2 Thessalonians

1. 2Thessalonians Reminders to the Church

2. Recap • Paul did not want the church to be deceived by false teaching on the end times. • People had been led to believe that they had already missed out on the return of the Lord • Paul wanted them to be focused on the task at hand and avoid two main errors: • Don’t be idle thinking the return of the Lord is so far away that they would not be diligent • Don’t assume it was coming immediately and forsake “taking care of business”

3. Paul’s Charge to the Church • 2:13 We thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord • Because: • God chose you for salvation • How did He choose them?

4. How does God choose? • Through Sanctification • By the Spirit • Through belief in the truth • Even in verse 13 we see the mystery of Divine Will and Human Free Will

5. Is our will really free? • Some put forth the idea of humankind being able to freely choose or reject God • Problem: We know man is corrupt if left to his own devices, and does not seek after God • God has to do something • Once God does that “something” to someone, He has called or chosen them in some way.

6. Free Will • Some would say that once God has “called” to a previously hardened heart, the work of the Holy Spirit cannot be denied or turned away… • Some would say that we could still “choose” to reject the calling of God despite the work of the Holy Spirit • Paul mentions a number of times that there will be those who have purposely seemed to reject God • The importance of this is sometimes overstated…but it might impact your view on missions or evangelism

7. Paul’s Charge continued • Verse 15 • Stand firm! • Hold to the traditions you were taught • By our message • By our letter • What would Paul tell us to stand firm on…or hold to now?

8. Paul’s Orders to the Church • Paul’s command to the church: • Keep away from every brother who walks irresponsibly • Keep away from every brother who is not walking according to the tradition Paul gave them • Paul demonstrated the right way to behave when he was with them • Don’t expect a free hand out • Work hard, if you want to eat • Some were not only taking a hand out, but interfering with the work of others • If they were capable, but not diligent, it wasn’t just impacting them

9. Final Challenges • Don’t get weary of doing good • Job is never finished…keep going • Anybody who is disobedient to these things • If people in the church were not willing to hear Paul’s exhortation and command to do the right stuff…they should be treated in a way that shames them...not for punishment, but repentance • Not like an enemy, but as a brother

10. Recap • Thoughts about either 1st or 2nd Thessalonians? • What did you find interesting in going through the books? • Is there anything that you see that applies directly to your personal walk with God? For our particular church?

11. Next Week • Galatians • A church in a different catagory • Read Chapter 1 and we will see how far I get! • Major themes in Chapter 1 • Paul’s Apostolic Credentials • One True Gospel