Monthly Archive for September, 1999

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2 Thessalonians 1:7

Published on September 20, 1999 in 2 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“…and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels…“
 
Verse 6 deals with God’s justice in retribution against those who persecute the church. This verse shows God’s justice for the believer.
 
and to give you who are troubled rest
God will give the believer “rest.” “Rest” means to let loose, relax. This is rest from tribulation, trouble and strain, not from work (2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:5; 8:13).
The Thessalonians do not rest in death here. No, the rest is the Second Coming. If they look forward to the Second Coming then they will have a sense of perspective. Although the Second Coming did not occur in their lifetime, it was their hope.
with us
Paul, Silas and Timothy, as well as the Thessalonians, will receive relief and rest at the coming of Christ
when the Lord Jesus is revealed
The “Lord Jesus” will vindicate persecuted Christians at His coming. We will clearly see the justice of God then. This is the climax of God’s dealings with men. Jesus will judge the nations of the world and then establish His rule over the world. The entire world will see the manifestation of His Second Coming. Everyone will watch His coronation as King Jesus, King of the World.
“So Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel’” (Matthew 19:28).
“Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord,
‘That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;
A King shall reign and prosper,
And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
In His days Judah will be saved,
And Israel will dwell safely;
Now this is His name by which He will be called:
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS’” (Jeremiah 23:5-6).
There are far more Scriptures dealing with the Second Coming of Christ than His first coming. We cannot understand the import of His Second Coming without first grasping the significance of His first coming.
from heaven
The Lord Jesus is in heaven now. He went there from the Mount of Olives and He will return to the Mount of Olives in His Second Coming (Acts 1:11).
with His mighty angels
“Mighty angels” will accompany Jesus in His Second Coming. Powerful angels will come with Him to execute justice on earth (Matthew 25:31). The entire world will see this event. It will be dramatic. Imagine what all the skeptics will think!
Christians will also come with Christ in the Second Coming because they were raptured seven years before.
“When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).
“Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him’” (Jude 14-15 ).
Principle:
We will receive justice at the Second Coming of Christ.
Application:
Jesus, to this point, has not reigned one minute over the world in His humanity. One day He will. When He does, He will bring justice to the world.
God will one day reward us for all the tribulation we face on this earth. This is consistent with God’s justice. One day the entire power alignment of the world will change. At the present, the rulers of this world are in power. In the day of the coming of Christ, Jesus will be King Jesus, King of the World.
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2 Thessalonians 1:6

Published on September 19, 1999 in 2 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“…since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you…“
 
Verse 4 explains that persecution and tribulation were obvious signs of God’s righteous judgment. God righteously measures out to each believer a certain amount of affliction while we are here on earth in time but it will get better by and by. The best is yet ahead for the believer.
 
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
 
The worst is yet ahead for the non-believer. Paul assures the Thessalonians that God will persecute the persecutors (1:6-10). God shows the features of His future justice for both the Christian and the non-Christian. Paul begins with God dealing with the non-Christian in this verse.
since
The word “since” means if indeed. The word “since” defends God’s righteous judgment (1:5) because it assumes as true that God will make things right.
it is a righteous thing with God
We can translate the word “righteous” by the word just. God’s absolute righteousness demands justice. He can be nothing but fair and equitable so He will settle the score with those who persecute the saints.
to repay with tribulation
The word “repay” carries the idea of recompense, give back as an equivalent, pay back in kind. God will give back to the persecutors of the Thessalonians the same kind of treatment they gave in return. They get correspondent treatment or retribution for persecution of the saints. Because God is righteous, He incurs an obligation to do this. His retribution is not a matter of personal vengeance but of justice. This is a future retribution whereby God will deal with those who persecuted the saints.
those who trouble you
The Thessalonian persecution proves a coming judgment on the persecutors. God will requite them for their wrongs. God afflicts the afflicters.
“But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries” (Exodus 23:22).”Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
Principle:
What goes around will come around.
Application:
God is absolutely righteous. He cannot be anything otherwise. Because of this, He always deals justly. He cannot be anything other than just. The seeming prosperity of the wicked will end at the final judgment. God has not yet avenged the wicked. God would be unjust if there was no deferred judgment.
Christians should expect trouble in this life because we march to a different drumbeat – the drumbeat of Jesus Christ. Christians should not be surprised that they face trouble from those without Christ because people do not like Jesus to show them up for what they are. Because of this, they make the Christian a speckled bird. They ostracize Christians who take a stand. We will be misrepresented, misquoted, misunderstood and misinterpreted.
No Christian wants to be unpopular with people but there is something that transcends popularity. He wants to be popular with Jesus first. That automatically puts him in the minority.
God will recompense those who persecute the saints. They will get theirs one day. In the meantime, man does as he pleases. He defies God, morality, and decency. He calls wrong right and right wrong. He claims that perversion is normal and morality is perversion. They say, “Let your conscience be your guide” but their conscience is like a rubber band that can stretch in any direction anyone wants it to go.
Some people have their heaven here, not hereafter. Do you want your “heaven” here or hereafter?
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2 Thessalonians 1:5b

Published on September 18, 1999 in 2 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“…which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer…“
 
that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God,
 
Paul’s team judged the Thessalonians worthy of the kingdom of God in the light of their faithfulness to God in their suffering. In comparison to other churches, the team regarded them as worthy of the kingdom.
 
Endurance of trial does not make the believer worthy of heaven but it does demonstrate the worthiness of one who will rule with Christ in His kingdom (Revelation 3:21; 2:26). God makes us worthy of His kingdom by His grace. God’s kingdom is His sovereign rule over all creation.
“If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us” (2 Timothy 2:12).
for which you also suffer
The word “for” means on the behalf of. The Thessalonians suffered on behalf of God’s kingdom.
“So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41).
“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me” (Philippians 1:29-30).
Principle:
Children of the King should live worthy of His kingdom.
Application:
God reveals that we are worthy of His kingdom by allowing us to suffer. God is righteous in sovereignly arranging affliction for our lives.
Those who react to suffering negatively do not meet God’s test. God’s test in suffering is to demonstrate His grace for any disaster that may come our way. There will be no opportunity for this in eternity. Time is the only occasion where we can show God’s grace in suffering.
Those who suffer in a godly manner demonstrate confidence in God’s sustaining grace for that suffering. Adversity can turn into blessing. No athlete develops muscles without putting his or her body through some suffering!
Adversity makes prosperity more wonderful. Christians who suffer in a godly manner demonstrate God’s provisions for inner strength.
The Christian who suffers like a yo-yo, always up and down, does not have the stability that comes from understanding God’s providence for his life.
You may suffer today and no one seems to care. It seems that everyone has enough trouble of his own without having any concern for you. However, God cares for you. He providentially cares for you.
“…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Christians should care for you as well, if they were spiritually minded.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
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2 Thessalonians 1:5

Published on September 17, 1999 in 2 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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"which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer…”
 
which is manifest evidence
 
The Thessalonian’s faith and patience under pressure was plainly evident for everyone to see. There was plenty of evidence to give plain proof of their dynamic faith. The fact that the Thessalonians suffered for Christ’s kingdom by courageous faith is a proof of the reality of their salvation.
 
“And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).
 
of the righteous judgment of God,
At first appearance, the suffering of the Thessalonians seemed unjust yet their dynamic faith demonstrated very clearly that God is righteous in His dealings with them.
God is righteous in His judgments. He will justly deal with the injustices against the Thessalonians in His future judgment although He might refrain from judgment for the present.
“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25).
Principle:
How mature believers react to affliction is an obvious sign of God’s righteous judgment in their lives.
Application:
In righteousness, God designed affliction to come our way. He judges us worthy for this. He metes out a certain measure of suffering designed especially for us. He is too wise to do wrong or to make a mistake in this. He knows our tolerances. He never allows suffering to come without rhyme or reason.
God’s character is always 100% consistent. He never compromises his justice. Because of the death of Jesus on the cross, God is now free to deal with us fairly and still keep His character intact. There is a danger in the assumption that God can overlook His righteousness to love His creatures. If God did this, then He would not be consistent with His own attributes.
God has the good sense to know the tolerances of suffering we can endure. He knows when to prosper us and when to send adversity. He mixes both blessing and hardship in proper proportions. God’s central interest is what happens to our soul in suffering. When our interest is the suffering itself, we miss the point that God tests our caliber of our souls. God tests the edification of our souls in suffering. If we have not grown sufficiently, then He introduces more pain into our lives so that we can appropriate His promises. What is your capacity of soul?
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2 Thessalonians 1:4d

Published on September 16, 1999 in 2 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“…so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure…“
 
The growth of our faith should increase in two categories: persecutions and tribulations.
 
