Be on Guard
By Rev. Heidi L. Barham | November 9, 2025
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Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 (NIV)
Now, many of you know that I like to make an occasional reference to movies or television shows in my sermons. So, in my best imitation of Golden Girl, Sophia Petrillo... picture this... you are inside an airplane... your young children or perhaps your grandchildren are there with you.
You are on your way to start what promises to be a dream vacation. It is actually an extended vacation, longer than any you have taken in the past. Can you picture it?
You are all together... settled in your seats with your seatbelts fastened... listening while the flight attendants give their standard instructions about what to do in the event of an emergency. They deliver their presentation... complete with visual aids... making sure you are prepared just in case something happens while you are on the flight.
And when they are finished, the plane just sits there on the tarmac… going nowhere.
The first few minutes seem pretty uneventful as you figure the pilot and co-pilot are just waiting for the final call from the tower letting them know they have been cleared for takeoff. And still, you sit there… waiting.
Eventually the children start to get restless, asking repeatedly, “When are we going to take off???” Fidgeting in their sits, they start whining, “I’m ready to go NOWWWWW!!!”
And still, you sit... waiting... looking out of the plane’s windows... trying to see if you can figure out why it is taking so long for things to get moving. But as far as you can tell, there is nothing going on... So, you sit perplexed... and you begin to grow just as restless, if not more so, than the children…
And that is when you start to hear the chatter among your fellow passengers; some of whom would have you believe that they have “figured out” what is happening and what is causing the delay.
Although there have been no announcements from the flight deck and the flight attendants have not made any rounds... they talk as if they have the inside track.
They speak with an air of confidence that suggests they know exactly what is going on and exactly what will happen next. And before you know it, several of those other passengers get out of their seats and start moving around the cabin... in spite of the “fasten seat belt” signs still being lit and the flight attendants telling them to stay seated.
But the passengers who believe they are “in-the-know” keep spreading their misinformation... pointing fingers at who they believe is to blame... meanwhile the delays that may or may not be attributable to the government shut down continue... and it is not long before tempers start to flare and pure chaos ensues.
As we consider our New Testament lesson for today, our airline flight scenario gives us a glimpse into the world that the Thessalonians were living in. They had been waiting for Jesus to come back to earth and did not understand why there was a seeming delay in His return – why they were still just sitting on the tarmac... not going anywhere.
According to the Scriptures... rather than trust in the teachings that had come from the Apostle Paul... some of the Thessalonians had been fooled by false teachers into believing that the Day of the Lord had already come and that Jesus would be appearing at any moment.
These false teachers... like those passengers on the plane... spoke as if they had the inside track and knew what was really going on... the air of confidence they exuded convinced some of the Thessalonians into believing what they were telling them... despite everything that Paul had told them to the contrary.
And as a result... some of the Thessalonians just stopped working... and some of them even sold their homes... making the decision to sit and wait for Jesus to come... buying into the false claims that Jesus was only moments away. But as we know, that is not how things worked out.
But, even to this day, there are still false teachers spreading misinformation and disinformation about when Jesus will return. So, the word of encouragement for us today is to BE ON GUARD... keep your eyes open... and don’t be fooled by the rhetoric of the folks around you who act like they know it all.
Keep in mind what the scriptures tell us in both Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Perhaps you may remember that back in 2012, there was a lot of speculation that December 21st of that year was going to be the day that the world would come to an end in accordance with the Mayan calendar. I remember that date specifically, because it would have been my grandmother’s 100th birthday... and I thought how ironic it would be if the world came to an end on that particular day.
Back then, even Hollywood got in on the action and made a doomsday movie entitled “2012” ...needless to say, December 21, 2012, came and went without fanfare or incident. Obviously, the world did not come to an end.
But we still need to BE ON GUARD... because that was not the first nor will it be the last time that someone tries to make claims about the Day of the Lord and Jesus’ return to earth... and the end of the world as we know it.
Turning our attention back to Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians... we get a better sense of what we might expect before the day arrives when the Lord actually does return.
Listen again to verses 3 – 5 of our text again as they appear in the Contemporary English Version of the Bible:
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 (NIV)
Now, many of you know that I like to make an occasional reference to movies or television shows in my sermons. So, in my best imitation of Golden Girl, Sophia Petrillo... picture this... you are inside an airplane... your young children or perhaps your grandchildren are there with you.
You are on your way to start what promises to be a dream vacation. It is actually an extended vacation, longer than any you have taken in the past. Can you picture it?
You are all together... settled in your seats with your seatbelts fastened... listening while the flight attendants give their standard instructions about what to do in the event of an emergency. They deliver their presentation... complete with visual aids... making sure you are prepared just in case something happens while you are on the flight.
