Thessalonians - Part 15

2nd Thessalonians 1:6-12 Part 2

Encouragement to Persevere

Today we will endeavor to unpack – verses 2 Th.1:6 – 12 that refer back to v.5

5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;     (Emphasis mine)

Let’s read our passage today:      2 Thessalonians 1:6-12 (ESV)

6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you,

7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels

8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,

12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

see attached charts for details

Application Exercise

2 Th.1:8in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on

(Group 1) [those who do not know God] and on [those who do not obey the gospel] (Group 2)

of our Lord Jesus. 9They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction,

away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

Review what 2 Th.1:8-9 and these passages below have to say about these 2 groups:

Group 1: Ro. 1:18-32; 2:2 

Group 2: Jer.13:25; Acts 13:50; 17:5; Ro.2:8: Eph.5:6; Col.3:6; (extra credit: Mat. 11:20-24)

1.To what degree are the people in those groups judged?

2.Do you know people who are like those in those groups?

But it does not have to be that way! (Ro.5:8; 1 Pet.3:15; 2 Pet.3:9)

Consider the marvelous magnificent Grace of God and

what can happen when someone just like you shares the Hope you have in Christ

with someone just like those in either group above!

Perhaps this is how you can begin to share your story: (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Eph.2:1-9) 

Application Meditation

Reflecting on the ‘patience’(perseverance) of the Thessalonians

VICTORY

 When you are forgotten or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you smile inwardly, glorying in the insult or the oversight, because thereby counted worthy to suffer with Christ – that is victory.

 When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your taste offended, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you take it all in patient, loving silence – that is victory.

 When you are content with any food, any raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God – that is victory.

(Author Unknown)

1 Pe 2:19-20

19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God