May God, Make You Worthy of His Calling"
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2 Thess 1:3-12
Introduction:
- Do you pray? Why do you pray? For whom do you/we pray . And, for what do you/we pray? Our answers to those questions reveal a great deal about our relationship with our Lord and each other.
- Boroadening the scope of prayer a bit, what and for whom would someone who knows Faithway Baptist Church, pray? Why?
- If some folks were gathering to pray for churches in South Central Ontario, when they prayed, would they be able to pray for Faithway specifically? For what would they thank God? And for what would they ask God to do in us and through us?
Some might suggest that these are hypothetical questions. But the context of portion of the word of God that we will consider this morning is clear. What God is doing in us impacts other churches . That in turn impacts other churches. We learned that last week. What God did in the church of Thessalonica impacted all of Macedonia and Achaia. More than that, their faith in God had gone everywhere so that,
For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
When Paul wrote his first letter to the church of the Thessalonians, they been examples of faith in God in how they turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven whom He raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
In this Paul’s second letter the church in Thessalonica, their faith was growing and their love of for one another was increasing in the midst of all their persecutions and afflictions. Paul noted that their increasing faith and love in the midst of such adverse conditions prompted Paul to boast about them. Their endurance was also clear evidence that they were considered by God to be worthy of His kingdom and suffering for it. First century believers understood suffering was not only about them as individuals but them as citizems of the kingdom of God or heaven.
Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
So how do we pray for other churches, especially who in the midst of difficult situations.?There was never a question of the church in Thessalonica remaining steadfast their faith. What they needed was a reminder the support of other believers and how God would repay those who afflicted them.
While how we pray for each other is important, how and what we pray for a collective group of believers who are in the midst of persecution and affliction. There are times when all of us need another reminder of how the story ends and that our Lord is still on His throne.
These are those who are saved by grace through faith having been called to faith in Christ and renewed by the Spirit of God to be part of a local committed body of believers. Together, their impact for Christ is amplified beyond what it could be individually. To that end, there are times when we are called to pray for collective groups of believers, churches.
Another of the Apostle Paul’s prayers for the church in Thessalonica provides for us one excellent example. Paul wrote:
1. We ought always to give thanks – 1:3-10.
How Paul begins his prayer probably surprises some of us. Paul did not begin the summary of his prayer by asking God:
WHY, why God was allowing these believers to be persecuted and afflicted. We learned last week that their faith, love and hope was an example to all believers in Macedonia, Achaia, everywhere - 1 Thess 1:7-8. There is no indication that God was allowing the persecution to teach them something or refine them of some glaring impurity.
To remove persecutors or our sources of the persecution/afflication.
To judge the persecutors/afflictors.
There is no need for us to ask God to do what He has promised to do.
Paul explained that his prayer focus for them was simple. He began with giving thanks to God for them. Beginning with giving thanks to God might not seem natural. In the midst of persecution and affliction, what most of us want is immediate relief from pain of the attacks. But before we deal with relief from the persecution and afflictions all of us benefit from being assured with what is going well.
Any of us who has visited an ER recently, knows that before we see a Doctor, we are triaged to assess the reason for our visit and severity of our illness and how long we have been in pain.
Without discounting the pain, the triage team is first very intensional in affirming that specific vitals are strong and in the ideal range.
Blood pressure, pulse, resperation natural and steady, pupils dilated or not, blood tests, intake of liquid and solids, no upper or lower gastro-intestinal abnormalities … , attention span, medications prescribed or unprescrribed.
OUGHT - main verb - to owe, to be indebted, to be bound to do something.
But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’
“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’
Ought to give thanks to God when He accomplishes great things in the lives of His saint.
A direct answer to Paul’s prayers.
remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,
- To God
God has done this. We ought to thank Him. It would be disrespectful not to thank Him.
Paul does not even hint that he did anything other than pray. God did everything.
IN EVERY ERA, OURS INCLUDED, THERE ARE THOSE WHO GLORIFY AND THANK THEMSELVES AND REWARD THEMSELVES AND REPRESENT THEMSELVES AS THE INSTRUMENT THAT GOD USED.
THEY WERE USED BECAUSE THOSE IN NEED HAD SPECIAL FAITH and or GAVE A SPECIAL LARGE FINANCIAL GIFT..
THEY WERE USED BECAUSE THEY WERE ANNOINTED IN A SPECIAL WAY.
THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT OF GOD!
TRUE SERVANT OF GOD DO NO AMASS FORTUNES AND FLY IN CORPORATE JETS.
- For your:
- Faith that is growing
Their faith was growing despite the persecution and because of the persecution. The Bible explains this. Persecution destroys false faith.
As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
Althojgh Peter’s faith was shaken, it was not destoyed. True faith is indestructable.
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
When you have turned again strengthen your brethren.
but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Perhaps that is why Peter wrote,
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Job affirmed his faith in God.
Then Job answered the Lord and said:
“I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
therefore I despise myself,
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Paul understood that it was impossible for severe suffering to destroy genuine saving faith.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
1 and 2 Thessalonians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Increasing Faith
The blasphemous notion suggested by some that Christians need to forgive God for allowing them to suffer completely misses the point. According to that view, believers suffer because though God is well meaning, He is unable to work out all of life’s contingencies. Nothing could be further from the truth. For the reasons noted above, suffering is part of God’s wise, loving, perfect, sovereign plan for His children; they “suffer according to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:19
- Love that is increasing
In his previous letter Paul had commended the church for their love.
remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,
That did not stop him from praying that the Lord would cause them to increase and abound in love for one another.
and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,
Timothy’s report indicated that the believers’ love for each other was even stronger. Despite persecution, love permeated the congregation.
True is eager sscrificial service and obedience to Christ’s command.
“Love sacrificially does does for others what they do not deserve and cannot for for themselves.”
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
- Enduring persecutions
Steadfastness.
Paul had noted the steadfastness of their hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
As with faith and love, Paul’s prayer was that their hope would increase. He was concerned that the afflictions might cause them to lose hope.
God again anwered Paul’s prayer that they remain steadfst.
We ourselves boast about you.
We ourselves - emphatic - Paul, Silvanus & Timothy.
What the church would be hesitant to confess, the three boasted.
“We ouselves glory in you in the churches..” (KJV)
The Bible reminds us that we should do nothing with selfish ambition or conceit (vain glory) - Phil 2:3. While we should never be those who pat ourselves on the back, there is nothing wrong with affirming what we see God having done in the lives of others.
Perseverance - patience
1 and 2 Thessalonians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Persevering Hope
Perseverance (hupomonē) is not resigned, stoic acquiescence but patient, courageous enduring of trouble. The word literally speaks of “remaining under,” or sustaining hope under difficulty. It is not a grim waiting but a joyful hoping
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
- For the righteous judgment of God:
- Your being considered worthy of the kingdom of God.
Rather than being man/me centered, the Thessalonain church was kingdom centered, Christ, word centered.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Their kingdom attitide was evidence/proof that God’s allowing them to go through this chastening, these difficult times affirmed that they were His.
For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
CC Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being thrown into firey furnace/ Daniel thrown into lions’ den demonstrated how God walks with and cares for those who obey and trust Him.
1 and 2 Thessalonians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary A Kingdom Attitude
Believers can face trials joyfully, knowing that God is equipping them for eternal glory. Leon Morris insightfully observes:
The New Testament does not look on suffering in quite the same way as do most modern people. To us it is in itself an evil, something to be avoided at all costs. Now while the New Testament does not gloss over this aspect of suffering it does not lose sight either of the fact that in the good providence of God suffering is often the means of working out God’s eternal purpose. It develops in the sufferers qualities of character. It teaches valuable lessons. Suffering is not thought of as something which may possibly be avoided by the Christian. For him it is inevitable. He is ordained to it (1 Thess. 3:3). He must live out his life and develop his Christian character in a world which is dominated by non-Christian ideas. His faith is not some fragile thing, to be kept in a kind of spiritual cotton wool, insulated from all shocks. It is robust. It is to be manifested in the fires of trouble, and in the furnace of affliction. And not only is it to be manifested there, but in part at any rate, it is to be fashioned in such places. The very troubles and afflictions which the world heaps on the believer become, under God, the means of making him what he ought to be. Suffering, when we have come to regard it in this light, is not to be thought of as evidence that God has forsaken us, but as evidence that God is with us. Paul can rejoice that he fills up “that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (Col. 1:24). Such suffering is a vivid token of the presence of God. (The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989], 197–98)
God never evaluates a church on the external.
- Granting you relief:
The ultimate relief that Paul emphasized was future and only complete when Christ returned.
1 and 2 Thessalonians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Chapter 21: The Vengeance of the Lord Jesus (2 Thessalonians 1:6–10)
The return of Jesus Christ is therefore the climax of all redemptive history and brings God’s purpose to culmination. Paul reminded the Thessalonians of this great hope to encourage them to stand firm despite the severe persecution they were undergoing. Their hope—like that of all suffering Christians—was that Jesus would return and bring them relief.
1 and 2 Thessalonians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Chapter 21: The Vengeance of the Lord Jesus (2 Thessalonians 1:6–10)
Currently, the glory of our Lord is hidden, and most people believe He is dead (cf. Acts 25:19). Even believers do not experience the fullness of His glorious presence, for as Peter writes, “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). But the day is coming when He will be revealed, both to believers and to unbelievers
- Repaying with affliction those who afflict you, who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus explained.
For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Fire - of judgment closely associated with God’s nature as in burning bush.
For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
for our God is a consuming fire.
Christ’s return is a bitter sweet message. For some bitter. For others sweet.
God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you.
God’s retribution, however, is not like the unruly, hostile, selfish, sinful passion that causes people to retaliate against others, since “the God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous” (Rom. 3:5). But because sinful humans are not perfectly holy, completely just, and omniscient, they cannot render perfect judgment. Therefore, God reserves vengeance for Himself. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus forbade personal vengeance (Matt. 5:38–48), and Paul wrote in Romans 12:19, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (cf. Deut. 32:35; Isa. 66:15–16; Heb. 10:30).
- When Jesus is revealed from heaven … to be glorified in His saints and to be marvelled at among all who have believed.
Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. That is affirmed.
Christ Jesus will judge:
Those who do not:
Know God.
Lack of a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
2. To this end we always pray for you – 1:11-12 (3-10)
- That our God:
- May make you worthy of His calling.
More worthy cc v. 5
The worthy walk allows God to be glorified in us.
To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
WHEN WE SERVE JESUS, IS FAIR OR GOOD, GOOD ENOUGH WHEN WE KNOW THAT WE ARE GIFTED TO OFFER HIM BETTER AND BEST?
IS A PASS ENOUGH WHEN WE HAVE TIME AND THE ABILITY TO DO BETTER?
- And may fulfill every:
- Resolve for good BY HIS POWER.
- Work of faith BY HIS POWER.
- So that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in Him.
- According to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The way that we live, love, persevere is a testimony of the abundance or lack thereof of God’s grace.
ALL OF US NEED TO BE WILLING TO ASK CAN WE AND HOW DO WE DO BETTER TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND AS A TESTIMONY OF HIS ABUNDANT GRACE.
If those who love and pray for Faithway Baptist Church were to write us,
1. For what would they always give thanks?
We do not always see ourselves accurately.
Businesses do customer/service reviews. Why not churches?
Staff Meetings:
How did Sunday go? What did we do well? What can we do better?
Ask my son some others who are at arms length from Faithway to review my sermons
Capital Hill Baptist Church - 9 Marks Weekend - Evening Service Reflections (All involved and ministry leaders) - with pizza - because most are tired and a bit vulnerable. no criticism or perceived critism without a compliment and a suggestion of a better way.
2. What truths would they review especially pertaining to the righteous judgment of God?
Because our faith is growing, our love for one another is increasing, persevering in the midst of persecution, are we individually and collectively worthy of the kingdom of God?
In the midst of so many distorted definition of the kingdom of God, does the way the way that live redefine the kingdom of God.
Whenever Woodstock hear the phrases:
Poor spirit
Mourn over sin
Meek- self-controlled by the Spirit of God
Hungering and thirsting for righteousness
Merciful
Pure in spirit
Peacemakers
Persecuted for righteousness sake.
DO MOST OF US INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY COME TO PEOPLE’S MINDS.
3. To what ends would they always pray for us?
Would they pray that what God is doing would continue and increase?
Faith, love and hope.
Prayer.
Sense God’s presence and His Spirit working in the hearts of people
The word of God is important. Their final authority of the wor df God. They teach and preach it with a clear sense that they/we are all accountable to God.
Would they pray for what really counts for eternity?
AWV/Jan 28/24