Encouraging Christians

TEXT: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Introduction:

I.    Encouraging Christians to Look at their . . PAST. v 13-14

A.       Encouraged to Look at the Past. . Choice of God. v 13

1.      Chosen . . From. "from the beginning"

a)      The beginning of eternity.

2.      Chosen . . For. "for salvation"

a)      God has chosen

b)      Holy Spirit Sanctifies.

c)      Jesus Saves.

3.      Chosen . . Through. "through sanctification"

a)      Set apart for Salvation.

b)      The conviction of the Spirit.

4.      Chosen . . By. "by the Spirit"

5.      Chosen . . In. "faith in the truth"

    Dr. James Kennedy is of the Calvinistic Theological Position. As a young minister he went to preach a revival meeting. As the pastor and he made some visits he judged the people were not of the "elect" because they did not make a commitment after his presentation.

    The pastor then took over and lead many of these people to the Lord. James Kennedy had a world changing experience during that week because out of it he started what has become known as Evangelism Explosion". You see Faith is man's response.

B.       Encouraged to Look at the Past. . Call of God.v 14

1.      Called Through . . The Gospel. "Our or my Gospel

a)      Only one Gospel ( "the", "my", or "our")

2.      Called That . . May Gain the . . Glory

a)      The Glory of our Lord Jesus

    IN THE NEWS USA TODAY reported November 12, 1999, a strange incident at a funeral in western Poland. Mourners were gathered around a burial site nearby, when a mobile phone began ringing from inside a nearby grave.

    Many of the startled mourners fled; one woman fainted. Apparently, the phone had been accidentally buried with its owner the previous day. Note: How do you think they will react when the final trumpet sounds?

Application: How are you responding to the call of God?

II.  Encouraging Christians to Look at their…. Present(15)

A.       Encouraged In the Present to Stand Firm On the . . Spoken Word. v 15 a

1.      Today we need to Stand for Some Old Traditions.

2.      We may not have chapter and verse but a Tradition.

3.      Why is the tradition there?

4.      Are we wiser than our Fore Fathers?

B.       Encouraged In the Present to Stand Firm On the . . Written Word. v 15 b

1.      Today we need to Stand for Sexual Purity

2.      Today we need to Stand for Righteous Appearance.

3.      Today we need to Stand for God's Word.

DO YOU HAVE ANY CONVICTIONS?  by Carl Gibbs

A Member of the Christian Law Association

The United States Supreme Court classifies religious beliefs as either preferences or convictions. According to the court, only convictions are given the full protection of the First Amendment.

When is a belief a preference?

A belief is a preference when, under certain circumstances, that belief can be changed. A belief may be strong and intense and still be a preference. The five circumstances noted by the court that most often cause one to change his beliefs are: peer pressure, family pressure, litigation pressure, jail pressure and death pressure.

* Peer Pressure

When the disapproval of others cause one to bend their beliefs, their beliefs are simply preferences.

* Family Pressure

It is often pressure from within a family, from a spouse, parent, or a child, that will cause one to lessen his belief. The court held that if family pressure causes one to change, that belief is merely a preference.

* Litigation Pressure

When one faces an intimidating legal battle, he often re-evaluates his beliefs. If a lawsuit changes your beliefs, they are preferences.

* Jail Pressure

Would you be willing to suffer a jail sentence for your belief? If not, your belief is just a preference.

* Death Pressure

The Ultimate test of a belief is whether of a belief is whether you would be willing to die for it, like many Christian martyrs have done throughout history. Would you be willing to die for your belief. If not, your belief is not a conviction.

When is a Belief a Conviction?

 * Convictions are self determined.

The court held that if you need other people to stand with you, your belief is not a conviction. A conviction must be self determined, not influenced by what others do or by what others ask of you.

* Convictions are non-negotiable.

If you are willing to even discuss the option of dishonoring your belief your belief is not a conviction but only a preference.

* Convictions are victorious.

Victory is standing for what you believe is right, regardless of the cost. The court held that if you need earthly victory to remain true to what you believe, you do not have a conviction.

* Convictions are lifestyles.

The court held that if a man holds true to his beliefs, those beliefs will evidence themselves in a life which is consistent with those beliefs. Convictions must control a person's life.

If religious liberty in America is to be passed on to the next generation, it is critical that American believers study what the Bible teaches so they will know what they believe, live consistent lives according to what the Bible teaches and stand firmly for what the Bible teaches. Only then will the world recognize God's people to be people of conviction and find our faith sufficient to pass the test of conviction versus preference.

Application What do you get when you stand for Godly principals? You get the people of God and the Peace of God. 

III.Encouraging Christians to Look at their . . Future. v 16-17

A.       Encouraged In the Future Stand In the . . Love of God. v 16 a "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us . . . "

1.      God Loves Me is a Place to Stand

B.       Encouraged In the Future Stand In the . . Eternal Comfort of the Lord. v 16 b ". . . and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, . . . "

1.      God will give me Comfort as I stand for Him.

C.       Encouraged In the Future Stand In the . . Strength of God. v 17 ". . . comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word."

1.      God will give me strength as I Stand for Him.

2.      God will give me strength as I Work for Him

    The snow covered the ground and three boys were playing. A man said to them, "Would you like to try a race and the winner receive a prize?"

    The boys agreed and the man told them that his race was to be different. "I will go to the other side of the field," he said, "and when I give you the signal, you will start to run. The one whose footsteps are the straightest in the snow will be the winner."

    The race commenced and the first boy kept looking at his feet to see if the steps were straight. The second lad kept looking at his companions to see what they were doing, but the third boy just ran on with his eyes steadfastly fixed on the man on the other side of the field.

    The third boy was the winner, for his footsteps were straight in the snow. He had kept his eyes on the goal ahead of him.  

Conclusion:

    Encouraging Christians to Look at their PAST.

            Encouraging Christians to Look at their Present.

                  Encouraging Christians to Look at their Future.