Standing Firm!

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13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Pray

Once again we find Paul praying for this church and exhorting them to endure in the face of affliction. He gives them reassurance of their position before God and the spirits work of sanctification.

This passage as a whole seems to be the antidote to the feelings of uncertainty that were generated by the false teaching about the day of the Lord.

Whats happened? Are we ok? Did we miss something? And Paul says to them, you can breath, its going to be alright.

In verses prior to these we see that there is a refuting of false letters and the spark of doubt had the Thessalonian church in a state of panic, doubt and possibly even defeat.

The question is asked, what letters are true? Which are from Paul, Who’s the real deal? Who’s words do we trust?

Who’s the real Mccoy?

Elijah McCoy's oil-drip cup invention (patented in 1872).

Kid Mccoy- Boxer

Bootlegger - William Frederick McCoy -1877 – December 30, 1948), also known as "Bill" McCoy.

He again lets them know the day of the Lord has yet to take place and that their duty is to stay faithful to the traditions taught, but with these counterfeit letters going around and copy cats, Paul is forced to include in the epistle letters including this one ‘’ I Paul, I Paul am writing this, at first glance this seems a bit odd but thinking of the circumstances it is quite clear as to why he emphasizes his authorship over the spirit filled words so carefully prayed over and dealt with in wisdom and purpose for the kingdom of God.

Stick to the Plan

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As Paul writes this to a church confused about current events. I believe it is just as relevant for us today.

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JW

Morm

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I don’t believe there is anyone here who believes they missed the second coming of Jesus but I do consider some of us asking the question, where are you at God? What is my calling? We turn on the television and see the world becoming more evil, increasing in perverse morality and the push of sin acceptance upon all mankind going against the grain of what God teaches and requires of those who follow his ways. Do we ever ask the question, Lord, have I missed something? What’s it all about? What am I doing here?

Where is my hope? Are you God really near?

God, You say Stand up but the world tells us Sit down.

This is tough

As we see the scripture of Paul reminding the Thessalonian church of who they are in Christ, may we too be reminded.

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2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

This is nearly Identical to 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

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.4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you.

Haireomai= choose, prefers

God has chosen ....Paul emphasizes that salvation came through God’s initiative for the Thessalonian believers.

Ephesians 1:4 ESV

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

Love of God v13- He loves us. He chose us and in return we can choose him.

He thought of you on that cross.

Don’t forget God chose us, he chose you.

You say, yeah I believe, ok, what’s so special about that?

Paul prays for the completion of the salvation process in their lives. God chose them to be the first converts in this city, and the means by which they are to be saved to the uttermost will be both through the sanctifying work of the Spirit in their inner beings and through their own embrace and trust of the truth.

2:13–14 Reassurance. Paul reassures the Thessalonians that, in contrast to unbelievers (vv. 10–12), they have accepted God’s call and so have demonstrated that they were elected by God to be saved when Jesus returns.

When Jesus returns, he will take us with him.

From glory to glory.

Ought to give thanks.. because they are beloved by the Lord, God chose them, this may echo Deut 26:18 where the reference is to God’s choice of Israel.

Deuteronomy 26:18 ESV

18 And the Lord has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments,

This indicates that the Thessalonians, as early Christians, are the firstfruits of the new humanity of Thessaloniki.

They are the first fruits ...The portion of the harvest dedicated to God

(Exod 23:19;… the best of your fruits shall be brought into the house of the Lord.

Paul applies this metaphor to the first converts to Christianity.

ICS is unique, you are a church like a fruit platter. So much variety and beauty.

the sanctification of the Spirit The process by which the Spirit makes believers holy. Paul addresses matters of holiness in his previous letter (see note on 1 Thess 4:3) and in this letter (2 Thess 3:6).

They are brothers loved by the Lord and the antichrist is nothing to fear! They were chosen for something great.

Thank God for the salvation of a brother or sister.

You are Beloved by God!

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14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peripoiesis= possession, gaining, obtain

2:14 To this (salvation) he called you through our gospel. The divine call was effectual and was actualized in history through Paul’s preaching. obtain the glory.

This is your Gospel! Your Good News!

This is my personal good news!

2:14 gospel See note on 1:8.

GLORY= The Greek term used here, doxa, refers to the honor and splendor of Jesus Christ.

Doxa = state of being bright. glorious, supernatural, splendor, brightness, brilliance, intense.

The aim or purpose of the proclamation was that the converts might one day obtain the glory of Christ (cf. Rom. 8:17–18; 1 Cor. 15:43; 2 Cor. 3:18; Phil. 3:21), a reference to the conclusion of the salvation process.

 Sharing in the glory is not something additional to salvation (v. 13), but a filling out of part of its content.

That glory has already been manifested in part , but its fullness is yet to appear.

It is the very glory of Jesus that we will one day possess, and so we will have been made like him.

We will be made like him because we will be with him.

Jesus is always light

There is a divine call, to obtain the glory of Jesus.

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15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

Steko= stand firm, stand.

So then....Ara= then, as a result.

Stand Firm, as To Not Change.

stand firm Paul’s favorite expression for remaining faithful to the gospel message (Gal 5:1; Phil 4:1; 1 Thess 3:8). By word of mouth (hemon) or written, stand firm in these because its authoritative.

If Paul tells us to stand firm, lets do it… ran out of cities, beaten....

Stand Firm, as an encouragement.

He doesn’t mean it as a put down or barking at them to pick themselves up by their boot straps.

Encouragement for the believers to stand firm, particularly in the teaching received.

Corinthians ---Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Gal 5:1

1For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Eph 4:14–15

14so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Eph 6:10

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Php 1:27–30

27Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Phil 4:1

1Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

2 Th 2:15–17

15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. 1

hold fast If they do this, they will avoid being deceived by false teaching (1 Thess 2:3).

traditions Not human traditions (see Mark 7:8–9), but the teaching of the apostles as received from Jesus Christ.

stand firm, neither frightened by the magnitude of the opposition, nor unsettled by uncertainties about the details of the end. Paul is appealing to the known truth of the gospel as a safeguard against being stampeded by the kind of thing his friends found difficult.

Exhortation- Hold on to the true traditions that were passed on from him to them.

Don’t be shaken by false prophesy or teaching or by a forged letter.

Follow Jesus teachings.

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16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

2:16–17 Prayer. Paul prays that the Thessalonians will be divinely comforted and established in every good work and word

I worked banquets- Be Ready to serve.

Paul prays for a comprehensive strengthening of his converts; Paul is praying that his friends will be strengthened inwardly, at the very core

LORD as Jesus is in 2:13,14 and here in 16.

Brethren in Christ Jesus, it should be a part of our religion to be desiring the best of blessings for our fellow-men

The Christian should be a well-wisher to all men

That infinite Being whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, whose years are eternal, whose existence knows no limit nor shadow of a change, he loves you; and yet you are, as compared with him, as nothing; yea, less than nothing, and vanity. 

It is one of the masterpieces of Satan to try to spoil our faith. If he can lead us to believe falsely, he will the more easily lead us to act falsely. So may God “stablish you in every good word.”

It’s by grace we are saved, the father loves you, the spirit of God will never leave you, but it will comfort you for eternity.

We cant lose our way.

Remember who we are.

377 Hymn Writer Loses Joy Of Salvation

Robert Robinson, author of the hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” lost the happy communion with the Savior he had once enjoyed, and in his declining years he wandered into the by-ways of sin. As a result, he became deeply troubled in spirit. Hoping to relieve his mind, he decided to travel.

In the course of his journeys, he became acquainted with a young woman on spiritual matters, and so she asked him what he thought of a hymn she had just been reading. To his astonishment he found it to be none other than his own composition. He tried to evade her question, but she continued to press him for a response.

Suddenly he began to weep. With tears streaming down his cheeks, he said, “I am the man who wrote that hymn many years ago. I’d give anything to experience again the joy I knew then.” Although greatly surprised, she reassured him that the “streams of mercy” mentioned in his song still flowed. Mr. Robinson was deeply touched. Turning his “wandering heart” to the Lord, he was restored to full fellowship.

—H. G. Bosch

Have you forgotten who you are?

Have you wandered?

His fountain is never run dry.

Stand Firm under the rock basin of the fountain and ask God to immerse you in His presence and promises today.

He is in the here and now. Reach out!

Jesus the pillar.

You feel like your in the cross fire- No problem is too big for God.

Equallibriam 

Balance

Grasp

God chose you 

Remember your citizenship.

Remember who you are.