Church of Christ Sermons and Lessons for 2011

A Righteous Thing with God 

Introduction:

  This second letter to the Christians at Thessalonica was written soon after the first.  Paul, Silas, and Timothy are in the city of Corinth.  Word had come to Paul that many in the church still had misconceptions about the second coming of Christ.  It would be very soon; so some had even quit working and living a normal life.  Paul corrects this misunderstanding.  He uses very direct language throughout this letter.

  In our particular text (II Thessalonians 1), Paul deals in a very straight forward way with what Jesus will do about the ungodly, especially those who persecute Christians. 

Text:  II Thessalonians 1 

Body:

  I. Faith and Love (Verses 1-4)

  The first two verses contain Paul’s greetings to the brethren in Thessalonica.  They were in the same family!  He desired God’s blessings of grace and peace be upon them. 

• (Verses 3)  Paul was very thankful to God for the faith and love of the Christians.  They had continued to grow despite persecutions that had started almost immediately after their baptisms. 

1.   Their faith had grown exceedingly, “vigorous” growth.  They had grown beyond what it was when the first letter was written.  Initially, they possessed enough faith to move them to repent, confess, and be baptized.  But they had increased from that point.  (Colossians 2:6-7)  They had grown as the knowledge of God and His will for them increased.  (I Peter 2:2) 

2.   Love abounded.  Persecutions may have drawn them closer together.  Notice how love, obedience, and the Word are tied together in I Peter 1:22-23.  “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” NKJV

• (Verse 4)  Paul praised the church in Thessalonica to other congregations.  This helped to motivate other congregations.  Paul praised them for perseverance and endurance, in the face of persecutions and trials, for remaining faithful.  The Christian life is likened to riding a bicycle.  If you don’t keep going forward, you are going to fall off!  Run the race with endurance.  (Hebrews 12:1)  When suffering comes our way, and it will, we should remember  I Peter 4:19.  “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”  NKJV

II. Retribution (Verses 5-10)

• (Verse 5)  Their perseverance and faithfulness during persecutions was proof that God’s judgment was right or just.  They were worthy of the Kingdom of God!  This is the basic purpose of trials that Christians endure.  It shows they are worthy of eternal life.  (I Peter 1:6-7) Note:  How we bear our sufferings in this life is critical!
• (Verse 6)  God is righteous and just.  He always does what’s right.  “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” NKJV (Genesis 18:25)  It is right for God to allow Christians to suffer as we just discussed.  It is also right and just for Him to repay (recompense) with affliction those who afflict Christians.  “. . . Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord . . .” NKJV (Hebrews 10:30) Retribution is demanded by the righteousness of God.  (Romans 2:5)
• (Verse 7)  It is also the right thing with God to give rest to those who have been afflicted.  Rest is freedom from tension, relief, peace.  The saved never have to be concerned with persecutions, trials, afflictions, sufferings again!  Note:  (Romans 2:10) Eternal life will happen when Jesus comes the second time.  He will be revealed.  Every eye shall see Him with His angels.  (Matthew 13:49)
• (Verse 8)  Taking vengeance – a just vindication  “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” NKJV (Hebrews 9:27)  There will be two classes of people who will receive this vengeance.

1.   Those who do not know God, do not believe in Him, do not have faith

2.   Those who do not obey; their faith must be coupled with obedience before it can ever save.  (Hebrews 5:8-9)

• (Verse 9)  Everlasting punishment will be a just act executed by an unbiased judge.  There will be never-ending suffering.  It truly is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
• (Verse 10)  There will come a day of rejoicing for God’s people.  We will glorify and honor Him and stand in awe of Him.

III. Living Until He Comes Again (Verses 11-12)

  Paul prays for them that they would endure their persecutions faithfully so Christ would find them ready and count them worthy of the kingdom.  We should pray for others in a similar way.  He prayed that they would fulfill God’s desire for their lives to do the best they could.  When they did this, Christ would be glorified and one day they would be also. 

Invitation:

  Christ’s second coming will be an awesome event.  It will usher in eternal life for the godly, but eternal suffering for the disobedient.  Have you obeyed the gospel? 

Bobby Stafford

What Must One Do to become a Christian and be saved?