2 Thessalonians 1 (7)

Pray Psalm 48.8-11.
As we have heard,
So we have seen
In the city of the LORD of hosts,
In the city of our God:
God will establish it forever.
Selah
We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness,
In the midst of Your temple.
According to Your name, O God,
So is Your praise to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is full of righteousness.
Let Mount Zion rejoice,
Let the daughters of Judah be glad,
Because of Your judgments.

Read 2 Thessalonians 1.1-12.

Reflect.
1. In what ways is this chapter like 1 Thessalonians 1? Is it good to encourage one another in the same ways, again and again? 

2. In what ways does this chapter differ from 1 Thessalonians 1?

Meditate.
In many ways, this chapter recalls 1 Thessalonians 1. Same commendations, same boasting to other churches, same indication of prayers and thanks for what God is doing in Thessalonica. It never hurts to affirm and encourage people for the same thing again and again.

The context is different though, because now Paul is addressing a specific kind of tribulation, namely, false teaching. He introduces his awareness of the problem here, but doesn’t address it yet. Instead, he focuses on exhorting and encouraging the believers to press on in their calling from the Lord – that calling to the Kingdom and glory of God that he mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 2.12. 

The lesson is clear: Always remember what God has done for you and with you, and keep focused on what He yet wants you to become and do. Don’t dwell on problems, trials, and persecutions! If you focus on such things, you will forget the blessings God has provided in the past and be reluctant to push ahead in your sanctification. This is precisely what was happening to the readers of the book of Hebrews.

Paul again emphasizes the grace of God at work among the Thessalonians. An infinite supply of grace to sustain, grow, and move us to obedience is available to those who look to the Lord and look forward to His coming again. At the return of Jesus, He will bring an end to all our trials and sufferings. That’s not something we can manage in the present, so we need to rest in the Lord and wait on Him, all the while drawing on His grace to keep growing and serving in Jesus’ Name.

Prepare.
1. Are you consistent in encouraging the believers in your Personal Mission Field? Can you see ways you might improve?

2. Why is false teaching a kind of persecution or tribulation (v. 4)? 

3. Why is it important to focus our attention on unseen things to come rather than on the seen things of our present?

For there is nothing here that is ours either in the action itself, or in the effect or fruit, for it is solely by the guidance of the Holy Spirit that our life is made to contribute to the glory of God. And the circumstance that so much fruit arises from this ought to be ascribed to the great mercy of God. In the mean time, if we are not worse than stupid, we must aim with all our might at the advancement of the glory of Christ, which is connected with ours. John Calvin (1509-1564 AD) Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 1

Thank You, Lord, for grace that is greater than all my sins, sufficient for my every need, and available to me today for…

Pray Psalm 48.
Pray for your church, your shepherds, and the members of your congregation, that together you might become a presence of beauty, joy, and holiness in your community.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 48 (Cwm Rhonda: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah)
Great is God, now greatly praise Him in the city of the Lord. 
Holy she, His lovely mountain, great and glorious by His Word! 
God her King is great within her, He, her Stronghold ever sure! 
He, her Stronghold ever sure! 

Earthly kings, amazed and wond’ring, look upon the Church with fear. 
See them flee in dread and anguish, knowing that the Lord is near. 
For the city of the Savior God will keep forevermore! 
God will keep forevermore! 

For Your grace and lovingkindness we proclaim Your matchless worth! 
As Your Name is, great and boundless, let Your praise fill all the earth. 
Let Your people sing rejoicing for the judgment of Your truth; 
For the judgment of Your truth. 

Walk about the blessèd city, see her beauty, see her power. 
Count her ramparts, filled with glory, look on ev’ry mighty tower. 
Tell her glory to the nations: God will guide her evermore; 
God will guide her evermore!

T. M. Moore

Where do 1 and 2 Thessalonians fit in the unfolding of God’s covenant? Our course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, can help you understand the setting of all the books of the Bible, and how they fit into God’s unfolding plan of redemption. Watch the brief video introducing this course at The Ailbe Seminary (click here), then plan to register after January 1 in our Certificate in Kingdom Studies program, featuring Introduction to Biblical Theology.

Forward today’s study to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link to the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Paul’s ministry and prepare for your own.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).