THE THIEF IN THE NIGHT AT THESSALONICA (7)
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
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The Thief in the Night at Thessalonica (7)
Series: Thessalonians
Donald Cantrell
1 Thessalonians 5: 1 - 11
I - Times and Seasons (1 - 2)
II - Tragedy and Surprises (3 - 5)
III - Thoughtfulness and Sleepers (6 - 8)
IV - Tribulation and Securities (9 - 11)
This sermon contains a fully alliterated outline, with sub-points.
Theme: ''The coming day of the Lord''
The Great Disappointment
On October 22, 1844, as many as 100,000 Christians gathered on hillsides, in meeting places and in meadows. They were breathlessly and joyously expecting the return of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The crowds had assembled because of the prophetic claim of an upstate New York farmer and Baptist layman named William Miller (1782-1849). He was certain from his studies of the Bible that Jesus Christ was going to return on that day.
The prophesied return date had arrived. The waiting crowds, gathered at various places, mainly throughout the Northeast United States, peered expectantly upward as the hours slipped away. Anxiety grew as nightfall descended. Then the midnight hour tolled and still Christ had not returned. People became ever more restless. Through the wee hours of darkness, the dejected and stunned crowds began to disperse. When the daylight of Oct. 23 arrived, it was clear that Christ was not going to return as expected.
Failed prophecy and its aftermath
This dashed hope came to be known as ''The Great Disappointment.'' In his book When Time Shall Be No More, historian Paul Boyer offers an example of the deep despondency suffered by the Millerites. In the words of one tragically disappointed believer: ''Our fondest hopes and expectations were blasted, and such a spirit of weeping came over us as I never experienced before.... We wept, and wept, till the day dawned'' (page 81).
When Jesus did not return as expected, many who had hopefully waited for the return of their Savior threw off their faith completely. Some refused to give up ...
Series: Thessalonians
Donald Cantrell
1 Thessalonians 5: 1 - 11
I - Times and Seasons (1 - 2)
II - Tragedy and Surprises (3 - 5)
III - Thoughtfulness and Sleepers (6 - 8)
IV - Tribulation and Securities (9 - 11)
This sermon contains a fully alliterated outline, with sub-points.
Theme: ''The coming day of the Lord''
The Great Disappointment
On October 22, 1844, as many as 100,000 Christians gathered on hillsides, in meeting places and in meadows. They were breathlessly and joyously expecting the return of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The crowds had assembled because of the prophetic claim of an upstate New York farmer and Baptist layman named William Miller (1782-1849). He was certain from his studies of the Bible that Jesus Christ was going to return on that day.
The prophesied return date had arrived. The waiting crowds, gathered at various places, mainly throughout the Northeast United States, peered expectantly upward as the hours slipped away. Anxiety grew as nightfall descended. Then the midnight hour tolled and still Christ had not returned. People became ever more restless. Through the wee hours of darkness, the dejected and stunned crowds began to disperse. When the daylight of Oct. 23 arrived, it was clear that Christ was not going to return as expected.
Failed prophecy and its aftermath
This dashed hope came to be known as ''The Great Disappointment.'' In his book When Time Shall Be No More, historian Paul Boyer offers an example of the deep despondency suffered by the Millerites. In the words of one tragically disappointed believer: ''Our fondest hopes and expectations were blasted, and such a spirit of weeping came over us as I never experienced before.... We wept, and wept, till the day dawned'' (page 81).
When Jesus did not return as expected, many who had hopefully waited for the return of their Savior threw off their faith completely. Some refused to give up ...
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