Until He Returns || 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5
2 Thessalonians
1:1 To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
1:1 To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Church = ekklesia
people called out from the world and to God, the outcome being the Church
people called out from the world and to God, the outcome being the Church
2 Thessalonians 1:2
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace – Saving & Sustaining
Peace = eirene
when all the essential parts are joined together; wholeness.
when all the essential parts are joined together; wholeness.
2 Thessalonians 1:3
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
Faith growing abundantly – huperauxanó
to increase beyond measure.
to increase beyond measure.
Increase – pleonazó
more than enough.
more than enough.
When was the last time you had more than enough ?
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
2 Thessalonians 1:4
Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
Steadfastness – hupomoné
to remain under
to remain under
Persecutions -diógmos
pursuit (chase), the hunt to bring someone down like an animal,”
pursuit (chase), the hunt to bring someone down like an animal,”
The church in America isn’t being chased, it’s being trapped.
Psalm 106:35-37
but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did 36 They served their idols, which became a snare to them. 37 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons
but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did 36 They served their idols, which became a snare to them. 37 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons
Psalm 140:4-5
Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet.5 The arrogant havehidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net; beside the way they have set snares for me
Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet.5 The arrogant havehidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net; beside the way they have set snares for me
Psalm 141:8-10
But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! 9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers!10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely
But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! 9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers!10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely
Proverbs 7:21-23
With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. 22 All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter ,or as a stag is caught fast 23 till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.
With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. 22 All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter ,or as a stag is caught fast 23 till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.
Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
1 Timothy 6:9
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
2 Thessalonians 1:4
Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
Afflictions – thlipsis
pressure (that constricts or rubs together), used of a narrow place that “hems someone in”; tribulation, especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined (restricted, “without options”
pressure (that constricts or rubs together), used of a narrow place that “hems someone in”; tribulation, especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined (restricted, “without options”
2 Thessalonians 1:5
This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—
This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—
What is the Kingdom of God ?
What is the Kingdom of God ? His Reign & Realm.
How does suffering make us worthy of the Kingdom of God ?
How does suffering make us worthy of the Kingdom of God ?
-It confirms that we are true believers. 1 Peter 1:5-7, 4:12
-It creates new holiness by knocking out old worldliness. 2 Thess.
-It prepares a weight of glory. 2 Cor. 4:16-18