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Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 - |
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INTRODUCTION TO SECOND THESSALONIANS 2Th 1:3-4; 2:1-2; 3:6-7 (10/29/11) Grace Bible
Church, Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl
Hilbert I.
INTRODUCTION TO SECOND THESSALONIANS A.
The church at Thessalonica was as noble as the Bereans
because after their conversion, they became an exemplary N.T. church. In
First Thessalonians, Paul noted that they were bold in their evangelism. In
fact they “sounded forth” (exêchéō
- sound out a loud noise, Eng. “echo”) the gospel so that Paul did not
need to say anything to them concerning evangelism (1Th 1:8). B.
Thessalonica was known for its strong opposition against
Christians. Paul himself was chased out of the city after sharing the gospel
for only a few short weeks (Act 17:1-10). However the converted Thessalonians
had to stay and live in Thessalonica. This however did not stifle their
strong witness of the gospel (1Th 1:6; 2:14). C.
They had grown in their understanding of theology both
while Paul was among them and in his first letter. They learned that those
who went home to be with the Lord would precede them in the resurrection,
that they would see their loved ones again, and that they were to live in the
anticipation of the Lord’s return (Rapture - 1Th 4:15-16). D.
They also were a church that was used to laboring for the
Lord in love giving great evidence of the salvation (1Th 1:3). E.
But after Paul’s first letter, with time to grow
spiritually as well as be challenged in their faith, Paul became aware of
several factors that led him to write a second epistle to the church at
Thessalonica. II.
AUTHORSHIP AND DATE OF SECOND THESSALONIANS A.
There is very little discrepancy that Paul wrote First
Thessalonians and even less that he also wrote Second Thessalonians. B.
Though some would say that there are conflicts between
Paul’s writings and emphasis in these two letters, such arguments hold very
little weight. C.
Paul would write with different emphases in a second
letter otherwise there would be no need for another letter. Paul does not
write anything that he will not write in his other NT epistles. Furthermore,
there were theological perspectives that needed to be further clarified such
as the time of the “Day of the Lord” (2Th 2:2) and revelation about the “man
of lawlessness” (2Th 2:3) Different tones from Paul’s writing would be
necessary especially if there were some in the church that needed to be
rebuked (2Th 3:11, 12, 14). D.
Paul mentioned himself in first epistle (1Th 1:1; 2:18;
3:5; 5:27) and in his second (2Th 1:1; 2:5, 15; 3:6, 10). Paul actually signs
the letter so that the Thessalonians would know it came from him (2Th 3:17
cp. 1Co 16:21; Col 4:18). E.
Just like his first epistle, Paul writes the second while
at Corinth during his second missionary journey sometime between A.D. 51-54.
Acts 18:11 states that he settled there for a year and a half, more than
enough time to write two epistles. Mostly likely there was an interval of
approximately twelve months in between epistles, making it his third epistle
in all (assuming Galatians was his first). III.
OCCASION AND PURPOSE OF SECOND THESSALONIANS A.
Leaving Thessalonica abruptly (Act 17:10), Paul greatly
desired to know about the spiritual condition of the church and therefore
sent Timothy to Thessalonica (1Th 3:1-2). This led to Paul’s first writing.
However, hearing more news concerning the church, perhaps from the messenger
who delivered the first letter or through some other source, Paul “heard”
more information about them (2Th 3:11) that prompted the writing of a second
letter. B.
First, Paul heard that persecution had increased and
needed to write additional encouragement to the Thessalonians (2Th 1:3-4). C.
Secondly, information came to Paul that false teaching had
crept in that confused the Thessalonians concerning the “Day of the Lord”
(2Th 2:1-2). Paul writes to cause the Thessalonians to “stand firm” in his
teaching (2Th 2:15) and gives revelation concerning a key figure during the
Tribulation, i.e. the “man of lawlessness” (2h 3:3-12). D.