And when they are finished, the plane just sits there on the tarmac… going nowhere.
The first few minutes seem pretty uneventful as you figure the pilot and co-pilot are just waiting for the final call from the tower letting them know they have been cleared for takeoff. And still, you sit there… waiting.
Eventually the children start to get restless, asking repeatedly, “When are we going to take off???” Fidgeting in their sits, they start whining, “I’m ready to go NOWWWWW!!!”
And still, you sit... waiting... looking out of the plane’s windows... trying to see if you can figure out why it is taking so long for things to get moving. But as far as you can tell, there is nothing going on... So, you sit perplexed... and you begin to grow just as restless, if not more so, than the children…
And that is when you start to hear the chatter among your fellow passengers; some of whom would have you believe that they have “figured out” what is happening and what is causing the delay.
Although there have been no announcements from the flight deck and the flight attendants have not made any rounds... they talk as if they have the inside track.
They speak with an air of confidence that suggests they know exactly what is going on and exactly what will happen next. And before you know it, several of those other passengers get out of their seats and start moving around the cabin... in spite of the “fasten seat belt” signs still being lit and the flight attendants telling them to stay seated.
But the passengers who believe they are “in-the-know” keep spreading their misinformation... pointing fingers at who they believe is to blame... meanwhile the delays that may or may not be attributable to the government shut down continue... and it is not long before tempers start to flare and pure chaos ensues.
As we consider our New Testament lesson for today, our airline flight scenario gives us a glimpse into the world that the Thessalonians were living in. They had been waiting for Jesus to come back to earth and did not understand why there was a seeming delay in His return – why they were still just sitting on the tarmac... not going anywhere.
According to the Scriptures... rather than trust in the teachings that had come from the Apostle Paul... some of the Thessalonians had been fooled by false teachers into believing that the Day of the Lord had already come and that Jesus would be appearing at any moment.
These false teachers... like those passengers on the plane... spoke as if they had the inside track and knew what was really going on... the air of confidence they exuded convinced some of the Thessalonians into believing what they were telling them... despite everything that Paul had told them to the contrary.
And as a result... some of the Thessalonians just stopped working... and some of them even sold their homes... making the decision to sit and wait for Jesus to come... buying into the false claims that Jesus was only moments away. But as we know, that is not how things worked out.
But, even to this day, there are still false teachers spreading misinformation and disinformation about when Jesus will return. So, the word of encouragement for us today is to BE ON GUARD... keep your eyes open... and don’t be fooled by the rhetoric of the folks around you who act like they know it all.
Keep in mind what the scriptures tell us in both Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Perhaps you may remember that back in 2012, there was a lot of speculation that December 21st of that year was going to be the day that the world would come to an end in accordance with the Mayan calendar. I remember that date specifically, because it would have been my grandmother’s 100th birthday... and I thought how ironic it would be if the world came to an end on that particular day.
Back then, even Hollywood got in on the action and made a doomsday movie entitled “2012” ...needless to say, December 21, 2012, came and went without fanfare or incident. Obviously, the world did not come to an end.
But we still need to BE ON GUARD... because that was not the first nor will it be the last time that someone tries to make claims about the Day of the Lord and Jesus’ return to earth... and the end of the world as we know it.
Turning our attention back to Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians... we get a better sense of what we might expect before the day arrives when the Lord actually does return.
Listen again to verses 3 – 5 of our text again as they appear in the Contemporary English Version of the Bible:
But don’t be fooled! People will rebel against God. Then before the Lord returns, the wicked one who is doomed to be destroyed will appear. He will brag and oppose everything that is holy or sacred. He will even sit in God’s temple and claim to be God. Don’t you remember that I told you this while I was still with you?
We have to BE ON GUARD so that we are not fooled by those who would oppose God and the things of God. We must be careful that we do not blindly follow those who would intentionally, or even unintentionally, lead us astray.
I will give you an example. Some time ago, I had a conversation with some colleagues about the word “idol” which, in biblical times, was readily identified as something worshipped in the place of the One True God.
However, in today’s world, we use that word “idol” with seemingly little concern for what it really signifies. We rarely give it a second thought when we call someone we look up to or think of as being an exemplary role model... our “idol.”
Because if we are being honest, we have gotten to a place in our society when we don’t really think of an idol as being someone or something that we worship.
But take a moment and think about why the names Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino or perhaps Carrie Underwood might sound familiar. It is because all of them started out as winners on a TV show called “American Idol.”
