TEXT:  2 Thess. 2:13-15

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THE STRENGTH OF THESSALONIANS - PROBLEMS, TOO.

B.      ch 1 - PERSECUTION. ch 2 - TIME OF 2nd COMING.

C.      HERE PAUL BREAKS FROM PROBLEMS FOR WORDS OF    ENCOURAGEMENT.

D.      ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE FORM OF A PRAYER OF THANKS.

I.      CHOSEN FROM THE BEGINNING UNTO SALVATION.

A.      SOME SEE THIS AS CONFIRMATION OF PREDESTINATION.

B.      ARE FOREORDINATION & PREDESTINATION BIBLE DOCTRINES?  YES!

          1.       Eph. 1:4-5, 11. "Predestined" KJV "Foreordained" ASV

          2.       Rom. 2:11;  1 Tim. 2:3-4;  2 Pet. 3:9;  Rev. 22:17.

          3.       Jesus' invitation( Matt.11:28-30; Rev.3:20; Mk.16:15-16 ).

          4.       If individuals chosen, picked out, clear cut contradiction.

                   Predestination must refer to something else.

          5.       Grk. - prooridzo, "to define; ie. to mark out boundaries or limits."( Thayer ). 

                             "Denotes to bind, set a boundary; hence to mark out definitely, determine."

          6.       God has defined us - Refers to class, type, not individuals.

          7.       All can be that kind!!

II.     WHAT KIND HAS GOD CHOSEN?  WHERE IS SALVATION?

A       "IN SANCTIFICATION" hagios, "separate, set apart, holy."

          1.       1 Pet. 1:2.  Obedience( Titus 2:14 ).

                   Sprinkling of the blood, forgiveness( Heb.9:5-7; 10:19-22 )

          2.       Rom. 12:1-2;  2 Cor. 6:17-7:1 - from something.

B.      AND BELIEF OF THE TRUTH( John 8:32;  20:30-31;  1 Pet. 1:22 ).

C.      CONTRASTED WITH THOSE WHO REFUSE THE TRUTH( vs. 10-12 ).

III.    CALLED TO BE THIS CHARACTER THROUGH THE GOSPEL.

A.      CALLED OUT OF DARKNESS( 1 Pet. 2:9 ).

B.      CALLED TO JUSTIFICATION( Acts 2:38-39 ).

C.      WE CAN COME IF WE ARE CALLED ONLY( John 6:44-45 ).  HOW?

D.      THE CALL IS FOR ALL!( Mark 16:16 ).

E.      IF WE ANSWERING WE WILL BE GLORIFIED WITH CHRIST( vs. 14 ).

IV.   SO THEN:

A.      STAND FAST

          1.       In spite of persecution.

          2.       In spite of those who would lead astray.

B.      HOLD THE TRADITIONS YOU WERE TAUGHT.

          1.       Equated with the Gospel.

          2.       Salvation( James 1:21 ).

          3.       2 Timothy 1:13-14;  2:2.

CONCLUSION:

A.      HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOSPEL CALL( Mark 16:16 ).

B.      THE CALL IS FOR ALL WHO WILL HEAR( Rev. 3:20 ).