My sermon notes for Sunday morning, May 24th. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. They are provided to help you follow the sermon as we walk through the Word each week. The church provides a live stream of the service each Sunday at 10:45 on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/firstbaptistavonpark/ We also provide the services through our website by Sunday afternoon at www.fbcap.net
2 Thessalonians 1:11–12
INTRO:
From the previous verses (5-10) we learned about living in the NOW as we anticipate the NOT YET. Suffering and affliction are part of the Christian life because the righteous judgment of God is preparing us for our ultimate HOPE in glory. In vv. 11-12 we see Paul praying for the church as they live in the NOW. Not only was this prayer for the Church in Thessalonica, but also a prayer that needs to be lifted up and grasped as the church today.
To this end we always pray for you– v. 11a
- Because of vv. 5-10 and the hope they have now and to come (because of who they are in Christ)
- We have a great example of praying for the right things with the right motive
- Paul is praying for their present walk/life with Christ. Their Sanctification.
- Always –Not a routine but a way of life
- Paul understood the need for intercession because of the DAY IN WHICH THEY/WE Live Not easy but fulfilling. Not always happy but full of joy. Suffering yet peace.
Our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power – v. 11b
Our God. His Calling. His Power
- Personal
- His means
- What God has started… He will bring to completion.
Philippians 1:3–6 – [3] I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, [4] always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, [5] because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. [6] And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Make You (utilize for conclusion)
- Each one of us.
- No special call for a few (we all are the elect in Christ)
Worthy of His calling
We are WORTHY because of the imputed Righteousness of Christ
2 Corinthians 5:20–21 – [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.
Yet, we are to MATURE IN OUR WORTHINESS
His Calling – Paul is praying our life would be worthy of the EFFECTUAL CALL / SAVING CALL OF GOD.
Eph 4:1-3 [1] I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, [3] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
1 Phil. 1:27 – Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel
1 Corinthians 3:10–15 – [10] According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. [11] For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—[13] each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. [14] If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. [15] If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire
Fulfill every resolve for good and work of faith by His power
PRAYING FOR A DESIRE THAT PRODUCES GOODNESS
Fulfill
- Complete, accomplish
Resolve for good
- Desire
- Their longings for living and doing that which is good and righteous.
Psalm 20:4 – May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! (ESV)
Psalm 37:4 – Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (ESV)
God enables us to DESIRE TO DO GOOD WORKS PRODUCED BY FAITH.
- We trust (Faith) then we do.
Work of faith
- We are saved by Grace and Faith ALONE.
- But truing saving faith is made known by the WORKS OF THE FAITH.
- James 2:14-26 – Faith and Works
OUR DOING BECAUSE OF OUR BELIEVING/OUR KNOWING
By His Power
- Power to do
- The means of His power is manifested and made complete…BY The Word – The Spirit – Trails
so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. – v. 12
SO THAT –The reason for the request v. 11.
THE INTENDED PURPOSE OF THIS PRAYER IS NOT
- Our happiness
- Our success
- Our future
THE INTENDED PURPOSE IS
For the name of the Lord Jesus to be glorified in you and you in Him
NOTICE
- Jesus is Glorified
- The Church is Glorified (His people)
Demonstrating to the world what the person and work of Christ is like so that He comes to be held in great honor and esteem because of who H is and all He has accomplished and will accomplish.” (J. Hampton Keathley bible.org. 2 Thes. Exe & Dev. Comm)
Colossians 3:1–4 – [1] If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. [3] For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (ESV)
Ephesians 2:6-7 – [4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—[6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
According to the Grace of God and our Lord Jesus Christ
- God’s Grace
- Christ’s Provision
- Our Faith
CONCLUSION
Make You – v. 11b
YOU
- Do you know?
- Have you received?
- Have you acknowledged?
- Have you trusted?
- Are you loving?
- Are you living?