Second Thessalonians 1 Part 1 A Spirit Led, Vibrant Church Glorifying God

We begin our study of Paul's second letter to the church at Thessalonica.  

In this letter, Paul addresses confusion and false teaching regarding the second coming of Christ, which caused a great disturbance in this church.

Paul deeply loved the believers in this church because of their faithful witness for Christ and their readiness to obey the apostolic teaching.

Focusing on our Father in heaven must be a priority. 

2 Thessalonians 1:1-2  Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2)  Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Paul reminds us that all Christians belong to God and that He is our heavenly Father. 

He is our Father who resides in heaven. We are to hallow His holy name in our thoughts, our words and our actions.

We are to pray for His kingdom to be established on earth and for Jesus to return and rule as King of kings. 

We are to pray for the will of our Father to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

We are to make known our physical needs of food, clothing and shelter, because He knows what we need and He promises to supply them.

We are always to confess our sins to our Father so that He can cleanse and restore our fellowship together.

We are to live for His glory (See our Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13).

This is whom Paul is praying and He is also our Father when we are in Christ. 

Paul expresses profound praise for the grace of God that brings eternal salvation to all who believe the gospel of Christ.

He is thankful for the ceaseless flow of mercy from the throne of grace that comes to us from our Father. 

We are no longer under condemnation because we have repented and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Seeking to live for God's glory before all else. 

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4  We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 4)  So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

Next, the apostle expressed his personal thanksgiving for how the Lord is working in their lives.

Romans 1:8  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Paul expressed his thanksgiving for each church that he wrote to. Each church that he planted was special and dear to his heart. 

Thus, as he wrote to the Thessalonians, so he did for the church at Rome.

The words "your faith groweth exceedingly" have an agricultural connection. 

It refers to vegetation growing luxuriantly, like a good, healthy tree planted in the best organic soil. 

This tree spreads its roots quickly to absorb all of the rich nutrients and moisture contained in the good soil. 

It will yield an abundance of fruit to reward the husbandman's efforts to water and fertilize it.  

Rooting down into the scriptures so we can produce fruit for the Lord. 

Psalm 1:1-3  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3)  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 

In like manner, each man or woman who is justified by faith and takes great delight in the scriptures, is like a tree planted by a good water source. 

They will not wither up and die. Rather, they will bring forth fruit in season and find continual replenishment from the living waters of God's Word.

The Word of God is the good seed sown by the Sower into the oil of men's hearts. In this case, the apostle sowed and watered by preaching the gospel to the Thessalonians. 

God gave an abundant increase and their faith was multiplied. The Thessalonians abounded in love for one another and became great witnesses sowing the seed of the gospel throughout the region. 

Paul did not glory in his own gifts, nor in his work among them. Rather, he gloried in the grace that God bestowed upon them and how the Lord was transforming their lives. 

So it is with any faithful pastor, teacher, elder or parent. It is a great source of joy when those whom we seek to disciple respond by hearing and heeding what God says to us. 

In 1 Thessalonians 1:8,  the apostle said that their faith advanced the gospel in many places, such that he had no need to urge them on in this spiritual duty. 

Now, Paul notes their abounding love, combined with faith and patience. This thrilled Paul and his fellow missionaries themselves.

Christians at Thessalonica put Jesus Christ first. 

2 Corinthians 8:1-5  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2) How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3)  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4)  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5)  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 

The churches in the region of Macedonia include Thessalonica. These people were poor and suffered many afflictions for the sake of the gospel of Christ. 

Yet, God poured out an abundance of grace upon them. The Thessalonians were moved to take up a collection to help the poor saints who were struggling in Jerusalem. 

Out of their deep poverty, the Thessalonian believers willing gave funds sacrificially, to help brothers and sisters in need. 

Remember that our Lord commended the widow for casting in all that she had, even though it was a very small amount.

Our Lord takes note when His sheep willingly give of themselves (See Mathew 12:41-44).

Paul may have been reluctant to accept their contribution since he was well acquainted with their poverty, but they were adamant in wanting to help the saints in Jerusalem.

Thus, Paul collected their funds and added them to the contributions made by other churches. 

The apostle raises a very important point. The Thessalonian Christians first gave themselves to God.

This is the starting point of our lifelong walk with our Lord. Each day we must seek Him first, seeking first the kingdom of God. 

We must set our affection on the things of God above where Christ is enthroned. 

The second important point Paul makes is that we must submit to the apostolic teaching because this is Holy Spirit inspired truth from God for us. 

Then, we will be equipped to love and serve God as we learn to love and serve others.  

The Thessalonians faithfulness  served as an example for other churches. 

2 Corinthians 10:15-17  Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 16)  To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. 17)  But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 

When Paul was at Corinth in Achaia, he boasted there of the faith of the Macedonian churches.  

They readily shared the gospel with as many people as they could. They lived according to the gospel as a good witness for Christ. 

Paul wished for the Corinthians to have the same vibrant, active faith as the Thessalonians had. 

He wished that they would put the Lord first in their lives and that they would set aside all the petty divisions and bickering that went on in their midst. 

May we learn from the example of the Thessalonian Christians. 

May we be faithful like they were.

May we seek to grow spiritually by taking in the Word of God.

May we submit to the authority of the inspired scriptures.

May we be Christ's ready witnesses, sharing the gospel with other people. 

Bob