II THESSALONIANS Sermons by Rev. Mike Jones [Revised November 28, 2021]
II THESSALONIANS: WORKING WHILE WE WAIT
II THESS 1:1-7 A PASTOR’S REASONS FOR THANKSGIVING
II Thess 1:3-7, 2:10-12 GREATNESS IN LAST DAYS LIVING
II THESS 2:- LORD’S RETURN RULES
II THESS 2:10-12- BELIEVING A LIE
II THESS 3:6-12 WORK AND WELFARE
II THESS 3:13-18 CONCLUDING WARNINGS
II THESSALONIANS INTRO
Written several months after I Thessalonians to correct some wrong impressions that the people had (concerning the Lord’s Return and our Actions while awaiting it). II Thessalonians deals with the Lord’s RETURN while I Thessalonians deals with the Rapture.
I. THE SUFFERING I
A) Helps us Grow 1-10
B) Prepares us for Glory 11-12
II. THE SON OF PERDITION 2
A) The Day of the Lord will not come until:
1. The Son of Perdition- the man of Sin (Anti-Christ) be revealed 1-5
2. The Spirit is ‘Taken out of the way” 6-12
a> The Church is Raptured
b> The Wicked one is revealed with power and signs and lying wonders
c> Those who have had an opportunity to be saved will believe a lie and be damned
B) The Exhortation while we wait 13-17
III. THE SERVICE 3
A) Pray one for another 1-5
B) Withdraw from disorderly brothers 6-18
This letters was written to give us HOPE in the midst of problems and to show us that Problems should help us grow in the Lord.
II THESSALONIANS: WORKING WHILE WE WAIT
I. ENCOURAGEMENT IN TRIALS Chapter 1 The Lord’s Return should build us up- not divide us up!!
A) Greetings to the Church 1-2
B) Encouraged by the Growth of the Church 3
1. Faith grows exceedingly
2. Love for each other aboundeth
C) Encouraged to Glory in the Church’s Patience and Faith 4-10
1. Problem- Persecutions and Tribulations that ye endure
2. Purpose- Token of the Righteous judgment of God
3. Peace- if you’re troubled rest with us in the Lord
4. Punishment- the Reason: Know not God, Obey not the Gospel
the Result: Everlasting destruction away from the presence and Glory of God
5. Promise- God will be glorified in His Saints and admired in all them that believe
D) Encouraged by the Goal of Paul’s Prayer for the Church 11-12
1. God would count them worthy of this calling
2. God would fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith with power
3. That the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him.
II. INSTRUCTION ABOUT THE TIME OF THE LORD’S RETURN Chapter 2
A) Shaken Saints 1-2 Because of a False Letter
B) Signs of the End 3-5 Falling Away (Apostasy or Rapture) Man of sin will be revealed
C) Spirit Removed 6-7 He restrains Satan now
D) Satan’s Delusion (AntiChrist) 8-12
1. He will be destroyed by the brightness of the Lord’s coming
2. He is empowered by Satan
3. His followers will deny until they are deluded and sentenced to destruction
E) Salvation Assured 13-17
1. Chosen by the Spirit’s call and belief in the Truth
2. Chosen to obtain the glory of Jesus
3. Called to stand fast knowing that the Lord will enable you.
III. EXHORTATIONS CONCERNING WORK Chapter 3 (Some of the Church Members had quit work because they believed the Lord’s return was very soon [due to the false letter from Paul told about in Chapter 2]. The remaining members of the Church had to support these non-working members; who were not only “free loading” but also becoming busybodies with their free time). False Doctrine leads to False Doing.
A) Called to “Work” at Prayer 1-5
B) Commands regarding Work:
1. Command to withdraw from those who do wrong
2. Command to work or want
3. Command to quietness and self-supply
C) Concluding Warnings 13-18
1. About Weariness- Don’t be weary in well doing
2. About Wayward Brothers- Don’t Compromise; do continue to love We make a mistake by trying to win the argument instead of the brother.
3. About Writings of Paul- His personal signature authenticates this letter as from Paul.
II THESS 1:1-7 A PASTOR’S REASONS FOR THANKSGIVING
As a Pastor I have been privileged to witness and be a part of many examples of Christian kindness and help in my Physical life. Paul had also experienced these things but the Holy Spirit led him to express them in Thankfulness for the Spiritual Growth he saw in the Thessalonian Church Members.
