II Thessalonians 1:1-5
The Keys to Surviving Persecution
II Thessalonians 1:6-12
What Kind of Future Does The Unbeliever Face?
II Thessalonians 2:1-5
Confusion About The Last Days of The Church Age
II Thessalonians 2:6-12
Who is The Restrainer of Evil in Our World?
II Thessalonians 2:13-17
The Believers Responsibilities to God’s Truth
II Thessalonians 3:1-5
Concern For Believers Going Through Trials
II Thessalonians 3:6-18
Slackers And Busybodies in The Church
The Keys to Surviving Persecution
II Thessalonians 1:1–5
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A man was walking through a supermarket with a screaming baby in the shopping cart. A woman nearby noticed that time and again the man would calmly say: “Keep calm, Albert. Keep calm, Albert. Finally, in admiration for the man’s patience as the child continued to wail, the w … More
II Thessalonians is primarily a letter of correction. It contains correction concerning persecution in chapter one, concerning prophecy chapter two and concerning practice chapter three. Along with persecutions on the outside, the church was facing problems on the inside. Persecution seemed to be a way of life for the church at Thessalonica. It was born in persecution (Acts 17:1-9) and grew in spite of continued tribulation (I Thessalonians 1:6;2:14;3:1-3). Throughout this letter Paul is thanking God that the people are not only growing in the Lord but their relationship with other people is also developing. The keys to surviving persecution and trials are faith, love and patience.
Our Lord never promised us that Life would be easy. However, when we are faced with crushing troubles, we can have faith that God is using our trials for our good and for His glory. Knowing that God is fair and just will give us patience in our suffering because we know that He has not forgotten us. In God’s perfect timing He will relieve our suffering and punish those who persecute us. All of this shows that God judges fairly and that he is making you fit to share in his kingdom for which you are suffering (v. 5).
Application
When I am tempted to lose my patience I must remember that my testimony is at stake. If I was on trial for my Christian testimony, would there be enough evidence to convict me?
II Thessalonians 1:1-5 (English Standard Version)
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