The family church experience
Self Reliance. 2 Thessalonians 3:8-9. Nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor, we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in yourselves an example to imitate. …
Challenge 2 Thessalonians 3:6-7. Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you, yourselves know how you ought to imitate us because we were not idle…
Assurance. 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5. Dear Citizens of the Heavenly City, Paul has sought prayer from the Thessalonians but his main concern remains not for himself but for the believers. His concern is not shaky or uncertain, it is sure. Care (v. 3). The Lord is faithful, says Paul. We can depend on God to deliver. He…
A Plea for Intercession. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2. Dear Ambassadors of the Risen Lord, In an indication of the close relationship he has with the Thessalonians, Paul and his companions ask for prayer. Speed (v. 1). Paul asks the believers to pray that the gospel may spread quickly. He desires to see what happened in Thessalonica replicated…
A Prayer for Encouragement. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17. Dear Saints, The Apostle Paul cannot do without prayer, whether for himself or for others. This is an important indication of where his real hope is and what he depends on, for his life and success. We would do well to learn from him and imitate him. After telling…
A Reason to Be Thankful. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15. Dear Family, Paul now turns from the coming horror at the revelation of the Antichrist to the special calling of the Thessalonians. The contrast is intended as an encouragement to the persecuted Christians, that their suffering is not in vain. Grateful (v. 13). The Thessalonians were chosen by God…
The Coming of Antichrist.2 Thessalonians 2:8-12. Dear Family, The conditions for the coming of the Lawless One having been fulfilled – namely, the restraint and restrainer having been removed, the man of evil will be revealed. He will appear with such pomp and glory that it will be easy to lose sight of the fact…
Waiting for the Right Time. 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7. Dear Aliens and Strangers, Having explained that the Day of the Lord will not come until the Man of Lawlessness has been revealed, Paul goes on to explain that there is a time for that revelation, and it is not yet. Reminder (v. 5). When Paul was…
Prerequisite Signs.2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. Dear Pilgrims and Sojourners, We have seen so far that the response of the Apostle Paul to the false teaching that the Lord has already come has been, No, if he had, we would be with him. Now he turns his attention to an important aspect of this expectation – what…
False Alarm. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2. Dear Elect of God, Up to this point, the content of the letter has been greetings thanksgiving. As we begin chapter 2, Paul shifts to one of the two main themes of the letter – concerns about the coming of the Lord. Assembly (v. 1). The coming of the Lord…