SECOND THESSALONIANS
chapter 1
REASONS FOR THANKSGIVING TO GOD (1:1-5)
ENLARGED FAITH
A. In the midst of persecutions and affliction (James 1:2-3, Romans 5:3-5)
B. Because they were looking forward to relief in that “better country”
C. So that they will be considered worthy, they press on (1 Peter 3:13-17)
GROWING LOVE
A. Manifested in ‘each one’
B. Toward one another – this is a cost of discipleship (John 13:35)
THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF GOD (1:5-10)
HE WILL REPAY WITH AFFLICTIONS THOSE WHO AFFLICT YOU
A. This is God’s job not ours
B. This is listed among many things listed in Paul’s exhortation to being living sacrifices holy and acceptable (Romans 12:9-21)
C. God will also repay those who afflict Him as well as His church which is His body (Acts 9:4, Hebrews 10:28-31)
HE WILL GIVE RELIEF TO THOSE WHO ARE AFFLICTED
A. Isaiah 53:5 was fulfilled in our Lord’s ministry on earth (Matthew 8:17)
B. Eternal rest and relief will come when He comes when our bodies are changed and we received imperishable bodies (1 Corinthians 15:50-57)
C. Revelation 7:16-17
WHEN THE LORD JESUS IS REVEALED
A. From heaven – not from earth (Matthew 24:25-27)
B. With mighty angels in flaming fire – a grand and startling event, not a secret
C. Dealing out retribution
1. To those who do not know God – not ignorance, refusal (Romans 1:28)
2. To those who do not obey the gospel
a. Eternal destruction – destruction can be eternal in the lake of fire. They will not be consumed or obliterated but will by destroyed forever even in their imperishable bodies.
b. Away from the presence of the Lord (Matthew 25:41)
c. Away from the glory of His power
D. To be glorified in His saints – salvation is glorious (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)
E. To be marveled at by believers – a beautiful day for those whom there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1)
LIVING IN VIEW OF HIS COMING (1:11-12)
PRAY THAT GOD WILL
A. Count us worthy of the calling (Ephesians 4:1, Philippians 3:14, Hebrews 3:1)
B. Fulfill our desires for goodness – transforming us and perfecting us
C. Fulfill our work of faith with power – we are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
SO THAT
A. The name of Jesus will be glorified in us – the goal in discipleship (John 15:1-11)
B. We will be glorified in Him
HOW?
According to His grace – Christ’s grace is exhibited in the Christian taking on the glory of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). He suffered in the flesh that we might be raised up in spirit, He was made poor that we might be made rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
2 THESSALONIANS 2
SOUND DOCTRINE OF CHRIST’S COMING (2:1-3)
Is vital to maintain faith, hope and love (1 Peter 1:6-9, Titus 2:13, 2 Timothy 4:8) - G.B.
Keeps us from being shaken from our composure (sound mind) and is precisely what modern day speculation on end times is doing
Keeps us from being disturbed by a spirit, message, or letter of deceit
Keeps us from being deceived
THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS (2:3-12)
Apostasy – (rebellion, abandonment, revolt, and desertion)
This falling away from the faith is the clear teaching of scripture despite man’s attempts to claim falling away is impossible. It is produced by a lack of spiritual interest and neglect of sound doctrine. This weakness leads to the man of lawlessness or sin to set up shop.
Man of lawlessness – a man or office or personality, breaking or without the laws of Christ
A. Revealed - during Paul’s time he had not yet come but his spirit was present (apostasy). He will be revealed or unveiled as wicked before the coming of Jesus.
B. The son of destruction - brings ruin and destruction in the name of religion
C. Opposes all gods - opposes everything against him
D. Exalts himself above all gods - Jesus humbled Himself, he exalts himself so as to receive the worship due God Almighty
E. Takes his seat in the temple of God - the Church
F. Displays himself as being God - that he is Divine and has Divine attributes. The pope wears a crown with the label “vicar of Christ” and is called “Holy Father”
G. He was restrained until restrainer is removed - the word of God restrains sin and the work of the devil, the gospel was spread throughout the known world (Col. 1:23) before the man of lawlessness was revealed, or he was restrained by political Rome and civil law until the papacy could come into power.
