Series: Action [#59]
A LETTER OF ENCOURAGEMENT- GOD IS SOVEREIGN
2 Thessalonians 1:5-12
Introduction:
This was a Church worth bragging about. This Church was being persecuted on a regular basis, yet they continued on faithfully. The evidence of this, was how they allowed God to lead regardless of the circumstances. God is Sovereign which means God is in control.
2 Thessalonians 1:5-6
In order for God to be in charge of your life, you must…
1. Let God deal with those who hurt you.
God knows what He is doing. As verse 5 says, “All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right”. Christians are not to retaliate against those who hurt them. God will deal with those that hurt His children. My 1st thought was, “It doesn’t seem like it”. It seems like those who hurt me prosper; but it is not up to me. God is just, let Him handle it.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
In order for God to be in charge of your life, you must…
2. Let God give you relief.
I will use a phrase that my mother would use with my brother and I to sum this up- “I am sick and tired”. It does get old feeling like you are the world’s punching bag. Life wears us down and we need a break. Here is the interesting part of this text- This relief will happen when Jesus comes back. Jesus comes to give rest to the believer; but retribution to the unbeliever and the make-believer. The believer is released from injustice and suffering.
This is telling us that Jesus will judge those who are not saved. Those who die without Christ as Savior will be punished eternally. This also reminds us that the only way to know the Father is through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only way to salvation. The greatest punishment of Hell is not the darkness, screaming, or burning; it is the eternal separation from God.
With this knowledge, you may not get relief from persecution or pain on this Earth until Jesus comes back. As I was talking to someone about the ups and downs of my health this week; I was told that “God never gives us more than we can handle”. I told the person that they were wrong. On my own, I can’t handle anything. The truth is, “God never gives us more than we can handle through Him”. When I am weak, God is strong.
2 Thessalonians 1:10
In order for God to be in charge of your life, you must…
3. Let God take care of the timing.
Verse 10 says, “On the day he comes”. It doesn’t tell us when He is coming back; but He will return. The timing is completely up to God the Father. It will be an awesome day, the day that Jesus returns.
Conclusion:
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
We are to live like Jesus is coming back today.
