2 Thessalonians

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Stand Firm…in Suffering

October 16, 2016 | 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 | exposition, suffering

Suffering often causes a theological problem for us. We put our trust in God, yet bad stuff still happens. We pray for healing, yet a loved one dies. We pray for reconciliation in marriage, but it ends in divorce. We share our faith with a neighbor, and they reject both our message and our friendship. Suffering tests our faith! Are you going through a time of suffering today? The apostle Paul told the believers in Thessalonica that they could stand firm in their faith in Christ Jesus during times of suffering.

“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (2 Thessalonians 1:9 ESV)

October 13, 2016

The destiny of those who reject a relationship with God and disobey the gospel was here given through the apostle Paul. He gave six words to describe Hell:
1) “Suffer” – it is a place of pain and suffering.
2) “Punishment” – it is a place of God’s fiery justice
3) “Eternal” – it is an everlasting condition
4) “Destruction” – not annihilation, but continual ruination
5) “Presence” – banished from God’s presence and blessing
6) “Glory” – banished from God’s beauty and sustaining power
Paul gave this horrific description of future suffering for those who were persecuting the believers in Thessalonica. He did this so believers wouldn’t focus on vengeance against their persecutors, but would instead focus on Christ. Seeing those who persecute our faith through the eyes of our Savior, we are able to pray, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1 NKJV)

October 15, 2015

Paul’s prayer: May the Word spread quickly and be held in honor by all. Paul asked the Thessalonians to join him in praying that the gospel would go out unhindered and be accepted, just as they had accepted it. Would you join me in praying Paul’s prayer? That the Word of God would “run swiftly” in our city, our region, our country and in our world. And that it would be “glorified,” in human hearts as they receive it as the gospel of God.

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first” (2 Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV)

October 14, 2015

Apparently, the first century church suffered from false prognosticators just as today’s church does. Paul warned believers not to be deceived and therefore so “troubled in mind” (v.2) as to be shaken in their faith. Instead, they should “stand fast” (v.15) and continue remembering the calling of the gospel. We await Christ’s return best by proclaiming the gospel to all.

The Mark of Goodness

June 21, 2015 | 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 | character, discipleship, fruit of the spirit

Pastor Jonathan Minter continued our series on the Nine Marks of True Christian Christian Character by helping us see how the fruit of goodness can grow in our lives. In 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, Paul prays for his Christian brothers and sisters, that God would make them worthy of His calling, that God would fulfill every resolve for good and work of faith with power, and that God would glorify the name of Christ through them. The fruit of goodness helps challenge us to make sure God’s goodness gets brought to every area of our lives.

“…stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter” (2 Thessalonians 2:15b NLT)

October 14, 2014

Paul told the Thessalonian believers to “stand firm” and to keep a “strong grip” on the Word of God that he had taught them. Standing firm on God’s Word we build our life on its gospel truth and instruction. Keeping a strong grip on the Word, we cling to its promises in times of trouble. Do not let skeptics nor suffering snatch the Word of God from you. Base your life on it. Fill your mind with it. Cling to it at all times.

“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do” (2 Thessalonians 1:11 NLT)

October 13, 2014

Paul prayed for the persecuted believers in Thessalonica that the God who called them would also “enable” them to live for Him. When we answer God’s call our faith begins to “prompt” us to act. This prompting comes from our new nature in Christ which gives us the will to do good. Yet, this new will power always moves us to attempt things so beyond our ability that we must totally rely on God’s power to accomplish them. The time between the prompting and the accomplishing of God’s call is a time of testing. It is a time when we finally die to self-effort and live to total dependence on God’s enabling power. As the missionary pioneer, William Carey said, “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.”

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

October 14, 2013

A beautiful benediction for today. May God “comfort” (encourage, urge, call) your heart and “establish” (strengthen, plant, to make stand) every “good word” and every “good work” of yours. Now go. Live for Jesus. You have all you need in Him.

“Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living” (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12)

October 15, 2012

Paul warned the believers at Thessalonica about wanting to be served when they should be serving others. One of the marks of a gospel movement in a formerly unreached locale is that new believers stop drinking and carousing and go to work, supporting their families and community. This has the effect of cultural lift on an entire city. Christ followers are workers. They are givers, not takers.

“Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing” (2 Thessalonians 1:3)

October 13, 2012

Like a tree, the Thessalonian believers were growing, flourishing, … THRIVING! Perhaps it was the persecution that the Thessalonians endured that moved them to grow. In a time and place when being a believer could get you killed, they did more than survive, they thrived. What was their secret? Don’t you want to do more than just get by? To move out of maintenance mode? It’s time to thrive!