And when they won, I would be willing to bet that most or all of them did not give a second thought to the fact that they would forever be identified as an “idol.”
And that is exactly one of the ways in which we can be fooled by the enemy... and that is why it is so important for us to BE ON GUARD. We can easily get lulled into a false sense of complacency... because society would have us to believe that certain behaviors are no longer a big deal... despite what the scriptures say to the contrary.
Leviticus 19:4 reads, “Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the Lord your God.”
While in 1 John 5:20-21 we read:
I will give you an example. Some time ago, I had a conversation with some colleagues about the word “idol” which, in biblical times, was readily identified as something worshipped in the place of the One True God.
However, in today’s world, we use that word “idol” with seemingly little concern for what it really signifies. We rarely give it a second thought when we call someone we look up to or think of as being an exemplary role model... our “idol.”
Because if we are being honest, we have gotten to a place in our society when we don’t really think of an idol as being someone or something that we worship.
But take a moment and think about why the names Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino or perhaps Carrie Underwood might sound familiar. It is because all of them started out as winners on a TV show called “American Idol.”
And when they won, I would be willing to bet that most or all of them did not give a second thought to the fact that they would forever be identified as an “idol.”
And that is exactly one of the ways in which we can be fooled by the enemy... and that is why it is so important for us to BE ON GUARD. We can easily get lulled into a false sense of complacency... because society would have us to believe that certain behaviors are no longer a big deal... despite what the scriptures say to the contrary.
Leviticus 19:4 reads, “Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the Lord your God.”
While in 1 John 5:20-21 we read:
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we find scripture after scripture like these that warn us away from idols.
But Rev. Heidi, aren’t you going a little off the deep end, after all American Idol is just a TV show. It’s just a singing competition. No one is “worshiping” the winners…
Maybe not... but have you ever noticed how these TV shows seem to take on a life of their own. People will set their schedules as well as their DVRs to ensure they don’t miss a single episode of Dancing with the Stars or the Voice or some of those other so-called reality shows like the Bachelor, the Bachelorette, or the Housewives of just about any other city you can think of.
And yet many of those same people have seemingly no problem missing a Sunday worship service or Sunday school class. Because the truth of the matter is, whether we realize it or not... we make idols for ourselves whenever we give something or someone a higher priority than worshiping and honoring God.
And that is why we have to BE ON GUARD... so that we are not fooled into believing that the Word of God is no longer relevant and no longer applies to us... because that, my friends, is a recipe for disaster.
Now, it is not just the people, places and things in the outside world that we must BE ON GUARD against. We must also beware of false prophets who work their way into our churches and other religious settings... we need to be especially cautious of those who come across the airwaves on our TVs, radios and the Internet... because regardless of any and all rumors to the contrary... just because something is on the Internet does not mean that it is true.
So, we need to BE ON GUARD... because not everyone who calls themselves a preacher is preaching the true Gospel... and that is what Paul was warning the Thessalonians about. And the reality is that we have to BE ON GUARD today just as much as Paul warned them back then.
Now, as we keep reading through our text for this morning, Paul’s letter also offers words of encouragement to the Thessalonians... and by extension to us... to keep saying and doing the things that glorify God. That is so that we do not become complacent and lazy in our season of waiting and lose sight of what God is calling us to do.
We are living in a world that has literally been turned upside down and inside out. There is just so much violence, hatred, sinfulness and immorality that is running rampant in our modern-day society... It can be extremely challenging to find where the line has been drawn between right and wrong anymore.
The athletic company, Nike, came up with a slogan almost four decades ago that said, “Just do it,” whatever “it” was. It followed along the lines of another slogan that was pervasive back in the 1960s and 70s, “If it feels good do it.”
But there is a substantial problem with that line of thinking... just because IT “feels good” does not mean IT is good... especially if we look at “IT” according to biblical standards.
And perhaps that is why Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonians is still relevant for us today.
Looking at verses 15-17 of our text as they are found in the Contemporary English Version, we read:
But Rev. Heidi, aren’t you going a little off the deep end, after all American Idol is just a TV show. It’s just a singing competition. No one is “worshiping” the winners…
Maybe not... but have you ever noticed how these TV shows seem to take on a life of their own. People will set their schedules as well as their DVRs to ensure they don’t miss a single episode of Dancing with the Stars or the Voice or some of those other so-called reality shows like the Bachelor, the Bachelorette, or the Housewives of just about any other city you can think of.
And yet many of those same people have seemingly no problem missing a Sunday worship service or Sunday school class. Because the truth of the matter is, whether we realize it or not... we make idols for ourselves whenever we give something or someone a higher priority than worshiping and honoring God.
