Last week we studied the book of 2 Thessalonians. Can I just say how enjoyable it is to study the Word of our Lord. It just seems to become richer and richer as we dig deeper and deeper. 2 Thessalonians is so rich with encouragement for the believer, and especially the believer suffering persecution for the sake of the gospel. Now my first exposition was lacking in many areas, as I am still learning the concepts of studying the scriptures in such detail, and my second was lacking as well. However, I know there was growth from the feedback I received, and for that I am thankful. It was so much more enjoyable to walk through each verse prayerfully trusting that The Lord would teach my heart and allow me to see clearly what He is saying. Below is the extremely simplistic lay out of how I shared 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 in about 15 minute. Again it is not exhaustive and it is very simple, but the Lord really connected my heart to it so there was a deep affection in the communication. Maybe it will encourage one of you.
1- This letter begins with
identifying the church. He proclaims to them their identity as being IN God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The comfort that came to the
persecuted believers at Thessalonica just in reading the first sentence of this
letter. When you are IN something you are surrounded by it. He begins with
reminding them that they are surrounded by and enclosed by God their Father and
Jesus Christ their Lord.
2Let us not miss the impact
of this greeting because Paul again focuses them by reminding them of the
unearned favor of Grace and the peace that is in God the Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ. He immediately focuses our hearts to Jesus and the grace of God
before He shares with them anything else.
3- Paul then continues in
Thanksgiving giving a weight to it’s importance by saying always. He says we
ought always to give thanks to God for you brothers.
And what is it that Paul is
thanking the Lord for? The abundant growth of their faith, and the love of
everyone one of them for one another, and the way it is increasing. So not
only are they loving one another, but they are loving more and more.
4- Then in verse 4 Paul goes
into how they are able to boast of the Thessalonian church in the other
churches, and use their testimony of their steadfast faith in the midst of
persecutions and afflictions to edify other brothers and sisters in other places.
Sometimes the sufferings and
afflictions we experience because of our faith can be overwhelming for us as
believers. So the next verse sheds some light for us.
5- Paul shares with this
persecuted church how the sufferings and afflictions that they are experiencing
give evidence of how God has righteously judged them as worthy of the Kingdom
of God.
It helps us remain steadfast
in faith to be reminded in the midst of suffering and persecution that it is
for the eternal kingdom of God.
6- Then Paul continues with
how God is just to repay with affliction those who are persecuting the church
and afflicting the believers.
7- Then Paul explains how God
continues in His justice by granting relief to those who are being persecuted
for the faith when Christ returns. It says the Lord Jesus will be revealed from
heaven with his mighty angels.
8- In flaming fire,
inflicting vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
These two verse paint the
picture of a warrior king coming from His kingdom to fight for those that
belong to His kingdom. The fact that He will return in flaming fire inflecting
vengeance is some strong language. I can imagine that it was especially strong
for persecuted believers that were maybe seeing their churches, homes, or
brothers and sisters being burned with flaming fire. So, what an encouragement
to know how our Lord Jesus will return, especially for these believers.
9- Paul continues to explain
how those who do not believe will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction,
away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might.
10- but then Paul explains
what will happen to His faithful steadfast servants. It gives me chills
thinking about it. But you faithful believers when he comes on that day He will
be glorified in you and you in Him because you are His saints. And then he
explains.. and do you know what you are going to do on that day?… You will marvel
at Him ( you will be filled with wonder and astonishment) because you are
believers of the testimony of the gospel.
What an amazing day it will
be to get to fully Behold our marvelous and astonishing God.
11- So again after painting
this beautiful picture of the day of the Lord for believers, Paul returns to
prayer. He reminds the believers that he will be praying for God to continue to
make them worthy of this calling to glory, as well as fulfill all of His
intentions for good and every work of faith. Then he says by His power.
He reminds them that they
will not be able to do anything on their own accord. So, it is only by His
power that we are made worthy of God’s great calling on our lives.
And again what is this great
calling? Vs 12 tells us…..
12- That the name of the lord
Jesus be glorified in them, and they in Him. All according to the grace… the
unearned favor of our Lord Jesus Christ.
His unearned favor that pours
down on those who are His.
App- So when we face
afflictions and persecutions because of our faith we must remember the coming
day of our astonishment when our Lord Jesus returns to be glorified in us. So
that we may remain steadfast in our faith and then counted worthy of the great
calling to glory.
