Effects of the Truth
Notes
Transcript
ILLUST: Praying for rain, one boy shows up in rain boots, jacket, umbrella - we look at him like, “aw, that’s cute” -
But the boy says, “We prayed for rain, don’t you believe it’s going to happen? I thought we were going to believe God.” - OUCH
Faith - not “I believe God can”
Faith is living like God is actually going to do what He promised
We say we believe God, we just don’t act like we do.
Real faith carries the umbrella BEFORE the clouds appear
So that when the storm comes, you are already locked in, ready
READ 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
OPEN - Reading through this ending of the chapter - struck by…
The power of God’s Word - to save, to sanctify, to keep/protect, to correct, grow
Humility and Awe - seeing this in action, first hand, what I have witnessed when people trust the Word
From a pastor’s heart - sincere
Paul pushed churches hard - he loved and appreciated them
I tend to stress and push the truth, hard, maybe seeming inflexible
I love and appreciate all you believers here
My sincere concern is for God’s sheep, and I am one of them as well
You are not MY sheep - He has tasked me with your care
Speaking of truth…
Effects of the Truth
Effects of the Truth
1) The Chosen
1) The Chosen
Clarify - chosen according to a plan - Jesus Christ
This is the truth - Jesus is the Truth
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
From ME - Thank you
To the believers here
I love that you have believed the truth - this is a term of unity
I am thankful that when I present truth - you get it - you desire truth
You will not give in to deception, trickery, false teaching
Because you, as believers, chosen, are saved FROM that!
The Bible says - believers, you are loved by the LORD
Recall - God so loved (gave to) the world…
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
He has done that - ONCE - He gave, once for all
…because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
NOW - state of being - continued to be loved by God - is to be saved, NEED to be saved
ASIDE - This is special to Paul, as Moses way back, declared a special blessing on the tribe of Benjamin, for following and not rejecting truth (Paul is from Benjamin)
OK, back to the text…
God had placed these Thessalonican believers in the condition that made salvation available
To THEM (and this applies to us all as well)
Paul’s emphasis here - GOD’s work to do this!
Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.
Salvation is God’s - to make available, to give it, to keep people in it - when they accept and trust
Thank God for believers! - You have taken God at His Word to save you
2) Stand Firm in the Truth
2) Stand Firm in the Truth
The truth urges this - implying a firm grasp
Paul refers to these believers as being “chosen from the beginning” - meaning
They were the first in that immediate area to be saved - and so they are fervent about faith
Just being tested to an extreme…
Two aspects of truth are shown in them
The Gospel is THE truth
Believers are committed to truth, entrusting self to truth, and surrendered to truth
This is crucial when confusion pushes against truth - STAND FIRM
The truth begs you to trust the truth - STAND FIRM
Paul is thankful that believers will not cave
I am thankful that believers here will not cave
People “hear “truth
Once you stand firm in the truth, people hear it, people hear you
…by your response to the truth while in this world
QUESTION - Are you standing firm?
Look at verse 14 - gaining the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ
You are sharers of that glory - showing that you believe Him
Contrast this against those who are facing eternal judgment
And then…STAND FIRM
V. 15 - “So then” stand firm
And hold to the traditions - let’s discuss what this “tradition” is
1 - Letters from Paul to them (there were others)
2 - Apostolic prophecy - gift of Spirit sharing the Word before written
3 - Holding fast/firm, no matter what - it was worth it
Paul received teaching from the Lord - and it was passed down, faithfully
3) Let Truth Encourage
3) Let Truth Encourage
Prayer wrapped in truth is so powerful
Paul prays for God to encourage them, so that they can encourage each other
This is also responsibility God gives to us
GOD is the one encouraging here
Believers listen to the Holy Spirit and get that encouragement, and then pass it along
ASIDE - LOVE this phrase -”God our Father”
God = authority
Father = term of endearment
Children think Dad is the most powerful person around, who loves them
BELIEVERS - The CREATOR says we can call Him FATHER! - GET THAT!!
HOPE - also love this term - confident expectation
We share hope, remind each other
Rejecters of truth face condemnation
Not us - See Rom 8:1
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Encourage - eternal perspective
This is needed in times of present distress, for them and us
Strengthen - the works produced by our faith
Our works are our response, based on faith
Our works are our response to the challenges meant to weaken us, the church
Working out our faith, strengthens our faith
NOTE
Paul does not ask for destruction of the wicked
That will occur after the “gathering”
“God, deal with them! - ever feel like that?
Do return, O Lord; how long will it be? And be sorry for Your servants.
God says: I’ve got this, in due time
God never rebukes us for asking Him “How long?”
When justice comes, it will be swift and efficient
“I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
When He answers and returns, will He find you ready, faithful? Do you REALLY believe?
CLOSE
I am so thankful for salvation
I am so thankful for believers
I am so thankful for believers here
I am humbled to see the TRUTH affect believers here
My sincere prayer is for your growth, strength
My sincere prayer for you, sharers of the Lord’s glory
Is to shine a light so bright that it cannot be ignored
In other words…Let’s pray for rain, and carry and umbrella…
