II Thessalonians 2
Suffering - The Toxic Ingredient
Pastor Ehizele Giwa
Part of Thessalonians
January 13, 2022


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II Thessalonians 2

Suffering - The Toxic Ingredient

Pastor Ehi Giwa
01/12/2022

Points to ponder:

Core Concepts

  1. History

    a. Paul’s Suffering Before Arrival
    b. Military hub
    c. Free society

  2. Enduring Suffering
  3. I Thess: Work of Faith - Labor of Love - Steadfastness of Hope


Key Points: Joining a conversation

  1. Paul is looking to bring an

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    into focus

    • When studying Paul’s letters contextually, it is essential not to lose sight of the
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      of the conversation. To do so, we lose the
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      scripture is trying to provide us.
    • It can be easy to mistake the supporting argument for the
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      point.
    • 1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. —II Thessalonians 2:1-10 ESV

  2. Toxic Suffering

    • Have the wrong element mixed into your suffering, and the results are typically a rejection of
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      and suffering for
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      & pleasure
    • “The temptation of suffering is to reject the truth for the allure of pleasure…”
      In order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. —II Thessalonians 2:12 ESV
    • Note: Paul is not talking about an accidental action; it is a
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      decision.

  3. Peace in Tribulation

    • Paul often brings his
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      out after addressing the causes for concern.
    • 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. —II Thessalonians 2:10-13 ESV

  4. The toxin of suffering is

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    • Paul is speaking directly to the
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      of losing your salvation
    • Note: Fear will destroy steadfastness of faithfulness
    • Ref: the story of the talents Mathew 25:24-26
    • Many have gotten this backward the thinking that
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      keeps more people then does
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      is simply not true.
    • Seeing we are saved by grace, we will also be preserved by grace, not fear.
    • Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? —Romans 2:4 ESV
    • 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. —I John 4:17-19 ESV

  5. The Image in clear focus

    • 1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. —II Thessalonians 2:1-2 & 16-17 ESV

  6. Action Item: Has fear robbed you of your faithfulness to God? How can a refocus on the grace & love of God provide you with strength through suffering?

Notes: