Untitled Sermon (4)

Steadfast Faith in Uncertain Times

Bible Passage: 2 Thessalonians 1:3

Summary: In this passage, Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonians’ faith, highlighting how their enduring belief and love for one another shine through in the face of suffering. He indicates that their perseverance amidst trials stands as evidence of God’s power and presence in their lives, showing that their faith is not just surviving but thriving.

Application: This sermon can provide encouragement to believers facing their own struggles, illustrating that steadfast faith can lead to personal and communal growth. It reminds Christians to support each other through love, creating a safe space that fosters resilience during times of testing.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that true faith is resilient and visibly manifests through love and support for one another. It addresses the importance of maintaining faith in God’s sovereignty and goodness, even when circumstances challenge our belief.

How this passage could point to Christ: The focus on Christ as the source of our strength in trials reminds us that Jesus faced immense suffering, providing us a model for faithfulness. His resurrection guarantees victory, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that He is with them even in hardships.

Big Idea: True faith not only survives adversity but thrives within it, fostering love and unity among believers. Through Christ, we can hold on to hope and support each other as we navigate the challenges of life.

1. Praise in Persecution

2 Thessalonians 1:3

You could start by discussing the gratitude expressed by Paul for the Thessalonians, highlighting that thankfulness is a powerful tool against adversity. Paul praises their growing faith and love, which implies the action of clinging to Christ in the midst of trials. This sermon point suggests that acknowledging the good even in difficult times can shift our perspective, fostering resilience as it did for the early church. Recognizing the strength derived from Christ's presence can encourage believers to lovingly support each other as tangible expressions of faith.

True faith is here at CCBC

The Lord Jesus is here at CCBC

CCBC’s trials

CCBC’s endurance

Praising God for CCBC’s endurance

Thank God for CCBC’s growing faith

Thank God for CCBC’s growing love

Tonight

I’d like us

to reflect

on God’s goodness to us

and God’s goodness

to this church

CCBC

despite

the tough times

and challenges

and to celebrate

God’s faithfulness to us

and to this church.

Read 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

2 Thessalonians 1:3–4 ESV

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

Even though

we are now in the book of Titus

the book of Thessalonians’

is fresh on our mind no?

It’s a book

we spent a couple months on

in First and Second Thessalonians.

In fact

when I preached 1 Thessalonians chapter 3

I was still

candidating

to be pastor here.

This is a book that has been with us

quite a while.

And just in case

some of you were not here

for 1 and 2 Thessalonians

or if you forgot

let’s look back and remember.

The Thessalonians church

was a church

that went through immense

persecution

and trials.

It was a church

that weathered

the storm

of deception

both

from deceptive doctrines

and false teachers

within the church.

It was also a church that

suffered

severe persecution

from outside the church

whose members

possibly lost their lives

for their faith in Christ

and for refusing to compromise

their faith

to the Roman Empire.

And yet despite these immense challenges

here is a church

that continues to grow.

It’s like finding a tree

in the middle of the desert

fully healthy

with vibrant green leaves

standing tall.

You would wonder

how is this possible?

And the only way it is possible

is because of God.

That’s why Paul says

‘We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers’.

Paul does not thank

the Thessalonians’

perseverance.

He does not thank

their intelligence

or their hard work

for being able to continue growing.

No he thanks God

for that.

You see

unlike the Roman Empire

that eventually stopped growing

and finally fell

the believers in Thessalonica

continued growing

and it’s because of God.

Everything eventually

comes to an end.

The Lord of the Rings

ended with it’s 3rd movie.

The team that won the championship last year

didn’t win again this year.

The fun that we enjoyed as kids

came to an end when we grew up.

But not

the Thessalonians

faith and love.

Because the God

who caused them

to continue growing

despite

hardship

is eternal.

The only thing that never ends

is God himself.

It’s the reason why we look to the past

for good times

because we wish it never ended.

We wished that those good times

continued with us

to this day.

But they don’t.

But God

does.

This is why our souls

which always yearn

for something more

are only found fulfilled

in Christ.

This is the beauty of following and worshipping

our God

that with God

the good times

will never end.

Sure

there will be hard times.

There will be times of suffering

but in the end

with God

it always ends in good.

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

As Christians

our lives

ultimately

and continually

result

in good

because God promises always

that our lives

no matter what happens

will work together

for good.

And I believe

there is nothing more clear

that testifies of God’s goodness

than this church

CCBC.

I was not here

to experience

all of the church’s ups

and downs

but this is what I can say:

that for a church

that did not have a pastor

for almost 3 years

I have no clue

to how

so many of you

stuck around

and continued

to serve

and love

one another.

The only thing I know

and the only way

that a church like this

that loves God

loves His Word

and is faithful to be there

for one another

is that The Lord Jesus

is here in this church.

Jesus promised

that he would not let the gates of hell

prevail against His church

so the fact

that the gates of hell

have not overcome CCBC

is true evidence

that Jesus is in this church.

Thank you Jesus.

Look at where CCBC

is now

today.

A church

that is ready for growth.

A church that is ready

to serve.

And a church that is ready

to love one another.

And I want to exhort you

tonight

that if any of you

still have any bitterness

any unforgiveness

towards the previous pastor

or other people

who have left

or even against anyone

right now

that let this very night

be the last night

that you harbor

any anger

towards your brothers or sister

in Christ.

Matthew 5:23–24 ESV

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Jesus is saying

you cannot worship God

if you are not reconciled

to your brother

or sister in Christ.

Let this night

be the night

that you reconcile

with your brother or sister

in your heart.

Now

I’ve only heard

of some of the trials

this church went through

but not experienced it

so I can’t with certainty

retell

some of the hardships of this church

but if any of you

would like to testify

on how God

has been good to CCBC

despite hard times

like the Thessalonian’s

I would love to hear

it from you.

Anyone.

Now

I’d also

like to share a testimony.

7 months ago

I was in a place

looking for my next

pastoral ministry position.

I had a limited

amount of time

until my income ran out.

I interviewed with many other churches

with doors that seemed to be opening.

But then ultimately

was not the right fit.

I even had doors

with pastors I knew personally

that seemed to be a guaranteed position

but it also

was not the right fit.

And now time was really running out.

I was feeling the pressure

and finally a church

was giving me an oppurtunity.

But the only problem

is that I wanted

to be here at CCBC.

That is where my heart was.

And now

I could only say be the grace of God

that this church has called me here.

All the pain

all the suffering

I experienced

these past 7 months

that was very discouraging

I can look back

confidently

knowing

that it was God

and God alone

who used

all the wrong I experienced

from people

for good

by bringing me here to CCBC.

So church

let’s give thanks to God

for pulling us through.

Thank God

for pulling us through

bringing us here today.

And thank God

for pulling

CCBC

through many trials and suffering

to be here today.

Psalm 117:1–2 ESV

Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!

Yes indeed church

praise the Lord!

Honor him

and bless him!

His steadfast love toward us

is great

and his faithfulness

endures forever!

Praise our Lord Jesus Christ!