TEXT:  2 Thess. 1

INTRODUCTION:

A.      A STRONG CHURCH - PROBLEMS.

B.      CHAPTER ONE DEALS WITH PERSECUTION.

I.      PAUL COMMENDS FOR FAITHFULNESS IN SPITE OF

        PERSECUTION( vs. 3-4 ).

A.      THEIR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER ABOUNDED( 1 John 3:18;  4:20 ).

B.      THEIR FAITH GREW CONTINUALLY( Rom. 10:17;  2 Tim. 2:15 ).

C.      THIS IN SPITE OF PERSECUTION( vs. 4-5 ).

          1.       Persecution is the lot of the faithful( 2 Tim. 3:12;  John 15:20 ).

          2.       Persecution can be put to good use( vs. 5 )if we are faithful( 1 Pet. 1:6-9 ).

          3.       Persecution serves to chasten the unruly( Heb. 12:3-7;  12-13 ).

          4.       Not all is the result of disobedience( 2 Thes. 3:1-2 ).

          5.       If we endure, we are blessed( Mat. 5:10-12 ).

II.     GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS DEMANDS THE PERSECUTOR BE

        PUNISHED( vs. 6-10 ).

A.      THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT

          VENGEANCE, BUT CAN REST( Rom. 12:17-21 ).

          1.       We are to be at peace( vs. 18 ).

          2.       Vengeance belongs to God( vs. 19 ).

                   a.       Government as an agent( Rom. 13:4 ).

                   b.       Jesus as an agent( 2 Thess. 1:7-8 ).

          3.       We must love our persecutors( vs. 20; Mat. 5:44-45 ).

          4.       When we avenge ourselves, we sin( vs. 21 ).

B.      NOT JUST THE PERSECUTOR, ALL TO BE PUNISHED( 2 Thes. 1:7-9 ).

          1.       Eternal - forever( Matt. 25:46;  Mark 9:47-48 ).

          2.       Destruction - "not annihilation,", separation from the face of the Lord.

                    ATRobertson

C.      REST WAITING AND REST WHEN HE COMES( vs. 10; Phil. 3:20-21 ).

III.    FINAL EXHORTATION AND PRAYER OF CHAPTER ONE.

A.      THEY MUST STRIVE TO BE WORTHY SO GOD WILL COUNT THEM SO

          ( Eph. 4:1;  Phil. 1:27 ).

B.      THEY WERE TO DO EVERY WORK OF FAITH( Titus 2:13-14;  3:1 ).

C.      IN WORKS AND SUFFERING GLORIFY JESUS(1 Pet. 4:16).

D.      THE OBJECT, THEY MIGHT BE GLORIFIED WITH HIM( Col. 3:1-4 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      1 Peter 4:15-16.

B.      THE END OF YOUR FAITH( 1 Pet. 1:6-7 ).