in all your persecutions and tribulations
The word “persecution” means to systematically organize a program to oppress and harass people by religion. This is affliction from without the church.
“Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles” (Acts 8:1).
“Tribulations” means pressures of any kind. The new believers in Thessalonica underwent severe as well as slight suffering. Trouble comes in all shapes and sizes both large and small. God frees none of us from trouble. Some of our troubles are small compared to others. Some of us have trouble with our husbands or wives. Some have pressures with their children. The doctor informs us that we have cancer. Some turn to alcohol. Others turn to God.
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Notice that big little word “all.” God does not ask us to exercise our faith in most persecutions and tribulations but in “all” of them.
that you endure
“Endure” signifies to hold up against a thing and so to bear with again and again. Literally, it means to hold up repeatedly. They held up under persecution over and over. This is not a matter of gritting our teeth and toughing it out but a matter of orienting ourselves to God’s sovereignty in our situation. A believer who understands God’s providence in everything is a person who can tackle any problem. He can hang in there because he knows God processes everything that comes into his life.
Principle:
God carefully designs adversity and prosperity so that we will become the kind of people He wants us to be.
Application:
There is one thing that we can count on: our circumstances will change. None of us can get through life with hostile humanity without trouble.
“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:10-12).
There will come a day when we will face adversity. Life never remains the same. God does not guarantee that our circumstances will remain the same. There will be times of prosperity and times of adversity. God designs a certain amount of adversity and a certain amount of prosperity for every believer. He knows our tolerances. He wants to test us to see what kind of character we have.
Two character qualities are crucial when we enter into duress. 1) We need to develop a tough attitude and 2) we should extend our love to fellow Christians. When we develop these qualities, we do not feel sorry for ourselves or enter into a pity party.
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2 Thessalonians 1:4c

Published on September 15, 1999 in 2 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“…so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure…”
 
and faith
 
There is no definite article before the word “faith” in the Greek indicating quality of faith. The Thessalonian faith was no dead creed but a living dynamic whereby they applied the reality of Christianity to their experience.
 
Principle:
Quality of faith depends on our understanding and appropriation of God’s providence.
Application:
We do not need a lot of faith when things are going well. When our health is good, we have a regular income and our family is fine, who needs God? “I can make it on my own. Everything is coming up roses. The road is smooth and straight.” However, when everything comes up lemons, we need to exercise a rest in God’s providence. Our faith needs to grow when nothing goes right.
“And the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith’” (Luke 17:5).
When God increases trouble in our lives, we need to increase our faith in His sovereign power.
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2 Thessalonians 1:4b

Published on September 14, 1999 in 2 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“…so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure…”
 
we ourselves
The word “we ourselves” is emphatic in the Greek.  Not only had the gospel team heard from others about the faith of the Thessalonians to the north, but they observed it plainly themselves so they spread the news to the churches in the Corinth area.  This praise was not superficial praise for appearances. 
boast of you
The word “boast” means to express an unusually high degree of confidence in someone for being exceptionally noteworthy.  Boasting is not wrong but boasting becomes wrong depending on the content of our boast.  Paul did not flatter the Thessalonians but he did commend them for their faith (1 Th 1:8).  He gave no inference that they were exceptional because of his ministry.  His praise was to the glory of God’s grace in them.  This was not arrogance but the simple recognition of God’s work in their lives. 
among the churches of God
Paul spoke with permissible pride to other churches about the Thessalonians.  He used the Thessalonians as a model church that exercised faith and love in the midst of adversity.  Christians either hang together or split up under pressure.  Trouble will not allow us to be neutral toward fellow Christians.  Persecution can drive Christians into each other’s arms or it can drive them apart. 
for your patience
The Thessalonians faced persecution with two traits: patience and faith.  The word “patience” carries the idea of perseverance, endurance (1 Th 1:3; 2 Th 3:5).  They did not cut and run but faced their persecution with Christian character.  The Thessalonians knew something about steadfastness in tribulation.  Tribulation did not sweep them away.  They stuck with it and did not quit. 
Ro 5: 3 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance…”
Ro 12: 12 “…rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer…”
Jesus persevered in tribulation.
He 12: 1” Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”
“Patience” is that bulldog like tenacity that will not give up or quit.  “I will hang in there even if it kills me.”  Job persisted in his faith although he faced deep trouble.
Job 13: 15 “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.”
PRINCIPLE: Bulldog like tenacity of Christian character keeps us from losing heart in Christian service. 
APPLICATION: It does not take much to discourage some of us.  God gives us a ministry and then we immediately faint at the first bite of criticism, the first reversal or obstacle. 
2 Co 4: 1 “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.”
God sovereignly places reverses and obstacles in our path to test our character.  Anyone can do ministry when everything goes well.  Reversal toughens our soul so that we can withstand the ruthless realities of life. 
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2 Thessalonians 1:4

Published on September 13, 1999 in 2 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“…so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure…“
 
so that
 
Because of the Thessalonian’s two abounding earmarks of faith and love (1:3), Paul boasts of them to other churches.
 
