SCRIPTURE: 2 THESSALONIANS 1
INTRODUCTION:
This second letter was written by Paul to encourage the church to be steadfast in the midst of persecution. Paul heard the bad news that some false teachings about Christ’s return were spreading leading many to quit their jobs and wait for the end of the world. So Paul wrote this letter to correct the false teaching about the Second Coming. Paul told them not to listen to rumors and reports that the day of the Lord has already begun, because a number of events must occur before Christ returns. He urged them to stand firm for Christ’s truth and receive God’s encouragement and hope. He prayed for strength and for the spread of the Lord’s message and warned those who are idle. Paul clarified the theme of “Day of the Lord” and emphasized the coming of Christ and the practical effect it should have on our lives.
MEMORY VERSE:
“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled.” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7)
PAUL, SILAS AND TIMOTHY (vs. 1-2)
Paul, Silas and Timothy were together in Corinth. Paul wrote this letter on behalf of all three of them saying: “To the church of the Thessalonians in God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ: “Grace and peace to you from God th8e Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER (vs. 3-12)
Paul thanked God for the Thessalonians’ growing faith and increasing love. He boasted among God’s churches their perseverance, faith, persecutions and trials that they were enduring. Due to their suffering, they were counted as worthy of the kingdom of God. When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels, he will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.
PRAYER OF PAUL: “That our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.” (v. 11) This prayer is to glorify God both in Thessalonians and God according to the grace of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
THOUGHTS:
Most of Paul’s letters began by stating his appreciation about the readers and the joy he felt because of their faith in God. We should also look for ways to encourage and build up other believers.
Paul had been persecuted during his first visit to Thessalonica. Those who had responded to his message who had become Christians were also persecuted. Paul told them that Christ’s return would bring deliverance from persecution and judgment. That was why the people expected Christ’s return right away to rescue and vindicate them. So Paul pointed out that while waiting for God’s kingdom, believers should learn perseverance and faith from their suffering.
Believers will also experience troubles and problems. But it can build our character to become strong that can provide us opportunities to comfort others who are also struggling.
Paul mentioned two reliefs we can gain. First, relief in knowing that our suffering is strengthening us, making us ready for Christ’s kingdom. Second, relief that one day everyone will stand before God . At the time, wrongs will be righted, judgment will be pronounced and evil will be terminated.
The “everlasting destruction” that Paul described is the lake of fire – the place of eternal separation from God. Those people who are separated from God in eternity no longer have any hope for salvation.
How can we count the worth of His calling? The calling of God is to become like Christ which is a gradual lifelong process. To be “worthy” of His calling means to want to do what is right and good. Let us all move toward that direction with the help of the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts.