April 10, 2011
Morning Service

II Thess. 1

 

Review:

1. Since Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica there have been false teachers telling that the day of the Lord has already happened.  The warning of false teachers is found in many of the letters of the N.T.

Jesus warned of false teachers;

Mat 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

 

Paul’s other warnings of false teachers;

 

            Tit 1:10-11 KJVR  For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision:  (11)  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

 

To the leaders of the church at Ephesus;      Act 20:28-30 KJVR  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  (29)  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  (30)  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

 

Peter also warns of this;

2Pe 2:1 KJVR  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2. The book of Acts tells us this concerning Paul in Thessalonia:  Acts 17:1-15   Read.

So we can see that the unbelieving Jews caused the Apostle a lot of trouble.  Then we will find out that some of the Jews that were converted to Christianity would be some of these false teachers that the Apostle warns about.

 

Lets begin chapter one of II Thess.

 

2Th 1:1-12 KJVR  Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 

• Now I wonder if this was the First Baptist, or Second Baptist, or the Congregationalist, or the Methodist, or one of the other hundreds of denominational churches of today.

Here’s the church:

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

• Searching out the Scriptures on the word church, churches, body of Christ, is an extremely interesting study.  You will find out that the word church means (called out ones ).  So you can readily see that you are the called out ones.  Each Christian is a church, or called out one. 
• Collectively gathered together also makes us the church.  Such as ( the church of the Thessalonians).
• TODAY, The name above the door explains the doctrine that you follow, and teach.  There have been some great men teach the gospel, so great, and admired that miss led Christians have called themselves after them.
• We will pick on ourselves;  our name that describes what we teach is the Bride of Christ.  This is what we are striving to do;  teach the Bible which is the only way we can know the will, and expectations of God Almighty.
• It should be very clear to anyone who studies their Bible that Jesus is coming back after the church which in the Bible is called His Bride.  He’s the Bridegroom, and His church is the Bride.
• My calling is to teach the Word of God, that should prepare us for His return, and we should be that beautiful, and pure Bride that He is returning to receive.
• There will be no more denominations arise in this age.  We are at the door of the Lord’s return, and what has been done has been done, there will be no others.  From here out to His return, His return is what people will be talking about.  And it will intensify, and get more exciting every day.  Be ready.

YOU MUST HAVE ON THE PROPER WEDDING ATTIRE, AND THAT OF COURSE IS;  YOU HAVE BECOME A CHRISTIAN THE WAY THE BIBLE TEACHES YOU TO BECOME A CHRITIAN.  H-B-R-C-B-OBEY.

Salutation:

(2)  Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

• Wonderful way to begin a letter.

(3)  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; 

• Very admirable traits.  Certainly things to look for in your fellowship, and strive to attain.

(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: 

• Remember satan’s spirit will continue to persecute the Spirit of Christ in you, until God puts a stop to it.
• That you endure.  You live through it, still worshipping, and praising God.

(5)  Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 

• Be counted worthy?  Here is a word of encouragement.  Counted worthy.  We know we can’t buy salvation, we can’t earn it by works, we can’t even be good enough.  But what we do is, put on the wedding garments, come to Christ according to the Scriptures, pleasing Him by our obedience of faith, we are saved by grace, through faith.  THEN AS WE PREPARE FOR HIS COMING BACK TO RECEIVE US, WE DO WHAT WE CAN TO BE PLEASING TO HIM.  AS HIS CHURCH WE WANT TO LOOK, AND LIVE LIKE THE BRIDE HE IS COMING BACK FOR.

(6)  Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 

• When I think of this Scripture, and remember Steven’s stoning, and that it would have been this generation of people that would have suffered through the destruction of Jerusalem, it just rings out loud and clear, IT IS A RIGHTEOUS THING WITH GOD TO RECOMPENSE TRIBULATION TO THEM THAT TROUBLE YOU.

(7)  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,  (8)  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (9)  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;  (10)  When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. 

• We can see how the Apostle is putting to silence those who are saying that His coming has already happened.  FOR US TODAY IT IS APPEARING ON THE HORIZON.  PRAISE GOD.
• His coming will be a day of destruction, and glory and power.
• He will punish those who have rejected the calling of God, and will be glorified, and admired by all His followers.
• This gospel of Christ has been preached in all the world, and people are still rejecting the greatest act of love that could be demonstrated.  ONE MAN DYING FOR ALL MEN.  ACCEPT THIS GRACE OF GOD BY FAITH, AND BE SAVED.

(11)  Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:  (12)  That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Importance of prayer.
• That God would count us worthy.  God wants from you a heart that loves, then He will make you worthy.
• That our lives would manifest this love of God.
• And that our lives would bring glory, and honor to Jesus Christ.
• And if we have the heart of love, He will give us strength, and encouragement to continue to overcome by His GRACE.

 

Father, help us to be worthy upon your return.  Amen