Sunday, July 3, 2016

Comfort to the Persecuted Paul's Epistles - 2 Thessalonians - Part 1

Comfort to the Persecuted
Paul's Epistles - 2 Thessalonians - Part 1
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org


INTRODUCTION

Thessalonica was the second city in Europe where Paul established an organized Christian community.

Paul sent his first letter (epistle) to the church after Timothy returned with good report of the community. His letter filled with praise to God for them, as well as instruction to continue to do good, and be mindful of teachers, and preachers. He instructed them to hold dearly to the teachings of Christ, and not to allow false teachings or beliefs to pollute the Truth, or they may have troubles as some of the other churches were experiencing because of influence by the circumcised, the Gnostics, and other Pagan and false beliefs that had snuck into the churches ranks.

Not long after sending his first letter, Paul felt it necessary to write to them again. This is 2 Thessalonians.

The reason for this letter was because Paul had received reports that a forged letter, and a false verbal message had been spread around, supposedly coming from Paul himself.

These false teachings in Paul’s name made mention of imaginary revelations of the Spirit given through some member or members of the Thessalonian Church.

The members believed they were passing through a great tribulation because of this, and were greatly distressed.

Mislead into thinking the Great Day of the Lord had come.

Paul wrote this letter to set their minds at ease.

Paul declares in this epistle that certain events MUST take place before “The Day of the Lord”.




A)   A great falling away from the faith.
B)    The coming of Christ for His people (Rapture)
C)   The coming into public view of the “Man of Sin”
D)  And his open and awful campaign against the Lord
E)    Then the coming of the Lord (Second Coming) with His people in terrible judgment


In the first letter, Paul had taught that people who fell asleep (died) in Christ would share the Coming of the Lord. In his second letter he shows that the Saints who are alive shall not be overtaken by the judgments of the “Day of the Lord”.

In his first letter, Paul states the Day of the Lord will come suddenly, but clarifies in the second letter, suddenly does not mean immediately as in time, rather suddenly when it happens.

2 Thessalonians is really broken into four major themes.

1)     Persecution and the Lord’s Coming
a.      A comfort to the persecuted (2 Thessalonians 1:1-7)

2)     The unrepentant  and the Lord’s Coming
a.      A terror to the unconverted (2 Thessalonians 1:7-12)

3)     The Apostasy and the Lord’s Coming
a.      For His people leads to the revealing of the Man of Sin
b.      With His people means the destruction of the Man of Sin (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)

4)     Service and the Lord’s Coming
a.      The delay of the Lord’s Coming for;
                                                              i.      Unique opportunities for service (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17; 3)




Today we will look at the salutation, commendation and inspiration of 2 Thessalonians 1:1-7 of Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica.





SCRIPTURE REFERENCE 2 Thessalonians 1:1-7

  Paul, Silas and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.


    I.      SALUTATION
a. Paul clarifying authorship of this letter
                                                                                  i. Paul, Silas (Silvanus in Greek ), and Timothy

b. To whom it is written
                                                                                  i. The Church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

                                                                               ii. In  other words, the Christians in Thessalonica

c. Opening the door for the Spirit of God
                                                                                  i. Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

                                                                               ii. Luke 10:5 & 6 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.

                                                                            iii. Matthew 10:12-15 “As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”
1. The Hebrew Bible uses a familiar but significant word, shalom. In its purest sense, shalom means "peace." The connotation is positive. That is, when someone says, "Shalom," or, "Peace unto you," it doesn't mean, "I hope you don't get into any trouble"; it means, "I hope you have all the highest good coming your way."

                                                                              iv. John 14:27 Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

                                                                                 v. The peace Jesus is speaking of enables believers to remain calm in the most wildly fearful circumstances. It enables them to hush a cry, still a riot, rejoice in pain and trial, and sing in the middle of suffering. This peace is never by circumstances, but instead affects and even overrules them.

1. The peace of God is not obtainable by those who are not at peace with Him. God alone brings peace. In fact, in Philippians 4:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, and again in Hebrews 13:20, He is called "the God of peace."



II.      COMMENDATION
a. We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters
                                                                                  i. And rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more

                                                                               ii. And the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 


b. Therefore
                                                                                  i. Among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.


c. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right
                                                                                  i. And as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.


III.      INSPIRATION – The fact of the Lord’s Second Coming
a. Inspired them to noble piety
                                                                                  i. Leading to growth in faith
                                                                               ii. Deepening of love

b. Inspired them to great patience
                                                                                  i. Great trustfulness in persecution

c. On His arrival glairing wrongs would be righted
                                                                                  i. Vengeance given out to all their oppressors



CONCLUSION – This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.




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