And that is why we have to BE ON GUARD... so that we are not fooled into believing that the Word of God is no longer relevant and no longer applies to us... because that, my friends, is a recipe for disaster.
Now, it is not just the people, places and things in the outside world that we must BE ON GUARD against. We must also beware of false prophets who work their way into our churches and other religious settings... we need to be especially cautious of those who come across the airwaves on our TVs, radios and the Internet... because regardless of any and all rumors to the contrary... just because something is on the Internet does not mean that it is true.
So, we need to BE ON GUARD... because not everyone who calls themselves a preacher is preaching the true Gospel... and that is what Paul was warning the Thessalonians about. And the reality is that we have to BE ON GUARD today just as much as Paul warned them back then.
Now, as we keep reading through our text for this morning, Paul’s letter also offers words of encouragement to the Thessalonians... and by extension to us... to keep saying and doing the things that glorify God. That is so that we do not become complacent and lazy in our season of waiting and lose sight of what God is calling us to do.
We are living in a world that has literally been turned upside down and inside out. There is just so much violence, hatred, sinfulness and immorality that is running rampant in our modern-day society... It can be extremely challenging to find where the line has been drawn between right and wrong anymore.
The athletic company, Nike, came up with a slogan almost four decades ago that said, “Just do it,” whatever “it” was. It followed along the lines of another slogan that was pervasive back in the 1960s and 70s, “If it feels good do it.”
But there is a substantial problem with that line of thinking... just because IT “feels good” does not mean IT is good... especially if we look at “IT” according to biblical standards.
And perhaps that is why Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonians is still relevant for us today.
Looking at verses 15-17 of our text as they are found in the Contemporary English Version, we read:
My friends, that’s why you must remain faithful and follow closely what we taught you in person and by our letters. God our Father loves us. He is kind and has given us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope. We pray that our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father will encourage you and help you always to do and say the right thing.
We are living in a day and time when people need to hear the truth about Jesus. And that means we need to say and do the right thing to ensure that the message of the Gospel is shared wherever we go. People need to know that Jesus’ promise to return is just as true today as it was way back when.
In the 14th chapter of the Gospel of John (14:1-6), we read:
In the 14th chapter of the Gospel of John (14:1-6), we read:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
We have to BE ON GUARD... because no matter what anyone else may try to tell you or sell you... Jesus is the only one who has made the way for us to spend eternity with God.
Jesus is the only one who opened the door to eternal life by giving His life for us on a cross at Calvary. And just as He said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).
So, we need to BE ON GUARD against the false teaching that all roads lead to God, so just do whatever you want to do... we need to hold onto the truth that we become Jesus’ friends when we do what He commands us to do.
And lest we have any doubt about that... just a little bit further in John’s Gospel we read:
Jesus is the only one who opened the door to eternal life by giving His life for us on a cross at Calvary. And just as He said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).
So, we need to BE ON GUARD against the false teaching that all roads lead to God, so just do whatever you want to do... we need to hold onto the truth that we become Jesus’ friends when we do what He commands us to do.
And lest we have any doubt about that... just a little bit further in John’s Gospel we read:
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.
Make no mistake about it, the songwriter knew what he was talking about when he wrote, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus!”
There really is not another friend like Him in all creation. No one will ever love us in the same way Jesus does, and no one will ever make the ultimate sacrifice for us that Jesus has made.
The wait for the government shutdown to end, for all of the planes to take off, and for Jesus to return may feel like there is no end in sight... but rest assured... while there are some who claim to have friends in high places... we have a friend that is in the highest of all places... and He is the One who has everything in control... and I do mean everything!
So, let me just leave you with this... although we do need to BE ON GUARD and watch out for the folks around us who may claim to be our friends... let us never lose sight of the fact that there really is not a friend like Jesus... no, not one.
And with that thought in mind, I want to invite us to stand now and join in singing our Hymn of Discipleship: No Not One! #544.
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There really is not another friend like Him in all creation. No one will ever love us in the same way Jesus does, and no one will ever make the ultimate sacrifice for us that Jesus has made.
The wait for the government shutdown to end, for all of the planes to take off, and for Jesus to return may feel like there is no end in sight... but rest assured... while there are some who claim to have friends in high places... we have a friend that is in the highest of all places... and He is the One who has everything in control... and I do mean everything!
So, let me just leave you with this... although we do need to BE ON GUARD and watch out for the folks around us who may claim to be our friends... let us never lose sight of the fact that there really is not a friend like Jesus... no, not one.
And with that thought in mind, I want to invite us to stand now and join in singing our Hymn of Discipleship: No Not One! #544.
