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Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd.   P.O. Box #3762   Gillette, WY  82717   (307) 686-1516

 

- Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 -

 

 

 

 

GOD’S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT IN PERSECUTION (Pt. 1)

2Th 1:3-5 (02/19/12)

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

 

  1. PAUL GIVE THANKS AND ADMORATION FOR THE THESALOIANS (3-4)

 

A.      They have Grown in their Faith and Love (3)

 

1.       Just as in the first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul has great admiration for them because of their growth in Christ.

2.       It is for this reason that he is compelled to give thanks to God for them. This thanks is “fitting (a,xios - equal weight or value ), not mere words, because of their growth.

a)       Their faith was “greatly enlarged” (huperauxa,), which means to grow exceedingly or immeasurably. They grew in the grace and knowledge of God (2Pe 3:18) from the Word (1Pe 2:2 cp. Act 12:24, 19:20) as a body of believers (Col 2:19) and in their spiritual, fruitful, and pleasing walk (Col 1:10).

b)       In addition their love for one another “grew ever greater” (pleona,), which means that their love was ever increasing. Paul had encouraged them to increase in love (1Th 3:12) even though they needed no such admonitions (1Th 4:9). And still their love continued to increase in quality and quantity.

 

B.      They have Persevered through Persecution (4)

 

1.       Paul and those with him were so pleased with their spiritual growth of the church in Thessalonica that they spoke proudly of them. Though Paul was “boasting” (egkacha,omai - to boast in, take pride in) about them, it was not in the sense of elevating man but God who was working in them. Yet their spiritual growth was worthy of praise among the churches of God.

2.       Here it was specifically about their perseverance and faith in spite of fierce persecution.

a)       To have “perseverance” (hupomonê) means to “remain under” and not get out from under. The Thessalonians did not attempt to get out from under their Christian duties and the persecution it brought. Rather they were in fact “enduring” (ane,chō - hold up or hold out, used many times with  the Christian walk; middle voice of participation, “yourselves”) them.

b)       Their “faith” remained firm not in the sense that it believed that God would keep them from persecution, but believed God would keep them “in the midst of all” (en pasin) their persecution.

c)       This was the same persecution (diōgmo,s - lit. pursuit, chase, i.e. persecute) that Paul was met with at Thessalonica that chased Paul out of two cities (Act 17:10, 13).

(1)    Their persecution was religious jealousy toward Christians (Act 17:5a).

(2)    Their persecution was wicked toward Christians (Act 17:5b).

(3)    Their persecution was violent toward them (Act 17:5-6).

(4)    Their persecution stirred up the crowds and the city against them (Act 17:5b, 8, 13).

(5)    Their persecution was relentless toward Christians (Act 17:13).

 

  1. GOD DEALS WITH PERSECUTORS AND PERSECUTEES (5-10)

 

A.      In  Evidence of His Righteous Judgment (5)

 

1.       The whole idea of persecution is “plain indication” (e,ndeigma - evidence, proof, or manifest token) which distinguishes the believer from the unbeliever.

2.       Suffering (pa,schō - to undergo and experience suffering, even death) is a litmus test that God allows to show those who are worthy (kataxio,ō - regarded as worthy) of the kingdom of God.

3.       This is a result of God’s “righteous judgment” (dikai,as kriseōs) who gives recompense to all depending on what they deserve. Believers in themselves deserve the same judgment as those who reject Christ. However, they have received pardon and righteousness from Christ, while unbelievers have remained in their perdition and sinfulness. Therefore believers receive relief, comfort, and strength from God in persecution (2Th 1:7).

 

  1. THERE ARE BIBLICAL REASONS FOR PERSECUTION

 

A.      A believer is persecuted because he lives a godly life in reverent relation to God (2Ti 3:12).

B.      A believer is persecuted because he does what is right before God’s righteousness (Mat 5:10).

C.      A believer is persecuted because his beliefs oppose the religious traditions of men (Act 8:1; Gal 5:11).

D.      A believer is persecuted because he is not of this world (Joh 15:18-19).

E.       A believer is persecuted because he preaches God’s Word (Joh 15:20).

F.       A believer is persecuted because the world does not know God (Joh 15:21).

G.      A believer is persecuted because the Word reveals sin (Joh 15:22-24).

 

  1. THERE ARE  BIBLICAL ATTITUDES TOWARD PERSECUTION

 

A.      A believer is to count himself worthy of the kingdom when he is persecuted (2Th 1:5; Act 5:41).

B.      A believer is called to suffer for Christ, Who suffered for him (1Pe 2:21; Phil 1:29; 3:10)

C.      A believer is not to be surprised by but rejoice in persecution (1Pe 4:12-13).

D.      A believer receives the favor of the Lord when he is persecuted (1Pe 2:19).

E.       A believer is blessed with the Spirit of glory when he is persecuted (1Pe 4:14).

F.       A believer will be rewarded for his perseverance through persecution (Jam 1:12).

 

  1. THERE ARE  BIBLICAL RESPONSES TO PERSECUTION

 

A.      A believer is to entrust his soul to God when persecuted (1Pe 4:19).

B.      A believer is to bless those who persecute him (Rom 12:14).

C.      A believer is to love and pray for those who persecute him (Mat 5:44).

D.      A believer is to bear and hold up through persecution (2Th 1:4; 1Co 4:12).

E.       A believer is to remain under and not get out from persecution (2Th 1:4; 1Pe 2:20).

F.       A believer is not to be intimidated by persecution (1Pe 3:14).

G.      A believer is to follow Christ’s example in persecution (1Pe 2:21-24).

H.      A believer is to be ready to defend his faith with gentleness in persecution (1Pe 3:15).

I.        A believer is to glorify God in persecution (1Pe 4:16).