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Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 - |
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GOD’S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT IN PERSECUTION (Pt. 1) 2Th 1:3-5 (02/19/12) Grace Bible
Church, Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl
Hilbert
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,nō), 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,zō), 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).
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).
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).
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).
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). |
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