Are you Worthy?
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Video - Prayer - Text
5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,
Recap Last week
4 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.
vs. 5 - This
Suffering - Persecutions and Afflictions - What is God doing during these times?
1. God is assuring us we are His. (vs. 5)
5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—
Suffering well exposes that God’s righteous judgement has been passed in our favor and we have been found not guilty.
GOSPEL
Suffering well - Trusting in the effects of the gospel in all circumstances.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
If you are suffering well, you can have a confidence that God calls you worthy of the kingdom, because of His work in you.
2. God is promising us future justice. (vs. 6-10)
6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels
Day of the Lord
Jesus comes - 1 Thes. 4
Dead in Christ will rise first
Meet Christ in the air
Return with Him
Judge the living and dead
Those who remain will dwell in the NH and NE
Those who go will be taken to Judgement - Matt. 24
Repay afflicters with Hell
Let the punishment fit the crime
Why?
Did not know God or obey the gospel.
punishment was not because of persecution but due to rejection of the gospel and the persecution was an external evidence of that truth.
Relieve afflicted with Heaven
Why?
Saints who believed the Gospel testimony
Acceptance of the gospel leads to eternal reward
Suffering for a greater cause now, glory later.
Braveheart, LOTR, War Movies - Suffering and sacrifice for a greater cause. No greater cause than King Jesus and His kingdom.
How does this happen?
By His power...
3. God is giving us His power now for His glory. (vs. 11-12)
11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 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.
He is praying for God’s power now to walk in the midst of suffering because they wait for the return of Jesus which will bring glory in the end.
So what should we do when we or others are suffering?
Keep your eyes on the Gospel.
Trust in God’s Justice.
Pray and ask for prayer.
When this happens we know God is at work and says we are worthy of His kingdom.