Message Notes

REVIEW:
Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

BIBLE KNOWLEDGE

The Sayings of Jesus:

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
John 5:24

1. Strong assurance given by Jesus

a) Promise of eternal life

b) Promise that we have passed from death to life

c) There will be no “final judgment”

2. Authority to Judge

a) Lies with God

b) Authority given to Jesus          John 5:22

c) Hence Jesus can make this profound statement

3. A wonderful word of encouragement

a) To believe in God

b) To believe in the word of Jesus (His teachings)

c) To have full assurance in our hearts that we have passed from death to life and hence no judgment!

YPG MESSAGE
22 January 2011
Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
Topic: The Righteous Judgment of God I

1. The persecutions and tribulations of the Thessalonians

a) Paul had to endure persecutions and tribulations

b) The Thessalonian Christians also had to endure persecutions and tribulations

2. Such problems forewarned by Jesus

a) 8th Beatitude          Matthew 5:10-11

b) Problem of persecution highlighted          Matthew 10:21-25

3. On the part of believers

That you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer…
2 Thessalonians 1:5

4. The example of the apostles in the Jerusalem Church

So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name
Acts 5:41

5. God’s Judgment on those who persist in persecuting believers

Which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God… 
Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you… 
2 Thessalonians 1:5a, 6

a) God will one day judge those who wickedly persecute believers

b) Evidence against the persecutors will be the persecution and tribulation endured by believers

c) God’s judgment of the wicked will be a righteous one

GROUP DISCUSSION

1. How may we endure persecution?

2. What should fill our hearts and minds when we face persecution?

EVERY ENCOURAGEMENT TO PERSEVERE IN OUR FAITH

1. Teaching of Jesus concerning how we may endure persecution

a) There should be no fear          Matthew 8:26

b) There should be understanding and acceptance that this is part of our identification with the Lord Jesus as His disciples          Matthew 8:24-25

c) There should be courage and strength to endure persecution          Matthew 8:21-22

2. Teaching of Paul concerning how we may endure persecution

a) It is to be seen as part and parcel of our faith in Christ

b) Persecution is just proof of the perdition of the persecutors

c) Reference to personal suffering          Philippians 1:28-30

3. Teaching of Peter concerning how we may endure persecution

a) We are to remember that we are kept by the power of God          1 Peter 1:5

b) We are to continue to learn how to rejoice in the Lord and His salvation          1 Peter 1:6-9