1. Their GROWING FAITH- Exceedingly! How does your Faith Grow?
A) Study the Word: “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God”
B) Practice the Principles of the Word: “Faith without works is dead, being alone”. As you live what you have learned your relationship with Christ grows (“If you love me, keep my commandments”) and faith in God’s Faithfulness grows daily (Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving Col 2:7).
2. Their ABOUNDING LOVE toward each other was a witness and a wonderful experience.
A) Demonstration of their Christianity: By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35).
B) Mark of their Commitment to Christ (“If you love me, keep my commandments”)
3. Their PATIENT SUFFERING: 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: 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
A) First verse I memorized- In your patience possess ye your souls (Luke 21:19).
B) They understood that Growth sometimes involves “Growing Pains: Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:3-4).
C) They accepted the “manifest token” of the “Groaning Gift”: For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake (Philippians 1:29).
4. Their CONFIDENT WAITING
A) They Rested in Faith in the Return of the Lord. When you know someone is coming you can endure the waiting.
B) They Rejoiced in knowing that a Righteous Judge will give a Right Judgment.
Just as a Parent is thankful that their child not only lives right but also does right and loves right so a Pastor rejoices when he sees the development of Christian Character and Conduct in members of the Body of Christ. How thankful to be part of such a body today.
II Thess 1:3-7, 2:10-12 GREATNESS IN LAST DAYS LIVING
2 Thessalonians 1:3-7 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: 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: 6 Seeing 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,
II Thess 2:10-12 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
When you are done with life you are not done with what you have done with life. This means it is important that we live life with faith so we can face the future without fear. It also means the Lord’s Return should build us up- not divide us up!!
In our Scripture today, Paul gives us some guidelines to greatness in these last days.
- Faith Can Grow. Salvation Faith should become Serving Faith, Speaking Faith, and Sustaining Faith.
- Love can Abound. You Show Love for God by keeping His Commandments. You Share Love of God by being His hands and feet to those in need. You Sense Love of God in your daily worship of Him and your Spirit Led walk for Him.
- Trials can be turned into testimony because they are used by God for your betterment. Hard is not so hard when you know trials are part of God’s Plan, limited by God’s Protection, and endurable with God’s Power.
- Christians need not fear the future tribulation because some events must precede the “Day of the Lord”. Falling away (apostasy or rapture), antichrist revealed. The Holy Spirit living in Christians is restraining this event- It will not happen until they leave.
- We must always remember that our job is not to Convince People to believe our way (God shall send strong delusion so that men will believe a lie due to the fact that they had pleasure in unrighteousness). We must always try to Convert People by the Power of Preaching the Word of God. This does not change their mind; it changes their heart!
II THESS 2:- LORD’S RETURN RULES
The Second Chapter of II Thessalonians shares some extremely important guidelines about the Return of the Lord and people’s misconceptions about it.
SHAKEN SAINTS 1-2 (Because of their misunderstanding of, or a false letter from, Paul). Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2). Be careful where you get end time information.
SIGNS OF THE END 3-5 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? (2 Thessalonians 2:3-5).
1> A Falling Away- Apostasy and possibly Rapture (See Rev 3:)
2> Man of Sin, son of perdition Revealed
SPIRIT REMOVAL 6-7 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7). When the Spirit no longer restrains Satan it will be a horrible time- Rev 6-19
SATAN’S DELUSION 8-12 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12). Since they did not accept the Truth then God will grant them their desire for a Lie; and the results will be deceiving signs and lying wonders leading to all being damned who follow this lie.
SALVATION ASSURED 13-18 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17).
1> Chosen by the Spirit’s call and your belief in the Truth
2> Called by the Gospel to the obtaining of the glory of Jesus
3> Committed to standing fast and continuing to faithfully serve the Lord
4> Comforted by their loving relationship with Christ and God
II THESS 2:10-12- BELIEVING A LIE
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
An Amazing Statement: If we refuse to believe the Truth God will allow us to believe a Lie! This makes finding and accepting the Truth a great Privilege with a great Responsibility [Example of Medicine. It has great benefit used correctly but great harm use incorrectly].