H. Mystery of lawlessness was already at work - sin in the name of Christianity
I. He is slain (consumed) by the breath of the Lord - (Hosea 6:5) the rise of this man was due to the neglect of the very thing that will slay him - the word of God
J. Will be brought to his end at His bright coming - His brilliance, flaming fire
K. In accord with activity of Satan - by permissive will of God.
Activity of Satan
L. All Power - that is with all of Satan’s power
M. Signs and false wonders - Satan is supernatural and can do many things
O. Deception of wickedness for the perishing
1. They did not love the truth so as to be saved (essential to salvation)
2. God will send a deluding influence so they will believe a lie (He allows Satan)
3. So they will be judged for not believing truth and approving wickedness
CHOSEN ONES (2:13-17)
Chosen for salvation (Ephesians 1:4, 2 Timothy 1:9)
Salvation through sanctification (Romans 8:29-30, 1 Corinthians 6:11)
Sanctification in truth (John 14:6)
Called through the gospel (John 12:32,38)
To gain the glory of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 2:12)
God’s provision
A. Eternal comfort
B. Hope by grace
C. Strengthened hearts
D. In every good work and word
2 THESSALONIANS 3
FOCUSED PRAYER
Acknowledgement of blessings (2:16)
Comfort and strengthened hearts for good works and words (2:17)
Word spread rapidly and be glorified (3:1)
“And the Word of God increased” (Acts 6:7)
“the Word of God grew and multiplied” (Acts 12:24)
“So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.” (Acts 19:20).
“but the word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9 - ASV)
Rescued from perverse and evil men, not all have faith (3:2)
Strength and protection from the evil one (3:3)
This is why Timothy was sent to them (1 Thessalonians 3:2)
So they would not be led astray (2 Thessalonians 2:2, Ephesians 4:14)
Doing good (3:4)
It was not possible for Israel to keep all these commandments in order to do
But faith can do exactly that (Romans 8:1-4)
Direct your hearts into the love of God and steadfastness of Christ (3:5)
The Lord goes for our hearts and we need direction (Jeremiah 11:23)
We must be grounded in the love of God and be firm in it then we will be able to truly love (1 John 4:19)
Steadfastness of Christ or patience or waiting for Christ is where our hearts are focused
DISCIPLINED LIVES
Keep away from an unruly brother
Fellowship is spiritual and not mere friendship - it is based on living in the Spirit
Discipline has restoration as its goal - see also 1 Corinthians 5:5
Extremes-1) no discipline-due to “friendship”-mind set is not spiritual 2) too strong discipline-due to hate, pride, and lack of compassion-mind set is to punish not restore
Follow the disciplined lives of the Paul and company as an example
Working day and night. Entertainment it seems has crippled the hard worker. Once accustomed to it, it is hard leave its grips if approached in the fleshy mind.
They were working as an example to be followed by those they were discipling
The Thessalonians knew Jesus could return at any moment and were neglecting everyday affairs. While His return could happen at any time we still take care of today and especially want to be found working for the kingdom.
Continue to work - if not - don’t eat
The unruly or undisciplined life specifically, being slothful, generally straying from the path
It was not being unable to work or simply not working but not willing to work
To work for food was mandate given in Genesis 3:19
Paul even worked when imprisoned as did Joseph and both were fruitful
Leaders are worthy of double honor for “working hard at preaching and teaching”(1 Timothy 5:17)
They are to be commanded, by God’s instruction, and urged to obey that instruction
They are to be noted, disfellowshipped, and warned in order to be restored
We must not tolerate direct disobedience to the word of God
Do not grow weary of doing good
Do not get tired or worn out for doing right - don’t follow their evil ways
Continue to work hard and keep it up - the fruit will come (Galatians 6:9)
“Be steadfast, immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
There are things to do (Titus 3:5, Romans 2:7, 1 Peter 2:15)
CONCLUSION - things to be preached and reminded about
Peace in every circumstance
The Lord be with you
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all