Thirdly, Paul heard that because of faulty theology due to
faulty teaching, some were not following his teaching and became unruly and
undisciplined (2Th 3:6-7). In fact, some had quit their jobs to wait for the
Day of the Lord (2Th 3:11) and Paul begins to use verbiage consistent with
church discipline to those who refuse to follow his instructions (2Th 3:14). IV.
OUTLINE OF SECOND THESSALONIANS REMAIN UNSHAKEN AND ESTABLISHED IN
THE CHRISITAN LIFE I.
ENCOURAGEMENT IN ENDURING PERSECUTION (2Th 1) A.
Greetings (1:1-2) B.
Thanksgiving for growth (1:3-4) C.
God’s Retribution Toward Persecution (5-10) D.
Prayer for Continued Growth (11-12) II.
ENLIGHTENMENT ON FALSE TEACHING (2Th 2) A.
The Day of the Lord (2:1-2) B.
The Man of Lawlessness (2:3-12) C.
Result of Sound Teaching (2:13-15) D.
Prayer for Comfort and Strength (2:16-17) III.
ESTABLISHMENT THROUGH DISCIPLINED CONDUCT (2Th 3) A.
Prayer for the Apostles (3:1-2) B.
Confidence of the Apostles (3:3-5) C.
Treatment of the Unruly (3:6-9) D.
Commands for the Idle (3:10-13) E.
Discipline for the Disobedient (3:14-15) F.
Final Salutations (3:16-18) V.
REMAIN UNSHAKEN AND ESTABLISHED IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE A.
Continuing endurance in the face of opposition and long
term labor of love. 1.
Like the Thessalonians, many Christians experience a
growth spurt in their Christian lives immediately after trusting in Christ.
The challenge however is to continue growing and not become complacent in the
Christian Life. 2.
The new believer is encouraged to begin to serve the Lord
whereas the older believer needs to be encouraged to continue to endure even
in the face of struggle, trials, and opposition. a)
The believer is to continue to endure (ane,chō - lit. hold up under, bear with, put up
with) persecution his entire Christian life (2Th 1:4). b)
The believer is to continue to endure sound doctrine (2Ti
4:3ff). c)
The believer is to continue to endure strong exhortation
(Heb 13:22). B.
Constant alertness against false teaching. 1.
The believer must always be vigilant and be on the lookout
for false teaching. It is Satan’s ultimate strategy against the church and
the believer (Gen 3:3-4; 2Co 11:13-14). A lack of vigilance and a lack of knowledge
of proper biblical truth could leave a believer quickly shaken (saleuō - shake,
totter, rock) in his faith and confused (2Th 2:2). Or worse, a believer
can fall into false teaching such as the foolish Galatians (Gal 3:1). 2.
A new believer lacks understanding but many times has a
great desire to study while an older believer may have understanding but
lacks the desire to study or be vigilant as though everything is safe and
sound. 3.
Therefore, the Christian comes to realize that he must
always be on constant alert to false teaching (Act 20:28; 1Ti 4:16; 1Co
16:13). C.
Consistent conduct according the Word of God. 1.
A new believer initially finds himself scrutinizing and
working through his behavior. An older believer should do the same but often
falls into a false sense of comfort and complacency. Many times believers
only attempt to satisfy externals and give no thought for internal change. If
a believer does not see a need to continue changing or growing, he shows that
he has reverted back into immaturity. 2.
A mature believer becomes ever increasingly aware of his
lack of conformity to that of his Lord. The mature believer always promotes
spiritual growth not only because that is what others need, but because he
himself desperately needs to keep changing and become more like Christ. Note
that only correct teaching leads to correct attitudes which lead to correct
conduct. Every time the believer approaches the Word of God, it ought to be
learn, grow, and especially change. IV.
OBSERVATIONS AND APPS A.
EXPECT ONSLAUGHT of SPIRITUAL WARFARE
to new believers who live for the Lord B.
Expect false teaching always. C.
Expect D.
Correct behavior from correct beliefs E.
No contentment in spiritual status |
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