Having Consistent And Growing Christianity Series

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Message

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Having Consistent and Growing Christianity

Some time after Paul wrote his first letter Paul gets some more news from Thessalonica about other situations which have arisen within the church.

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him … let no one deceive you in any way.

2 Thessalonians 2:1,3

For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.

2 Thessalonians 2:11

Paul seeks to instruct the church and strengthen them in these areas, so a second letter is written, probably within a year of the first letter. Let’s read the opening chapter of that letter – 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12.

In reading these verses what we realise is that a few things may have changed in the Thessalonian church; we will look at those changes in coming weeks. However there is also a lot that is still the same.

The Thessalonian Believers Are Continuing To Mature.

Paul specifically identifies two areas where there is maturity.

They Have Hyper-Growing Faith.

If we want to give people an idea of the intensity of an action or an outcome we add the word “hyper”

There are many children who are active. Then there are children who are hyper-active. Sometimes all it takes is the addition of some lollies and fizzy drink.

“Faith is growing,” says Paul in verse 3. Not just growth – it is hyper-growth.

Holding onto, and growing in, a faith which knows the security of salvation.

Being sure, and growing in the surety, of what we hope for … and being certain, and growing in the certainty, of what we do not see.

Having an hyper-growing faith that see all circumstances and still believes that God always works for the good of those who love Him.

Hyper-surety about the promises of redemption and renewal. Hyper-belief that Jesus will return and that we will be with Him.

This is the Christian life which brings thankfulness.

It is also a Christian life that can happen today when we live as the Thessalonians lived.

• They had work produced by faith, labour prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

• They were imitators of the apostles/evangelists and of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

• They became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thessalonians 1:7)

• When they received the word of God they accepted it as the word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

• They were standing firm in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 3:8)

Their hyper-growth in faith is the result of hyper-obedience. Actively living in response to all that the Lord Jesus has given us. So that even in the space of 6 months to 1 year the growth of an already mature group of kingdom believers is still measurable.

It is a description of what is happening in Thessalonica.

There is no reason why it cannot be a description of what the Lord can do in our lives today.

We can have hyper-growth. When we are mature we can also have Super-Abounding Love.

Super is always better.

We don’t just have heros … they are superheros.

Yet, when comes to “super” most of it is the stuff of legend, and comics and movies.

But when we are in Christ super is an achievable kingdom life-style. Super-abounding in the love – the agape … Christ-like-sacrificial … God sent his Son – love. Which we all have for everyone else.

How does it come about? Part of the answer is prayer.

May the Lord make your love increase (super-abound) and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

1 Thessalonians 3:12

Since writing the first letter Paul has constantly been speaking this blessing … this prayer … and the Lord was answering as Paul and the church prayed. We will not super-abound if we are not seeking the Lord in prayer and bringing this petition regularly before the Lord.

Another part of the answer is obedience.

Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10

The Thessalonian church didn’t stagnate with the first letter. They choose love more and more.

That is important to see.

We live in a world that has turned love into a feeling. There are feelings related to love – but love is not primarily a feeling – love primarily is a choice.

The choice to send his one and only Son as a sacrifice.