I. LOVING TRUTH: Many have received a Knowledge of the Truth but not a Love for the Truth. They seek only to be “saved” and go to Heaven one day. They have no Love for the Truth and so they do not Joy in seeking God’s Guidelines for Holy Living or Suffering for Righteousness sake like their Savior (Carrying their Cross).
A) Source of the Truth: The Word of God: Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever (Psalms 119:160). For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven (Psalms 119:89). Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth (John 17:17). The Word of God is not A Truth; it is THE Truth.
B) Salvation by the Truth: God has declared (and demonstrated) that Salvation is ONLY through the Sacrifice of The Son of God: Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him (John 14:5-7). Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
II. LYING BELIEF: “Delusion that led to being damned” (Remember that Pharaoh’s magicians made snakes just like Moses! Exodus 7:8-13).
A) Believed not the Truth: Mankind imagines ways to be saved (Man developed religions), invents ways to be saved (Idols), and ignores God’s way to be saved (I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins John 8:24).
B) Had Pleasure in unrighteousness. The world believes that the “Abundant Life” is found in wealth, wantonness, and walking to the “beat of my own drum”. They think Christians are missing all the “fun” of life. They do not mind a “religion” that appeals to their emotions or intellect but they refuse to accept something that will impact (and change) their heart.
You can accept and follow the Truth or you can believe a Lie. Just remember that all that glitters is not “silver”- Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them (Jeremiah 6:30).
II THESS 3:6-12 WORK AND WELFARE
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12).
It is important to remember the first penalty of sin: And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return (Genesis 3:17-19).
Work is a Witness: Work should be a sign of new life in Christ (Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth Ephesians 4:28).
You should work “as the servants of Christ”: Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart (Ephesians 6:5-6).
1) Your approach to your job says something about the kind of person you are.
2) Honesty dictates giving good and full time to your employer
3) A chronic complainer is a poor witness while diligent and faithful service is rewarded
4) A man who does not respect his boss will not be a good leader; at work or at home.
Through Work we:
- Occupy our time productively
- Use our talents to help others
- Share our lives and opportunities
- Contribute to Society
- Assist the natural process of life
- Sense our dependence upon one another
- Testify to our own usefulness and worth
If a person can work and does not work then do not let him eat (at the community table).
A) Allowing someone to be lazy like this will promote them being “busybodies”
B) They should work with quietness (Not acting as if they are doing something special just because they are working) and eat their own bread (Know the joy of God provided “daily manna”).
C) A man is under obligation to provide for his own- But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel (1 Timothy 5:8). Just as God provides for HIS Children we should follow; and show, His example.
II THESS 3:13-18 CONCLUDING WARNINGS
At the end of his letter Paul gives warnings about several situations we all face which could “trip us up” if we are not careful.
WARNINGS ABOUT:
I. WEARINESS: But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing (2 Thessalonians 3:13).
A) Stop trying to “make things happen” in your own strength. The only way we can be Fruitful is to Abide in Christ, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me (John 15:4).
B) Do not become discouraged; fruit takes times to grow and mature. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Galatians 6:9). We walk by faith; not by sight. If you are God’s man in God’s plan then you should never Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise (Hebrews 10:35-36).
C) Remember that even God took a day off! And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made (Genesis 2:2). Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:30-31).
II. WAYWARD BROTHERS: And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).
A) Be aware that false doctrines can “tickle men’s ears” to the place it corrupts their heart. False Doctrine leads to False Doing!
B) Do not compromise Biblical Principles in order to maintain fellowship but instruct them correctly instead of ostracizing them to the place they become discouraged and turn away from participating in Godly Fellowship.
III. WRITINGS OF PAUL: Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen <<The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.>> (2 Thessalonians 3:16-18).
A) The Peace he prayed for them: Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means
B) The Partner he sought with them: The Lord be with you all
C) The Proof he sent to them: The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. Many believe that Paul had vision problems as a result of his Damascus Road Blindness and he needed a “secretary” to write the letters he dictated (See Gal 6:11 where Paul talks about the “large letters” he had to use in writing a letter so urgent until he could not wait on a secretary). Paul always signed his letters to the Churches as proof that they were indeed from him.
D) The Prayer he prayed concerning them: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen