Standing Firm In God’s Grace
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or by our epistle. 16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. [KJV]
TEXTUAL BACKGROUND
.. The Church of Thessalonica was established by Paul with Silas and Timothy on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:40-16:3; 17:1-10).
.. First Thessalonians was written by Paul (about 50-51 A.D.) to encourage, exhort, and to assure them concerning the second coming of the Lord - whether alive or dead.
Fear of the Future
Second Thessalonians was written by Paul to the church to address the “false teachers” that had come to Thessalonica and were teaching that the Day of the Lord had already come and gone and that the church of the Thessalonian Christians had missed the Lord’s coming – completely contrary to what Paul had taught at the Church of Thessalonica early – cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 and 4:13-18, 5:1-4.
Context – 2:1-17 – deals with this aspect of fear in the future in particular.
Vv. 1-12 – Coming of the Lord and the wicked circumstances that precludes it.
Vv. 13-17 – of the why of not fearing those evil times.
TEXT
Purpose – just as the Thessalonian Christians were fearful in what they were hearing from these “false teachers” into thinking that God had forsaken them, so too today, do we often become fearful when we hear contrary teaching of God’s Word. And just as the Thessalonians were encouraged by Paul through the teaching of who our God and Savior is, so too today, we who are NT Christians are encouraged by this same message of Paul that our God and Savior will “comfort our hearts, and establish us in every good word and work” because of His sovereign grace.
OUTLINE
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 - Displays the total range of Standing Firm In God’s Grace
I. To the Immovability of the Election of Grace – v. 13.
II. To the Effectiveness of the Gospel Call – v. 14.
III. To the Assuredness of God’s Truthfulness – v. 15.
IV. To the Comfort of God’s Love – vv. 16-17
13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I. To the Immovability of the Election of Grace – v. 13.
.. First and Foremost –– Thanksgiving is given to God because of His sovereign actions.
NOTE: The Eternal Date of Election – Before the Foundation of the World –
Believers in Christ do not need to fear that they can lose their salvation, because God’s choice is irrevocable. Salvation depends upon God (Jonah 2:9) from eternity past up to and including eternity future.
.. Chosen [election] – Gk. word means: literally to single out, to select, to choose, to take one and leave the other.
A. God does the choosing:
Irrefutable –
Isaiah 46:9-11 | Remember the former things of old, I am God, and there is no other, I am God and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure – cf. Is 44:1-2.
Unchangeable –
Romans 9:10-13 | … When Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (for the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) it was said unto her, the elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
10 … [W]hen Rebecca … had conceived by one man … Isaac
11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him who calls),
12 it was said to her, the older shall serve the younger.
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
NOTE: Both children of the same father and mother.
Twins born basically at the same time.
No good or evil performed by either one.
Both were equally sinners at birth. - (Ps. 58:3)
Neither had advantage over the over.
Yet Rebecca was told that the older would serve the younger. WHY?
.. Paul informs us here that God choose Jacob over Esau to demonstrate the purpose of grace in His unconditional election is based solely on His sovereignty and nothing else.
.. Thus, before the children were born God told Rebecca that the older of the two, Esau, would serve the younger, Jacob. Only because of God’s sovereign purpose in election might stand.
B. God chooses whom He foreknows:
1. God knows whom He chooses –
John 15:16 | Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain …
1 Peter 2:7-9 | Unto you therefore which believe he is precious … ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
2. God chooses His own from before the foundation of the world –
Eph. 1:3-4 | Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love – cf. context vv. 3-14.
Romans 8:28-31 | And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and who he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
2 Thessalonians 2:13- 14 [ Text] | But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. God chooses << you>> to salvation –
2 Timothy 1:8-9 | Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
NOTE: The sovereign election (choosing) of God unto salvation is something in which we can give thanks for all eternity!
II. To the Effectiveness of the Gospel Call – v. 14.
NOTE: The Effectiveness of the Gospel Call is through Sanctification of the [Holy] Spirit and Belief of the Truth –
A. The means in order to obtain this end – sanctification (set apart) by the Holy Spirit:
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 | Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy [Spirit], and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
1 Peter 1:1-2 | Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Acts 13:48 | [Paul and Barnabas turned from the Jews to the Gentiles w/the gospel – v. 45-47] … the Gentiles heard … were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained [Gk. means: to place in order – signifies to appoint] to eternal life believed.
B. The means in order to obtain this end – belief of the truth (Word of Faith):
Acts 16:13-14 | And on the Sabbath we went out of the city [Philippi] by the river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshiped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
Romans 10:8-15, 17 | … The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! … So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
NOTE: The believer is chosen by God to be set apart unto Himself. God in His sovereignty sanctifies His elect from the world through the working of the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer whom He sets apart by the hearing of the word of truth – cf. Ephesians 1:13; Romans 10:17.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or by our epistle.
III. To the Assuredness of God’s Truthfulness – v. 15.
NOTE: It is not only important to know that we believe the Scriptures, but it is just as important that we understand what they teach – so that we can defend our practice according to God’s Word.
2 Peter 1:20-21 | Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy [Spirit].
1 Corinthians 16;13-14 | Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.
1 Peter 3:15 | … Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
NOTE: As a Christian believing the Bible is the Word of God is paramount to one’s faith in Christ. If you do not trust that the Bible is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) then what becomes the absolute standard for truth?
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
IV. To the Comfort of God’s Love – vv. 16-17
NOTE: The Apostle’s Earnest Prayer
1. To Whom he prays –
. Our Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father
2. From what he takes encouragement in his prayer –
. The consideration of what God had already done for him, them, and us
. The love of God is the basis of all the good we have …
. From this love falls everlasting consolation
. From this consolation is founded upon the hope of eternal life.
3. What Paul asks of God for –
. that he would comfort their hearts, and establish them in every good works.
Philippians 4:6-7 | Be anxious nor nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
NOTE: God is sovereign in all of His doings. Knowing that we can pray unto Him in confidence knowing that His providence in our lives will be carried out according to His divine pleasure – cf. Romans 8:33-39.
CLOSING THOTS
Standing Firm In God’s Grace
NOTE: As you anticipate various situations, trials [cf. 1 Peter 4:12-19], or false teaching, as seen here in our text: i.e., concerning the return of Christ – you can with complete assurance, as a Christian, “stand firm in God’s grace” knowing that no matter whatsoever comes into your life that in God’s sovereign providence He knows what is coming and will provide you the grace to face all situations with “the peace that passes all understanding” in Christ Jesus.
With these things in mind:
.. Where do you stand today in God’s Grace?
.. Are you standing on the solid foundation – which is Jesus Christ.
.. Or, are you standing on your own foundation – which will be carried about with
every wind of doctrine.
.. The Lord Jesus Christ alone brings comfort and consolation to our hearts. If God has spoken to you this day – I urge you through repentance and faith to turn to Him in Jesus Christ.
Bruce Allen, Guest Speaker
Townsend BC, Ga.
24 July 2011
