Never Stagnant, Always Growing Series

2 Thess 1:1-4 Never Stagnant, Always Growing

A few months after writing his first letter, Paul (together with Silas and Timothy) had to write a second one to the Thessalonians.

• The persecution has gotten worse. Some believers believed that Jesus would return soon and quit everything they were doing.

• And there was fake news that Paul had written a letter to them that said the “day of the Lord has come” (2:2), and it caused confusion.

Hence, Paul wrote this second letter to clarify. In brief, we can outline it this way:

Chapter 1 – Paul says to stay strong even though there are persecutions and afflictions. God is righteous and He will judge evildoers ultimately.

Chapter 2 – Do not be deceived by the false teachers who said that “the day of the Lord has come” (2:2).

• Some had decided to abandon their daily routines and stopped work completely.

• Paul explains that there would be some signs before Christ’s return. Be prepared but do not stop everything you are doing.

Chapter 3 – Addressing those who think the end has come, Paul urged them not to be idle but to work hard for a living while waiting for His return.

• Don’t become a burden to others (3:8) and do not grow weary in doing good. (3:13)

That’s a general outline of this letter.

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We read Paul’s opening words today – 2 Thess 1:1-4. It’s a thanksgiving to God.

• Amazingly, despite the difficult circumstances, Paul was grateful that the young church stood firm and remained faithful to God.

• He recalled again the few qualities he saw in them (mentioned in the first letter) - their works of faith, labours of love and enduring hope in God. (cf. 1 Thess 1:2-3)

• But this time around, he mentioned something about their faith, love and hope.

2 Thess 1:3-4 3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

Paul said, “Your faith is growing abundantly”, and “Your love for one another is increasing” and despite the growing persecution, he saw greater perseverance.

• The church was commendable and has become exemplary to the other churches.

These are the aspects we want to think through and learn today:

A GROWING FAITH in God

Not only did Paul see works of faith; he saw that their “faith is growing abundantly.” (v.3a). It is growing, and it is growing abundantly.

• Faith is not static. We tend to see faith as a commodity – something you have or do not have. Or that it’s there only when we first accepted Christ.

• But faith is not static or stagnant; it can grow.

The Christian life is a relationship with God and like all relationships, it can grow.

• Our faith in God grows when we know God more and trust His Word.

• Faith is like a muscle. It is proven genuine when tested. It grows when stretched.

• It is strengthened over time when we come to understand God’s Word and His ways.

The affliction did not weaken the Thessalonians’ faith. Instead, it strengthened it.

• They learnt to trust God more amid the persecution. The hardships did not drive them away from God but closer to Him. And it was obvious to Paul.

• In the changing circumstances, they placed their faith in the unchanging God who is dependable and trustworthy.

Paul mentioned a SECOND quality:

AN INCREASING LOVE for One Another

Paul knows of their labours of love but this time, he said “the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” (v.3b)

• Not just some but EVERY ONE OF YOU and not just loving but their LOVE for one another is INCREASING. Isn’t that beautiful?

And it was obvious to Paul. Both their growing faith and increasing love were noticeable to Paul and he was grateful.

They were answers to his prayers! How do we know? He said in his first letter:

• 1 Thess 3:10 - Paul said they have been praying most earnestly for them night and day that they can see them and “supply what is lacking in their faith” (v.10).

• 1 Thess 3:12 – “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all…” And urged them in 4:10 to do this more.

So Paul is seeing the FRUITS of his prayer. God gave them stronger faith and greater love.

• This is a prayer we can make today. Amid so many challenges in life, we pray for a growing faith in God and a deeper love for one another in Christ.