Appreciation of Faithfulness Amid Suffering
II Thessalonians 1:3-4
Pastor John Talley
Part of The Waiting Church
May 31, 2020

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 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. —II Thessalonians 1:1-4

What we

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will determine what we will
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in the
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of times but, more importantly, in the
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of times.

I. Expressed to God 1:3

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. —II Thessalonians 1:3

  • A. The obligation
    1. Definition – “opheilo” (ought) speaks of a serious obligation or responsibility
    2. Direction – towards God who is at work in His people
  • B. The basis “as it is right”
    1. Their faith is growing abundantly (beyond the expectation)
    2. Their love for one another is increasing
  • C. The expectation
    1. We should never settle for the status quo in our growth as Christians
    2. We should set as an expectation of growth in our walk with Christ

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are the work of God in us and should be the
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among us.

II. Expressed to the godly 1:4

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. —II Thessalonians 1:4

  • A. Their character
    1. It was boast-worthy
    2. It was steadfastly hopeful
    3. It was faithful despite the circumstances
  • B. Their circumstances
    1. Persecution – speaks to the hostilities towards the church
    2. Afflictions – speaks of suffering that results from these hostilities

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leads to
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, and
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produces the ability to
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.

Small Group Questions

  1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

  2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind? This would be a great opportunity as a group to use the Ask a Pastor feature and that way we can address it either directly or in the messages in the future.

  3. Share together examples of how other’s faithfulness has been an encouragement to your life.

  4. What can we learn from the Thessalonians about being faithful amid suffering?

  5. Spend some time together praying for wisdom and direction for the re-opening CBC.