2 Thessalonians 1:1-2 “Foundational Truths”

Jon Beck

2 Thessalonians. 1:1-2 – “Foundational Truths”

Paul’s purpose in writing:

  • Paul is encouraging the church in the midst of trials.
  • Paul is admonishing them to stand fast in their faith.
  • Paul teaching them the truth about the Day of the Lord.

Intro and Background:

  • Prominent seaport and capital of Macedonia
  • Main road from Rome to the East.
  • Paul was there on 2nd Missionary Journey – Acts 17:1-10
    • Macedonian call – Acts 16
  • Wrote 1st and 2nd Thess. From Corinth. – Acts 18
  • Probably on of his first letters to a specific church – (early 50’s)

In these first two verses we discover important foundational truths we need to consider as we begin our journey through 2 Thess.  We tend to overlook the greetings of the Epistles, but there are some important truths we need to apply to our life.

God saves, calls, equips, and uses us to impact others – v. 1

  • Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy
    • FAITHFUL MEN!
    • Not perfect, but willing, committed, devoted.
  • Faithful to the Lord is being faithful to His Purpose and Mission.
  • 2 Cor. 5:14-21
  • Where ever I am… I am there for the Lord

So goes YOUR understanding of the Church, so goes YOU

  • To the church
  • A local congregation.  A particular church at a particular place.
  • Utilize your gifts (the make a difference in our Christian life and they also have an impact on HIS Church– 1 Cor. 12 (overview of chapter)
  • Build one another up – Heb. 10:19-25
  • We can do more together than we can alone – 2 Cor. 8 (overview of chapter)

Without true conversion we have no hope – v. 2

  • Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Acts 17:1-9 – (Go back to this scripture)
  • Reasoned from Scripture
  • Explaining and Demonstrating
  • JESUS IS THE CHRIST
  • Some were, Some were not
    • NOTICE THE KEY.  SCRIPTURE AND JESUS
    • No gimmicks, No events, No emotional encounter….JUST THE GOSPEL
    • Pray, Proclaim, Persuade (not beg)

Scripture:

Acts 17:1–10

[1] Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. [2] And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, [3] explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” [4] And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. [5] But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. [6] And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, [7] and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” [8] And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. [9] And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

[10] The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. (ESV)

2 Corinthians 5:14–21

[14] For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; [15] and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

[16] From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. [18] All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. [20] Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. [21] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (ESV)

Hebrews 10:19–25

[19] Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, [20] by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (ESV)

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