Hold Fast

2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.   –2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Holding Him Back

II Thessalonians 2:1-12

Good morning!  Today we are going forward in the second letter which Paul, Silas and Timothy wrote to the church in Thessalonica.  As Tim pointed out last week, this letter was written not long after the first letter, just a few months at most.  Its purpose is similar to the first letter as well.  This letter serves to encourage, exhort, and explain.

Bringing to Fruition

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Today we launch into the second letter from Paul to the Thessalonians. Scholars believe that it was written probably just a few weeks or months after the first. It seems that not much has changed in the situation. The church is facing many of the same issues, so the themes of this letter line up quite closely with those of the first. So why did Paul write this letter? Did he really need to? Have you ever faced that question? Does staying in touch with people ever feel routine or even a bit of burden? You know you owe someone a letter or email, but you’re not sure if you have anything new to add to what you said the last time you wrote. But keeping in touch is important, isn’t it? People need to know you care. And we have already noted Paul’s special concern for these new believers in Thessalonica. We can assume that Silas and/or Timothy have delivered the first letter and returned. Paul is still thinking of the Thessalonians, and he wants them to know that. And we will see that he certainly does have some new insights to share and areas to exhort in this short letter of just three chapters. Once again he wants to correct some misunderstanding concerning the return of the Lord Jesus and what will happen around that time. In Chapter 2 Paul writes about the “man of lawlessness” who must revealed and exalt himself before the “day of the Lord” comes.

Instruction and Prayers

Here we are at the end of 1 Thessalonians in our series “Follow Christ. He Comes!”  But before we start, let’s ask God’s blessing on our time in the word and then we’ll jump in together.

Father, I do praise You that we need no more than Christ. The work is finished, we can do nothing else.  Thank You for Your word that equips us for every good work and is profitable for righteousness, instruction, correction, and reproof.  Father, I just pray that You will bless our time in Your word, that You would teach us, and that we would have open ears and receptive hearts.  In Jesus’ name, amen.