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YOUR FAITH GROWS EXCEEDINGLY

Text: 2 Thessalonians 1
7 June 2020

THE SECOND LETTER TO THE THESSALONIANS

The second letter to the Thessalonians saw the Apostle Paul even more exuberant in his joy and praise of the Thessalonian Church.

3 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, 

4 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, 

5 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;     2 Thessalonians 1:3-5

  1. Filled with thanksgiving

a) Paul called it “fitting” to give thanks

b) He felt “bound” to give thanks to God

  1. Reasons for thanksgiving

a) The faith of the Thessalonians was growing exceedingly

b) There was already evidence of love and this was abounding too

c) There was also patience (literally “perseverance”)

d) Their faith continued to be resilient amidst persecution and tribulation

COUNTED WORTHY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Paul commended the Thessalonian believers in another way.

  1. The Kingdom of God

a) Entrance into the kingdom of God was through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

b) This was what the Thessalonians evidenced

c) Soon after the profession of their faith they were persecuted 

  1. The Eighth Beatitude

a) The Lord Jesus warned about possible suffering

b) The Thessalonian believers were experiencing suffering there and then

c) As they were keeping their faith strong and healthy, Paul commended them as being “counted worthy of the kingdom”

d) This was the same attitude as that of the Apostles who were imprisoned     Acts 5:41

THANK GOD FOR A GROWING FAITH

Let us be challenged to have a faith that will keep growing. The nature of a genuine faith is that it will keep growing, even if there is tribulation to be faced!