A Model Congregation

2 Thessalonians 1

2 Thessalonians 1 HCSB

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy: To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We must always thank God for you, brothers. This is right, since your faith is flourishing and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing. Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God’s churches—about your endurance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you endure. It is a clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also are suffering, since it is righteous for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to reward with rest you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels, taking vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from His glorious strength in that day when He comes to be glorified by His saints and to be admired by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed. And in view of this, we always pray for you that our God will consider you worthy of His calling, and will, by His power, fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pillars of Strength

Grace/Faith

This congregation had the proper understanding of the intertwines of grace and faith. They were working out their understandings of God’s Sovereignty and the freewill of mankind. As they worked out their faith, even in the midst of a great persecution, it grew.

Peace

Order would be the better English word than peace. The word order is a method, a process by which things are completed and a result is recorded. Think of the “FOIL” method in math.

Endurance

Standing firm/under/in during stressful and conflicting times

Charity (Agape)

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) Charity

benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity

2 a: generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering also: aid given to those in need

b: an institution engaged in relief of the poor

c: public provision for the relief of the needy

3 a: a gift for public benevolent purposes

b: an institution (as a hospital) founded by such a gift

4: lenient judgment of others synonym see MERCY

Douglas MacArthur- Called for thousands of Missionaries after the surrender of Japan to help rebuild this country. 1946- 1955- US News World Report/

Evidence

Temporary suffering becomes eternal bliss

God repays and rewards simultaneously

Takes place at the Revelation of the Lord Jesus

Whose Guilty

Do not know God

Do not obey the information of Jesus

Death

Resurrection

Return

A Prayer Request

Worthy of the calling

A lifestyle that brings persecution, tribulation, and possible death

Fulfillment

Concise Oxford English Dictionary Fulfil

achieve or realize (something desired, promised, or predicted).

▶ (fulfil oneself) gain happiness or satisfaction by fully achieving one’s potential.

2 satisfy or meet (a requirement or condition).

an achievement of goodness, proper recognition of the name of Jesus, and glory by us and by God.

According to God’s Plan