One thing to be sure of....

The Church in Elk Rapia
One Thing to be Sure of…
2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

service_7.2.17.mp3
File Size:	67145 kb
File Type:	mp3

Download File

---

Outline

In this letter Paul has to again address issues that he wrote about in 1 Thessalonians. There seems to have been a continuing persecution of this new church of believers. They were remaining true to their faith but had to be encouraged in the midst of suffering they were experiencing. Why was this city of 250,000 persecuting this tiny church in Thessalonica? Why is the church around the world today facing persecution?

I. The Reality of Suffering

                        Why?

A. Matthew 10:22 - And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

           Jesus

B. Matthew 13:21 - Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

            The Word

C. Galatians 6:12 - As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

            The Cross

D. 2 Timothy 3:12 - Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

            Impostors

E. 1 Peter 4:1-5 - Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;2) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

3) For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

4) Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

5) Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.



            Lifestyle

F. John 15:25 - But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

             Irrationality

Big Idea: Suffering; 
It is happening somewhere
right now!