Escaping the Darkness The Return Tyler Stricklan June 8th, 2025 Jesus’ return is a certainty of arrival with uncertainty of when. 1 Thessalonians 5:1–3 1 About the times and the seasons: Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. Jesus’ return is a lightning strike to the unaware and a radiant homecoming for the prepared. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-7 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. 6 So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. We don’t get to be drunk or asleep with our faith. Luke 12:36-40 36 You are to be like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.37 Blessed will be those servants the master finds alert when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will get ready,[b] have them recline at the table, then come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the middle of the night, or even near dawn,[c] and finds them alert, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Jesus’ Return expects work in the waiting. 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Next Steps: Start Preparing Well Assess what parts of your life seem to be in the dark Unrepentant sin, spiritually asleep, or lack of motivation Write it down, repent, and do the next thing Find what makes you come alive and use it for Kingdom Work Skill, Hobby, Personality Trait Visit the serving opportunities board or connection center and find a place to get to work. Next Week: God’s will in your ways…