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
 
Principle:
It is legitimate to use other churches as our model for building a local church.
Application:
It is legitimate to use other churches as models for your church. This is New Testament truth. First, Paul used the Macedonians as a model to the Corinthians and then he used the Corinthians as an example to the Macedonians.
“Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God” (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).
Although the Macedonians were poor, they gave to the Lord liberally even in trial.
“Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority. Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready; lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting” (2 Corinthians 9:1-4).
If Paul can use a church in northern Greece as an example for a church in southern Greece and vice versa, should we not look to churches that God blesses as examples for our church? Some churches inspire us to greater things. They cut new ground because they are lead by visionary people who look to God to work in unusual ways in their churches.
It amazes me that a church can cut off their nose to spite their face because they are jealous of the church down the street.
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2 Thessalonians 1:3d

Published on September 12, 1999 in 2 Thessalonians. 2 Comments
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“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other…“
 
and the love of every one of you all
 
The Thessalonians’ faith in God grew and their love for each other expanded as well. These are the two levels of their growth.
 
Note the word “every” and the word “all.” There were no exceptions in the Thessalonian church when it came to abounding love toward one another. They all loved each other.
abounds toward each other
The word “abounds” is simply more [in quantity]. Sometimes this word has the idea of “superabundantly.” When it comes to loving one another, we should have it in superabundance. We should not put bounds around it. We break the bounds when it comes to love. Not only did the Thessalonians faith grow but also their love grew in quantity.
When we increase the extent of our love to the point of abundance, it will create a momentum of love among the community of believers.
Principle:
Biblical love for one another can grow so that we will love everyone in our local church.
Application:
Could you classify yourself as a model of someone who loves people in your church superabundantly? How would you stand up to that standard? All of us can love the lovely. Few of us love the unlovely. It is easy to love the people we like but not very easy to love the people we dislike.
“For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” (Matthew 5:46).
It is difficult to love those who do not treat us fairly. That should not concern us. That is their responsibility. Our responsibility is to love them. We cannot force people to love us. God does not obligate us to make others love us but He does require us to love them.
It is one thing to develop our faith and it’s another thing to develop our love to others. Some people have strong faith but weak love. Others have strong love but weak faith. God expects us to reach a point of strong faith and strong love.
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2 Thessalonians 1:3c

Published on September 11, 1999 in 2 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other…“
 
because
 
Paul now gives the grounds for the gospel team’s thanksgiving. He uses two words for the growth of the Thessalonians “grows exceedingly” and “abounds.” The essential reason behind Paul’s thanks is growth.
 
your faith grows exceedingly,
The words “grows exceedingly” comes from two words: to increase or grow and beyond measure. This is the only time this word occurs in the New Testament. Our faith can grow internally, as the organic growth of a tree. It also can grow exceedingly. Not only had their faith grown but it flourished. Our faith should never level off at some plateau and become stationary. Our faith is never static; it either grows or shrinks in size. It never remains the same.
“…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit…” (Jude 20).
Principle:
The faith of some Christians grows much faster than the faith of others.
Application:
There are two aspects to our faith: 1) saving faith 2) dynamic or forceful faith. Each Christian is has saving faith but not every Christian radiates forceful faith.
The amount of faith differs with each believer. Every Christian has the same quality of saving faith but not the same quantity of dynamic faith. The faith of some Christians is the same as when they became Christians. They have not grown in their faith at all. There is little development and modest progress in their faith.
“And the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith’” (Luke 17:5 ).
The more we understand the principles of God’s Word and apply them to our experience, the greater our faith grows. We should increase our spiritual capacity like we increase our mental capacity. Faith is like a muscle, the more we exercise it the more it develops. If we neglect our faith, it will atrophy and get weaker.
There is such a thing as “great faith.” We can have little faith (Matthew 6:28-30), medium faith or great faith.
“When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, ‘I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!’” (Luke 7:9).
There is a great difference between those who believe that God can change their lives and those who do not. Do you believe that God will work to change the members of your family? Do you believe that God will use you to win many for Christ? We need more people like Abraham who was “strong in faith.”
“He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:20-21).
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