each Other Up (v. 11)
Before we jump into verse 11, let’s pause on one word:
“Therefore.” In Greek, it’s dio. Paul uses it often, and not just to move the conversation along. It’s like a turning point—a bridge between what God has done and how we now live in response.
Check out Paul’s pattern:
- Romans 12:1 – “Therefore… offer yourselves as a living sacrifice.”
- Ephesians 4:1 – “Therefore… walk worthy of your calling.”
- And here: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another…”
God acts. Therefore, we live differently.
Not because we’re trying to earn anything—but because we’ve already received everything. That is grace.
So when Paul says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,” he’s saying: in light of all this—Jesus coming, your salvation, your new identity—this is how we respond.
Encouragement isn’t a side activity. It’s central to Christian living.
The word Paul uses—parakaleō—means to come alongside someone and speak courage into them. It’s about being present. It’s about noticing someone’s need and offering strength when they’re low.
As the saying goes, “You are the average of the five people you associate with the most and the books you read.”
In The Power of the Other, Dr. Henry Cloud writes about the deep impact of relationships on our growth and character. He says no one is truly self-made. We are shaped—often more than we know—by those closest to us.
Cloud writes: “Ask many people about their greatest accomplishments and challenges overcome, and you will find one thing in common: there was someone on the other end who made it possible.”
Your best and worst seasons in life weren’t just about the circumstances. They were about who walked with you. The people around you can lift you up—or pull you down. That’s why encouragement matters.
Cloud adds: “No One is Self-Made.”
Think about it:
- Henry Ford had Thomas Edison.
- Mark Zuckerberg had Steve Jobs.
- Bill Gates had Warren Buffet.
- Jack Nicklaus had Jack Grout.
- Michael Jordan had Phil Jackson.
- Sheryl Sandberg had Larry Summers.
Every great leader had someone who helped them get there.
There’s no other way: real growth involves humbly reaching out and embracing the power of the other.
Paul knew this. He had Barnabas. Silas. Timothy. And now he’s telling us—be that person for someone else. Be the one who helps someone stand when they’re about to fall.
Encouragement can look like:
- A simple text.
- A coffee and a prayer.
- Showing up when it’s inconvenient.
- Saying, “I see you. You’re not alone.”
We see this in Barnabas, whose name means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). He backed Paul when no one else would. He stood by John Mark when Paul wouldn’t. He was generous and faithful. And because of that, the church was stronger.
Even more so, we see it in Jesus:
- To the woman at the well, He offered living water. (John 4)
- To the tax collector, He offered a new beginning. (Luke 19)
- To the sinful woman, He said, “Go in peace.” (Luke 7)
Jesus never discouraged. He never shamed. He lifted people up. He gave them dignity.
While I was in Korea, I hoped to catch up with an old friend I hadn’t seen in years. We used to stay connected through Facebook, but he’d disappeared from social media about six or seven years ago, and I couldn’t find a way to reach him. Just three days before we flew back, I happened to find his old phone number and called him. Next day he drove over an hour in pouring rain just to see me.
It was so good to see him—but also heartbreaking. Over the past several years, life’s been really hard. His dad had invested in a major construction project and used my friend’s name for the business. The project collapsed—partly because of COVID—and my friend has been through a lot of legal battles and has really struggled with anxiety. That’s why he stepped away from social media and many relationships.
After I got home, I sent him a message and told him I’m praying for him. He really needed encouragement. And it reminded me—there are people all around us, like my friend, who are carrying heavy burdens silently. And they need someone to notice… and speak hope into their lives.
Encouragement is contagious. When we receive it, we want to give it. It creates a ripple.
Just imagine a church where encouragement is normal:
- People feel seen.
- No one walks alone.
- Grace is the tone of every conversation.
That’s the kind of church Paul dreamed of—and the kind Jesus invites us to be.
So let me leave you with two questions:
- Who could you encourage today?
- What simple word or action might lift someone up this week?
Encouragement is how we live the gospel out loud.
Let’s be that kind of church. Let’s be those kind of people.
Let’s encourage one another—and build each other up.
Amen.